Eight Northwest Ohio companies announced expansions during the third quarter through an incentive program created to support small and medium-sized business development projects. The JobsOhio Small Business Grant provided funding to these projects in the amount of $200,000. Those dollars supported the creation of 26 new jobs and the retention of 128 jobs.

The companies, spread across the 17-county region, all received assistance for the program which provides support for eligible projects in designated distressed communities and/or for businesses owned by underrepresented populations across the state. The Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) has aggressively marketed the program to communities and businesses across Northwest Ohio.

Eligible businesses are defined as minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, located in a distressed community, or owned by an individual with a disability. The grant is intended for fixed-asset investment in machinery and equipment, training costs and real estate investments including redevelopment.

“JobsOhio Small Business Grants provide companies in Ohio essential financial support that help them to scale up, overcome initial capital investment barriers, enable them to invest in necessary equipment, infrastructure and other items needed for growth. In Northwest Ohio particularly, these grants not only have allowed for many small businesses to invest but also have enabled them to retain, hire and upskill their team.”

– Chase Eikenbary, vice president of project management, Regional Growth Partnership

The Northwest Ohio Businesses receiving JobsOhio Small Business Grants are:

  • American Manufacturing (Toledo) – Located in a distressed location, the company specializes in the high-volume production of standard steel containers for Chrysler, Ford, GM, and their suppliers. The grant will cover significant demolition and site preparation costs, enhancing safety, aesthetics and functionalit
  • DefiFoods Group International (Defiance) – Women/minority-owned company is a manufacturer and packager of confectionary products, specifically chocolate. This grant will provide financial assistance in helping to fund building remodeling that is necessary to get production lines up and running and allow the company to invest in the community and Ohio by hiring more employees.
  • Schwab Builders (Ottawa) – Women-owned business building for manufacturing, commercial, suburban, agriculture, equine, government sectors in Putnam County and Northwest Ohio. This grant will greatly assist in the purchase of vital equipment.
  • Flower Manufacturing (Fremont) – Located in a distressed location, the company makes custom air fresheners for a multitude of customers including Turtle Wax. The grant will help with asphalt repair/replacement at recently purchased warehouse.
  • Frankart Electric (Fostoria) – Located in a distressed area, Frankart provides electrical contracting services to residential, commercial and industrial customers. They also provide fire alarm and generator installations. Grant funding supports company’s expansion of capabilities, specifically growing a new division focused on mechanical services.
  • ACHI, LLC (Toledo) – Woman-owned company in distressed area providing consultative services to healthcare. Looking to expand in new location. Grant enables company to create office location in a distressed zip and will allow for necessary software to bring on new employees.
  • Systems Advantage (Lima) – Located in a distressed location, company is a leader in creating print materials, promotional products and custom-designed apparel for several industries. Grant will offset costs for facility expansion due to customer growth.
  • Nationwide Belting Sales & Service (Genoa) – A leader in the conveyor belt industry, this veteran-owned company specializes in conveyor sales and belt services for a variety of industries including food processing, manufacturing, and agriculture. Grant will support the purchase of new machinery and equipment to land new contracts with larger clients.

Through the first three quarters, the RGP has helped facilitate 25 Small Business Grants across Northwest Ohio, leading to the creation of 74 new jobs, 356 retained jobs, and $700,000 in grant funding.

“The JobsOhio Small Business Grant has helped hundreds of smaller enterprises hire and retain thousands of workers, including those rolling up their sleeves and getting to work in Northwest Ohio. This program is part of a greater investment strategy designed to empower small businesses that represent a vital cog in Ohio’s diverse economy while unlocking the ingenuity of Ohio’s entrepreneurs.”

– J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio President and CEO

Grant decisions for the program are based on several project factors, including but not limited to company location, company ownership, jobs created and/or retained, and project fixed-asset investment. Support is generally intended for small to medium-sized companies with eligible projects.

For more information about the program, visit https://rgp.org/jobsohio-small-business-grant/

The Regional Growth Partnership is the lead economic development organization serving 17 counties in Northwest Ohio. As a private nonprofit development corporation, the RGP is dedicated to fostering regional, national and international business investment opportunities across the region. The RGP serves as Northwest Ohio’s network partner for JobsOhio. Visit www.rgp.org for more information.

JobsOhio, Ohio’s private nonprofit economic development corporation, enhances company growth and personnel development through business attraction, retention, and expansion across ten competitive industry sectors. With a team of seasoned professionals, JobsOhio utilizes a comprehensive network to foster talent production in targeted industries and attract talent through Find Your Ohio. Collaborating with seven regional partners, including Dayton Development Coalition, Lake to River Economic Development, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO, JobsOhio delivers world-class customer service to provide companies with a competitive advantage. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.