In 2020, JobsOhio created a unique, creative statewide program tailored to provide financial support to minority-owned businesses and companies in distressed communities.

The JobsOhio Inclusion Grant (JOIG) program provides the capital needed to grow businesses, part of an inclusion strategy focused on companies located in or owned by underrepresented populations.

Already, more than 460 companies across Ohio have received grant funding through the JOIG program.

“Small businesses can be an important spark that attracts growth in communities that have played a vital role in Ohio’s success story."

– J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio President & CEO

The Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) has aggressively marketed the program to communities and businesses across the 17-county region. 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 Inclusion Grant is intended for fixed asset investment in machinery and equipment, real estate investments including redevelopment, and training costs.

Since 2020, the RGP has helped facilitate 72 Inclusion Grants worth more than $2.1 million to Northwest Ohio companies. Those recipients have created more than 300 new jobs.

“Northwest Ohio boasts an abundance of diverse companies, both small to medium-sized, that generate great prosperity and opportunities for our region. The JobsOhio Inclusion Grant allows us to provide needed financial resources to help these businesses continue advancing.”

– Chase Eikenbary, Vice President of Project Management, RGP

Companies in 15 of the 17 Northwest Ohio counties have received grant funding through the program. These businesses represent a variety of industries including healthcare, logistics, advanced manufacturing, IT, food/agriculture, aerospace, and automotive.

The momentum for Northwest Ohio has continued through 2023 with nearly 40 regional companies having received a JOIG, which has resulted in 140 new jobs and $1.1 million in grant funding.

One such company, Kohart Surplus & Salvage, Inc. in Paulding County, recycles scrap metal and other materials to create raw materials for steel companies. JOIG funding for this project has allowed the company to increase productivity and capabilities to further process and sort materials and to substantially increase value. Total investment exceeds $800,000 and has led to the creation of four new jobs.

Another recipient, Schlatter’s Plumbing & Heating, specializes in the repair and installation of plumbing, heating, and HVAC equipment. The JOIG allowed the company to expand its facility, adding training space for existing and new employees. With the support of the grant, the company invested $150,000 and hired four new employees, 

For more information and eligibility requirements of the program, visit https://rgp.org/jobsohio-inclusion-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 is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio through Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.