Highlights in this week’s Small Business Update:

• Companies can build success with the Ohio Export Internship Program
• 12 new providers will help Ohioans access training at no cost to them
• 54 historic preservation projects will spur economic development
• More than 2,200 blighted buildings to be demolished to pave way for new development
• Certifications can help businesses compete for and win contracts

New Projects Expected to Create More Than $202.6M

Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted recently announced the approval of assistance for 14 projects set to create 1,663 new jobs and retain 3,457 jobs statewide.

During its December meeting, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority reviewed economic development proposals brought to the board by JobsOhio and its regional partners. Collectively, the projects are expected to result in more than $99.7 million in new payroll and spur more than $202.6 million in investments across Ohio.

To read more about the projects, click here.

Export Interns Can Help Companies Grow

The Ohio Export Internship Program matches businesses interested in growing exports with highly motivated college students who have taken export-focused coursework. The Ohio Department of Development offers participating small to medium-sized businesses a 50 percent reimbursement for the wages of the intern.

The program is a partnership between the Department of Development, The Ohio State University, Youngstown State University, Cleveland State University, the University of Dayton, and two universities that are joining the program this year: Bowling Green State University and Ohio University.

The summer internships have a track record of helping businesses achieve export success. In the 12 years of the program, 411 student-company matches were created, resulting in 136 internship extensions, 69 new job positions, and 400 new international markets, distributors, or customers.

Companies can apply now through Feb. 1 to meet with Development and a local export advisor about hosting an export intern.

For more information and to apply, click here.

New Providers Help Ohioans Access Job Training

Lt. Governor Jon Husted, who serves as Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, announced that 12 training providers located throughout the state will receive a total of $2.58 million in awards through the Individual Microcredential Assistance Program (IMAP). This program helps Ohioans who are low-income, partially unemployed, or totally unemployed participate in a training program and earn a technology-focused credential at no cost to them.

The selected training providers, which include four-year universities, career centers, and private businesses, will be reimbursed up to $3,000 per earned technology-focused credential.

IMAP offers a variety of credentials to help Ohioans choose a career path just for them. Training will be offered both in-person and online, making it easy to learn from anywhere in the state.

Ohioans interested in earning a credential or learning more about the program can visit the IMAP website at Workforce.Ohio.gov/IMAP.

54 Historic Rehabilitation Projects Receive Awards

Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced state support for 54 rehabilitation projects that will restore 57 historic buildings across Ohio. The projects are expected to leverage approximately $1.01 billion in private investment.

The projects are being awarded funding as part of the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program (OHPTC), administered by the Ohio Department of Development. In total, 21 communities across the state are receiving awards, which total $64,132,847 in tax credits.

The awards will assist private developers in rehabilitating historic buildings in downtowns and neighborhoods. Many of the buildings are vacant today and generate little economic activity. Once rehabilitated, they will drive further investment and interest in adjacent property.

To learn more, including details on the 54 projects, click here.

More Than 2,200 Sites to Be Prepared for Economic Development

Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted recently announced that more than 2,200 blighted and vacant structures in 42 counties will be demolished to pave the way for new economic development and housing opportunities across the state.

The buildings will be razed as part of Governor DeWine’s Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program. The DeWine-Husted Administration created the program to help local communities demolish dilapidated commercial and residential buildings and revitalize surrounding properties to attract investments, businesses, and jobs.

The projects are in addition to the 825 demolition projects announced in October. They will be funded with the Ohio Demolition and Site Revitalization Program set-aside grants announced for each county in July. Thirteen counties will also receive additional program funding totaling $35.3 million to cover expenses in excess of the initial set-aside grants.

In total, the Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program will award nearly $150 million in grants for projects across the state. Details on demolition projects in additional counties will be provided in the coming weeks.

For details about the projects, click here.

Business Certifications Available at Development Website 

Business certifications available from the state of Ohio can help companies land government contracts and build their customer base.

Businesses can apply for these certifications from the Ohio Department of Development’s Minority Business Development Division:

• Minority Business Enterprises (MBE)
• Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBE)
• Veteran-Friendly Business Enterprises (VBE)
• Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity (EDGE)

Information about certifications is available at Development.Ohio.gov/Certifications. In addition, companies seeking to diversify their supplier or subcontractor lists can visit the site to search for certified companies.

OhioMeansJobs.com Can Help Businesses Find Workers

Businesses that are looking for workers can find help at OhioMeansJobs.com. The website helps job seekers find work, and it also can help businesses find their next employee. The site now has more than 2.2 million resumes posted by people looking for a new job.

In addition, the Employer page on the website provides other resources, such as tips on hiring veterans, people with disabilities, and restored citizens.

OhioMeansJobs.com currently has more than 290,000 jobs posted, including more than 175,000 that pay more than $50,000 per year. More than 4,700 internship opportunities also are available.

To find the OhioMeansJobs center near you, visit OhioMeansJobs.com and select “FIND A JOB CENTER” at the bottom of the page or call 1-888-296-7541.

Quick Links to COVID Data and Vaccinations

• In-depth COVID-19 data for Ohio: coronavirus.ohio.gov
• Ohio's central scheduling system: gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov
• All vaccine providers: vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov
• More vaccine information: coronavirus.ohio.gov/vaccine

For more information on Ohio's response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.

We’re Here to Help!

The Ohio Department of Development has many resources to help business owners prepare for a strong future. Here are some of the resources, and most of them are offered at no cost to businesses.

• Small Business Development Centers:SBDC.Development.Ohio.Gov
• Minority Business Assistance Centers:Minority.Ohio.Gov
• Procurement Technical Assistance Centers: Find.GovContracts.Ohio.Gov
• Manufacturing Extension Partnership: MEP.Development.Ohio.Gov
• Export Assistance:Development.Ohio.Gov/ExportAssistance

Follow Us on Social Media

Development is using its social media channels to raise awareness of programs and assistance available through the state and federal governments. We urge small businesses to reach out to Ohio Small Business Development Centers and Minority Business Assistance Centers around the state for help in applying for federal assistance and to plan for the future.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Ohio Department of Development | Development.Ohio.Gov