Cincinnati companies awarded development funds
Two Cincinnati companies have been awarded inclusion grants to help grow existing businesses.
The JobsOhio Inclusion Grant program supports businesses that are either serving distressed communities or have ownership from underrepresented populations, such as minorities, women, veterans and people with disabilities. In coordination with REDI Cincinnati, JobsOhio has announced that this quarter’s local awardees are GoSun and Natural Access Design.
Focused on building a solar-powered future, GoSun of Cincinnati is an innovative manufacturer of portable products for outdoor recreation, such as ovens, coolers, chargers and water systems. National Access Design of Golf Manor is a woman-owned manufacturing company producing industrial doors, environmental barriers and other building related infrastructure for clients worldwide in food processing, cold storage, material handling and retail industries.
“GoSun creates innovative products that encourage fun, resilience and independence. We are passionate about our products and how they power our customers’ lives,” says Patrick Sherwin, founder and CEO of GoSun. “Founded in a small suburban garage in Cincinnati, Ohio, we grew quickly thanks to our community of committed customers and shareholders, who not only believe in our products, but also use them to bring people together.”
“Having awarded over $2.6 million in inclusion grants, with almost 40% directed towards supporting women-owned businesses since the program’s inception, these grants play a pivotal role in encouraging businesses to establish and expand in the region,” says Kevin Donnelly REDI Cincinnati vice president of project management. “The direct beneficiaries of these grants are local companies owned by underrepresented populations, including minorities, women, veterans and people with disabilities.”
REDI Cincinnati has closed 63 inclusion grant projects since the program’s inception, resulting in 454 new jobs, $24.2 million in new payroll and $10.7 million in capital investment. Nearly 40% of the inclusion grants have been awarded to women-owned businesses in the Cincinnati region.
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.
