Thread by @GreaterOhio

Today's #GOPCThread is our 2nd set of #ShoutOuts to partners in #SMLC's doing great #Equitabledevelopment. For more case studies & the academic case for equity, check out our report w/ @landpolicy "Equitably Developing America’s Smaller Legacy Cities."
greaterohio.org/publications/2…

Funding minority business drives #Equitabledevelopment. Several Ohio #CDFIs run minority contractor loan programs to support MBE participation in construction and allied fields. Funds help start-up contractors withstand delays in payment & compete for more jobs. #GOPCThread

#ECDI runs MBE Capital for Construction (#CfC) & provides short-term, low-interest loans. CfC includes tech assistance & access to long-term capital upon program completion. In its 1st 3 years, CfC served 350+ small minority-owned const. firms #GOPCThread
greaterohio.org/good-ideas/202…

#VillageCapitalCorporation runs #ContractorsOnTheRise to grow exist. minority & female contractors. They issue lines of credit & offer biz support services to improve cashflow & bankability. The program grows minority business while revitalizing n’hoods
thelandcle.org/stories/contra…

#WesternReserveCommunityFund started the #MinorityContractorCapitalAccessProgram in 2020. This initiative provides financial and technical assistance to women, LGBTQ+, Veteran and Disabled-owned contracting businesses. #GOPCThread
mccap.org

Building stable n’hoods by protecting n’hood identity & preserving cultural assets, locking in affordability, providing relief from property tax hikes & protecting renters from eviction is #Equitabledevelopment. One #ColumbusOH n’hood is doing this via home repair grants

@colsfoundation @OCCHstrong + @FifthThird are protecting generational wealth & n’hood stability thru home repair grants 2 legacy residents in #MiloGrogan n’hood. In 2018, grants funded 17 homes. #NiSourceCharitableFndation #MidOhioHFH @milogroganac @morpc
homeportohio.org/news-posts/201…

Aligning similar programs 2 promote collaboration, eliminate redundancy, save $ & support scaling up can support #Equitabledevelopment. In #GrandRapidsMI employers funded #TheSOURCE 2 align workforce training, wraparound services & employer needs.
facebook.com/TheSourceGrand…

#TheSOURCE provides social service supports needed to keep employees in their jobs & education & technical training to support employers’ needs & help employees move into better positions. #TheSOURCE has placed 8k+ employees with a retention rate of >97%.
grsource.org

Improving #Transit & #Mobility to help workers access jobs is #Equitabledevelopment. @GroveportGov established the #GREAT Transit service to help workers access a major logistics hub & support employers in attracting workers
groveport.org/193/GREAT-Work…

#GREAT provides fixed-route shuttles that transport workers from existing @COTA bus stops to their jobs at the Rickenbacker logistics hub. #GREAT is funded and operated by @GroveportGov and provided 25K rides in 2019. #GOPCThread

Recalibrating existing operations to be more equitable is #Equitabledevelopment. #SpringfieldOH adjusted code enforcements efforts around solutions-oriented compassion. Instead of fines, homeowners work with the local @NeighborWorks affiliate to address the violation

For example, Springfield @NeighborWorks facilitated an agreement between the city and one homeowner so the resident could buy paint one paycheck at a time to slowly repaint their house. #NeighborhoodHousingPartnershipofGreaterSpringfield #HousingSuppliesWorkingGroup #GOPCThread

Adjusting city programs around #equity is #Equitabledevelopment. For example, in #SouthBendIN #BowmanCreekEducationalEcosystem (#BCe2) worked with the city and homeowners to design a city match program for street lighting that would benefit all residents. #GOPCThread

Initially the city-funded a flat $250 match & affluent & middle-income n’hoods subscribed but low-income ones didn’t. #BCe2 convinced the city to lower the program’s match to $80 for low-income n’hoods & BCe2 agreed to pay the fee on their behalf. #GOPCThread

This change made the program more equitable, rather than equal—resulting in a victory for low-income residents and high subscription to the program. #GOPCThread

That’s not all! To learn about more concrete approaches to #equitabledevelopment, check out the webinar we jointly hosted w/ @landpolicy. #GOPCThread