This weeks #GOPCThread takes a look at the first four grants awarded under the JobsOhio Vibrant Community Grant Program, a program which recognizes that distressed communities may not have adequate resources to develop and implement economic development projects that can attract private investment and create new jobs in the community. The program was established to assist distressed small and medium sized communities with the implementation of catalytic development projects that fulfill a market need and represent a significant reinvestment in areas that have struggled to attract new investment..

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Last month, JobsOhio announced the recipients selected for the first round of the Vibrant Community Grant Program – a new program launched by JobsOhio to provide economic development assistance to Ohio’s distressed communities #GOPCThread

The Vibrant Community Program was established to assist distressed small and medium sized communities in executing a catalytic economic development project – with favored projects including real estate development and operated shared spaces. #GOPCThread

96 Ohio cities are eligible, as these cities have populations between 5-75K and poverty rates at or above the state’s average. Applicants for the Vibrant Community Program are business, nonprofits, developers, port authorities, or local governments #GOPCThread  

The first round of grants – around $4M – was awarded to the cities of Van Wert, Sandusky, Coshocton, and Painesville. Grantees were selected based on the project’s ability to serve as a catalyst for economic development and attract public & private investments #GOPCThread   

In Van Wert, community leaders have established a multi-phase plan for revitalization & redevelopment in downtown. With the assistance of this grant, the first phase will begin & assist with the redevelopment of 12 buildings to total 63,000 sq ft of mixed-use space #GOPCThread 

This mixed-use space will be in the heart of the historic district in downtown Van Wert. In total, the city has identified 48 buildings for redevelopment – & a total of $75M in downtown investment. This first step will be the catalyst for further redevelopment (@vwfwd @VWCF1925)

In Coshocton, grant dollars will assist in the renovation of a 3-story, vacant building in downtown. This redevelopment will establish an incubator/makerspace in the heart of downtown, with a focus on business growth and expansion #GOPCThread 

Once complete, the @CoshoctonPort will be centrally located in the renovated facility downtown, and work with private-sector businesses interested in the space #GOPCThread 

The @cityofsandusky grant will assist in the construction of a new 30K sq ft mixed-used building in downtown – with opportunities for retail, residential, and office space. Prior to this grant, private investment of around $3M has been invested in the site #GOPCThread 

The construction in downtown Sandusky aligns with the city’s Master Plan, which has broad community support. Additional public investment is anticipated to complete this project #GOPCThread 

Painesville’s grant will assist in the renovation of a 191K sq ft mixed-use building in downtown – and will include office, residential, and 52K sq ft of space dedicated for a focus on job creation space. This project aligns with the city’s Strategic Plan #GOPCThread 

Burgess & Niple, a nationally-known engineering and architecture firm, will be the anchor tenant once completed #GOPCThread 

In addition to these four transformative projects announced last month, JobsOhio has also awarded a $1.5M Vibrant Community Grant to the City of Oxford in collab with @MiamiUniversity for the development of the College@Elm Innovation & Workforce Development Center #GOPCThread 

In total, more than 40 applications were submitted for the first round of the Vibrant Community Program. JobsOhio plans to accept applications on a rolling basis, and communities interested in applying should contact their JobsOhio regional partner #GOPCThread

Additional information on the Vibrant Community Program can be found on JobsOhio’s website. GOPC looks forward to the continued investments in Ohio’s communities! https://www.jobsohio.com/vibrant-community-program/ #GOPCThread