Cincinnati and Hamilton County have benefited from millions of dollars in federal grants from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
City and county business groups and state leaders hope Wednesday’s visit to the White House will bring more opportunities for investment and big infrastructure projects like the Brent Spence Bridge.
One of the invited guests is Eric Kearney, president and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. He plans to highlight how the fund is helping small businesses expand.
One example is the Lincoln and Gilbert Fund and its goal to double the number of MBEs within five years. “This summer we spent a million dollars on small businesses in Cincinnati. So, over 100 businesses here have been helped by Lincoln and Gilbert,” Kearney says.
Other special programs include “Pivot,” a chamber program that Kearney explained provides technology assistance, marketing, website design and certification guidance.
And these efforts are working, he said. UC Center for Economics research shows clear growth in minority business. An updated study will be released soon.
A Hamilton County Commission news release on Wednesday’s trip reads: “Commissioners are expected to strategize and leverage county interests with regional leaders to maximize the positive environmental impact of the Climate Change and Prescription Drug Cost Inflation Act.” They will also talk to Biden-Harris administration officials about building the local economy through the CHIPS and SCIENCE Act, which plans to create jobs for Ohio families, and a bipartisan infrastructure bill.
A news release from the Cincinnati mayor’s office reads: “Using ARP dollars, the city has pledged to implement the Biden-Harris administration’s CHIPS and SCIENCE Act, which plans to create construction-ready sites that attract Intel deals and high-tech manufacturing to Cincinnati.” The mayor touts the incredible opportunity in the Depreciation Act, which is expected to lower household costs, fight the climate crisis, create good jobs and make the tax code fairer. “
