FISHER ANNOUNCES $3.3 MILLION IN HOUSING AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP GRANTS
Columbus, OH – December 2, 2008 – (RealEstateRama) – Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced that 18 grants totaling more than $3.3 million will be awarded to eligible nonprofit organizations through Ohio Housing Trust Fund programs administered by the Ohio Department of Development. The grants were approved by the State Controlling Board.
“These grants will provide thousands of low- and moderate-income Ohioans and their families with safe, affordable, and quality housing as well as training and technical assistance,” said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. “The Ohio Housing Trust Fund continues to have a positive impact on the citizens of Ohio and our economy.”
The Community Development Finance Fund will be awarded $1,900,000 to provide community-based, nonprofit development organizations with access to low-interest, long-term financing for housing, economic development, and commercial projects that revitalize low- and moderate-income communities. The Community Development Finance Fund, a statewide nonprofit organization, will use the grant funds to assist approximately 300 people and create approximately 40 jobs.
The Microenterprise Business Development Program grants totaling $590,000 will be awarded to 11 nonprofit organizations including: Lima/Allen Council on Community Affairs; ACEnet; Adams Brown Counties Economic Opportunities, Inc.; WECO (Wealth, Education, Collaboration, Opportunity) Fund, Inc.; INCREASE Community Development Corporation; The Economic and Community Development Institute; HHWP (Hancock, Hardin, Wyandot, and Putnam Counties) Community Action Commission; Greater Cincinnati Microenterprise Initiative; Community Action Partnership of Greater Dayton Area; Southern Perry Incubation Center for Entrepreneurs; and Community Action Committee of Pike County.
The Microenterprise Business Development Program award recipients will provide training and technical assistance and small business development loans to low- and moderate-income Ohioans who are interested in establishing, improving, or expanding businesses. The grants are expected to assist an estimated 704 individuals and 51 small businesses.
Five Discretionary Grant Program awards totaling $674,900 will be awarded to statewide nonprofit organizations including the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio; the Ohio Community Development Corporations Association; and Habitat for Humanity of Ohio.
A $160,000 Training and Technical Assistance Grant Program grant will be awarded to the Ohio Community Development Corporations Association. The funds will be used to provide local governments and nonprofit organizations with training and technical assistance regarding community economic development, individual development accounts, affordable housing development, and microenterprise business development.
The Ohio Department of Development, through its Office of Housing and Community Partnerships, provides financial and technical assistance to units of local government and nonprofit organizations in Ohio for project activities that benefit low- and moderate-income citizens.
Working with our partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the non-profit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is absolutely necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio’s future.
