TOLEDO, Ohio, Jun. 9, 2022 —Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Toledo marked today the official Toledo launch of the Community Navigator Pilot Program (CNPP) under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Through a $100 million competitive grant program, LISC received $5 million to strengthen outreach to businesses in underserved communities in seven markets, including Toledo, around the country.
The more than $600,000 earmarked for the Toledo metro will bolster the capacity of local “spokes” ASSETS Toledo, ECDI, Mercy Health Innovation, Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Toledo Chamber, and Women of Toledo to provide 1-to-1 direct support, including technical assistance, to more than 700 local small business owners over the two year grant period. This hyperlocal 1-to-1 support will help reduce barriers small businesses often face in accessing critical resources available through existing SBA programs and our local business development ecosystem.
“I am proud that the SBA Northern Ohio District Office is collaborating with LISC Toledo on the Toledo CNPP,” said SBA District Director Gil Goldberg. “Not only will the program bring jobs and lasting wealth to underserved members of Toledo’s small business community, it will also ultimately spark new economic growth for the entire region. The Toledo CNPP is a shining example of SBA’s new Equity Action Plan, through which the agency is reducing barriers and improving access to SBA resources for disadvantaged communities across the nation.”
The funding bolsters local public-private partnerships already supporting the local small business ecosystem.
“Small businesses are the heart of our community and bring jobs, opportunity and hope to Toledo’s neighborhoods,“ said James Hoffman, KeyBank Northwest Ohio Market President. “LISC has a long history of providing small businesses in Toledo with the support they need to succeed and grow. The Community Navigator Pilot Program is another step forward in advancing our community’s small business ecosystem.”
The anticipated program impact over two years includes more than 700 small businesses receiving assistance and more than $1.5 M in grants and loans approved for Toledo small businesses. “CNPP is increasing the capacity of organizations with deep roots in underserved communities already doing critical work supporting small business in Toledo,” said Kim Cutcher, Executive Director of LISC Toledo. “It’s that combination of local relationships plus public and private resources that can make a dramatic difference for local businesses.”
“Business development organizations are those of us on the ground, walking side-by-side with businesses to help them succeed,” said ASSETS Toledo Executive Director Olivia Holden. “ASSETS worked with LaVonda Johnson, owner of LaVonda Josett Photography, in our entrepreneur training class and through one-on-one technical assistance. ASSETS helped LaVonda put together her first business plan, which LaVonda credits as being her roadmap for attracting new customers, growing her business, and supporting her family. The SBA Community Navigator grant will increase the capacity of organizations like ASSETS to assist more businesses like LaVonda’s.”
Entrepreneurs in Lucas County seeking assistance should reach out to any of the five spokes to be connected to the network:
ASSETS Toledo
(419) 251-9870
ECDI
awelch@ecdi.org
(419) 574-9476
Mercy Health Innovation
mlreichert@mercy.com
(419) 251-2114
SBDC at Toledo Chamber
Sabrina.D'Onofrio@toledochamber.com
(419) 243-8191
Women of Toledo
info@womenoftoledo.org
(567) 970-7172
###
About LISC:
LISC is one the country’s largest community development organizations, helping forge vibrant, resilient communities across America. We work with residents and partners to close systemic gaps in health, wealth and opportunity and advance racial equity so that people and local economies can thrive. Since our founding, LISC has invested $24 billion to create more than 436,320 affordable homes and apartments and develop 74.4 million square feet of retail, community and educational space. For more, visit www.lisc.org.