DeWine, Husted announce expansion of minority-led businesses in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted joined leaders of the Cincinnati Innovation District and JobsOhio Monday to announce the expansion and acceleration of minority-led business attraction to the state.

Cincinnati Mayor, John Cranley, UC President Neville Pinto and JobsOhio President and Chief Executive Officer J.P. Nauseef were among the speakers and guests at the University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub located on 2900 Reading Road in Avondale.

It was announced that the Lightship Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs to expand and create space for residential fellowships and programming for students, artists, designers and minority-led start-ups, will be headquartered in the city’s first-of-its kind Cincinnati Innovation District.

Chief Innovation Officer at the University of Cincinnati David J. Adams says that The Lightship Foundation will convert The Beacon, located at 121 E. McMillan, and the Boulter House, located at 1 Rawson Woods Circle, into collaborative spaces for students, artists, designers, entrepreneurs, and minority-led startups.

Anchored by UC and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, the CID serves as a blueprint for the state and ensures Cincinnati becomes a magnet for talent that attracts Fortune 500, mid-size and developing start-up companies, according to JobsOhio’s website.

The district is designed to build, retain and attract talent to Ohio. It aims to generate 20,000 new jobs and $3 billion in annual economic impact for Ohio over the next 10 years.

In addition to announcing the expansion, Lt. Gov. Husted announced the approval of assistance for five new projects in the state that are expected to create more than $12 million in investments. This includes the Coterie Applications Inc. in Blue Ash, Divisions Inc. in the City of Cincinnati, EPC - Columbia Inc. in Warren County, and Western Legrand North America LLC in Montgomery County.

The projects will provide 679 new jobs and retain 549 jobs statewide.

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