In The News

WEST CHESTER AWARDS MORE THAN $114,000 IN SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS

March 20, 2023  |  Small Business Grants
SPARK awards

West Chester Township announces more than $114,000 in small business grants at the start of our community’s bicentennial year.

The West Chester Board of Trustees launched a small business revitalization grant program to encourage investment in exterior improvements in business corridors. The first awards announced just this week.

The Spark Grant is for owners or tenants to make improvements at the front door of their business, enhancing the business specifically, as well as the aesthetic of the neighborhood. West Chester will partner financially with these entrepreneur applicants to make visible, impactful change invigorating their business and small business corridors across the Township.

Nearly 30 applications were submitted for consideration and 18 will receive some funding to move forward with their projects. The applications were scored based upon the aesthetic benefit of the project to the larger neighborhood, the potential economic impact of the project and if the project represented a targeted area of needed improvement in the Township.

“So many great projects were submitted, but those selected rose the top in terms of the larger impact they might have in an area of the Township that could benefit from aesthetic improvement,” said Economic Development Manager Katy Kanelopoulos. “The goal is to give a jumpstart that will inspire other property owners to make improvements.”

A total of $140,081.00 will be awarded as reimbursement once specified projects are complete and meet the commitment made in the applications. Applicants have six months to complete their projects. The top-scoring applicants will receive 100% of funding sought, up to $10,000.00. Others will receive 75% of funding sought.

The Board of Trustees have the option to consider another round of grants later in 2023.

Receiving 100% of funding are:

  • Animal Hospital of West Chester – State Route 42 - $6,642.00 for improved and updated signage
  • Saxon Financial – State Route 42 - $10,000.00 for updated signage
  • Salon BelAire – State Route 42 - $4,250.00 for repairs to front parking area
  • Timberview Office Park – State Route 42 - $10,000.00 to replace rotted decking at front of building
  • Kaycie Land Investment/Scott’s Awards/Carpetile – State Route 42 - $9,365.00 for updated signage and parking lot updates
  • LuLu Sweets Boutique – Cox Lane - $1,608.00 to create an outdoor dining area
  • The Pickle Lodge – Kingsgate Way - $10,000.00 for enhancement of entrance at an old building with a new use
  • Raton Salon – Cincinnati-Dayton Road - $1,525.00 for improved entry signage
  • Bunnell Electric – Cincinnati-Dayton Road - $10,000.00 for new front door, windows and new signage.

Receiving 75% of requested funding:

  • Premier Shooting and Training – State Route 747 - $7,500.00 for an exterior mural
  • Arrow Brothers/Further Financial – Muhlhauser Road - $3,712.00 for decorative exterior lighting
  • BTC Investments – State Route 747 - $3,300.00 for removal of dead shrubs and replanting
  • Entertrainment Junction – Squire Court off Tylersville - $7,500.00 for painting the exterior of the building which fronts I-75
  • Golden Day Boutique – Cincinnati-Dayton Road - $7,500.00 to add large display window at front of building to create retail atmosphere in corridor
  • Kingsgate Insurance – Cincinnati-Dayton Road - $5,433.00 for updated signage
  • Welling & Company – Cincinnati-Dayton Road - $5,138.00 for an awning at the street front in Olde West Chester
  • Xquisite Cutz – Kingsgate Way - $3,828.00 for replacing deteriorated signage and improvements to business exterior
  • Fath Regal Properties – Regal Lane - $6,780.00 for exterior painting and new doors

West Chester’s vitality, amenities and convenient location between Cincinnati and Dayton, in southwest Ohio, have made it the region’s most desirable community for residential and commercial growth. Businesses staking their claim here enjoy a business-friendly attitude in a no-earnings tax environment with the best access to customers and workforce.

Entrepreneurs and innovators find themselves “in good company” with the more than 3,600 businesses and more than 64,000 residents calling West Chester home.

West Chester has been named among Ohio’s Best Places for Business for 2020, 2021 and 2022. The community lives up to its vision as a Place Where Families Grow and Businesses Prosper.