2022 OTR Chamber Impact Report

From the Executive Director

Together, we have created a very special community here. Thanks to your help, OTR is known as the place to be and the place to belong. We also take this opportunity to give a nod to the hundreds of small businesses the OTR Chamber serves They are key drivers for our city’s economy and culture The national spotlight is a regular recurrence for Cincinnati because of their unique artistry Each business cycles money back into our community, creates jobs for residents and helps our city operate more sustainably.

OTR and Pendleton’s small businesses are an asset to Cincinnati and our region, therefore need continuous protection and support. This is where the OTR Chamber comes into play. Our organization’s efforts and services reflect the roles of both hero and caregiver

Notable achievements in the last 6 years include the OTR Chamber funding over $650,000 in grants to OTR and Pendleton small businesses We made a commitment to deepen the success of Black-Owned businesses, and four years later the number of Black-Owned storefronts has increased by more than 60%. Our data reflects a net of 14% small business growth for OTR in the past three years. This kind of advancement would be celebrated in any climate, but the fact this increase occurred during a pandemic is noteworthy. This progress demonstrates the value of the OTR Chamber providing direct pathways to financial and social capital, paired with one-on-one support We are proud of this results-driven strategy we are continuing to create Our goal is to be a model for small business associations across the Cincinnati region.

There is more to share in the following pages, about us and our accomplishments. Most importantly we are grateful to you, our supporters. These results are potential – thank you

WHO WE ARE

It’s been a minute, so let us re-introduce ourselves. We are your neighborhood hero meets hyper-local Chamber of Commerce. We convene OTR’s major developers, residents and business owners at the table, creating a true communityled organization.

WHY WE MATTER

Drive a Strong Economy

We are an original organization and exist because our small business district is a critical part of our City and region’s success. Nationally, small businesses generate 44% of the US economy Prioritizing OTR’s small businesses will lead to a stronger and more equitable recovery for our city’s urban core

Foster Equitable Growth

The OTR Chamber covers a geographical area where the population of Black residents is 43% and Black business ownership is 15%, well over the national average of 2.4%. To date, our collaborative efforts with developers have increased the number of BlackOwned storefronts in the past four years Our strategies are geared towards creating an equitable environment to support a steady, yet sustainable increase

Create Social Capital

Creating social capital and positive prosocial activity is our bread & butter National data demonstrates why the OTR Chamber is an essential piece in the small business ecosystem A 2022 study from the Payment Protection Program and U.S. Census concluded that access to financial capital is strongly correlated to social capital levels, over proximity to a bank. Conclusions are to “prioritize support for organizations and institutions that promote prosocial activity -- as much or more so than ensuring the physical presence of banks.”

Support Hiring Local and Sustainability

Small business growth in inner cities is critical to addressing unemployment and employing workers close to home. In turn this reduces car usage, improves air quality and enhances livability of urban areas.

WHO WE SERVE

The OTR and Pendleton neighborhoods are home to over 300 street-level brick and mortar businesses, diverse in industry and demographic, all local people who are wholeheartedly invested in their business and creating their own American dream. Non-profits, schools, offices and tech companies, are also an integral part of our small business ecosystem.

Breakdown of OTR businesses

Small business owners of color

Businesses which are at least 51% owned by individuals who identify as Black, Latino, Asian, or American Pacific Islander

The number of small business owners of color in Over-the-Rhine has increased by 52% over the past four years

2022 Economic Growth

Woman-owned businesses

Businesses which are at least 51% owned by a woman

The number of womanowned storefronts in Overthe-Rhine has increased by 30% over the past four years

Of the 46 new small businesses:

Almost half of all businesses that opened in 2022 are woman-owned

Business owners of color make up one third of all new businesses that opened in 2022

Black-owned businesses

The OTR Chamber is invested in being a part of the framework to deepen the success of black-owned businesses

The number of Black-owned storefronts in Over-theRhine has increased by 65% in the last 4 years

BRIDGE GRANT DISTRIBUTES OVER $85K TO SMALL BUSINESSES

OTR CHAMBER LAUNCHES MKTG

In 2022, the OTR Chamber distributed over $85,000 in funds, to help bridge the funding gap for OTR and Pendleton small businesses These businesses had been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and experienced barriers to obtaining capital for a new project

Over $85,000 in funds awarded to 34 small businesses 71% of small businesses awarded are Women, LGBTQ+, and/or BIPOC-owned businesses

Empower hosts the July MKTG LABS

Thanks to The Johnson Foundation, the OTR Chamber hosted eight MKTG LABS throughout the year 30+ business owners and their employees had access to experts in SEO, social media, web design, PR, branding, video marketing and more Funds supported hiring local experts and hosting sessions in women and minority-owned small businesses

SECOND SUNDAY ON MAIN CELEBRATES 18 YEARS

The 6th annual OTR Made Awards honored those who have greatly contributed to the economic vitality of OTR, and those who are leaders in building an inclusive climate in our community Honorees included Rico Grant, owner of Gallery at Gumbo, the team at The Corporation for Findlay Market and small businesses including Indigo Hippo

Thanks to returning sponsors P&G and Kroger, Second Sunday on Main continues to activate a key part of the neighborhood and enhance OTR’s culture Over 200 vendors signed up to participate throughout the season, averaging 75 vendors per monthly event Partner nonprofit organizations included Big Brothers Big Sisters, Last Mile Food Rescue, and the Cincinnati Zoo The event hired 18 local musicians and partnered with Cincinnati Music Accelerator to showcase additional local talent New event partners included MadTree Brewing as a collaborator to help green the festival.

Gallery at Gumbo received a 2022 OTR Made Award

Last Mile Food Rescue and Kroger hosted sustainable cooking demos at September's Sustain on Main festival

Ebony Williams, owner of Flavors of the Isle, a recipient of a Bridge Grant

OTR CHAMBER HOSTS INAUGURAL

SMALL BUSINESS HEALTHCARE ENROLLMENT INCREASES

Thanks to US Bank and the Johnson Foundation, the OTR Chamber hosted an inaugural breakfast event to welcome Black Tech Week guests from all over the country. The event took place at new OTR business Soul Secrets, featuring their signature soul-food bites and attracted over 100 attendees, including City Council members and local leaders

60 of OTR’s small businesses enrolled in the OTR Chamber’s healthcare plan, which is available to employers with 2-50 employees and provides access to Anthem’s Blue Cross & Blue Shield’s robust network of hospitals and doctors

“Offering healthcare is expensive, but the investment in our staff has led to an increase in hours worked, employee retention, and staff morale Being an OTR Chamber member makes it possible for small businesses like ours to offer attractive benefits that you typically only see at larger corporations" says Mandy Spears, General Manager of Spruce NailShop

OTR CHAMBER GRANTEE SOUL SECRETS OPENS

The OTR Gift Guide holiday campaign kicked off 2022 with a special guest, Mayor Aftab Pureval, who spoke on the importance of shopping small Our unique holiday campaign helps to drive our local economy, as 67 cents of every dollar spent at small businesses stays in the community The OTR Gift Guide campaign showcased OTR insiders being guides to exploring all of OTR and sharing insight on their favorite places to buy a gift

Soul Secrets restaurant opened its doors in April 2022 Owner Candice Holloway was both a Findlay Kitchen entrepreneur and recipient of an OTR Chamber Bridge Grant Thanks to Bridge Grant funders such as Sycamore Capital and The Hubert Family Foundation,"We are so very grateful for all the resources the OTR Chamber offers our business," says Holloway

Spruce Nail Shop leadership team, Andrea Watson, Mandy Spears and Molly Nagle

Executive Director Kelly Adamson and Mayor Aftab Pureval at the OTR Chamber's shop small kick-off press conference

Soul Secrets owner Candice Holloway

Left to right: Keizayla Fambro, Chief of Staff for Mayor Aftab, Candice Holloway, Owner of Soul Secrets, Kelly Adamson, ED of the OTR Chamber and Helena Battipaglia, Dir of Communications for Mayor Aftab

Thanks to our 2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Over-the-RhineChamberofCommerceLeadershipTeam: KellyAdamson,ExecutiveDirector

AmyYokel,OfficerManager

Over-the-RhineChamberofCommerceBoardofDirectors:

DanBaranowski,EagleRealty

JohnColeman,RevelOTRUrbanWinery RichardCooke,PoshEvents

BobDeck,4EG

Robert Denham,3CDC

MicahDickson,DryveTechnologies LannField,3CDC

KerryFrancis,Agar RicoGrant,GalleryatGumbo

Tamara Harkavy,ArtsWaveFounder

RyanHoran,HORAN

BlakeHubert,UrbanSites

AngelicaJohnson,FirstFinancial BlaiseKah,Deloitte

KellyLanser,CorporationforFindlayMarket MattReckman,TheModelGroup

ElizabethSchmidt,GBBNArchitects

TammieScott,NostalgiaWine&JazzLounge

MikeSullivan,Cushman&Wakefield

WilliamThomas,CincyNiceCo-Founder

KentWellington,Graydon