Year: 2010

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Arts & Entertainment Business Development News

Ibrahim Abdul-Matin to headline fourth annual OTRCH fundraiser

On Thursday, October 14, Over-the-Rhine Community Housing (OTRCH) will host its yearly fundraiser at Music Hall. The fourth annual event is meant to raise money for the non-profit while also engaging interested members of the public with the concepts, projects, and programs that OTRCH oversees.

OTRCH began as the Over-the-Rhine Housing Network in 1988 as an affordable housing organization. The organization then merged with ReSTOC, another affordable housing organization, in 2006 to help improve the organization’s ability to secure and sustain affordable housing and community-based development in the historic neighborhood.

The non-profit organization now manages a variety of programs including housing, resident engagement, advocacy and education, and even physical development projects throughout Over-the-Rhine.

This year’s fundraiser, entitled Celebrating Our Beloved Community, will honor Elder High School for their work in the community, and feature Ibrahim Abdul-Matin as the keynote speaker. Abdul-Matin is the author of the acclaimed book Green Deen: What Islam Teaches About Protecting the Planet.

OTRCH executive director Mary Burke says that the event will also include a song and dance performance by Elementz, light food catered by What’s for Dinner, and a cash bar.

Admission for Celebrating Our Beloved Community costs $50, with all proceeds going to benefit the affordable housing efforts of OTRCH. Those interested can make reservations online, or by contacting Mary Burke or Sarah Allen at mburke@otrch.org and stallan@otrch.org respectively.

The event will take place inside Music Hall’s Ballroom (map) from 5:30pm to 8:30pm on Thursday, October 14. Those attending the fundraiser can access on- and off-street parking nearby, free off-street bicycle parking, or utilize Metro bus service (plan your trip).

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Business News Transportation

Two area transit professionals recognized for young industry leadership

Two area transit professionals, Colin Groth and Ben Capelle, were named to Mass Transit Magazine’s 40 Under 40 list. The list recognizes industry professionals who have made “significant contributions” to the public transit industry.

According to magazine editors, those honored were nominated by their peers and then judged on their job commitment, industry involvement and contribution, professional achievement, and innovation in their particular field.

Colin Groth, Government Relations Director for Metro, was honored for his work with local, state, and federal officials since 2005. The publication notes that most recently Groth has been instrumental in securing more than $17 million in American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for the transit agency. Groth was also named to the Business Courier’s 2009 Forty Under 40 class, selected to participate in the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s 2010 C-Change program, and is currently active in eight different Cincinnati organizations outside of Metro.

“He represents the kind of dynamic, engaged and forward-thinking individuals that will help solidify public transit’s role in our nation’s future,” said Mass Transit Magazine editor Fred Jandt.

Ben Capelle, director of Clermont Transportation Connection (CTC), was also honored for his achievements. In particular, Mass Transit Magazine recognized Capelle’s leadership that has grown transit agency on a shoestring budget during his tenure.

“Capelle has helped grow the system from 15 employees to 32 and from providing 35,000 trips annually with a budget of $1.1 million to providing 95,000 trips annually with an increased budget of $3 million. CTC will also begin construction of a new operations center in 2013,” Jandt stated.

Combined, Metro and CTC provide roughly 19.1 million trips annually throughout the Cincinnati region.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Cincinnati Reds win NL Central championship, clinch 13th playoff birth

Baseball’s oldest professional franchise will return to the playoffs for the first time since 1995, and the for the 13th time overall.  The Cincinnati Reds won the National League Central Division championship on Tuesday, September 28 on a walk-off home run from Jay Bruce.

The playoff clinching, walk-off home run by Bruce was only the fifth of its kind in the history of Major League Baseball, and it thrilled an electric crowd of more than 30,000 at Great American Ball Park.

As of now the Reds would face the Philadelphia Phillies in the first-round of the playoffs. Should the Atlanta Braves lose the National League Wild Card birth, then the Reds would face either the San Francisco Giants or San Diego Padres. Playoff tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online.

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Arts & Entertainment Business News

Sign Museum to host open house during Essex Studios Art Walk

The American Sign Museum will host an open house this Friday and Saturday from 7pm to 10pm each night. The open house is scheduled to take place during the Essex Studios Art Walk, and will showcase over 100 lit neon signs that will match over 100 participating artists.

The Walnut Hills museum first opened in 2005 and is the only public sign museum in the country. The museum’s director and founder, Tod Swormstedt, hopes to eventually move into a larger Camp Washington space that would serve as a spark towards making Cincinnati a national center for research and sign information.

“The history of signs is a micro-history of design trends and technology in the U.S., and I want to capitalize on that right here in Cincinnati,” Swormstedt told UrbanCincy in August 2010.

The open house is a unique opportunity for visitors to check out the museum’s collection which is typically only open to the public on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, with all other times requiring appointments to be made in advance.

Swormstedt says that visitors will be treated to light refreshments, a coffee bar, and receive two-for-one admission coupons for Saturday guided tours to be held at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm. Those who show up will also be entered into a raffle to win The New Let There Be Neon book, with winners to be announced later that evening.

The American Sign Museum is located at 2515 Essex Place. For more information please call (513) 258-4020 or email Tod@SignMuseum.org.

Categories
Business Development News

Bond Hill to celebrate dedication of $11M Graeter’s production facility

After breaking ground on a 28,000-square-foot facility in May 2010, the new Graeter’s Ice Cream production facility is complete and poised to set-up the legendary ice cream maker for an aggressive national expansion plan.

Cincinnati leaders are scheduled to dedicate the new facility in Bond Hill, located at 66th Street and Paddock Road, at 10am today. As part of the ceremonies, 66th Street will be renamed to Regina Graeter Way in honor of the current owners’ great-grandmother who helped establish the Graeter’s brand as a local favorite.

City officials say that the $11 million project was made possible by $3.3 million incentive package from the City of Cincinnati, and will create 50 jobs – a number that is expected to grow in the coming years as Graeter’s grows its production. The incentive package also included a commitment from Graeter’s to “stay and grow” in Cincinnati for at least 20 years.

The ice cream maker will maintain its current facility in Mt. Auburn for production of some ice cream, candy, and baked goods. The new facility, meanwhile, will be used solely for the production of ice cream.

“As a Cincinnati-based, family-run company, we are proud of our association with this wonderful city and look forward to new generations of success,” said Richard Graeter, president and CEO of Graeter’s. “We are incredibly grateful [of the City’s assistance], because not only will their support help us expand nationally, but it is also helping us create jobs locally.”

The new Graeter’s facility sits on roughly 4.5 acres of land, and is the first development to take place on the 24.5-acre site owned by the City of Cincinnati which previously was home to the Mill Creek Psychiatric Center.  Officials with the city’s Economic Development Department hope to build out the rest of the site in accordance to the Growth & Opportunities Study for Cincinnati (GO Cincinnati) which calls for research and development, flex-industrial, and back-office space to be built in the Seymour/Reading Road Corridor.

“Graeter’s growth is contributing to the growth-mode that the City of Cincinnati is experiencing these days,” City Manager Milton Dohoney stated in a prepared release. “And as they take their brand to new national markets, they are a great ambassador for the city.”