resource CENTER

The Columbus Chamber is your one-stop for information. Get started with our new, interactive Business Resource tool. Click on the categories below to find hundreds of business-critical resources from governmental entities and nonprofits. Looking for more? Connect with 2,000 businesses in our member directory.

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  • Advocacy Young Professionals

    Franklin County Young Democrats

    Networking, Political

    The purpose of the Franklin County Young Democrats is to introduce, develop and encourage in young people an active interest in governmental affairs and the electoral process at the local, state and national levels of the United States of America. This organization shall foster and perpetuate the philosophy, principles and goals of the Democratic Party: develop leadership skills in our members; contribute to the well-being of our community at large; and provide for our people, through its administration, the highest degree of justice and social welfare.

    Contact: Jen House, President 



    Email: ryansarni@yahoo.com

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  • Shipping/ Logistics Sites + Buildings Cost of Doing Business Advocacy Workforce Entrepreneurship

    Columbus 2020 Columbus Region

    Economic development organization for 11 county region; provides all site consultant services including access to available properties.



    Phone: (614) 225-6063

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  • Sites + Buildings Cost of Doing Business Non-Profit/Social Services Government Contacts Entrepreneurship

    Ohio Business Gateway

    The Ohio Business Gateway is about making government accessible to you and your business by helping you find the information and services you need to keep your business thriving in Ohio.


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  • Sites + Buildings Cost of Doing Business Entrepreneurship

    BizCosts.com

    BizCosts® is recognized as the nation's premier source for comparative business cost  information.  BizCosts® Reports are unique in their industry-specific modeling, geographic focus and annualized,  factor-by-factor format. It provides reports that include labor, construction, lease, utilities, sales, land, financing, travel, etc. by geographic area.



    Email: contact@bizcosts.com
    Phone: 800-520-7658

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  • Cost of Doing Business

    CNBC

    Rankings of costs of doing business by states.

    America's top states for Business 2011- Ohio Ranks #5 in Cost of Doing Business.


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  • Shipping/ Logistics Sites + Buildings Cost of Doing Business Non-Profit/Social Services

    Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

    MORPC is committed to building a better region in Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Knox, Licking Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway, Ross and Union counties.

    Planning, programming, and pubic policy in economic development, transportation, and land use.

     



    Phone: (614) 228-2663

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  • Cost of Doing Business Non-Profit/Social Services Finance/Capital Entrepreneurship

    Community Capital Development Corporation

    The Community Capital Development Corporation (CCDC) is a private, non-profit corporation that loans money to small business in Central Ohio. These loans can be used to invest in land or equipment, working capital, and specialty loans such as the Child Day Care MicroLaon.   

    Contact: Brad Shimp
    614.645.6171
    brad.shimp@ccdcorp.org 

     



    Email: brad.shimp@ccdcorp.org
    Phone: (614) 645-6171

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  • Sites + Buildings Cost of Doing Business Non-Profit/Social Services Export/Import Assistance Government Contacts

    City of Columbus Department of Development

    Helps plan for, stimulate, and regulate the city's growth.



    Phone: (614) 645-7795

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  • Cost of Doing Business Non-Profit/Social Services Finance/Capital Entrepreneurship

    Economic and Community Development Institute

    The Economic and Community Development Institute provides extensive training and technical assistance, provides loans in amounts up to $100,000 to microenterprises in Central Ohio and Southwest Ohio, and is a resource center for food-related enterprises in Central Ohio.



    Phone: (614) 559-0115

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  • Cost of Doing Business

    Financial Planning Association

    Non-profit membership organization that connects business owners to Certified Financial Planning professionals who can help businesses make the most of their financial resources.



    Phone: (877) 688-8807

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  • Cost of Doing Business Non-Profit/Social Services Networking

    BioOhio

    BioOhio is a non-profit organization designed to build and accelerate bioscience industry, research, and education in Ohio. It is a bioscience membership and development organization, we are focused on networking the distributed and outstanding bioscience assets of Ohio to accelerate growth of a globally competitive bioscience industry.



    Phone: (614) 675-3686

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  • Cost of Doing Business

    EWI

    EWI develops and applies manufacturing technology innovation within the manufacturing industry.

    As a member-based organization, EWI provides applied research, manufacturing support, and strategic services.



    Phone: (614) 688-5000

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  • Cost of Doing Business

    Legal Information Institute

    Not-for-profit group that creates materials to help people find and understand the law.



    Email: help@liicornell.org

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  • Cost of Doing Business

    GPO Access

    GPO’s Federal  Digital System (FDsys) provides free online access to official publications from all three branches of the Federal Government.


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  • Cost of Doing Business

    SSTi

    SSTI is a national non-profit organization providing comprehensive resource for technology-based economic development to improve govenment-industry programs.



    Phone: (614) 901-1690

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  • Cost of Doing Business

    Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio

    BBB is trying to create an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other. It creates a community of trustworthy businesses, sets standards for marketplace trust, encourages and supporting best practices, celebrates marketplace role models, and enounces substandard marketplace behavior

     



    Email: info@columbus-ohbbb.org
    Phone: (614) 486-6336

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  • Sites + Buildings Cost of Doing Business Non-Profit/Social Services

    Greater Ohio Policy Center

    Greater Ohio Policy Center (GOPC), a non-profit, non-partisan organization develops and advances policies and practices that value our urban cores and metropolitan regions as economic drivers and preserve Ohio’s open space and farmland. Through education, research and outreach, GOPC strives to create a political and policy climate receptive to new economic and governmental structures that advance sustainable development and economic growth.



    Phone: (614) 224-0187

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  • Cost of Doing Business Entrepreneurship

    Foreign Trade Zone #138

    A tool that allows goods to be brought onto site duty-free and without formal customs entry, able to provide FTZ designation to sites located within Central Ohio



    Phone: (614) 409-3622

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  • Cost of Doing Business Export/Import Assistance Entrepreneurship

    TradePort

    TradePort is a repository of free information and resources for businesses seeking to conduct international trade to and from California.

    TradePort is now the premier online resource for comprehensive information about the ‘how to’ aspects of importing and exporting and is supported by the California Trade Partners (CTP)  network comprised of forty public and private sector trade promotion service organizations located throughout California.  



    Phone: (831) 335-4780

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  • Shipping/ Logistics Cost of Doing Business

    Rickenbacker Inland Port

    Logistics solutions located in Columbus, Ohio/ links to logistics providers and information about air and rail cargo.



    Phone: (614) 491-1401

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  • Shipping/ Logistics Cost of Doing Business Workforce

    Ohio Manufacturer's Association

    Membership-based organization committed to lowering the cost of business in Ohio and providing more manufacturing opportunities .



    Email: oma@ohiomfg.com
    Phone: (614) 224-5111

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  • Sites + Buildings Minority/Diversity Advocacy Non-Profit/Social Services Finance/Capital Export/Import Assistance Government Contacts Entrepreneurship

    Ohio Department of Development

    Provides a variety of programs and initiatives to help encourage business growth in Ohio



    Phone: 800-848-1300

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  • Cost of Doing Business Finance/Capital Business Advancement Workforce

    USDA Rural Development - Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans

    The B&I program provides loan guarantees for expansion and preservation of jobs in rural areas.  

    Who can apply? A borrower may be a cooperative organization, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity organized and operated on a profit or nonprofit basis

    Criteria: Business and industrial acquisitions when the loan will keep the business from closing, prevent the loss of employment opportunities, or provide expanded job opportunities; Business conversion, enlargement, repair, modernization, or development; Purchase and development of land, easements, rights-of-way, buildings, or facilities; Purchase of equipment, leasehold improvements, machinery, supplies, or inventory.

    Review and Approval: The total amount of agency loans to one borrower must not exceed $10 million. The administrator may, at the administrator discretion, grant an exception to the $10 million limit for loans of $25 million under certain circumstances. The Secretary may approve guaranteed loans in excess of $25 million, up to $40 million, for rural cooperative organizations that process value-added agricultural commodities.

    Contact: USDA Rural Development at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html


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  • Sites + Buildings Cost of Doing Business Finance/Capital

    SBA 504

    The SBA 504 Loan program is a powerful economic development loan program that offers small businesses another avenue for business financing, while promoting business growth, and job creation. 

    Boundaries: Ohio
    Loan Amount: $50,000 up to $5M; up to $5.5M for Public Policy and Manufacturing
    Interest Rates: Fixed rate over life of laon determined at Bond Sale
    Loan Term: 10 and 20 year
    Private Investment: Bank at least 50 percent
    Equity: 10-20 percent of total project cost
    Collateral: Real estate, large equipment
    Purpose/Use of Loan: Real estate/large equipment
    Prevailing Wage: No
    Job Creation: 1 job for every $65,000
    Loan Committee: External
    Relocation: No
    Historic: No
    Environmental: Yes 
    Contact: Community Capital Development Corp. at 900 Michigan Ave. Columbus, OH 43215 or (614) 645.6171 or www.ccdcorp.org. 



    Phone: (614) 645.6171

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  • Sites + Buildings Cost of Doing Business Finance/Capital

    OHIO 166

    The 166 Direct Loan Program (166 Direct Loan) promotes economic development, business expansion and job creation by providing financial assistance for allowable costs of eligible projects in the State of Ohio.

    The Ohio Department of Development’s (Development) 166 Direct Loan provides lowinterest loans to businesses creating new jobs or preserving existing employment opportunities in the State of Ohio.

    Boundaries: Ohio
    Loan Amount: Up to $500,000 (with permission from State of Ohio)
    Interest Rate:  Fixed rate of 2/3 of prime + .25 percent servicing fee
    Loan Term: Up to 15 years
    Private investment: Bank at least 50 percent
    Equity: Ten percent of total project
    Collateral: Share lien position with bank, Real Estate (can be in 2nd position with 1 percent premium)
    Purpose/Use of Loan: Acquisition of Real Estate/Large Equipment
    Prevailing Wage: No
    Job Creation: One job for every $50,000
    Loan Committee: External
    Relocation: Yes
    Historic: Yes
    Environmental: Yes 
    Contact: Community Capital Development Corp. at 900 Michigan Ave. Columbus, OH 43215, or (614) 645.6171, or www.ccdcorp.org. 



    Phone: (614) 645.6171

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  • Cost of Doing Business Finance/Capital Workforce

    City of Columbus Business Development Fund (BDF)

    City of Columbus Business Development Fund (BDF) offers up to $199,999 for real estate or equipment funding.

    Boundaries: City of Columbus
    Loan Amount: Up to $199,999 (limited funds available)
    Interest Rate: Flexible
    Loan Term: Up to 20 years
    Private Investment: One to one ratio
    Equity: Ten percent of total project cost
    Collateral: Real estate
    Purpose/Use of Loan: Acquisition/Equipment
    Prevailing Wage: Yes
    Job Creation: One job for every $30,000/One percent low-mod
    Loan Committee: External
    Relocation: Yes
    Historic: Yes
    Environmental: Yes 
    Contact: Community Capital Development Corp.
    900 Michigan Ave. Columbus, OH 43215
    (614) 645-6171
    www.ccdcorp.org 



    Phone: (614) 645-6171

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  • Cost of Doing Business Finance/Capital Workforce

    City of Columbus Working Capital Loan Program

    Working capital, offered by the City of Columbus, offers $25,000 to $100,000 to help with inventory, wages and small equipment.

    Boundaries: City of Columbus
    Loan Amount: $25,000 - $100,000 (limited funds available)
    Interest Rate: Flexible
    Loan Term: Up to 5 years
    Private Investment: NA
    Equity: Ten percent of total project cost
    Collateral: Business and personal assets
    Purpose/Use of Loan: Inventory/wages/small equipment
    Prevailing Wage: Yes
    Job Creation: One job for every $30,000/51 percent low-mod
    Loan Committee: External
    Relocation: Yes
    Historic: Yes
    Environmental: Yes 
    Contact: Community Capital Development Corporation
    900 Michigan Ave. Columbus, OH 43215
    (614) 645.6171
    www.ccdcorp.org 



    Phone: (614) 645.6171

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  • Cost of Doing Business Finance/Capital Workforce

    Child Day Care Microloan

    A Child Day Care Microloan can be used to help fund between $500 and $25,000 in inventory, payroll, marketing expenses and small equipment for start-up or existing Ohio day care facilities.

    Boundaries: OhioLoan Amount: $500 - $25,000 (limited funds available)
    Interest Rate: Fixed rate of Prime+2
    Loan Term: Up to 5 years
    Private Investment: NA
    Equity: Ten percent of total project cost
    Collateral: Business and personal assets; real estate
    Purpose/Use of Loan: Inventory/Payroll/Small Equipment/Marketing
    Prevailing Wage: Yes (if construction involved)
    Job Creation: NA
    Loan Committee: Internal
    Relocation: Yes
    Historic: Yes
    Environmental: Yes
    Contact: Community Capital Development Corporation
    900 Michigan Ave. Columbus, OH 43215
    (614) 645.6171
    www.ccdcorp.org

     



    Phone: (614) 645.6171

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  • Cost of Doing Business Finance/Capital Workforce

    Franklin County Growth Fund

    The Franklin County Growth Fund provides flexible financing for up to $250,000 that can be used toward working capital and small equipment for Franklin County companies outside the city of Columbus.

    Boundaries: Franklin County outside of the City of Columbus
    Loan Amount: Up to $250,000 (limited funds available)
    Interest Rate: Flexible
    Loan Term: Up to 5 years
    Private Investment: At least a 1 to 1 ratio
    Equity: Ten percent of the total project cost
    Collateral: Business and personal assets
    Purpose/Use of Loan: Working capital/Small equipment
    Prevailing Wage: NA
    Job Creation: One job for every $30,000/51 percent low-mod
    Loan Committee: External
    Relocation: NA
    Historic: NA
    Environmental: Yes
    Contact: Community Capital Development Corporation
    900 Michigan Ave. Columbus, OH 43215
    (614) 645.6171
    www.ccdcorp.org 



    Phone: (614) 645.6171

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  • Cost of Doing Business Finance/Capital Workforce

    Grove City Town Center Loan Program

    The City of Grove City has established a Town Center Loan Program (TLCP). The program is designed to stimulate job creation and revitalize under-utilized properties within a targeted area.

    Boundaries: Town Center
    Loan Amount: Up to $150,000
    Interest Rate: 3 percent
    Loan Term: Up to 20 years
    Private Investment: At least a 1 to 1 ratio preferred
    Equity: Ten percent of total project costCollateral: Real estate, business and personal assets
    Purpose/Use of Loan: Real estate, equipment, working capital
    Prevailing Wage: NA
    Job Creation: Job creation must be demonstrated
    Loan Committee: External
    Relocation: No
    Historic: No
    Environmental: Yes, if real estate is involved 
    Contact: Community Capital Development Corporation
    900 Michigan Ave. Columbus, OH 43215
    (614) 645.6171
    www.ccfcorp.org 



    Phone: (614) 645.6171

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  • Advocacy Non-Profit/Social Services

    Greater Columbus Arts Council

    Through vision and leadership, advocacy and collaboration, the Greater Columbus Arts Council supports art and advances the culture of the region. A catalyst for excellence and innovation, GCAC funds exemplary artists and arts organizations and provide programs, events and services of public value that educate and engage all audiences in our community.

    Contact: Jami Goldstein, Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Events


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  • Advocacy Young Professionals Non-Profit/Social Services Networking

    COSI's Young Professional Board

    Made up of influential young adults and lively up-and-comers, the Young Professional Board supports COSI’s mission by planning and executing a signature annual fundraiser and several smaller events throughout the year. These events provide the opportunity for this terrific group of advocates to introduce philanthropy-minded young adults to COSI and encourage them to financially support the organization. Service on the Young Professional Board also allows participants to network with key community leaders, hone individual leadership skills and make a difference alongside their peers.

    Young Professional Board members are asked to make COSI one of their top charities of choice with a gift at a level that is significant to them.

    Contact: Christy Zistler


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  • Cost of Doing Business Advocacy Finance/Capital Workforce Entrepreneurship

    TechColumbus

    TechColumbus is the public-private partnership whose mission is to accelerate the advancement of Central Ohio’s innovation economy. It is distinguished by its comprehensive breadth of services, including membership, advocacy, venture acceleration and seed funding. Through its services and programming, TechColumbus supports the innovation initiatives of all companies within the region from the newest entrepreneurial startups to the Fortune 500 companies that call Central Ohio home.



    Email: email@techcolumbus.org
    Phone: (614) 487-3700

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