ECDI

ECDI Investing in people, businesses & communities. We offer funding, training, mentoring, and more!

We are fiercely dedicated to assuring every entrepreneur – regardless of where they came from, where they live, their gender or their race – has access to funding and the business mentoring services they need to build a small business that thrives. The Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI) is based in Columbus, with offices in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Akron, Canton, Toledo and Portsmouth. For small business clients in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, we serve a one-stop resource center. We are a leading SBA microloan intermediary, a certified Community Development Corporation, and Treasury-designated Community Development Financial Institution.

Looking for funding to start or grow your business? 💰Join ECDI's Catherine Lentz at StartupCincy Week for Access to Capi...
10/01/2026

Looking for funding to start or grow your business? 💰

Join ECDI's Catherine Lentz at StartupCincy Week for Access to Capital: Finding the Right Funding for Your Business on October 7 at 10:45 a.m.

Whether you're exploring a small business loan, microloan, grant opportunity, crowdfunding, or another funding source, this session will help you better understand your options and what lenders and capital providers are looking for.

If you've ever asked:
✅ Where do I find funding?
✅ What type of financing is right for my business?
✅ How do I prepare to apply?

This conversation is for you.

We're excited to sponsor this panel and connect with entrepreneurs from across Greater Cincinnati next week.

🎟️ View the agenda and get tickets: https://monkeylink.co/f21064

Cintrifuse

We're already getting excited for Fall Makers Market season! 🍁Behind the scenes, our vendors are preparing their product...
09/30/2026

We're already getting excited for Fall Makers Market season! 🍁

Behind the scenes, our vendors are preparing their products, our team is planning the details, and October 10 will be here before we know it.

From handmade goods and vintage treasures to artisan foods and one-of-a-kind finds, there's something waiting for everyone.

No matter where you're located in Ohio, we'd love to see you in Portsmouth this fall.

🍂 Save the date, spread the word, and help us make this year's market the biggest one yet!

📅 October 10
📍 Portsmouth, OH

🔗 Learn more & RSVP: https://monkeylink.co/f4ef71

Do you have a passion for supporting veterans, military spouses, and aspiring entrepreneurs? 🇺🇸ECDI is looking for a VBO...
09/29/2026

Do you have a passion for supporting veterans, military spouses, and aspiring entrepreneurs? 🇺🇸

ECDI is looking for a VBOC Program Manager to help lead programming, training, coaching, and outreach efforts through our Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC). This role helps veterans and their families access the resources, guidance, and support they need to start and grow successful businesses.

From facilitating workshops and coaching entrepreneurs to building community partnerships and supporting impactful programs, this position plays a key role in strengthening veteran-owned businesses across Ohio.

📍 Fairborn, OH (Hybrid)
🚗 Some travel throughout Ohio required

If you're excited about entrepreneurship, community impact, and serving those who have served our country, we'd love to hear from you.

➡️ Apply today: https://monkeylink.co/724b1c

Meet Camille Hall, ECDI's Program Manager for the Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) of Greater Dayton. 🙋‍♀️One ...
09/28/2026

Meet Camille Hall, ECDI's Program Manager for the Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) of Greater Dayton. 🙋‍♀️

One of the biggest benefits of MBAC is having a dedicated business advisor in your corner.

Camille works directly with entrepreneurs across Champaign, Clark, Greene, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, and Shelby counties, providing free one-on-one coaching and guidance to help businesses start and grow.

Whether you're exploring a new business idea or building momentum in your first few years of business, Camille can help you navigate:
✅ Business planning
✅ Money management
✅ Marketing strategies
✅ Business operations
✅ Connections to resources and opportunities

Have questions about MBAC or wondering if it's right for you?

📧 [email protected]
🔗 Learn more: ECDI.org/mbac

Please join us in welcoming Andrew (Drew) Schwartz to ECDI as our new Manager of Strategic Events & Partnerships! 🎉Drew ...
09/25/2026

Please join us in welcoming Andrew (Drew) Schwartz to ECDI as our new Manager of Strategic Events & Partnerships! 🎉

Drew brings more than 35 years of experience spanning event management, project management, business operations, and strategic partnerships. His background includes developing and executing large-scale event programming, securing sponsorships, and building media partnerships that drive engagement and community impact.

At ECDI, Drew will focus on strengthening and expanding the relationships that support our events, including partnerships with sponsors, venues, and media organizations throughout the region. His expertise will play an important role in helping ECDI create meaningful experiences that further our mission of supporting entrepreneurs.

We are excited to welcome Drew to the team and look forward to the impact he will make.

Welcome to ECDI, Drew! 👏

09/24/2026

Congratulations to ECDI client BAHAR & REZA on the grand opening of their beautiful new location in Uptown Centerville! ✨

Building a business takes vision, perseverance, and countless hours of hard work. We're proud to celebrate this exciting milestone and the growth of a local entrepreneur who has dedicated so much to creating a truly special experience for brides and their families.

Join us in congratulating Bahar & Reza on this next chapter and help spread the word about their new location!

📍 4 W. Franklin St., Centerville, OH 45459
🔗 https://www.baharreza.com/

Here's to continued success and many future celebrations. 💙

Starting a business doesn't mean you have to do it alone.💡ECDI's Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) of Greater D...
09/24/2026

Starting a business doesn't mean you have to do it alone.💡

ECDI's Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) of Greater Dayton provides free, one-on-one business coaching for entrepreneurs across Champaign, Clark, Greene, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, and Shelby counties.

Whether you're still refining an idea or building momentum in your first few years of business, MBAC can help you:
✅ Build a business plan
✅ Strengthen your finances
✅ Improve your marketing
✅ Develop operational strategies
✅ Connect to funding and business resources
✅ Access workshops, networking opportunities, and additional ECDI programs

As your business grows, we'll help connect you to the right resources, including ECDI lending, certification support, and specialized entrepreneurial programs.

🚀 Ready to get started?

🔗 Learn more: ECDI.org/mbac
📧 Questions? [email protected]

Just a few days left to join us at Swing Into Success! ⛳We're looking forward to bringing together entrepreneurs, busine...
09/23/2026

Just a few days left to join us at Swing Into Success! ⛳

We're looking forward to bringing together entrepreneurs, business owners, community leaders, and partners from across Greater Cincinnati for an evening of connections, conversation, food, drinks, and Topgolf.

Whether you're coming to expand your network, catch up with familiar faces, or simply enjoy a fun night out, we'd love to see you there.

⭐ No golf experience required.

📅 September 28 | 5:30-8:30 PM
📍 Topgolf West Chester
🎟️ Tickets are just $30

⛳ Limited spots remain. Register today: https://monkeylink.co/eafeeb

Congratulations to Myron Sanderfer, ECDI's September Employee of the Month! 🎉Myron was recognized for exemplifying our c...
09/22/2026

Congratulations to Myron Sanderfer, ECDI's September Employee of the Month! 🎉

Myron was recognized for exemplifying our core value of Integrity through his commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and dedication to serving both ECDI and the entrepreneurs we support.

As a Portfolio Analyst in Columbus, Myron plays an important role in helping ECDI be a responsible steward of resources while ensuring we continue to support entrepreneurs and strengthen communities. His thoughtful approach, professionalism, and commitment to doing the right thing make him a trusted member of the ECDI team.

Whether managing data, supporting lending operations, or helping ensure our processes remain accurate and effective, Myron consistently demonstrates the honesty, transparency, and accountability that define ECDI's values.

Congratulations, Myron, on this well-deserved recognition! Thank you for your dedication to ECDI's mission and for the impact you make every day. 👏

Help us congratulate Myron in the comments below! 🎉

Last week, we joined the excitement of Launch Dayton Startup Week! 🚀Our team had the opportunity to connect with entrepr...
09/21/2026

Last week, we joined the excitement of Launch Dayton Startup Week! 🚀

Our team had the opportunity to connect with entrepreneurs, resource partners, and community leaders dedicated to helping businesses grow and succeed. We were also proud to participate in conversations about navigating the entrepreneurial ecosystem and access to capital.

Thank you to everyone who helped make it such a great week for Dayton's entrepreneurial community!

Address

1655 Old Leonard Avenue
Columbus, OH
43219

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16145590115

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when ECDI posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category