HCDC, Inc. is one of Hamilton County’s most valuable resources for small business owners and start-ups. The organization helps build businesses and promotes job creation in three ways: business incubation, business lending, and economic development services.
For over 12 years, Uptown Consortium, Inc. (UCI) has partnered with HCDC to provide business coaching services to businesses and organizations in the five Uptown neighborhoods. Throughout the pandemic, HCDC has provided additional support services to help local businesses pivot and adjust during challenging times. It’s the long-term relationship that UCI’s President and CEO, Beth Robinson, believes is extremely beneficial to businesses in Uptown.
“HCDC worked diligently in 2021 to expand and support Cincinnati’s entrepreneurship community to get back on track after suffering many pitfalls from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Robinson, a member of HCDC’s Board of Directors who has seen firsthand the impact HCDC has made to improve Uptown’s economy and community.
“As an economic development organization, it’s important that we support the businesses in our community as much as possible,” said Robinson. “The small businesses, community organizations, and residents in Uptown grow when they are connected to expert resources.”
HCDC recently shared its impressive 2021 results in support of Uptown businesses and announced a rebrand and merger. Additionally, a prestigious achievement award was bestowed on a longtime HCDC business coach and UCI friend, Bob Pickford. Following please find more information on all three announcements.
HCDC’s 2021 Successes in Uptown
HCDC recently released the organization’s 2021 results from its annual Uptown Coaching Report. Bob Pickford provided 100 individual coaching sessions to Uptown businesses and organizations in planning, marketing, operations, and financial assistance. Pickford went the extra mile and initiated expert referrals in topics like payroll and HR services, skilled carpenters, loan officers, and business training and development programs.
Of the Uptown businesses and organizations HCDC served:
Fifteen are minority-owned or managed.
Nine are women-owned or managed.
Six are owned or managed by minority women.
Uptown business leaders shared that they benefitted greatly from the coaching experiences.
HCDC Business Coach Wins Achievement Award
There’s a reason why HCDC continues to be a guiding light for Cincinnati’s small business and entrepreneurship community. This cannot be done without the persistence of its team. Bob Pickford, an HCDC business coach who is retiring, has been awarded an HCDC Achievement Award for his tireless efforts within the greater Cincinnati community.
Bob has worked one-on-one with business owners to grow their organizations and address individual needs. “Most small businesses are managed by their owners without the benefit of a professional management team, so for the people who find it useful, I bring an experienced management perspective to the process to rise up above daily struggles and think strategically about their business,” said Pickford.
“Uptown businesses have benefitted from Bob’s guidance for years.” said Robinson. “We congratulate Bob on this outstanding accomplishment. It has been an honor to partner with such a positive and humble leader and we wish Bob well in retirement.”
HCDC Announces Rebrand and Merger
HCDC recently announced a merger. Starting in March, HCDC officially joined forces with Access Business Finances, a business development corporation founded in 2008 in West Chester, Ohio. The biggest change to come from this merger is the rebrand of both organizations as one, resulting in the new name: Alloy Development Company. By teaming up, HCDC will be exposed to a wider variety of businesses and third-party lenders to offer more support for Hamilton County small businesses. This will help continue their mission of tailored services to each business that steps in the door.
“We’ve always been the solution that has been in the shadows of many development projects. With this new name and this new brand, we look forward to being in the light going forward,” said Patrick Longo, president, and CEO.
HCDC is the region's second-largest Small Business Association loan lender. Added resources sitting under the new Alloy Development Corp. name include Alloy Commerical Capital, Alloy Economic Development, and Alloy Growth Lab.