Seven Companies in Northwest Ohio Receive JobsOhio Inclusion Grants

Seven companies in Northwest Ohio’s Allen County are recipients of the JobsOhio Inclusion Grant (JOIG). Assistance totaling $250,000 will be used toward service and manufacturing development projects that will create 25 new jobs and retain 129 jobs in the Regional Growth Partnership’s region.

The JOIG exists to provide financial support for eligible projects in designated distressed communities and/or for businesses owned by underrepresented populations across the state.

Recipient companies include:

1. Alloway(Lima): Alloway is a full-service environmental laboratory specializing in analyses of drinking water, wastewater, and solid and hazardous waste. This investment will allow the company to scale up market research and testing capabilities, as well as increase marketability and meet customer demand.
   • JOIG amount: $50,000
   • Capital investment: $147,000
   • Jobs created: 2
   • Jobs retained: 35
2. Chuffers Insight Solutions (Spencerville): A material handling and recycling provider serving area manufacturers in a variety of industries. This project and grant will allow the company additional capacity to take on new customers and also allow them to be more efficient and increase production.
   • JOIG amount: $25,000
   • Capital investment: $220,000
   • Jobs created: 5
   • Jobs retained: 8
3. Fleck Manufacturing (Lima): Manufacturer of technical and engineered rubber products for the building and construction markets. The investment will support new machinery and equipment to elevate and diversify the company’s products to meet industry demand.
   • JOIG amount: $50,000
   • Capital investment: $365,000
   • Jobs created: 3
   • Jobs retained: 20
4. S.I. Distributing (Spencerville): The company provides high quality, innovative products for the agricultural industry. The grant will allow the company to upgrade IT needs, improving productivity and revenue.
   • JOIG amount: $25,000
   • Capital investment: $55,141
   • Jobs created: 3
   • Jobs retained: 16
5. Signs Ohio (Lima): Signs Ohio specializes in custom-design signs manufacturing. The company was established in 1992 and brands itself as a turnkey solution offering services from conception to installation. The grant will support new installation and equipment upgrades.
   • JOIG amount: $50,000
   • Capital investment: $123,457
   • Jobs created: 2
   • Jobs retained: 8
6. United Equity (Spencerville): A locally owned farm-based cooperative with several Northwest Ohio locations. Its Spencerville site offers a wide variety of agricultural supplies. The grant will support the introduction of new product lines, allowing for greater automation, updated technologies, and increased employment.
   • JOIG amount: $25,000
   • Capital investment: $125,000
   • Jobs created: 5
   • Jobs retained: 34
7. Wellman Services (Lima): Established in 2010, Wellman is a commercial heating, cooling, plumbing, and refrigeration company. The grant will allow the company to bring sheet metal fabrication, duct work, and custom finishing in-house, enhancing its competitive position.
   • JOIG amount: $25,000
   • Capital investment: $62,355
   • Jobs created: 5
   • Jobs retained: 8

Making a Difference for Businesses

JOIG support is intended for small to medium-sized companies with eligible projects. Eligible recipients include companies within JobsOhio’s targeted industries and business functions, including those involved in Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace and Aviation, Automotive, Energy and Chemicals, Financial Services, Food and Agribusiness, Healthcare, Logistics and Distribution, Military and Federal, and Technology.

“Gap financing through the JOIG has enabled seven of our businesses to move forward with machinery purchases and IT upgrades this year. The investments will result in new jobs and business expansion,” said Dave Stratton, Allen Economic Development Group President/CEO. “The JOIG has been a difference maker in a difficult year.”

Grant decisions for the program are based on several project factors, including but not limited to, company location, company ownership, jobs created and/or retained, and project-fixed asset investment.