Download this Press Release (PDF)
Columbus, Ohio – The JobsOhio Small Business Grant supported entrepreneurs across the Columbus Region throughout 2025, helping local companies invest in growth, create 95 new jobs and strengthen the economic fabric of their communities. Over the course of the year, the program provided targeted funding to entrepreneurs at pivotal moments, enabling capital purchases, operational expansion and workforce growth.
New and growing businesses play a critical role in job creation, wealth-building and long-term resilience, particularly in smaller communities where locally owned companies often serve as economic anchors. Programs like the JobsOhio Small Business Grant help remove barriers at key stages of growth, giving entrepreneurs the tools they need to scale while keeping opportunity rooted close to home.
“Entrepreneurship drives growth, creates pathways to wealth and leads to home-grown businesses that make our community more distinctive,” said Jason Hall, CEO of the Columbus Partnership. “In partnership with JobsOhio, these grants are one of the ways we help entrepreneurs achieve their dreams and make our regional economy more prosperous.”
One of the businesses supported in the fourth quarter of 2025 was Simply Sweet, a specialty bakery based in Fredericktown. Owner Tricia Styers launched the company after a difficult personal chapter, beginning by selling baked goods locally at the Mount Vernon farmers’ market. What started as a small operation grew through persistence, community support and a commitment to quality.
Today, Simply Sweet employs 20 people, including eight new hires made possible following the JobsOhio Small Business Grant. With the funding, Styers was able to purchase specialized baking equipment that doubled the company’s production capacity, allowing the business to meet growing demand and continue expanding its operations.
Through its partnership with BakeMark, Simply Sweet has been able to access larger distribution channels and sell to major customers such as Sheetz gas stations and Kroger stores across four states. Simply Sweet also produces the Bourbon Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookie for the Kentucky Derby, reflecting the company’s steady growth and reputation for high-quality products.
“We’re proud to be creating jobs for people right here in Fredericktown,” said Styres. “This support helped us take a big step forward. It allowed us to grow responsibly, keep hiring locally and build something sustainable for the long term.”
The JobsOhio Small Business Grant provides up to $50,000 to eligible companies for growth-related investments. To qualify, businesses must be at least one year old, generate a minimum of $100,000 in revenue and operate within JobsOhio’s targeted industry sectors. Awards are based on job creation, capital investment and overall economic impact.
2025’s grant recipients in the Columbus Region through December 31, 2025, with 4th quarter recipients listed in bold:
| COMPANY | DESCRIPTION | CITY | COUNTY |
| BB Dental Labs | Dental fabrication | Columbus | Franklin |
| Catalysis Additive Tooling | Design and 3D-print tooling | Westerville | Franklin |
| KitChem | Research & development services for food & beverage companies | Columbus | Franklin |
| The Flag Lady | Manufactures flags, banners, trade show advertising pieces and embroidery | Columbus | Franklin |
| Marengo Fabricated Steel | Steel tanks and custom fabrications | Fulton | Morrow |
| Simply Sweet Bakery & Buckeye Cookie & Candy Co | Wholesale bakery | Fredericktown | Knox |
| U-CO, Industries | Light assembly, re-packing and warehousing | Marysville | Union |
| Allison Structural Group | Engineering consulting and inspecting services. | Columbus | Franklin |
| Arch Polymers | Manufactures building materials, totes, and furniture. | Bellefontaine | Logan |
| Brootlegg Extracts | Builds cold brew machinery and manufactures cold brew | Columbus | Franklin |
| Columbus Apparel Studio | Manufactures and designs apparel for retail brands and boutiques | Columbus | Franklin |
| Fortuna Bank | Commercial and consumer banking | Grandview Heights | Franklin |
| Geopro Imaging | Document scanning and digitization services | Lancaster | Fairfield |
| Good Buy Gear | E-commerce and distribution for used baby gear | Commercial Point | Pickaway |
| Marble Plastics | Recycles plastic to create furniture, wall coverings and countertops | Columbus | Franklin |
| Ohio Prime Foods | Distributor of gourmet foods throughout Central Ohio | Columbus | Franklin |
| Stradaji | Information technology services | Worthington | Franklin |
| West Ohio Tool | Manufactures and designs special cutting tools | Russells Point | Logan |
Companies interested in the grant can learn more at https://www.jobsohio.com/incentives-programs/support-for-small-businesses/jobsohio-small-business-grant
###
About JobsOhio
JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio through Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with seven regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition, Lake to River, Ohio Southeast, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow the company on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
About the Columbus Partnership
The Columbus Partnership brings together civic-minded business leaders to advance a shared vision to make Columbus the most prosperous region in the country. Columbus Partnership member CEOs are committed to the future of the Columbus metropolitan area through high-impact civic and philanthropic engagement. Through our One Columbus and Smart Columbus brands and investor support, our team works to help create jobs and attract capital investment, expand access to opportunity, and improve the economic competitiveness of the Columbus Region. Learn more at columbusregion.com.