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Columbus, OH — Three Columbus Region companies are using JobsOhio Small Business Grants worth $25,000 each to make strategic investments that will strengthen their operations, expand capabilities and support future growth.
The latest grant recipients include Simple Times Mixers, Scriptel Corporation and Bridge Components Industries, Inc.
One Columbus administers the JobsOhio Small Business Grant program across the 11-county Columbus Region. The program helps eligible small businesses make capital investments that support expansion, innovation and job creation.
The grant is helping Gahanna-based Simple Times Mixers, a manufacturer of all-natural, non-alcoholic cocktail mixers and custom-formulated beverages, invest in a new batch pasteurizer that will increase production and broaden the range of beverages it can produce. The equipment will open new contract manufacturing opportunities while supporting continued growth across its portfolio of brands.
The investment builds on Simple Times’ expansion beyond its namesake cocktail mixer brand into contract manufacturing and private-label production for approximately 10 brands. The added versatility will enable the company to pursue customers that were previously out of reach.
“As we’ve grown, we’ve realized our future isn’t defined by a single brand,” said Mark Tinus, founder and CEO of Simple Times Mixers. “We’re building a manufacturing platform that can help other companies bring products to market while continuing to grow our own portfolio. This investment expands our capabilities in a way that creates new opportunities for our business, our customers and our employees.”
Columbus-based Scriptel Corporation, a manufacturer of electronic signature capture devices and software, is using its grant to develop a new wireless signature capture pad. The product will offer customers in health care, logistics and other industries a more affordable option while maintaining the reliability and compatibility of Scriptel’s existing products.
Bridge Components Industries, Inc., a bridge bearing manufacturer, is using its grant to purchase forklifts and other manufacturing equipment that will improve workflow and production at its Columbus operation. The company has expanded its market presence from three states to 18 states in four years. The investment will support continued expansion and future job growth.
“Entrepreneurs give the Columbus Region a constant source of new ideas, new jobs and economic momentum,” said Jonas Peterson, chief economic development officer and president of One Columbus. “These grants help growing companies turn ambition into execution. When we back entrepreneurs, we help promising products reach the market, businesses scale and more people build careers here.”
“Ohio’s economic diversity comes from companies of all sizes that continue to innovate and invest,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “The JobsOhio Small Business Grant Program helps growing businesses make strategic investments that improve competitiveness, create opportunity and strengthen the communities they call home.”
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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.
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.