Beyond the Numbers: Changing Lives

This is shaping up to be a banner year for Hamilton County’s Economic & Community Support efforts—and a powerful reason for us to celebrate the businesses and partnerships moving our community forward!

From 2019 through the third quarter of 2026, Hamilton County awarded more than $53.7 million to small, women-owned, and diverse contractors.

Our collaboration with the City of Cincinnati on the modernization of the First Financial Bank Convention Center added another $15 million, bringing the combined total to more than $68.7 million—well within reach of Hamiton County’s five-year aspirational goal of $70 million in awards to these special businesses.

The numbers are important. But behind these dollars are businesses growing, jobs supported, and opportunities opening for local entrepreneurs. This progress demonstrates what we can accomplish through intentional practices, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to ensuring that businesses of all backgrounds have the opportunity to participate in—and strengthen—our local economy.

However, we did not do this alone. We are especially grateful to our Board of County Commissioners, the City of Cincinnati, our Administration, our Economic & Community Support Advisory Council (see article below), Department Heads and Staff, Alloy and the Office of Small Business, and over 40 community partners who made their support services and vast resources available to many of our contractors over the years.

We thank you all very much.

Sincerely,

Robert Bell, Director

Hamilton County Economic & Community Support

Partnerships in Action: Local Businesses Share Their Stories

In September, four business leaders shared powerful testimonials with the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners, describing how the County’s policies, programs, and partnerships have helped create opportunities for their businesses over the years.

Linda Dektas of Creative Storm highlighted the benefits of the BOLD Contractors Directory and our annual Small Business Day. Bruce Harris of Harris Architects spoke about his firm’s involvement in the $250 million Paycor Stadium modernization project. Vince Terry of Moody Nolan discussed his company’s role in the major renovation of the First Financial Bank Convention Center. Jodi Funke of Funke Real Estate Group credited the County’s Mentorship/Partnership Initiative with helping her connect with smaller businesses that now serve as subcontractors on her company’s projects.

Their stories demonstrated the real impact of creating opportunities and building relationships across our business community. It was an inspiring session, and we are grateful to each of them for sharing their experiences.

Celebrating a Decade of Volunteer Leadership & Service

For nearly a decade, the Economic & Community Support Advisory Council has been a valued partner in helping Hamilton County create opportunities for businesses, workers, and communities to thrive.

Since 2017, more than 50 community leaders have rotated through the Council, volunteering their time, knowledge, and energy in service to this department. Through council and committee meetings, they have shared ideas, built partnerships, and offered thoughtful guidance to support equitable economic opportunity throughout Hamilton County.

The Council’s mission continues to be:

Serve as an advisory body of 15 individuals to the Department of Economic & Community Support by promoting equitable economic opportunity, supporting small and diverse businesses, encouraging workforce development, strengthening community partnerships, advancing inclusive procurement policies and practices, and measuring community impact.

We are grateful to every past and current member for their dedication and generosity. Their commitment has helped strengthen our work and make a lasting difference in our community.

Below is a list of our current ECSAC members. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your service!

Small Investments. Brighter Futures: INSPIRE for Youth Initiative

How does Hamilton County’s INSPIRE Youth Initiative helps turn community commitment into opportunities for our youth?

A football field can be a place to find a mentor. A marching band can teach discipline and teamwork. Building a computer can spark an interest in a future career.

Alice Bledsoe, Program Coordinator

Across Hamilton County, local organizations are creating these opportunities—and the INSPIRE Youth Initiative is helping them do more for more of our children.

Established in 2023, INSPIRE supports youth-serving organizations that help young people learn, build confidence, and connect with caring adults. Through seven funding rounds, the initiative has invested more than $1.3 million, supported over 250 organizations, and helped reach more than 40,000 young people.

Behind those numbers are community leaders whose dedication often stretches further than their budgets.

In its seventh funding round, INSPIRE awarded $115,000 to 28 organizations serving approximately 2,000 youth. Their programs show how targeted support can strengthen the people and places young people rely on.

At UMADAOP, staff provide prevention and intervention services in four Cincinnati Public Schools. Students receive substance use prevention education, safety awareness, and connections to positive role models. Assessments and interventions also help identify young people who may need mental health or substance use services.

For the Da Flock Evanston Football Program, supporting youth means looking beyond the scoreboard. Along with athletics, the program emphasizes violence prevention, life skills, mentorship, and belonging. Its director has often paid expenses personally to help young people get what they need. INSPIRE funding supports that commitment and the opportunities it makes possible.

The Woodward Marching Band encourages teamwork, discipline, and personal growth through music and performance. BYOC—Build Your Own Computer— gives youth hands-on technology experience, strengthening problem-solving skills while introducing educational and career possibilities. Nepali Language Arts helps young people strengthen communication skills and connect with their culture and heritage.

Each program offers a different experience, but all share a purpose: helping young people discover their abilities and see possibilities for their future.

INSPIRE invests in coaches, educators, mentors, and community organizations already doing this work. By helping them sustain and expand their efforts, Hamilton County is supporting more than individual activities—it is strengthening the relationships and opportunities that help young people thrive.

Every young person encouraged, every skill discovered, and every connection made helps build a stronger Hamilton County. For more information contact Alice Bledsoe at Alice.bledsoe@hamiltoncountyohio.gov.

Strengthening Families with Trust and Support: Office of Family Voice

The Office of Family Voice (OFV) is entering its second year of implementation. After establishing the program, the team is now focused on strengthening its operations, measuring its impact, and developing a sustainable role within Hamilton County’s child welfare system.

OFV currently serves 64 parents through its Parent Partner model. Parent Partners use their own lived experience to build trust with parents and help them navigate the child welfare process. They provide peer mentorship, emotional support, advocacy, and connections to community resources.

Program Progress

Since May 2025, OFV has helped strengthen communication and engagement between families and the child welfare system. Program feedback indicates that:

Families have reported greater trust and a better understanding of the child welfare process.
Hamilton County Job and Family Services (HCJFS) staff have reported improved communication and increased parent participation.
Community awareness of OFV and referrals to the program continue to grow.

Parent Partners complement the work of HCJFS case workers by offering support grounded in shared lived experience. Their goal is to help parents feel informed, supported, and better prepared to participate in decisions affecting their families.

Measuring Impact

OFV is partnering with HCJFS Strategic Initiatives to improve data collection, standardize reporting, and develop meaningful measures of program performance.

Traditional child welfare outcomes—such as reunification, permanency, and kinship placement—are important, but they reflect the work of many partners. To better understand OFV’s contribution, the team also plans to measure:

The Strategic Initiatives review also identified funding, technology, and organizational capacity as areas where further investment could help OFV strengthen its services and reach more families.
OFV’s current priorities are to:
Strengthen referral processes and program operations.
Improve data collection and reporting.
Expand community partnerships.
Explore sustainable funding options and prevention-focused services.
Develop guidance on court involvement, including subpoenas and testimony.

As part of this work, the team will consider how court testimony may affect trust between Parent Partners and families and how to preserve the supportive role of Parent Partners while meeting legal requirements. Contact: Amber Kemper at amber.kemper@hamiltoncountyohio.gov.

Elevating Voices, Creating Opportunities: Commission on Women & Girls

What does it take to create a community where women and girls have the opportunity to thrive? It starts with listening to their experiences, and giving them a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.

Mary Maune, Program Administrator

Since its establishment in 2017, the Hamilton County Commission on Women & Girls has worked to turn those voices into action. As Ohio’s only County Commission on Women & Girls, Hamilton County is leading by example, showing the state what it looks like when local government makes room for women and girls at the table. By connecting government, nonprofits, and businesses, the Commission promotes leadership, advocates for equal rights and opportunities, and brings attention to issues affecting women and girls throughout the County.

Its strength comes from the people at the table: 20 adult members and 10 student members, appointed by the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners. Together, they bring a range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Student members under age 18 participate fully in Commission activities, ensuring that girls help shape the conversations about their future. For residents, that means knowing their concerns are heard and can lead to real recommendations. For leaders across Ohio, it offers a model for what inclusive, responsive local government can look like.

Through research, community engagement, and policy recommendations, members address issues that touch everyday lives, from fair pay and access to resources to mentorship and leadership opportunities. The Commission also supports Girls Court, a wellness-focused alternative to juvenile detention.

Events such as Pay Equity Signing Day and educational lunch-and-learns bring these priorities into the community. They offer opportunities to learn, share experiences, build partnerships, and explore how public policy can better support women and girls.

An Opportunity to Make a Difference

Women and high school girls interested in helping shape this work are encouraged to apply during the annual membership application period. Members gain experience in research, community collaboration, and leadership while helping develop and present recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners.

Adult members serve staggered two-year terms, and student members serve one-year terms. Both contribute to a shared purpose: helping Hamilton County become a place where women and girls can be heard, lead, and succeed.

For more information, contact Mary Maune at Mary.Maune@hamiltoncountyohio.gov.

Business Spotlight

AJL Group Company

Alma Cochran’s first contract for AJL Group was an $8,000 gutter repair. Two years later, her Cincinnati roofing company landed a $5 million roofing contract. Behind that jump were years of reading plans, estimating jobs, managing roofing operations, and earning the trust of local contractors.

Cochran studied architectural engineering in Mexico before moving to Cincinnati in 1995 to raise her family. She entered the roofing industry eight years later and worked her way up to managing operations for other companies. When she struck out on her own, she knew which crews she wanted by her side and which contractors she could call.

Today, Cochran leads a family-owned, woman- and minority-owned business that provides commercial and residential roofing and sheet metal services. AJL Group’s portfolio includes Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Factory 52 in Norwood.

Cochran says contractors such as Messer and HGC choose AJL Group for its competitive bids and performance on the job. One project Cochran is especially proud of is the recent roof installation award worth millions for the new Hamilton County Regional Safety Center.

In a note to Hamilton County’s Department of Economic & Community Support, she shared her excitement about the project and thanked the department for its work to help small and minority businesses thrive.

To learn more, contact alma@ajlgrp.com.