DAYTON— JobsOhio awarded Inclusion Grants totaling $125,000 to three Dayton Region small businesses in March. 

The JobsOhio Inclusion Grant provides financial support for eligible projects in designated distressed communities and for businesses owned by underrepresented populations across the state. The Dayton Development Coalition, JobsOhio’s network partner for the Dayton Region, supported the companies through the grant application process. 

“The JobsOhio Inclusion Grant has proven to be a powerful tool for our small businesses, providing the support they need to continue to grow and create new jobs,” said Julie Sullivan, the DDC’s Executive Vice President for Regional Development. “Small businesses are a critical source of job creation and we are thrilled to have this tool in our economic development toolbox to support them.”

Projects awarded grants in March 2021 include: 

Mike-Sell’s Potato Chip Co.: (Dayton) One of the oldest potato chip companies in the country, Mike-Sell's is a privately held manufacturer and distributor of snack foods ranging from potato chips and pretzels, to corn products, pork rinds and dips. Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, they distribute flavorful snacks primarily in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, and also sell their products online across the country. The grant will help them with the purchase of new equipment to grow their product lines. 

“Our company is very excited about this Inclusion Grant from JobsOhio.  We continuously look for ways to increase production efficiencies through more modern manufacturing equipment, which will allow us to invest in jobs in other areas of the business.  This Grant will do just that, assisting in the purchase of new packaging equipment,” said Robert Carmean, Mike-Sell’s CFO. 

     JOIG amount: $25,000

• Capital investment: $200,000
• Jobs created: 4
• Jobs retained: 72

Tri State Media, LLC: (Wilmington): Tri-State Media is a premium supplier and manufacturer of labels, tags, high-quality drum labels and warning labels for the chemical, pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries. The company’s sales were dramatically impacted early in COVID-19 pandemic. As the company waited for traditional business lines to rebound, they pivoted to PPE production with creation of a strapless, adhesive one-time use face mask made from medical-grade materials. The grant will be used to help pay for new equipment. 

“We saw more than 80 percent of our orders disappear as the pandemic increased and we knew we needed to think creatively to stay in business. We came up with the idea of a “One & Done Mask” (patent pending) that uses an adhesive instead of straps or ear loops. The medical-grade material masks keep glasses from fogging up, ease the discomfort of regular mask use, and make hair care, both in a salon and in a medical care setting, easier. The investment from JobsOhio will help us support the shift in our manufacturing facility and explore online markets for selling this innovative new product.,” said John Clary, President Tri-State Media.

     JOIG amount: $50,000

• Capital investment: $289,000
• Jobs created: 7
• Jobs retained: 24

Wicked Welding, Inc.: (Harrison Twp.) Wicked Welding provides laser welding and marking, precision microscopic GTA welding, mold, tool & die repair welding, medical device welding, and short-run production and tool repair to many Dayton aerospace and medical manufacturers. The company will use the support to help purchase a CNC laser welding machine to support aerospace and medical device clients.

   JOIG amount: $50,000

• Capital investment: $100,000
• Jobs created: 2
• Jobs retained: 3