Collaborate

We envision an improved quality of life for Barberton residents, now and forever.

Collaborate

• PROGRAMS
• Downtown Building Rehab Program
• Economic Development Assistance Program
• PARTNERS
• CONTACT US
• DONATE

Economic Development Initiatives 

Barberton Community Foundation has long partnered with the City of Barberton and Barberton Community Development Corporation (BCDC) to support businesses and economic development in Barberton.

In 2020 the Foundation contracted with the Greater Ohio Policy Center to assist with the creation of a new impact plan for economic development and the Foundation’s role within that space. The resulting plan outlined several action steps focusing on downtown development, investing in Barbertonians and hiring an economic development expert to build programming. Ted Herncane was hired in 2021 to facilitate the priorities in the impact plan.

The programs and partnerships listed here are the result of the efforts of the Foundation to strategically look at ways to increase our community-wide impact.

Contact Josh Gordon, Executive Director, with any questions. Call 330-745-5995 or email gro.fcnotrebrab@nodrogj

Barberton Community Foundation
460 W. Paige Ave.
Barberton, OH 44203

Growing Downtown Barberton

The Downtown Barberton Rehabilitation Program encourages investment in privately owned commercial buildings to improve their marketability and stimulate economic activity.

If your property is located in Barberton’s Downtown Historic District it may be eligible to receive funding for building improvements such as:

• Interior rehabilitation (ceilings, walls, floors, lighting, plumbing fixtures)
• Window and door replacement or repair
• Roof repairs
• Improvements to mechanical and structural systems (electric, HVAC, plumbing)
• Façade repairs (brickwork, tuckpointing, painting)
• Purchase or upgrade of equipment

Program Eligibility and Guidelines

Property must be located within the Barberton Downtown Historic District to be eligible.

Property owners, or tenants with written consent from the property owner, may submit project requests for both interior and exterior building improvements, although preference is given to interior renovation projects.

Project requests for improvements up to $40,000 will be considered. The project budget should be included in the application. Preference will be given to property owners who intend to renovate buildings that are currently vacant.

Project requests must be consistent with Federal, state, county, and local regulations including zoning, building, health, and safety codes.

Funding and Timeline

Project requests for the Downtown Building Rehab Program and Economic Development Assistance Program are accepted on a rolling basis. New for 2023, two rounds of funding will be announced. 

Project requests are not loans. The program is reimbursement-based and requires supporting documentation of expenses. Funding for these programs is provided through the Foundation’s partnership with BCDC and must fit the Foundation’s redevelopment goals. 

The approval of applications will be determined by a joint Project Review Committee of Barberton Community Foundation and Barberton Community Development Corporation (BCDC), and by both boards.

Expand your business. Create jobs. Improve your community.

Aligning with the mission of Barberton Community Foundation, the Economic Development Assistance Program promotes economic development, business expansion, and job creation by providing funding for eligible projects in the City of Barberton. The program’s goal is to improve the quality of life for Barberton residents, now and forever.

If your business’s project qualifies, you could receive funding to complete that project with a focus on fixed-asset and infrastructure investment, which may include the following:

• Building improvements
• Leasehold improvements
• Purchase of upgrade of machinery or equipment
• Moving and relocation costs of machinery and equipment related to the project
• Infrastructure including utility, telecommunications, information technology, etc.
• Site development

Funding decisions are based on several project factors, including but not limited to:

• job creation
• additional payroll
• fixed-asset investment commitment
• project return on investment
• project location

The program requires the creation of jobs within a specified period and may consider the number of proceeds per job created.

Funding and Timeline

Project requests for the Downtown Building Rehab Program and Economic Development Assistance Program are accepted on a rolling basis. New for 2023, two rounds of funding will be announced. 

Project requests are not loans. The program is reimbursement-based and requires supporting documentation of expenses. Funding for these programs is provided through the Foundation’s partnership with BCDC and must fit the Foundation’s redevelopment goals.

The approval of applications will be determined by a joint Project Review Committee of Barberton Community Foundation and Barberton Community Development Corporation (BCDC), and by both boards.

The Project Review Committee may consider awarding funds for eligible projects that improve operational efficiencies or production expansion, along with the retention of jobs.