30 Years of Impact: Supporting Ohio’s Small Businesses Through Clean Air Investment

By Gabe Lorenz

For 30 years, the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority's Small Business Program has supported everyday Ohioans making upgrades to their businesses to comply with federal clean air regulations, save costs, or replace aging equipment. During National Small Business Week , we wanted to dive into the history of this impactful program, celebrate the business owners and communities whose lives have been touched by their projects, and look ahead at the next 30 years. 

In 1990, the Clean Air Act was amended to extend federal regulations to include smaller businesses that may emit regulated air pollutants. Recognizing the costs and technical challenges introduced by these new regulatory requirements, OAQDA created a new financial assistance program to help those businesses. Established in 1996, originally called the Clean Air Resource Center, the small business program provided technical and financial assistance to small businesses. Designated as the small business ombudsman by the Ohio General Assembly, OAQDA provided extensive educational outreach to understand and best serve the needs of small businesses navigating the federal requirements, along with revamping financial tools to make capital more accessible for clean air projects. 

This program's impact can be traced back to two of its earliest participants, Sunbury Cleaners and Laundry and Ross Cleaners, two small dry-cleaning businesses that turned regulatory challenges into opportunities to modernize and grow with OAQDA's support.

Over the last 30 years, the program has helped businesses across Ohio strengthen their operations. In total, OAQDA has provided small businesses with over $26 million in financial assistance, helping small businesses replace at least 55 machines that used perchloroethylene(PERC, a hazardous and carcinogenic chemical used in older dry-cleaning machines) solvents, install over 100 low-emission spray paint booths, and create and retain over 1,800 jobs.  

As the program administrator for the past several years, the most rewarding part of this job is getting to know the entrepreneurs and business leaders behind every project. Each business has a story, and these projects really bring the impact home every time. From the businesses that pass down through generations within the same family, to businesses that have shown resiliency in the face of challenges like the pandemic in 2020, changing market conditions, and even damaging storms.

Some of my favorites over the years include:

• KAP Signs 

Over Memorial Day weekend in 2019, KAP Signs, a small Dayton-area business, had its facility destroyed by a tornado in the storm. 

Facing the prospect of rebuilding quickly in order to keep their business going, the company reached out to OAQDA. We worked with them to quickly review their application and bring them through our process. With over $135,000 in financial assistance, the company installed a new paint booth and ventilation system as part of their manufacturing process to produce custom signs, awnings and scoreboards. This project helps to rebuild and stabilize their business and the jobs of their 15 employees. 

• Hale Cleaners 

At the end of 2020, new regulations were due to take effect that would regulate the use of PERC in buildings shared with residential tenants. Faced with the costs of paying for new equipment or going out of business, Hale Cleaners (of Elyria) contacted OAQDA. We helped bring them through our process quickly and easily. The business, owned by Daenam and Sam Kim, continued operations because of OAQDA's financial assistance and bonds of $65,000. The Kim family has a long history of community involvement in Northeast Ohio, and working with them through the process was a very rewarding experience. 

• 118 W 9th Street 

As part of OAQDA's expanded small business program to meet the growing market for smaller energy improvement projects, the 118 W 9th St project was approved for financing completed during the pilot period for the expansion in 2024. Led by architect Sheri Scot, AIA, Managing Member of 118 W 9th St, LLC, the project reflects a vision to preserve and revitalize historic buildings. OAQDA is proud to support leaders like Scott who are investing in their communities. This project involved installing energy-saving measures, including a new roof, in a formerly vacant historic church in downtown Cincinnati, while retaining and protecting the historic character of the building's architecture. The building now serves as an event space, turning a vacant property into a vibrant gathering place for the community while preserving this beautiful, historical building.