Report on Cincinnati’s Commercial Tenant Improvement Program (CTIP) and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Program Overview and Alignment with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The City of Cincinnati’s Department of Economic & Community Development has implemented the Commercial Tenant Improvement Program (CTIP) to foster local economic growth and support decent work, directly contributing to SDG 8. The program provides vital access to capital for a portion of Ohio’s one million small businesses.

• Objective: To provide financial assistance to small businesses for physical space improvements, thereby stimulating local economic activity.
• Funding: The grant offers up to $20,000 per business.
• Economic Impact: By enabling businesses to expand and improve their services, the program directly supports job creation and sustains entrepreneurship, which are key targets of SDG 8. The city’s Small Business Development Manager, Eric Denson, confirmed that a primary selection criterion is the potential for job creation.

Fostering Sustainable and Inclusive Communities (SDG 11 & SDG 10)

CTIP plays a crucial role in building more inclusive, safe, and sustainable communities, aligning with the objectives of SDG 11 and SDG 10. The grants fund tangible improvements that enhance the urban environment and reduce inequalities.

• Urban Revitalization (SDG 11): Funding is available for interior upgrades, exterior enhancements, lighting, and signage. These improvements contribute to creating vibrant commercial districts, increasing foot traffic, and strengthening the overall resilience and sustainability of local communities.
• Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10): The program has recently expanded eligibility to include funding for accessibility ramps. This focus on accessibility improvements ensures that public commercial spaces are more inclusive for persons with disabilities, directly addressing a key component of SDG 10.

Case Study: DANCEFIX by HBDC – Promoting Health, Well-being, and Gender Equality (SDG 3 & SDG 5)

The experience of DANCEFIX by HBDC, a recent grantee, exemplifies the program’s multi-faceted impact on sustainable development goals.

1. Addressing a Challenge: The studio, owned by Heather Britt, required a specialized sprung floor costing $100,000 to ensure the safety and well-being of its dancers. This aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by preventing injury.
2. Receiving Support: CTIP awarded the business a $20,000 grant, which was instrumental in financing the necessary improvements. The support for a female-owned business also contributes to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by promoting women’s entrepreneurship.
3. Achieving Sustainable Outcomes: With the grant, DANCEFIX opened a new 5,500-square-foot facility, hired four new instructors (contributing to SDG 8), and expanded its offering of free community classes. These classes increase access to physical fitness for a diverse population, from ages 18 to 80, further advancing the goals of SDG 3.

Program Impact and Future Directions

Since its inception, CTIP has demonstrated a clear commitment to sustainable development through targeted support for small enterprises.

• Program Reach: The program has successfully supported 24 small businesses to date, with a third round of funding currently open for applications.
• Environmental Considerations (SDG 7 & SDG 13): According to city officials, selection criteria include a business’s positive environmental impact. Funding for upgrades like modern lighting can lead to improved energy efficiency, contributing to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
• Application Process: Applicants are required to have a lease or letter of intent for a commercial space. The current application deadline is August 4.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on Cincinnati’s Commercial Tenant Improvement Program (CTIP) addresses several Sustainable Development Goals by highlighting efforts to foster economic growth, create inclusive and resilient communities, and promote well-being.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  This goal is central to the article, which focuses on supporting the growth of small businesses. The CTIP grant is a direct mechanism to stimulate local economic activity by providing capital to entrepreneurs. The article states that “access to capital remains one of the most important tools for growth” for Ohio’s one million small businesses. The program’s aim to “create jobs” and support “entrepreneurs” directly aligns with promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The program’s objective is not just to help individual businesses but to “strengthen the communities they serve.” By funding improvements to business spaces, the city aims to make neighborhoods more vibrant and resilient. The article mentions the program’s goal is to “bring more foot traffic to the area,” which is a key component of urban revitalization. Furthermore, funding for “accessibility improvements” and “outdoor enhancements such as lighting” contributes to making city spaces safer and more inclusive, which is a core tenet of this SDG.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This goal is addressed through the specific example of DANCEFIX by HBDC. The business is an “adult dance workout program” that helps people “dance, sweat and release some emotion,” directly promoting physical and mental health. By receiving the grant, the studio was able to install a special sprung floor, which is a “safety concern” that “protects dancers’ joints.” The expansion of “free community classes” further enhances public access to health and fitness activities.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article touches on reducing inequalities by emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility. The CTIP grant’s expansion to include funding for “accessibility ramps” directly addresses barriers for people with disabilities. The DANCEFIX studio is highlighted as an inclusive space, welcoming “dancers from 18 to 80, from every neighborhood in the city,” thereby promoting social inclusion regardless of age or location.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.

   The entire CTIP program described in the article is a “development-oriented policy.” It supports “entrepreneurs” by providing “access to capital” in the form of grants up to $20,000, encouraging the growth of small businesses like DANCEFIX.

2. Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…

   The program’s eligibility was expanded to include “exterior upgrades,” specifically mentioning “accessibility ramps, outdoor lighting or signage.” This directly contributes to creating more accessible and safer public/commercial spaces. The DANCEFIX studio’s new sprung floor addresses safety, and its free community classes expand access to a recreational space.

3. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental and physical health and well-being.

   The DANCEFIX studio, supported by the grant, offers “dance workout” programs and classes in “pilates to line dancing,” which are activities that promote physical health and prevent non-communicable diseases. The mention of helping people “release some emotion” also points to the promotion of mental well-being.

4. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

   The funding for “accessibility improvements” and “accessibility ramps” is a clear action toward the inclusion of persons with disabilities. The description of DANCEFIX’s clientele (“from 18 to 80, from every neighborhood”) demonstrates the promotion of social inclusion across different age groups and communities.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several direct and implied indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicators for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

  • Number of small businesses supported: The article explicitly states, “the program has supported 24 small businesses.” This is a direct quantitative indicator of the program’s reach.
  • Amount of financial services provided: The grant offers “up to $20,000 to help Cincinnati small businesses,” which can be aggregated to measure the total financial support disbursed.
  • Number of jobs created: The article notes that the grant helped DANCEFIX “hire four new instructors.” This is a direct indicator of job creation resulting from the program.

• Indicators for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

  • Number of businesses with accessibility improvements: The article implies this can be tracked, as the program now funds “accessibility ramps.”
  • Increase in local economic activity: The goal to “bring more foot traffic to the area” is an implied indicator of urban revitalization.

• Indicators for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

  • Number of community health programs offered: The studio “has also added more free community classes,” which is a measurable output.
  • Participation rates in fitness activities: The description of DANCEFIX as a popular studio implies that the number of participants could be used as an indicator of community engagement in health-promoting activities.

• Indicators for SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

  • Demographic diversity of participants: The mention of dancers “from 18 to 80” and “from every neighborhood” implies that tracking the diversity of beneficiaries is a way to measure inclusivity.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: spectrumnews1.com