Small businesses are the engines driving economic development. Over 78% of the businesses located in downtown Cincinnati are small businesses. As one of the organization's three core areas of service, Downtown Cincinnati Inc. (DCI) is committed to serving the small business community with an emphasis on minority and women-owned businesses. DCI's VP of Stakeholder Services and Small Business works under the advisory and leadership of the DCI Small Business Committee and in partnership with the City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, State of Ohio, the area Chambers of Commerce, among others, to develop policies, procedures and practices that encourage small business growth in downtown Cincinnati.

How can DCI support you as a small business owner?

Connections to Government and Other Agencies

DCI has relationships with local and state leaders, as well as organizations that can assist you with issues that affect your business.

Marketing Assistance

DCI promotes downtown businesses through our "Downtown Cincinnati: Go to Town" marketing campaign, complete with website, printed materials and special events.

Office and Retail Space

DCI maintains a comprehensive database of available space through relationships with property owners and managers - we can help identify the right spaces for your business needs.

Sector Groups­

DCI facilitates Sector Group meetings to identify, discuss and resolve issues you face in your downtown neighborhood.

Safe & Clean

DCI initiated the Downtown Ambassador Program which focuses on keeping downtown safe, clean and friendly for you and your customers.

Get involved with the Annual Small Business Tour and Round Table.

DCI conducts an annual Small Business Tour and Round Table. Themed The Good, the Bad, the Chance to Improve, the third annual Tour was conducted on June 10, 2007, with a focus on Court Street in downtown Cincinnati. Each year the tour focuses on a designated city block within downtown and encourages the business and property owners, and residents to interact with local government leaders and see first hand the progress that is being made on that given block, as well as the opportunities for overall improvement. The roundtable that follows affords all attendees the chance to discuss pertinent issues which may be positively impacted by strategic partnerships and increased engagement.

Advise us of issues relative to retaining or attracting your small business.

DCI works in partnership with the City of Cincinnati to conduct small business retention calls throughout the year. Whether you experience complete satisfaction with your location downtown or need help navigating stumbling blocks, we encourage you to contact us. Often, your small business needs might be shared with other small business owners and could indicate a need for broader discussion. DCI'™s Small Business Committee takes leadership and collaborates with other organizations to develop policies, procedures and practices that encourage small business growth in downtown Cincinnati.

Tell us more about your small business.

Our VP of Stakeholder Services and Small Business, Arlene Koth, fields daily calls from current and prospective downtown small business owners. We are quickly able to offer guidance or connect you to those who have the tools and resources to assist you as it relates to questions about your business' target market, customer profile, space needs and more.