Funding Resources

There are many sources of funding for small businesses in addition to traditional banks. Following are some of the Cincinnati Economic Empowerment Center's resource partner organizations. Click on the logo of any organization to connect to their website for even more information.


Hamilton County Development Company Hamilton County Development Co., Inc. (HCDC) commenced operations in 1983 as a private not-for-profit corporation, with one full-time employee and a volunteer board of directors. Today, HCDC ranks 48th out of the approximately 300 Certified Development Companies (CDC) across the country, and is the only such entity which includes three distinct programs to promote economic development:
  • A high loan volume SBA Certified Development Company,
  • A large urban/county Economic Development Office and
  • An award-winning business incubation program.

HCDC is truly a full-service economic development agency having a public purpose to retain and create jobs, and improve the local economy. Three program areas provide a one-stop shop for business financing, community economic development, and assistance for entrepreneurs.

Greater Cincinnati Microenterprise Initiative  If your dream is to own your business the Greater Cincinnati Microenterprise Initiative, INC. (GCMI) can help. GCMI provides entrepreneurial training classes designed to help you develop your business plan, small business lending, one-on-one technical assistance, and access to other small business resources. At GCMI we believe your dreams are serious business.
  • Is your Credit less then perfect?
  • Do you need professional help with your business plan?
  • Do you need a loan to expand your small business?
  • Are you "moonlighting" with a business of your own?
If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions you need to contact GCMI. GCMI provides business training, access to credit and support services to low to moderate income individuals or business owners.

Cincinnati Empowerment Corporation 
 The Cincinnati Empowerment Corporation (CEC) was incorporated as a non-profit entity with the purpose of managing the federally funded Empowerment Zone Grant awarded in 1998. Residents, businesses, and organizations from the Empowerment Zone, as well as government, businesses, institutions, associations, service providers, and philanthropic organizations from the broader community came together to assess the development need of the communities and how to best enhance the communities.

City of Cincinnati logo

 To fund the most effective and efficient community alcohol and drug preventive education programs/services in the City of Cincinnati, while providing a fair, equitable, and structured Asset Forfeiture Funding application.

Cincinnati Angel Capital Hub Cincinnati's Angel Capital Hub, C-CAP, is a resource hub designed to link entrepreneurs with angel investors and the other resources they need to create successful growth companies. Our mission is to increase the number of growth companies that receive seed capital funding from Cincinnati area angels.