Looking to score $2,500 for your OTR business expansion? Hit up the OTR Chamber

Business is booming in Over-the-Rhine, over 40 new businesses have opened this year. Many of the neighborhood’s established businesses are expanding and the OTR Chamber has a way to help make that happen.
 
The OTR Chamber is accepting applications for the OTR Business Innovation Challenge through Nov. 1.  Any OTR business is invited to submit its innovative idea for a chance to win up to $2,500 in grants.
 
Since the program’s inception in 2014, over 40 businesses have applied for grants. Past recipients from the first three rounds are: MOTR Pub, Cincy Shirts, The Garage OTR/Segway, Steam Whistle Letterpress, Daisy Mae’s Market and We Have Become Vikings.
 
The OTR Chamber’s Business Attraction and Retention Committee offered the grants for the first time in fall 2015. Applications are evaluated based on innovation, business growth, execution and impact.
 
The OTR Business Innovation Challenge seeks to award grants to businesses with an innovative idea for how to spend the grant money, with an emphasis on growing new products and services in OTR.
 
Innovative ideas can focus on expanding an existing business, equipment, promotions, etc.; enhance customer experience; or help fund a project or service that a business has been wanting to launch.
 
Existing OTR businesses can submit their innovative business ideas and application fee ($20 for OTR chamber members, $30 for non-members) here, and send a separate, one-page or one-minute video that explains their idea to contact@otrchamber.com.
 
Funding for the 2016 Innovation Challenge is provided by Fifth Third Bank.