Innovation News

66 business, public agencies nominated for Green Business Awards

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Environment + Sustainability
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March 2, 2010

There is no lack of sustainable-minded companies in Cincinnati, and dozens have been nominated for the Cincinnati Chamber's first-ever Green Business Award.The Chamber, Cincinnati Business Courier and U.S. Green Building Council Cincinnati Regional Chapter are sponsoring the award, highlighting the "people, companies, and organizations that are demonstrating leadership in sustainable practices at a variety of facilities and projects."Among nominated businesses is Blue Ash-based DotLoop.com, which launched its namesake real estate software late last year. DotLoop.com, aimed at Realtors, helps them process contracts online. The fast growing company is forecasting 2010 revenues of $2 million - $5 million."We were honored to be nominated for the Cincinnati Green Business Award. As a company that is in existence to promote efficiency and other green initiatives, it is exciting to be part of a community that shares in these goals," said G. Austin Allison, DotLoop's Chief Executive Officer.GreenSource Cincinnati, created by long-established company Monroe Mechanical, an industrial and commercial HVAC company, also was nominated. GreenSource Cincinnati is a new technology and resource center for green builders in the Midwest."We're honored to be considered a leader in the green movement in Cincinnati. To be nominated for the Green Business award is an exciting opportunity for Monroe Mechanical, Inc. to reach more people with the message of sustainability and energy savings through GreenSource Cincinnati," Monroe Mechanical COO Will Housh said.Another nominee is Building Value, a non-profit salvage and workforce development organization. In addition to its deconstruction work, Building Value houses a retail center in Northside, a wood working area and warehouse space. Since its beginnings, Building Value has kept more than 5,000 tons of building materials out of the city’s landfills."It's always an honor to be listed among companies that place environmental stewardship as one of their top priorities. Building Value employees take pride in our efforts to preserve the local environment and are grateful for this chance to tell our story," said Jerry Janszen, Building Value Director.The Green Business Award Reception is March 16 at the Xavier University's Cintas Center. Tickets are $50 and will be sold through March 9th. Find more information and a full list of nominees here. Writer: Feoshia HendersonSources: Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Monroe Mechanical, DotLoop.com, Building Value

Latest in Innovation News
City Office of Environmental Quality receives $500K for Green Cincinnati Action Plan
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General
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March 2, 2010

The City of Cincinnati's Office of Environmental Quality was awarded a $500K, EPA Climate Showcase Community Award for its Green Cincinnati Action Plan. The grant will be paid out over three years.The Green Cincinnati Action Plan, formerly the Climate Protection Action Plan, contains 80 specific steps the city can take to become a national leader in addressing global climate change.Recommendations include: Reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions 8% below 2006 levels by 2012. Reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions 40% below 2006 levels by 2028. Reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions 84% below 2006 levels by 2050. Supporting a regional light rail system and passenger rail. Encouraging home energy efficiency measures."Our Green Cincinnati Action Plan is a collaboration among dedicated citizens, community organizations, and businesses in our region.  Our partners all realize that making Cincinnati a 'Green City' is essential to making Cincinnati a successful city.  Once again the Office of Environmental Quality is bringing in outside resources to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Cincinnati," said Mayor Mark Mallory.This award reinforces Cincinnati's status as a national leader in its sustainability efforts. Just 20 cities were granted funds out of 450 applicants. Also, the EPA will use Cincinnati's plans as an example of how other cities can Green Up."This funding will provide a tremendous boost to fulfilling the vision and programs in the Green Cincinnati Action Plan" said Larry Falkin, director of the City of Cincinnati's Office of Environmental Quality.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: City of Cincinnati

Been to a Big Boy? You’ve seen the work of locally owned Glasshand LLC
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Architecture + Design
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March 2, 2010

If you've seen those big fiberglass squirrels in Glendale, the http://cincinnati.com/bigpiggig big pigs downtown, or have ever visited a Frisch's Big Boy, then you've gotten an up-close look at the work of locally-based Glasshand LLC.Glasshand, which takes projects from concept to custom painted finish, has been around since 1989, but new owners, husband and wife Rokeya and Steve Brauch, and Mark Wright bought the business in August 2009.Steve Brauch and Wright knew the business well before taking it over. Brauch was Glasshand's principal sculptor and designer for more than a decade, and Wright was the longtime shop manager. "The prevoius owners started another business … but we saw potential in Glasshand, so we decided to start fresh and take over," said Rokeya, also the office manager.The company retained five employees from the former owners, and hired one new worker. The business employs sculptors, fabricators and model makers. Early this year, Glasshand relocated from Cleves to Woodlawn to be closer to local customers. Glasshand has a Greater Cincinnati client base, but also serves clients across the United States. Projects run the gamut from public and commercial art to roller coaster bodies and theme park displays.Among their customers are American Custom Trailers, the Cincinnati Zoo, Yogi Bear Jellystone Park campgrounds, Gotham Cruisers http://www.gothamcruisers.com/index.htm and Frisch's Big Boy (yep, they make Big Boy himself)."We can do everything here, sometimes people bring ideas scribbled on a napkin and we take from there," Rokeya said.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Rokeya Brauch, Glasshand LLC office manager

I & Eye Productions Launches The Cincinnati Report to tell the story of small biz, leverage web
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Entrepreneurship
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March 1, 2010

A Madisonville specialty broadcast and multimedia company has launched The Cincinnati Report to help get the word out on local businesses that don't get as much ink in this time of newsroom cutbacks.I & E Productions Vice President Bob Igoe said The Cincinnati Report is truly multi-media, leveraging television, the web and social media sites to foster a personal connection between business owners and customers."It's getting harder and harder for business to know how to get their information out there. We wanted to develop a feature reporting service that combines all these outlets - TV, internet, social networks - in a multiplatform approach," Igoe said.The Cincinnati Report starts with feature stories on WLWT-TV 5 at 11 p.m., then more content follows on The Cincinnati Report Web site where readers can follow companies through Facebook and Twitter."The broadcast offers that one-time hit, but it's really a one-year horizon that combines power of broadcast, and leverages web and creates a following that allows ongoing dialogue of people who want to follow a company," Igoe said.The Cincinnati Report launched Jan. 19 with broadcast feature stories on Verbarg's Furniture, Waltz Business Solutions, Factory Direct Remodeling and Middendorf Funeral Home."What we are hearing from our clients is that they're not sure how to use a Facebook or Twitter, but they know the need to be there. This is the kind of thing that launches them into that," Igoe said.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: I & E Productions Vice President Bob Igoe

P&G eStore launches
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General
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February 23, 2010

Cincinnati-based consumer product powerhouse Procter & Gamble is testing the online retail world with the launch of a new eStore.P&G launched a pilot eStore this month, along with e-commerce company PFSweb, Inc., which is experienced in working with Fortune 1000 and Global 2000 companies.The pilot is being tested with 5,000 consumers and a full launch is planned for the spring.The eStore will features P&G brands, but the site will be owned and operated by PFSweb. The companies will work together to test new marketing concepts and programs to that will be tested through the eStore."We are very excited about the store's potential to reach more consumers and create new online experiences and innovations that build our brands online," said Kirk Perry, P&G's Vice President, North America.P&G products are known worldwide and brands include Pampers, Tide, Always, Pantene, Mach3, Crest, Gillette, Braun and Fusion. With corporate offices in downtown Cincinnati, the company has 135,000 employees in 80 countries.The eStore is an effort to strengthen relationships with consumers and will integrate social media and cross selling capabilities among other new efforts."With each new product category comes the opportunity to develop and test marketing, selling and retention concepts. In working with P&G on our eStore, we're looking forward to uncovering new insights and innovations that deliver on the potential of e-commerce as a powerful sales channel for a wide range of consumer products," said Mark Layton, PFSweb's CEO.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: P&G Public Relations

Health Careers Collaborative gets big stimulus fund boost
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Higher Education
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February 23, 2010

Health Careers Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati has been awarded more than $4.9 million in federal stimulus funds. The grant, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will allow HCC to offer health-careers job training to more local residents. Since 2004, the Health Careers Collaborative has increased the diversity of Cincinnati's health care workforce and alleviated shortages by giving educational financial aid to people entering health careers. The groups targeted for HCC job training include inner-city residents, immigrants, minorities, displaced and low-wage workers, and people with disabilities. The program takes a wide-angle view of career assistance by offering GED classes before college enrollment and continuing education to those already in the field. Job coaches help alumni make a successful transition to the hospital, clinic, or medical office; some are embedded at the worksite.Sister Sally Sherman sees the impact of these types of grants in her work with Mercy Neighborhood Ministries. She said that monies like this are "a dream come true" for people who seek better pay and opportunities in health care positions. The Collaborative, which started in 2004, has a proven track record in Cincinnati. Alan Jones, HCC's current chair, said that the Collaborative has trained 2,000 people in the last three years. Eighty-four percent of alums have found jobs, including positions in nursing, surgical assisting, and respiratory care. A job coach affiliated with the Collaborative reported a fivefold increase in minority employee retention at Children's Hospital since the program's inception. The award of $4,935,132 will be given to Cincinnati State, who will distribute funds to the other partners. Organizations in the Health Careers Collaborative include healthcare providers, local colleges, the Workforce Investment Board/Super Jobs Centers, Greater Cincinnati Workforce Network, Dress for Success Cincinnati, and Mercy Neighborhood Ministries.Writer: Elena StevensonSource: Communications Department, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Youth minister starts Northern Kentucky Youth Foundation, offers safe place to have fun
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General
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February 23, 2010

The economic downtown can hurt kids just as much as a parent that's lost a job. And when a family budget just covers the necessities, it can leave children bored and inclined to find trouble, especially during the summer.That's why a local children's minister is working to create a place where children can go, have fun, and keep safe.Ryan Courtade, of Fort Thomas, founded Northern Kentucky Youth Foundation to fund small youth centers in Northern Kentucky that will give kids a place to hang out."I wanted to do something like this since I was in high school. I saw then that there were not many things for kids to do after school. When I lost my job at a church at Fort Thomas, I thought 'This is really now or never.' I started doing this, then I got a job at Taylor Mill United Methodist. All the pieces started working together," Courtade said.The planned youth centers will offer subsidized tutoring, after school and summer camp activities to junior high and high school students. The non-profit foundation is in its early stages, and is fund-raising to help provide for teachers, supplies and other needs. Its nine-person board includes Northern Kentuckians who are active in several different churches including Taylor Mill United Methodist.The foundation is faith-based, but is open to children regardless of faith, Courtade said."It's not really a Bible program, but it's founded on the principal of loving one another as we love ourselves. It's a place without peer pressure where children can see positive role models," he said.The foundation is looking for center locations, and a first could open in Covington by this summer, serving 20 to 30 kids.You can keep up with Foundation's progress by becoming a fan on Facebook. Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Ryan Courtade, founder Northern Kentucky Youth Foundation

Sustain Brand offers a new strategy for company’s going local
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Entrepreneurship
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February 23, 2010

The average grocery-store food product travels 1,500 miles from source to shelf. Yet locally-grown and prepared foods can be hard to distribute efficiently. This puzzle moved Matthew Kennedy, owner of  Sustain Brands, to create a new kind of "food web" - where food is supplied, grown, packaged, and sold within a 300-mile radius. Sustain Brands launched in mid-2009; its motto is "Locally Owned, Locally Grown, Nationally Known." Small Mom-and-Pop food growers and manufacturers supply the products, and Sustain's recognizable brand provides them entrée to supermarket shelves. Kennedy enjoys using his 25 years of marketing experience for a cause he believes in. "I've experienced the positives of a big national brand, but I also appreciate the uniqueness of regional brands. I saw how (regionals) were being squeezed out by supply chains. We were not supporting our communities, and quality suffered. One brand cannot be all things to all people."Local products benefit both producer and consumer. Reduced "food miles" - commuting distances from farm to plant to store - cut down on CO2 emissions from shipping. Local businesses provide stable jobs. Products are fresher, and require fewer preservatives and consumers enjoy the convenience of buying a local product at their neighborhood grocery. These unique varieties and flavors add to a community's identity.Though the front of each Sustain product carries the company logo, the back label tells the story of the local farmer or manufacturer who makes it. For Kennedy, finding and sharing these stories is a rewarding aspect of his work. He also relishes the chance to make connections across food webs. On February 27th, Kennedy will host a demonstration of Sustain Brands' locally-produced soup at  Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield. The Cleveland native has made Cincinnati his home since attending UC. Kennedy feels that Ohio's productive agricultural economy and plentiful grocery stores make it the ideal place to effect change in our food supply. Kennedy is also CEO of Kennedy Creative, a brand strategy firm, and runs both out of a New Richmond office with a view of the Ohio River. Sustain Brands has an Adirondack office in Malone, New York, with its own food web network. Kennedy is interviewing for two more Cincinnati employees, and developing two additional food webs in other locales. To watch a video on Sustain Brands, click here.Writer: Elena StevensonSource: Matthew Kennedy, owner, Sustain Brands; www.sustainbrand.com

Mobile coupons: Local company helps you save money with your phone
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General
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February 23, 2010

If you want the savings of coupons sans the hassle of paper, Rob Deubell has your number. He's president of  MobileCoupons.com, a website where consumers can redeem coupons for restaurants and other merchants by showing its image on a cell phone screen.Deubell's plan for the marriage of money saving and mobile was several years in the making. The former Convergys VP wrote a business plan for cell phone coupons in 2003, shortly after taking a position with RACO Industries. He describes consumer apps as a "holy grail" for cell phones. "Your cell phone is always in your pocket. It's the perfect way to marry what you want with what merchants have to offer. In 2004, other people in the industry were writing games and ringtones for cell phones. We bought the URL, MobileCoupons.com, back then, and waited for the right time."BlackBerry, iPhone, and Google Droid all propelled the industry forward; the recession magnified the need for a good deal. And the Tri-State proved fertile ground for the coupon revolution.  "Cincinnati is high in adoption of mobile internet and text messaging - one of the top ten markets nationally. And we're also a Top 20 market for coupon redemption," says Deubell. OpenMotion LLC, the parent company of MobileCoupons.com, was an early pioneer of mobile web content. Now, its partnerships enhance the functioning of the site. Consumers looking for a coupon can access yellowpages.com content; the website for Cincinnati Bell Yellow Pages has clickable icons for mobile coupons. There's also an option of printing coupons from a PC. An easy-to-use interface allows business owners to create coupons in just five minutes.After launching in December 2009, MobileCoupons.com has more than 400 coupons in the Cincinnati market, with a smaller presence in the top 20-25 markets nationwide. Six employees manage their Blue Ash data center; Deubell plans to add more in the next year.Consumers and businesses are not charged for using Mobile Coupons. Deubell, a careful observer of internet culture, plans to add premium services after building up the brand. "Our ultimate goal is to be the default place consumers go when they're looking for deals."MobileCoupons.com is wholly owned by OpenMotion LLC and RACO Industries.Writer: Elena StevensonSource: Rob Deubell, President, MobileCoupons.com

Daisy Mae Market brings on Healthy Breaks
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Entrepreneurship
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February 16, 2010

Daisy Mae, Findlay Market's only full-time produce stand, now offers downtown businesses a Break. Healthy Breaks are weekly deliveries of fruits and vegetables to downtown offices, promoting wellness with vitamin-filled alternatives to the vending machine.  Healthy Breaks are a natural outgrowth of Daisy Mae's mission: "easy access to the finest selection of fresh produce in the Cincinnati area." Barry Cooper, who co-owns Daisy Mae with his brother Jeff, was thinking about how to expand the business.  "How do we get people to come down to Findlay Market?" he asked his wife, Barb. Barb suggested a tie-in with healthy living, and began calling people in the wellness community.  Healthy Breaks launched in January, just two months after Daisy Mae unfurled its colorful awning at Findlay Market. The most popular selection is bananas, apples, and navel oranges - 60 to 70 pieces for only $30. Deliveries are made each weekday except Monday. One office enjoys the program so much that they now schedule two weekly Healthy Breaks deliveries. The Cooper brothers grew up in Cincinnati. Jeff has a lifetime in the produce business; he started out at the Catanzaro Brothers' Findlay Market stand as a teen. Barry, a homebuilder, brings business expertise and culinary skills. "I fancy myself a decent cook, so I can talk to the people about preparing the produce." Barb Cooper maintains a blog and Twitter feed that connect Daisy Mae's customers with issues of interest around the city.  Daisy Mae offers locally-grown produce when practical, but maintains a sense of humor about the need to ship. A recent Twitter post said, "We love it when customers ask 'Is it local?' about avocados and bananas." Barry Cooper credits "a multitude of suppliers" with providing high quality and competitive prices. In addition to Healthy Breaks, Daisy Mae Market offers Quick Pick Produce, a concierge service where customers call ahead and have produce brought to their car, as well as downtown produce delivery.  Written by: Elena Stevenson Source: Barry Cooper, co-owner, Daisy Mae's Market

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