Today, Mayor Aftab, Cynthia Booth and the City’s Department of Community & Economic Development are pleased to announce plans for the creation of Project Hope, a 50,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility that will create 100 full-time jobs and 36 full-time temporary construction jobs in Bond Hill. Cincinnati City Council voted unanimously to approve legislation allowing the project to move forward.

“Thanks to the vision of Cynthia Booth, a vacant site in Bond Hill is on its way to being transformed into a successful business – one that provides good-paying jobs, supports our healthcare network at a time when PPE production is critical, and brings local residents to the table,” Mayor Aftab said. “This is a major, Black-and-woman owned business that will stand as a staple in the neighborhood. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Ms. Booth for her commitment to revitalizing the Reading Corridor.”

Local entrepreneur and business leader, Cynthia Booth, purchased the site at 2250 East Seymour Avenue from The Port earlier this year. The site was once the location of Cincinnati Gardens, a 25,000 sq. ft. indoor arena, and is currently vacant.

“As the President and CEO of Emerge Manufacturing, I am extremely appreciative of the support by the City of Cincinnati, specifically, the Mayor, City Manager, City Council Members, Department of Community and Economic Development, and the Budget and Finance Committee,” Cynthia Booth said.  “This incredible support by our city leadership is indicative of what can happen when city government and business owners work together for the benefit of our communities and our great city.  This support will enable Emerge Manufacturing to provide jobs at a great wage and improve the economic plight of the Bond Hill and Roselawn communities.”

“I am excited to see this project break ground,” said City Manager Sheryl Long. “Emerge Manufacturing’s commitment to local hiring and good wages is great news for Bond Hill and Roselawn. Cynthia is a passionate, reliable leader with strong ties to the Bond Hill community. Her investment, as a Cincinnati native, is such an inspiration. I thank the Department of Community and Economic Development Director Markiea Carter for her leadership and collaboration on this project.”

Emerge Manufacturing specializes in the production of personal protection equipment for hospitals and healthcare facilities. Project Hope will be a light manufacturing and office facility and cost an estimated $10,200,000.

“We are proud to support Emerge Manufacturing’s commitment to build and grow within the City of Cincinnati,” said Markiea Carter, Director of Community and Economic Development.  “Construction of this new 50,000 sq. ft facility puts this land back into productive use in addition to fostering economic opportunities within Bond Hill and its neighboring communities.   We are also thankful to our partners, The Port and JobsOhio who assisted with the initial redevelopment of this land into a development-ready site to attract new businesses to our city.”    

The project will receive a 15-year, net 67 percent CRA tax exemption and is recommended by DCED based on the following criteria:

1. Including benefit, the project compensation average is expected to be $60,000/year per employee.

2. 30% SBE goal, 17% MBE and 10% WBE participation.

3. Without an abatement, projected return on equity is below 7% for the first 15 years, which is not a reasonable return.

4. This project falls within the “Undercapitalized Projects” category of the CRA Policy as the project would not attract the equity needed to complete the project with a shorter term and percentage.

5. The Developers commitment that jobs created by the project will comply with the Living Wage Policy as reflected in CMC Chapter 317.