The Coshocton Collaborative, a revitalization project designed to foster small business growth and economic development in downtown Coshocton, celebrated its grand opening today. The Coshocton County Port Authority, in partnership with JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE), Ohio Department of Development, the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, the Coshocton County Commissioners and the Coshocton Foundation held a ribbon-cutting celebration this afternoon and welcomed the community to tour the newly-renovated building.

Over $6.2 million was invested to renovate the three-story, 24,900 square foot building and transform it into a unique maker space, business incubator, and co-working facility that will promote entrepreneurship and foster economic growth.

“This revitalization within the heart of downtown Coshocton will be a catalyst for business growth within Ohio’s Appalachian region,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Smaller enterprises have long been a cornerstone of Ohio’s towns and villages, and the Coshocton Collaborative will help these operations grow while adding more vitality within the community.”

Thursday’s celebration was hosted by the Coshocton County Port Authority and attended by representatives from JobsOhio, OhioSE, the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, and Ohio Mid-East Government Association (OMEGA), State Representative Mark Hiner and Coshocton local officials.

“The collaborative effort to revitalize the former Chacos Building will fill a downtown structure that stood empty since 2011, establishing more office space within the community,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “The grand opening of the Coshocton Collaborative marks the completion of one of the earliest JobsOhio Vibrant Community Projects in Southeast Ohio, bringing a significant investment for the region’s business community that will create more jobs and opportunity in Coshocton County.”

The former Chacos Brothers building (also known as the Pastime Theater) is located in the heart of Coshocton’s downtown. The Coshocton Port Authority has moved its office into the renovated building and will work directly with private-sector businesses looking to utilize the space.

“It has been such an honor to take the intricate historic details of this beautiful building and breathe new life into this space, said Tiffany Swigert, Executive Director of the Coshocton County Port Authority. “We acquired this building with the strategic intent of preserving the underlying asset, thereby enabling the future completion of the theater project. We recognize that this initiative will serve as a catalyst for economic growth and development, not only along Main Street but throughout the entire county, as it will attract visitors and stimulate local activity.”

Local funding partners involved include the Coshocton Foundation and the Coshocton County Commissioners. The Coshocton Port Authority has had a number of partners supporting their vision for the Coshocton Collaborative. They are grateful for those partnerships that have included the Small Business Development Center at Kent State Tuscarawas, the Coshocton Chamber of Commerce, the City of Coshocton and many others.

The project was supported by a JobsOhio Vibrant Community grant of over $750,000. The JobsOhio Vibrant Community Program offers competitive grants for development projects that help transform areas within a distressed community. Eligible projects include mixed-use projects, real estate development projects, and operated shared spaces, that meet the JobsOhio project criteria.

“The Coshocton Collaborative was the first Vibrant Community project awarded in Southeast Ohio and it is a wonderful example of a catalytic development project,” said Matt Abbott, President and CEO of OhioSE. “This revitalization project answered an identified need in the community. We look forward to seeing the Collaborative thrive as a community hub for entrepreneurship and innovation and the injection of energy it will bring to downtown Coshocton.”

The Coshocton Collaborative also received financial support through the Appalachian Community Grant Program in partnership with other Appalachian communities to establish coordinated, interconnected remote work and entrepreneur hubs in Southeast Ohio.

“We are absolutely thrilled to open the doors of this incredible space to the Coshocton community, the Southeastern Ohio region, and beyond,” said Swigert. “The Coshocton Port Authority has dedicated countless efforts to crafting a dynamic and welcoming environment where businesses can thrive, innovate, and connect.”

View the original release

Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) is the JobsOhio Network Partner for southern, eastern, and southeastern Ohio, providing economic development work and resources in 25 rural counties. Geographically the largest of the seven regions across the state, OhioSE partners closely with regional development districts, local economic development offices, state agencies, and other entities to expand, retain, and attract businesses in the counties they serve.