Commission approves $2.4 million ARPA award to launch Inclusive Business Recovery Opportunity Center

The Dayton City Commission voted to approve a $2,400,000 award from Dayton Recovery Plan funds to the Dayton Miami Valley Entrepreneur Center and the Miami Valley Urban League to launch and operate an Inclusive Business Recovery Opportunity Center (IBROC).

The IBROC is intended to serve as a convenor and capacity builder for small-business support organizations and entrepreneurs, with a specific emphasis on historically underrepresented or “untapped” entrepreneurs. Deputy City Manager Lashay Lofton outlined the award and said, “With your approval this evening, Dayton is taking a bold and tangible step forward to ensure that all entrepreneurs, especially those historically underrepresented, have the tools, support, and opportunity to thrive.”

Why it matters: City staff said IBROC will use a coordinated, data-driven approach to reduce friction for entrepreneurs seeking services and capital. The initiative is funded from ARPA-designated Dayton Recovery Plan money and is intended as an implementation step following several years of planning with outside consultants.

City staff and partners said the IBROC planning process was led by consulting firm NextStreet and included community stakeholders and local advisors. Donald Jones, a NextStreet partner, described a four-phase planning process of visioning, fact-gathering, community co-design and business-plan development. He said the IBROC will perform two core roles: act as a convenor of the local business-support ecosystem and build capacity among service providers.

Operational details presented to the commission included: the $2.4 million award to the Entrepreneur Center and the Miami Valley Urban League to manage and operate the center; the creation of an independent advisory board to oversee IBROC; a physical headquarters to be located at the Dayton Arcade; and initial staff expected to include two to three dedicated positions with some interim support provided by the partner organizations. The partners said they are contractually required to provide quarterly metrics and reports to the advisory board and the commission.

Scott Korndyke of the Entrepreneur Center described the effort as “a community where untapped entrepreneurs feel supported,” and said IBROC will not duplicate existing providers but will connect entrepreneurs to the right resources at the right time. Nicole Miller of the Miami Valley Urban League said the Urban League will serve in the convening role and will lead outreach, data management and reporting.

Commission discussion focused on governance, reporting cadence, staffing and sustainability. City staff said the contract is with the Entrepreneur Center as the lead entity but that the program will operate collaboratively under direction from the advisory board. Contract language requires quarterly reporting; staff said the advisory board will advise on whether that cadence should change.

Commissioners asked about long-term funding. Partners said the first year will be focused on proving the model and that a sustainability plan — expected to include a mix of private, public and philanthropic funding — will be developed after the initial demonstration year.

The commission approved the city manager’s recommendations by voice vote; commissioners present answered "aye." The mayor moved to accept the recommendations and the motion was seconded; the measure passed and the partners were cleared to begin implementation.

The partners said the IBROC will return data and outcomes to the commission as it operates and will convene a first advisory-board meeting immediately to begin staffing and launch work.