County committee advances $10,000 ARPA request to launch Noble Road merchants association

The Cuyahoga County Committee on Community Development and Housing voted on Feb. 19 to refer a request for up to $10,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the council for a second reading, advancing plans to organize Noble Road merchants in Cleveland Heights.

Council Vice President Davita Russell opened the item and invited local business leaders to present a plan for the Noble Area Business Association, which organizers say will unify roughly 80 businesses, pursue nonprofit status and coordinate marketing, beautification and safety initiatives. "Noble Road has not had any funding or any resources in 40 years," Russell said, urging the committee to support a kick‑start grant.

Presenters Milka Vincent and Myra Orenstein told the committee the $10,000 would cover startup costs — legal and administrative fees, branding and outreach materials, website development and organizational support — and that Future Heights would serve as the fiscal agent to manage the county ARPA funds. "The association is seeking $10,000 in initial funding to cover essential start up costs," Vincent said. Orenstein said she will work "pro bono until we get started" while the group establishes governance and hires an executive director.

Organizers outlined a three‑year operating budget they said Cleveland Heights is also considering through its ARPA process: Year 1 $259,945; Year 2 roughly $210,000; Year 3 $279,000. Presenters said merchant contributions are expected to cover a larger portion after the initial year and that the county dollars would be used only to complete incorporation and build capacity to pursue grants such as CAC funding.

Several local business owners testified in favor of the proposal, describing long tenures on Noble Road and saying modest public help would encourage private investment. Presenters cited placemaking tactics including murals and events, and said they are coordinating with regional arts contacts and local institutions such as the Noble Library to host merchant meetings.

The committee did not appropriate final funds. Danette Caldwell moved to send the resolution forward; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Committee members noted ARPA rules require multiple readings; the referral sends the item to the council committee for the next stage of review.

Procedure: the resolution (No. 20 250193) was read into the record and referred for a second reading; no final award was made at the meeting. The council committee will consider the request at its next scheduled session.