New homeownership opportunities for renters

Earlier this month, The Port announced it will purchase 194 single-family homes currently owned by an out-of-town, institutional investor to prevent many Cincinnati renters from possible eviction. For several years, out-of-town investors have been buying low-cost single-family homes and renting them at high monthly rates. The Port’s intent is to create a pathway for current renters to become owners of their homes.

The Port will work closely with several non-profit, community support organizations, each of which has voiced its support of this acquisition by The Port.

“These institutional investors are fundamentally changing the landscape of single-family housing in Hamilton County, so we are relieved The Port is stepping in to purchase properties whose occupants frequently face increased rental rates, threats of eviction, or maintenance requests that are regularly ignored,” said Rachel Hastings, executive director of Price Hill Will.

In November, Port veteran Todd Castellini was named the new leader of our industrial redevelopment efforts. Castellini will continue to lead The Port’s Public Finance work, which he has since 2016.

“As we accelerate our industrial strategy and look for ways to increase our capital base, merging our industrial and public finance work under one leader makes good sense,” said Laura Brunner, President and CEO of The Port. “There are natural synergies between our industrial and public finance strategies which make Todd an ideal fit for this role,” Brunner added.

Castellini is replacing Melissa Johnson, who left The Port in September after leading the organization’s industrial redevelopment work since 2011

2020 Impact Report: “Equitable Renewal”

Last month, The Port released its 2020 Impact Report. The virtual report features highlights across the pillars of The Port and its managed entities’ work. The report features profiles of The Port’s work including creating affordable housing across the County, working with two Cincinnati companies to retain over 500 jobs, financing a key development in the Innovation Corridor, and more. You can view “Equitable Renewal: The Port’s 2020 Impact Report” here: www.cincinnatiportimpact.org.

Skanska receives CLIMB Award for construction management building blocks program

Congratulations to Skanska USA for being awarded the 2021 “Changing the Face of Business” CLIMB (Cincinnati Lifts Inclusion and Minority Business) Award at the November 18 ceremony held by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and the Cincinnati Business Courier. The Port and its vice president of economic equity, Jilson Daniels, helped create and continue to support Skanska’s Construction Management Building Blocks Program, designed to help small, diverse businesses expand within the construction industry. Elevating and building capacity for small, diverse businesses is part of The Port’s strategic platform to advance economic equity in our region.

Port Shorts: K&J Seafood

K&J Seafood has been serving authentic Creole meals in Cincinnati since 2018 and is the 3rd minority/women-owned small business to open in the Bond Hill Business District. In this Port Short, we take an inside look at how two life-long best friends made their dream to own a restaurant come true.

Port Shorts: Communities First

The Port is proud to offer the Communities First - Down Payment Assistance Program, providing first mortgage financing and down payment/closing cost assistance grants to eligible homebuyers. In this Port Short, we explain the Communities First program, eligibility requirements, and how to apply!

Liz joined The Port in 2016 and is responsible for the planning, construction, and marketing of our successful REACH (Rehab Across Cincinnati and Hamilton County) single-family residential rehab program that has brought new homes to Evanston, Walnut Hills, Price Hill, and Avondale. Liz is leading REACH’s expansion to additional Hamilton County communities and overseeing the stabilization of historic properties. Prior to The Port, Liz worked in the multifamily industry for over 10 years and managed residential units across Hamilton County and the Greater Cincinnati region, Columbus, Lexington, Louisville, and St. Louis.