North Coast Business Journal: Summer 2024, Volume 29 NO. 1, www.NCBJ.NET

https://www.thebeacon.net/donna-gross-brings-national-support-to-small-business-owners/

A decade ago, downtown Tiffin was a quiet cluster of streets spotted with small shops and empty storefronts. Thanks to local leaders who had the vision to invest their time and effort into pursuing accreditation from Main Street America, Tiffin’s downtown is now thriving upon a foundation of economic development and small business support.

Since March, 2023, the local Main Street America initiative has been led by Downtown Tiffin Main Street Manager, Donna Gross, a local small business owner whose passion for supporting other small business owners made her a perfect fit for the job. Gross owns Relevé Barre Studio in downtown Tiffin and was engaged in the Main Street America project as a volunteer before she was offered the downtown manager position.

“Being an entrepreneur myself, I have a heart for small businesses,” Gross said. “One of my favorite parts of the job is talking to potential small business owners and giving them the tools and encouragement they need.”

According to the Main Street America website, the organization “leads an inclusive, impact-driven movement dedicated to reenergizing and strengthening older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts nationwide.” Main Street America is a national organization that is hosted statewide by Heritage Ohio.

All Main Street communities function under an umbrella model of the four points of Economic Vitality, Design, Promoting and Organization. Gross has a team of volunteers who sit on committees and do the engagement work to meet the requirements of each of these points.

Locally, Economic Vitality initiatives are addressed by the Business Enhancement Committee. Among other duties, committee members focus on business retention and expansion by contacting downtown businesses twice a year to check their needs and progress.

The Design Committee is staffed by professionals who volunteer their time to enhance the esthetics of downtown through conceptual design projects and everyday improvements like new benches or bike racks. The Marketing Committee focuses on promotion initiatives through social media posts and community events like the Kris Kringle Markt, which drew about 5,000 people to Tiffin in its first year. The Kris Kringle Markt was created by Gross and a friend.

Organization goals are met by the Downtown Development Committee, which works toward continued Main Street America accreditation. Earning accreditation is not an easy task. It requires the submission of work plans and adherence to many Main Street America requirements.

“It’s a lot of reporting,” Gross said.

A stroll through downtown Tiffin, where thriving small businesses are busy with customers, provides a clear view of Gross’ success, but a deeper look into the data behind the efforts tells the real story. In 2023, the success of Downtown Tiffin yielded $250,000 in economic impact and helped draw 13 new businesses and create 86 new jobs. The downtown vacancy rate was at a low 4.1%, and over 12,500 people attended special events, bringing their wallets with them.

Although Main Street communities must abide by uniform rules, Tiffin is unique within the organization. Most Main Street communities are independent nonprofits, but Tiffin falls under the auspices of the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership (TSEP), a nonprofit organization that drives economic, downtown and community development across Seneca County. As a program of TSEP, Downtown Tiffin can focus on small business support instead of fundraising and is free to partner with the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce, giving it twice the economic development muscle and ensuring comprehensive support for local businesses.

“We work collaboratively with the chamber. It’s fantastic,” Gross said.

It all begins with Gross’ initial connection with a prospective small business owner.

“I remember what it’s like to start a new business, and it’s a little scary,” Gross said. “But they have this organization to give them the tools and encouragement they need.”