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Councilwoman Jones
Finance Debt & Budget Oversight Committee
2/25/2026
ARPA Update
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From: Councilwoman Jones Response Requested: ASAP
Please provide a breakdown of the appropriations per line item, ex. Healthy Food Incentive Programs, 3 projects. Please include the percentage of funds used, remaining balances and leading department and/or organization.
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Referral Response:
1. Food Education & Incubation Hub - $500,000 allocated
$355,296.57 Remaining - ECDI Food Systems Education and Incubation Hub
Due to market conditions, ECDI is no longer able to move forward with the Food Systems Education and Incubation Hub at the Erie Street Market. An invoice has been processed in the amount of $144,703.43 to reimburse ECDI for eligible expenses incurred to date, including approximately 75% complete architectural and engineering plans for the Hub located within the Civic Center Auditorium at the Erie Street Market. These plans represent a significant level of design readiness and will allow the City and its partners to attract a new operator and investor for the space.
The Department of Economic Development has been actively working with the Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT) to determine if the remaining funds can be used to assist with the relocation of the Northwest Ohio Opportunity Kitchen (NOK) to Toledo. Pursuant to an opinion provided by the Law Department, the remaining funds can only be reallocated to project that meets the same spirit as the original allocation - to assist small food-related businesses and entrepreneurs with acquiring and utilizing machinery and equipment. We believe the relocation of the NOCK to Toledo is an eligible project that would have an outsized positive impact on the City of Toledo. It's our understanding that the CIFT Board will be meeting in the coming weeks to finalize their relocation decision.
Brandon Sehlhorst
Chief Growth Officer
Economic Development
2. Healthy Food Small Market Program...
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