News Summary
Mayor Justin M. Bibb has announced a $1.9 million investment aimed at helping small businesses in Cleveland’s Southeast Side. This funding is part of the Southeast Side Commercial Corridor Program, which focuses on promoting economic growth and reviving community pride. The initiative will support a variety of businesses, including restaurants and health services, to enhance local commercial corridors and stimulate economic development in the area.
CLEVELAND—Mayor Justin M. Bibb has announced a significant $1.9 million investment aimed at bolstering small businesses in Cleveland’s Southeast Side. The funds are part of the Southeast Side Commercial Corridor Program, which seeks to promote economic growth and community renewal in a region that has faced challenges related to investment and development.
The initiative is designed to encourage local investment and create new opportunities for the community, emphasizing the rich potential and cultural heritage of Cleveland’s Southeast Side. The funding allocation aims to help small business owners restore pride in their enterprises and forge a path towards lasting prosperity for future generations.
This recent allocation of funds was announced following the program’s relaunch by the Department of Economic Development in September 2025, aimed at investing in local commercial corridors and enhancing community spaces. Planned improvements as part of this investment include storefront enhancements, stabilization of vacant properties, and improvements to public spaces.
A total of $1,909,341.06 has been awarded across 29 projects located along key thoroughfares such as Lee Road, Kinsman Road, Miles Avenue, and Union Avenue. The variety of businesses set to benefit from this funding includes early learning centers, health service providers, restaurants, and barbershops, illustrating a broad commitment to diverse sectors of the local economy.
Among the recipients of the grants, specific allocations include:
- Mt. Pleasant Bar-B-Q at 12725 Kinsman Road – $93,415.50
- Kaba’s African Market Inc. on Lee Road – $24,110
- Mass Orthopedic LLC on Lee Road – $10,041
- Deja Vu Salon/Barber Inc. on Lee Road – $99,999
- Exclusive Learners Language Academy, LLC on East 131st Street – $99,999
The financial resources for these grants are sourced from the American Rescue Plan Act and are intended to combat decades of underinvestment in the area. This effort is part of a broader Southeast Side Promise, focused on revitalizing neighborhoods that predominantly house Black residents. The ultimate goal of the investment is to reverse a decline in population and stimulate economic growth across the Southeast Side communities.
Individual grants within this program have a maximum limit of $99,999, which has been designed to cater to a wide array of businesses. The economic development team emphasized a focus on visible physical improvements as a primary criterion for grant approval. Plans for Mt. Pleasant Bar-B-Q, for example, involve cosmetic upgrades and technology enhancements to ensure better safety for patrons and staff.
Grant recipients are expected to receive their funds by the end of 2025, contingent upon fulfilling necessary approval processes. This timeline reflects the city’s commitment to providing timely support to aid in the revitalization efforts on the Southeast Side.
Marvin Owens Jr., who serves as the senior strategist for the Southeast Side in the mayor’s office, pointed out that this funding represents a long-term vision aimed at encouraging investment in communities that have experienced a history of disinvestment. The initiative represents both a response to past challenges as well as an opportunity for building a stronger economic future.
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Additional Resources
- Crain’s Cleveland: Cleveland Awards $1.9M Grants to 29 Southeast Side Businesses
- Cleveland.com: Greater Cleveland Small Business Pitch Contest Now Accepting Applications
- WKYC: Cleveland Invests Nearly $2M in City Businesses
- Wikipedia: Southeast Side, Cleveland
- MLB: Going to Bat for Small Business
- Google Search: Southeast Side Cleveland
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