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Medina's Job Creation Grant Program Yields 1,374 Jobs in Five Years

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  Published in Business and Finance on Monday, December 15th 2025 at 23:32 GMT by Cleveland.com

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Medina’s Job Creation Grant Program: A Five‑Year Success Story

In a recent feature published by Cleveland.com on December 11, 2025, the City of Medina’s state‑funded job‑creation grant program is celebrated for generating an impressive 1,374 jobs since its launch in 2018. The article dives into the program’s structure, the types of businesses it has supported, and the broader economic impact on the city’s workforce, providing readers with a comprehensive picture of how a small‑town initiative can ripple out to benefit an entire community.

How the Program Works

The grant program is a partnership between the City of Medina, the Ohio Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. The goal is to help local businesses grow by offering them up to $25,000 in grant money, contingent on a 50 % matching contribution from the business. The program is designed to support a wide range of industries, from traditional manufacturing to emerging tech and health services. The city’s Economic Development Department tracks all applications, verifies the business’s eligibility, and monitors post‑grant outcomes.

A key feature highlighted in the article is the requirement that grant recipients demonstrate at least one new job creation within the first year of receiving the funds. Businesses are also required to provide ongoing reporting on job retention and wage growth. These safeguards ensure that the program’s funds are translating into sustainable employment.

Numbers That Matter

The most striking figure in the article is the total number of jobs created—1,374—which represents a 12 % increase in Medina’s employment base over five years. The report breaks this number down by sector:

The article notes that the grant program has helped businesses that are female‑owned (30 % of recipients) and minority‑owned (20 % of recipients) thrive, thereby promoting a more inclusive local economy.

Another noteworthy statistic is the average wage in the newly created positions: $45,000 annually, a figure that sits above the state’s median for comparable roles. This wage boost has had a positive multiplier effect on local spending, property values, and municipal revenues.

Success Stories

To illustrate the program’s impact, the Cleveland.com piece spotlights three local companies:

1. Medina Auto Parts Co. – A small, family‑owned auto‑repair shop that used a $10,000 grant to purchase a new CNC machine. The upgrade allowed the company to take on larger contracts, leading to the hiring of six mechanics and an office clerk.

2. Health First Med Spa – A health‑tech startup that secured a $15,000 grant to build a patient‑care app. The startup’s growth attracted 12 new technicians and a marketing director, with a projected annual revenue increase of $2.5 million.

3. Ridgeview Construction LLC – A regional builder that used its grant to obtain a new fleet of eco‑friendly trucks. The company’s expansion into green building projects created 30 jobs in the last year alone.

These stories were supported by interviews with the founders and the city’s economic development officials, all of whom underscored the importance of local funding in bridging the gap between concept and market reality.

Follow‑Up Resources

The article links to several external resources that provide deeper context:

• Ohio Department of Commerce – Job Creation Grant Program
  A page that outlines eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and reporting requirements. It also includes downloadable templates for grant proposals.

• City of Medina – Economic Development Department
  The city’s portal offers a searchable database of all grant recipients, their projects, and the number of jobs created. This transparency has been praised by local media outlets.

• Cleveland.com Community Archive
  An archive of prior stories covering Medina’s economic growth initiatives, giving readers historical perspective.

• U.S. Small Business Administration – SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
  A federal program that some of Medina’s grant recipients also utilize to secure additional contracts.

The Cleveland.com feature notes that readers can find a full PDF report of the program’s performance on the City of Medina’s website, which includes year‑by‑year charts, demographic breakdowns, and a forecast of projected employment growth over the next five years.

Looking Ahead

The article concludes with an optimistic outlook. The city’s Economic Development Director, Maria Gonzales, stated that Medina plans to apply for additional state and federal funding to expand the grant program. The plan includes a push toward green technologies and workforce training in emerging fields such as cybersecurity and renewable energy.

“Medina’s success story shows that when you invest in the right businesses at the right time, the entire community can reap the rewards,” Gonzales said. “We’re excited to keep building on this momentum.”

Key Takeaways

1. Scale and Impact – 1,374 new jobs created, a 12 % lift in the city’s employment rate.
2. Diverse Portfolio – Jobs spread across manufacturing, healthcare, tech, and construction.
3. Inclusive Growth – Significant representation of female and minority owners among grant recipients.
4. Sustainable Model – Mandatory job creation and reporting ensure long‑term benefits.
5. Community Engagement – Transparent reporting and accessible data foster public trust and ongoing support.

In summary, Medina’s job‑creation grant program serves as a model for other municipalities seeking to stimulate local economies through targeted, evidence‑based funding. The Cleveland.com article not only celebrates the numbers but also offers a blueprint for how community‑level initiatives can create measurable, lasting impact when paired with strong governance and clear metrics.