Objective 1: Strengthen Toledo's tax base, create quality jobs, and diversify the local economy.

Prepare strategic sites and buildings for redevelopment.

2026. In partnership with the Toledo Community Improvement Corporation and Lucas County Land Bank, make it easier for new businesses and housing to locate in Toledo by getting key properties ready for investment. This includes cleaning up sites, completing early planning work, and partnering with local organizations to reduce risk and attract developers—leading to new jobs, housing, and tax revenue.

Explore the creation of a Growth Capital Fund designed to provide strategic investments to emerging companies with strong scaling potential.

2027. Evaluate options to create a local investment fund that would focus on advancing innovation, supporting local entrepreneurship, attracting outside investment, and positioning Toledo as a competitive market for high-growth industries. that supports promising startups and growing companies. This would help Toledo-based businesses scale, attract outside investment, and build a stronger, more diverse economy.

Launch the Storefront Merchant Assistance Loan (SMAL) Program to support neighborhood business growth.

2026. Support small businesses in opening or expanding storefronts in Toledo’s neighborhoods by offering financial assistance for buildout, equipment, and improvements—helping fill vacant spaces and create vibrant commercial corridors.

Launch the Property Readiness Evaluation (PRE) Program to fund feasibility, market, and due diligence studies for redevelopment sites.

2026. Provide funding to study and prepare sites for redevelopment before construction begins. By helping property owners understand what’s possible on a site, this program reduces uncertainty and helps move more projects forward—bringing new investment and jobs to the community.

Create a Business Resource Guide and online toolkit to simplify access to building codes, permits, and incentive programs.

2027. Develop a simple, easy-to-use guide that helps business owners understand how to start, expand, or invest in Toledo. This tool will bring all permits, requirements, and available incentives into one place, saving time and helping businesses grow faster.

Launch a data-driven marketing and branding strategy to position Toledo as a premier destination for investment.

2027. Promote Toledo as a top place to invest, live, and do business by telling a clear, compelling story backed by data. This effort will highlight available sites, key industries, and success stories to attract developers, employers, and new residents.

Partner with the Northwest Ohio Innovation Consortium to accelerate advancements in sustainable manufacturing.

2026. Work with regional partners to support innovation and growth in advanced manufacturing and technology industries. This collaboration will help attract new companies, support existing businesses, and create high-quality jobs in emerging sectors.

Objective 2: Connect residents in targeted neighborhoods to good-paying jobs and career pathways.

Identify areas with high unemployment, identify existing employment barriers, and track workforce outcomes to guide future investment.

2026. Ensure that job training programs are preparing residents for the types of jobs that are actually available in Toledo. This helps people gain the skills they need while helping employers find qualified workers.

Align education, training, and credentialing programs with employer demand in high-unemployment areas.

Ongoing. Provide additional resources, training, and funding to very small businesses — especially in underserved neighborhoods — helping entrepreneurs succeed and strengthening local economies.

Explore community benefit agreements and incentive-based hiring commitments tied to City-supported projects in high-poverty neighborhoods.

2027. Encourage developers receiving City support to commit to hiring local residents and investing in the surrounding community, ensuring that growth benefits Toledo residents directly.

Continue pursuing Choice Neighborhoods designation for the Vistula neighborhood.

Ongoing. Work to secure federal support to transform the Vistula neighborhood through housing improvements, community investment, and economic opportunity—creating a stronger, more connected neighborhood.

Increase support for micro-enterprises and small businesses located in high-poverty neighborhoods.

Ongoing. Provide additional resources, training, and funding to very small businesses—especially in underserved neighborhoods—helping entrepreneurs succeed and strengthening local economies.

Objective 3: Cultivate a thriving small business and startup ecosystem.

Expand outreach and programming for startups, early-stage, and small businesses.

2027. Offer more workshops, mentorship, and support services to help new and growing businesses succeed, especially in Toledo’s neighborhoods.

Launch an annual Toledo Emerging Developer Conference to cultivate local and minority developers, builders, and investors.

2028. Create an annual event to support and connect local, minority, and first-time developers with tools, training, and capital—helping build a stronger pipeline of local development talent.

Develop an online Small Business Guide.

2027. Create a step-by-step guide to help entrepreneurs start and grow a business in Toledo, making it easier to navigate requirements and access available support.

Objective 4: Make it easier to do business in Toledo.

Complete the comprehensive rewrite of the Toledo Planning and Zoning Code aligned with the Forward Toledo Plan.

2028. Update Toledo’s rules for development to make them clearer, more predictable, and aligned with the City’s long-term vision—making it easier to invest and build in Toledo.

Streamline permitting and development review through a comprehensive review of permit processes, inspection procedures, and fee structures.

2027. Make it faster and easier to get approvals for building and business projects by improving processes, reducing delays, and clarifying requirements — helping projects move from idea to reality more quickly.

Form an advisory committee of industry professionals to recommend ongoing regulatory improvements.

2027. Bring together architects, developers, contractors, real-estate professionals, small business owners and community partners to regularly review City processes and recommend improvements—ensuring Toledo remains competitive and business-friendly.

Create user-friendly guides and checklists for common permitting and occupancy submissions.

2027. Develop simple checklists and guides so applicants know exactly what is required—reducing confusion, errors, and delays in the process.

Train City staff to serve as business liaisons, guiding applicants from permit to occupancy.

2027. Equip City staff to guide businesses through the development process from start to finish, providing a more supportive and customer-focused experience.

Implement a Healthy Food Overlay to expand access to healthy food in food 'desert' areas.

2027. Encourage grocery stores and fresh food options in areas that lack access by making it easier to develop these uses — improving health outcomes and quality of life.

Objective 5: Stimulate new housing, commercial, and industrial development in strategic areas.

Create a Capital Improvement Program set-aside to support development-ready public infrastructure.

2027. Dedicate funding for infrastructure improvements that directly support new development—helping projects move forward and attracting private investment.

Designate a list of priority corridors that connect Downtown to the neighborhoods.

2026. Priority corridors are the key connectors between the places Toledoans live, work, and play. Designating these priority corridors allows us to prioritize future investment in alignment with our strategic priorities.

Develop a wholistic framework to prioritize infrastructure projects aligned with strategic priorities.

2026. Create a clear plan to invest in roads, utilities, and public infrastructure where it will have the greatest impact — supporting development, job creation, and neighborhood growth.

Complete the RAISE Grant project in the Uptown, Junction, and Englewood neighborhoods.

2030. Deliver major infrastructure improvements in key neighborhoods to improve safety, connectivity, and economic opportunity — making these areas more attractive for investment.

Complete construction of priority corridors, including Washington St. and Monroe St.

2030. Build improvements to key streets to enhance safety, accessibility, and economic activity — supporting businesses and improving quality of life.

Complete design for priority corridors, including Huron/Madison, Front/Main, and N. Summit St.

2028. Advance plans for key streets and corridors to prepare them for future improvements — laying the groundwork for safer, more vibrant, and economically active areas.

Complete vision for priority corridors, including Dorr, Cherry, and Woodville.

2029. Develop long-term plans for important corridors to guide future investment and ensure coordinated, impactful improvements.

Integrate placemaking principles into all major public infrastructure projects.

2026. Design public spaces and streets to be welcoming, attractive, and people-focused—creating places where residents and visitors want to spend time, supporting businesses and community pride.

Partner with TARTA to evaluate bus rapid transit on Monroe St.

2026. Evaluate faster, more reliable transit options along key corridors to better connect residents to jobs, education, and services—supporting workforce access and economic growth.

Implement the downtown wayfinding strategy.

2027. Install clear signage to help residents and visitors navigate downtown more easily, encouraging exploration, increasing foot traffic, and supporting local businesses.