MBS Urban Initiatives backs $12.6M Findlay Market Healthy Food Hub in Cincinnati

MBS Urban Initiatives CDE is supporting a $12.6 million renovation of two historic buildings in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood to create the Findlay Market Healthy Food Hub. The project is designed to expand access to healthy food, add jobs and strengthen the local economy through New Markets Tax Credit financing.

Why it matters: - The project is designed to improve access to fresh, locally grown and healthy food in a low-income Cincinnati neighborhood. - The hub is also expected to support workforce development, job retention and neighborhood revitalization. - The investment aims to strengthen a major community asset while helping local residents and small businesses.

What happened: - MBS Urban Initiatives CDE, the Community Development Entity affiliate of McCormack Baron Salazar, is supporting the Findlay Market Healthy Food Hub in Cincinnati, Ohio. - The support comes through a New Markets Tax Credit investment. - The project is located in the city’s historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. - The renovation covers 24,700 square feet across two historic buildings at 132 W. Elder Street and 1720 Race Street. - Model Group is developing the project in partnership with the Corporation for Findlay Market (CFFM).

The details: - The $12.6 million project will create a centralized hub for food distribution, community programming, vendor support and market operations. - The Healthy Food Hub will expand Findlay Market’s ability to serve residents by increasing access to healthy foods. - The project will improve food distribution to more than 1,800 low-income residents enrolled in SNAP and Produce Perks programs. - The market also serves 1.4 million annual visitors. - The renovated facility will support 49 permanent jobs, including new roles and retained positions. - Workforce development programming will include financial literacy, project management, facility maintenance, skilled trades, CPR certification, computer skills and the Certified Tourism Ambassador Program. - CFFM provides a career pathway that can move employees into leadership roles or help them use those skills in future jobs. - The facility will also include community meeting and event space, vendor storage, maintenance operations and office space. - The space is intended to support entrepreneurs, small businesses and nonprofit programming. - The project builds on earlier investments by McCormack Baron Salazar in the surrounding neighborhood.

Between the lines: - The project combines food access with economic development, which can help make neighborhood improvements more durable. - By linking a market renovation to training and job pathways, the project is aimed at creating benefits beyond the physical space. - The focus on historic buildings suggests the redevelopment is intended to preserve neighborhood character while adding new uses.

What's next: - Renovation work will move forward on the two buildings as the Healthy Food Hub takes shape. - Once complete, the hub is expected to expand food distribution, support programming and create a stronger operational base for Findlay Market. - MBS Urban Initiatives said the project fits its broader mission to fund underserved communities through New Markets Tax Credit financing.

The bottom line: - The Findlay Market Healthy Food Hub is a food access project with a broader economic goal: turn a historic market into a bigger engine for jobs, services and neighborhood growth.