Local leaders say Dayton has lots of untapped entrepreneurial talent—and they believe a new business resource center will help unlock that potential.
“Where do we find those untapped entrepreneurs, how do we reach those untapped entrepreneurs — that’s the role of IBROC,” said Scott Koorndyk, president of the Entrepreneurs’ Center.
The Innovation Business Resource Opportunity Center (IBROC) will “connect those organizations together and let us speak with a single vision and a single voice.”
Funded by Dayton Recovery Plan, Located in the Dayton Arcade
The Dayton city government is providing $2.4 million in grant funding for IBROC, which will be operated by the Entrepreneurs’ Center in partnership with the Miami Valley Urban League.
The funding comes from “the Dayton Recovery Plan, which is the city’s spending blueprint for the $138 million it received in federal COVID relief dollars.”
IBROC will be based at the Dayton Arcade and will employ a couple of staff members. The city funding will support the program through the end of 2028.
What IBROC Offers: Coordination, Tools, and Centralized Support
The center, expected to launch in early summer, “will provide support, tools and training to the small business community, especially historically underserved entrepreneurs.”
IBROC has been described as “a collaborative hub that will make it easy for new and established business owners to access resources and time-saving tools, plus connect with a network of partners and service providers.”
“It will ensure that the hard work of connecting to resources doesn’t take so much effort for the entrepreneur, that they can quickly get help, instead of having to tell their story to many different organizations,” said Koorndyk.
A “Missing Link” in the Business Support Chain
IBROC is a “missing link” in Dayton’s small business support system, said Belinda Matthews Stenson, vice president of business inclusion for the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.
She said the center will provide “coordination and alignment of service delivery and an assessment of ‘ecosystem’ resources.”
Not Replacing MBAC, but Enhancing What Works
Nikol Miller, executive director of the Miami Valley Urban League, said:
“We are not here to duplicate efforts … we are here to amplify them.”
“We are here to lift up what’s working, fill in the gaps where support is missing and make sure our ecosystem is coordinated, equitable and responsive to the needs of both our entrepreneurs and those who serve them.”
Looking Ahead: A Shift in Culture for Minority Businesses
Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims Jr. called the initiative “very special for the city of Dayton.”
“We had some controversy when we started discussing this at the very beginning, but I’m happy that we all came together and made a decision that’s something best for the citizens of Dayton.”
The controversy stemmed from the city giving up hosting the Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC). That responsibility shifted to the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.
Two years ago, city Commissioners Darryl Fairchild and Shenise Turner-Sloss questioned the move, noting that “they seemed to have a similar mission and goals.”
Despite past disagreements, Fairchild stated:
“I’m going to be a strong advocate for IBROC because small businesses and entrepreneurs need help.
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