Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Zora’s House in support of their proposed community hub.
Through community building efforts, shared space, and programming, Zora’s House - the first and only co-working space and leadership incubator in Ohio created by and for women of color - works to dismantle barriers of systemic racism and sexism, and to ensure the full participation of women of color in the civic, economic, and cultural life of the City of Columbus.
Since its founding in 2018, Zora’s House has helped over 3,000 women of color to connect with mental health resources; navigate job losses and other COVID-19 related transitions; incubate businesses; and activate their leadership in their families, neighborhoods, and workplaces.
Zora’s House aims to expand into a 10,000 square foot, $3 million community hub that will serve as a center for innovation, empowerment, and community change created by and centering women of color; and as a community-led economic development engine for the Weinland Park neighborhood and its residents.
The city’s allocation of $500,000.00 will match in-kind and financial contributions of $250,000.00 apiece by the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing and The Columbus Foundation.
Fiscal Impact: Funding to support this agreement is available within the General Permanent Improvement Fund.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to immediately provide resources necessary to sustain human services programming.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Zora’s House in support of their proposed community hub, to amend the 2021 Capital Improvements Budget; to transfer and appropriate $500,000.00 within the General Permanent Improvement Fund, to authorize an expenditure within the General Permanent Improvement Fund, and to declare an emergency ($500,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, since i...
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