If you run a business with five or fewer employees, you may qualify as a “micro-business” under Ohio’s business development programs. And in 2026, that designation could connect you with training, matched savings, and expansion support designed specifically for very small businesses in low-to-moderate-income communities.
Many business owners don’t realize they fall into this category. But across Mid-Ohio, microbusinesses make up a large portion of our local economy, from independent contractors to home-based freelancers, small retail shops and more.
Small but mighty
For purposes of the Ohio Micro-business Development Program, a micro-business is defined as a for-profit company with five or fewer employees, including the owner.
The program is administered by the Ohio CDC Association and funded through the Ohio Department of Development. Its goal? To remove barriers that prevent low-income entrepreneurs from starting or expanding a business.
If you operate lean intentionally or are still in an early development stage, you may qualify.
How the 2026 program works
The 2026 grant cycle runs from January 1 through December 31, 2026.
Business owners do not apply directly to the state, instead, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations apply for funding. Those organizations then provide:
- Business training
- Financial education
- Technical assistance
- Support for startups and expansion
- Access to micro-business savings match programs
Grant awards can be up to $45,000 per organization, though recent average awards have been closer to $34,000. Funds are specifically restricted to training and technical assistance for startup or expansion activities in low-income communities.
For entrepreneurs, that means access to structured support at little or no cost.
The Individual Development Account Option
One of the most impactful tools tied to this program is the Individual Development Account, or IDA.
This savings and match model works on an 8 to 1 basis. Eligible participants who are at or below 50 percent of Area Median Income save $250 and receive $2,000 in matching funds.
To receive the match, participants must:
- Complete financial education and business development training
- Submit an approved business plan
- Register their business with the Secretary of State
- Open a business bank account
For a startup or very small operation, that $2,000 match can help fund things like equipment, inventory, licensing, or marketing expenses.
Is your “micro” eligible?
OMBDP funds are intended to support low-income entrepreneurs, specifically those at or below 50 percent of Area Median Income.
If your business has five or fewer employees and you are either launching or planning to expand, it’s worth checking whether a local nonprofit in your area participates in the program.
Strong small businesses build stronger communities
Many of the businesses that shape our communities start small and stay small by choice. A two-person construction company. A home-based bakery. A solo professional services firm. An in-home daycare — the list goes on.
Access to formal training and matched capital can provide the structure needed to move from survival mode to sustainable growth.
Even if you do not qualify for OMBDP, understanding how programs like this work can help you prepare for future financing. Completing business training, formalizing your registration, and opening a dedicated business account are foundational steps toward long-term success.
If you are exploring whether your business qualifies as a micro-business or preparing for future financing, starting with the right structure matters. Our team at FCNB partners with small and growing businesses across the region and can help you think through business accounts, cash flow planning, and next steps as your business evolves.
Strong microbusinesses strengthen local communities. In Mid-Ohio, that impact adds up quickly.
Learn more about OHDC’s Microbusiness Development Program.
