LINCOLN HEIGHTS, Ohio (WKRC) — The Village of Lincoln Heights is helping bring businesses and organizations together under one roof.
Last week, The Heights Movement Community Building opened its doors. Co-founder and Lincoln Heights Vice Mayor Daronce Daniels says they acquired the building in February. Over the next 45 days, they helped transform it into a space that now houses 17 organizations and businesses.
The first space you see when you walk in the door belongs to Sherikka Lowry. She says she will be up and running inside her space on May 7.
“I wanted to specifically come here to Lincoln Heights, to this place, because this is where I’m from. I want to give back and reach everybody that I could possibly help here in the community,” said Lowry.
Lowry is the founder of the nonprofit RISE, which stands for “reach, inspire, support and empower.”
“The purpose is to help young adults … what I decided to do is help tutor and develop, help them develop life skills, computer literacy, educate them on the finances,” said Lowry.
She now has a place to help her business grow.
Daniels says there are a variety of businesses and organizations inside the community building.
“This is not just a community hub; it’s not just an innovation center. It’s really a place where individuals can really think of an idea and make it possible,” said Daniels.
That includes a place that does signage and another that offers doula certifications. There’s even a space where you can work with a personal trainer.
Daniels says everyone setting up shop at the center so far is either from Lincoln Heights or has ties to the area.
“It’s vital. It’s priceless. It’s the lifeblood of where this community is going. If we can build more businesses and we have more innovative individuals in the community that can think about, not just starting businesses, but solving problems in the community, I think that’s the long-term solution to where we go to solve any problem we have, not just in Lincoln Heights, but in Hamilton County as a whole,” said Daniels.
Daniels says the first year of the building will be seen as somewhat of a trial run to see how best to improve the businesses housed there.
