Public/Private Partnership Results in Downtown Cambridge Project

(Jobs Ohio photo)  

(Cambridge, OH) –– A downtown Cambridge revitalization project designed to foster small business growth and economic development is one step closer to reality. 4Friends LLC, in collaboration with JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE), the Cambridge-Guernsey County CIC, and the City of Cambridge, today announced an investment of over $1.4 million to redevelop a building in downtown Cambridge to create a mixed-use marketplace and co-working space.

“The revitalization of this 104-year-old building in downtown Cambridge will preserve the city’s proud heritage while focusing on a promising economic future,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “When completed, the renovated historic building will be a home to commerce that bridges the gap for in-demand services in Cambridge.”

The Midtown Market will operate a mixed-use market that will feature local eating, drinking, and collaborative spaces. The market will include six to eight food vendors, a bar/restaurant vendor, recreation, education, and co-working space.

“We are grateful for the collaboration to save a once vacant building and transform it into a center of business and activity in Cambridge,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “The Midtown Market will create a social gathering space downtown to spur economic growth by creating dozens of new jobs.”

The redevelopment of this complex will bring new life to the City of Cambridge and fill a gap in the community for business cooperative, food vendors, office space, and indoor recreation.

“We are very excited to bring our vision to life of offering flexible co-working space and a family entertainment destination in historic Downtown Cambridge. We cannot thank JobsOhio enough as our project would not be possible without their assistance,” said Aaron Neff, Owner of 4 Friends LLC. “We are also extremely grateful for the unwavering support we have received from OhioSE, The City of Cambridge, Guernsey County Commissioners, and Bill Arnett of the Cambridge-Guernsey CIC.”

The building at 1023 Wheeling Avenue was built in 1920 as the Sipe Chevrolet dealership and remained a car dealership until 2018. The building is located within downtown Cambridge’s historic district. 4Friends LLC will complete a full renovation to the building totaling approximately 17,260 square feet. When complete, the project will create 39 new jobs in the community.

“The Midtown Market in downtown Cambridge is an important catalyst that will generate even more investment and redevelopment,” said Bill Arnett, Economic Development Director, Cambridge-Guernsey County Community Improvement Corporation. “This is a great example of how a project comes together with local private-sector investment with support from OhioSE and JobsOhio.”

The JobsOhio Vibrant Communities Program offers competitive grants for development projects that help transform areas within a distressed community. Eligible projects include mixed-use projects, real estate development projects, and operated shared spaces, that meet the JobsOhio project criteria.

“The Midtown Market is a perfect example of a transformational Vibrant Communities project,” said Katy Farber, Vice President of OhioSE. “It blends the community’s redevelopment plan with local investment to bring much needed services and capacity to the downtown. The JobsOhio support filled the gap to make this project become a reality. We anticipate more private investment in Cambridge and look forward to the dynamic change that will re-energize the downtown.”