ECDI Food Manufacturing Job Creation Initiative - The Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) will use $800,000 in CED funds to help Dos Hermanos, a successful local Mexican restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, expand into the consumer-packaged goods market by scaling its jarred salsas, guacamole, and sauce production for wholesale and retail distribution. Dos Hermanos is an EDCI-supported restaurant employing people across the Columbus area with 5 brick-and-mortar locations, 5 mobile food trucks, a taco cart, concession, and catering services. CED funds will be used to purchase equipment and renovate part of extant culinary business incubation space owned by ECDI to support Dos Hermanos in their expansion. To support the retention of individuals hired through this project, ECDI will utilize its relationships with community partners to offer a variety of wraparound supportive services including childcare assistance, career coaching, financial literacy education and coaching, and social service navigation. Additionally, ECDI will partner with Accompanying Returning Citizens with Hope (ARCH), a local organization, to help justice involved individuals re-enter society through gainful employment. Employees will also have access to the suite of benefits offered by Dos Hermanos including healthcare, paid time off, and retirement savings. This project will create 25 new jobs, 19 of which will be filled by individuals with low incomes.
