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This week, I learned two things at the Toledo Club.
First, squash is not pickleball.
Second, nothing accelerates learning quite like public humiliation.
After one squash lesson, thanks to an intro from a trusted friend, I was talked into entering a tournament and sent straight onto the middle court. All eyes on me. Across the court: a kid who is essentially a professional. To make it even better, I didn’t fully understand the rules until halfway through the second game. The result was predictable. The crowd was polite.
Oddly enough, I left energized.
Because that’s Toledo. You show up curious, a little underprepared, maybe outmatched; and if you lean in, the city meets you halfway. You learn fast. You meet people. You get better.
That’s the idea behind Toledo Money.
This isn’t hype or noise. It’s a weekly look at what’s actually happening in Northwest Ohio, who’s building, who’s investing, who’s hiring, and where real momentum is forming. We focus on business, careers, and the people shaping the region, without pretending we’re something we’re not.
If you’re new here, welcome. We’re learning the rules in real time, but we’re committed to getting better every week.
Let’s get into it.
💪 This Week’s Shoutout: Sara Swisher
Fresh off getting absolutely demolished in squash, Sara proceeded to do something far more impactful; she introduced me to about ten people as “the Toledo Money guy.” No prompt. No pitch. Just genuine support.
More importantly, Sara has been an advocate for Toledo Money from the very beginning. She connects people, opens doors, and supports local ideas because she actually believes in them. That kind of quiet endorsement matters more than any ad or algorithm ever will.
Appreciate you, Sara.
Local Stock Market | 📈
Owens Corning | $OC ( ▼ 1.75% )
Dana Incorporated | $DAN ( ▲ 0.55% )
The Andersons | $ANDE ( ▼ 1.73% )
Owens Illinois | $OI ( ▼ 2.27% )
Welltower Inc. | $WELL ( ▼ 0.79% )
Marathon Petroleum Corporation | $MPC ( ▲ 0.13% )
First Solar | $FSLR ( ▲ 1.98% )
The SBDC Advantage: Helping Northwest Ohio Businesses Access Capital and Scale
For many business owners, the idea of applying for an SBA loan can feel overwhelming. Paperwork, projections, eligibility rules, and government processes can quickly discourage even the most capable operators.
That’s exactly where the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) steps in and why its work, in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), has never been more important for Northwest Ohio.
How the SBDC and SBA Work Together
Housed at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Toledo Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is part of a national SBA-backed resource program designed to empower small business success.
The Ohio SBDC’s mission is simple but powerful: empowering small business success, with a vision to be recognized as the premier resource for Ohio’s entrepreneurs and a national leader in helping businesses grow and scale.
The Toledo SBDC is funded through a strong public-private partnership:
Federal: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
State: Ohio Department of Development
Local Host: Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber has hosted the Toledo SBDC for 40 years, making it one of only two original and continuous SBDC hosts in the state of Ohio and the only to host at a Chamber of Commerce.
The SBDC serves as a trusted, local partner to the SBA, helping business owners understand whether an SBA loan is the right move, and if so, how to pursue it correctly and efficiently.
SBDC advisors work one-on-one with business owners to:
Build or refine business plans
Create financial projections lenders expect to see
Determine SBA loan eligibility
Navigate the application process step-by-step
If a business qualifies for an SBA loan, it automatically qualifies for SBDC services and those services are provided at no cost to the business owner.
Importantly, consulting through the SBDC is not limited to small startups. The Toledo SBDC serves businesses across Lucas and Wood Counties, with the ability to assist more complex clients in surrounding counties including Fulton, Henry, Williams, and Defiance.
SBA Lending Doesn’t Have to Be Daunting
The SBDC provides far more than loan guidance alone. Advisors offer support across the full lifecycle of a business, including:
Business start-up planning and training
Financial analysis and projections
Strategic marketing and planning
Market research and technical assistance
Cash flow analysis
Access to capital and loan packaging (SBA and conventional)
Export assessment and access to new markets
Onshoring assistance
A common misconception is that applying for an SBA loan is a long, intimidating process. While SBA lending does require structure and documentation, the SBDC removes much of that friction.
This support has become especially critical given ongoing federal disruptions. During periods of government shutdown or slowdown, submitting the right documents the right way the first time is essential to avoid unnecessary delays. The SBDC helps ensure business owners are prepared, compliant, and positioned for approval.
Manufacturing Takes Center Stage
Manufacturing remains one of the SBA’s top national priorities and for good reason. It represents some of the largest job creation opportunities in the economy.
Through the Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, the SBDC has expanded its support for manufacturers by hosting roundtable discussions designed specifically for owners and operators in the sector.
These roundtables give manufacturers a forum to:
Share pain points and success stories
Learn from peers navigating similar challenges
Understand financing strategies and SBA opportunities
Many manufacturers are currently maxed out on SBA lending limits, but relief is coming. The maximum SBA aggregate is expected to be raised for manufacturers only and must still pass the Senate before it is approved. However It did already pass the house unanimously.with changes expected to go live by Spring 2026.
For local manufacturing owners, participation in these roundtables is strongly encouraged. The SBDC helps businesses navigate these changes strategically and proactively.
Real Impact Across Northwest Ohio
The Toledo SBDC is measured using standard economic development benchmarks including: business starts, job creation and retention, capital formation, and sales growth. The results speak for themselves. The SBDC’s impact is measurable and significant.
In the most recent federal fiscal year:
588 clients received SBDC advising and support
30 new operating businesses were launched, not just LLC filings, but revenue-generating companies
230 jobs were created and 75 jobs retained
$13.01 million in capital formation (loans and equity)
$4.86 million in sales growth generated by client businesses
Clients range from individuals still exploring an idea without an LLC, to established companies generating seven figures in annual revenue.
Supporting Veterans in Business
The SBDC is also actively engaged in veteran entrepreneurship. At the Lucas County Veteran Resource Fair, SBDC advisors spoke with more than 100 veterans who are either starting businesses or already operating one.
This outreach reflects a broader commitment to meeting business owners where they are and helping them move forward with clarity and confidence. If you are a Veteran reading this, we thank you for your service and encourage you to take advantage of this program if you are or want to become a business owner.
Confidential, Trusted, and Accessible
One of the most important things business owners should know: all SBDC services are completely confidential.
Think of it as HIPAA for business. Conversations, financials, and strategic discussions remain private.
You also do not need to be a Chamber member to access SBDC services. However, the Toledo Chamber’s extensive network plays a powerful role in connecting businesses to the right resources, partners, and opportunities.
If you are considering accessing capital, expanding operations, or simply want expert guidance on your next move, the SBDC is here to help.
The path forward doesn’t have to be intimidating and you don’t have to walk it alone. Click here to register for any of SBDC services.
The Best Gift? Better Insurance Rates
While winter brings lots of good cheer, it can also mean new risks: icy roads, unexpected storms, and increased holiday travel. That makes now the perfect time to ensure that you and your family are fully protected. Your home, your vehicles, and your peace of mind all deserve coverage that fits your current life—not outdated premiums from years past.
EverQuote lets you compare personalized quotes for bundled home and auto policies, multi-car coverage, and more—all in one simple dashboard. Whether you're prepping for long drives to see family or keeping your home secure through the colder months, our tools help ensure your protection stays strong and your money works smarter.
💵 Money Snacks
Here are a few headlines we are snacking on
Toledo Public Schools faces a projected FY27 deficit driven by continued enrollment decline, increased negotiated salary and benefit costs, and reductions in state funding tied to changes in Ohio’s funding formula. Despite voter approval of a 5.8-mill levy and planned operating reductions totaling $34M across FY25 and FY27, updated assumptions reflect approximately $24M less in projected state funding over the next two years.
More than 1.1M U.S. job cuts have been announced in 2025, a level reached only a handful of times since the early ’90s. These aren’t splashy mass layoffs; they’re rolling, white-collar cuts tied to restructuring and automation that quietly add up. For Toledo professionals, it explains why jobs feel harder to land, negotiations feel tighter, and stability matters more than title hopping right now.
U.S. IPO activity is back. There have been 343 IPOs in 2025, up 56.6% from this time last year, signaling renewed confidence in public markets. For Toledo investors and operators, it’s another sign of a K-shaped economy: capital markets are reopening and rewarding scale, even as hiring stays tight and companies continue doing more with fewer people.
Shape your 2026 Reading
What Do You Want More of in Toledo Money?
📬 Forward Thinking
We’re not just building a newsletter—we’re building a clubhouse for ambitious professionals who care about Toledo’s economic future (and their own place in it).
If you know a colleague, peer, or friend who should be part of this circle, pass this along. The more sharp minds we bring to the table, the stronger our region grows.
