🏡 From Bottleneck to Boom: Why the Gordie Howe Bridge Matters to Toledo.

For nearly a century, the Ambassador Bridge has been the single busiest land crossing between the US and Canada. Privately owned by the Moroun family through a web of holding companies, the bridge has carried 25% — 30% percent of all trade between the two countries. Every car part, steel coil, or pallet of produce that crossed there made its way south on I75; right through Toledo.

But monopoly comes with limits. The Ambassador is old, congested, and at times unreliable. A single accident or blockade can send shockwaves through the Midwest economy. And when you have one family holding the keys to North America’s busiest trade crossing, you also inherit years of legal fights and bottlenecks; both literal and figurative.

Enter the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

This is not just another over the river project. It is a $6 billion-plus public investment designed to be the antidote to a single bridge choke point. Six lanes. State-of-the-art customs plazas. A direct 401 to I75 connection that bypasses the patchwork of city streets and ramps that currently slow freight to a crawl. And unlike the Ambassador, the Gordie Howe is a public project with governance and accountability baked in.

The economic math is staggering. The Windsor-Detroit corridor already handles nearly 30% of all truck-based trade between Canada and the United States. Studies project the Gordie Howe will save 850,000 hours per year in truck delays. Time worth billions of dollars over the life of the bridge. For manufacturers and suppliers across the Midwest, that is a direct hit of efficiency to the bottom line.

So what does all this mean for Toledo?

Plenty.

Every truck that clears customs in Windsor or Detroit funnels directly onto I75. That artery runs through the heart of Toledo, making our city a natural staging ground for warehousing, logistics, and distribution (enter into the conversation, RGP). More reliable crossings mean fewer delays for our manufacturers and suppliers. Logistics firms eyeing expansion see Toledo as a cost-efficient midpoint between Midwest factories and Canadian markets. And local commerce; from fueling stations to repair depots, hotels, and restaurants. Plenty of benefits from the nonstop flow of freight traffic.

Take Stop & Go, for example. As the Gordie Howe adds capacity and reliability to the border, freight volumes through Toledo will only increase. That means more demand for driver-friendly services: fuel, food, rest, and quick maintenance. For a regional player like Stop & Go, the bridge is not just a headline project; it is a growth catalyst. Each new truck stop or convenience location along I75 is a chance to capture dollars flowing from billions in cross-border trade.

In other words, when the border opens up, so does Toledo’s opportunity.

The Gordie Howe Bridge is not just about easing a traffic jam. It is about future proofing continental trade, and our region is in the slipstream. For Toledo’s economy, the payoff is not just measured in tonnage and tolls; it is in new jobs, local investment, and the chance to position ourselves as the Midwest’s logistics crossroads.

Sidebar: Ambassador vs Gordie Howe

🎟️ Lights, Camera, Toledo: ‘The Paper’ Puts Our City on Screen

The Paper is a brand-new mockumentary series set right here in Toledo, following the staff of a struggling newspaper called The Truth Teller. It’s a spinoff of The Office, but instead of selling paper supplies, the focus shifts to keeping local journalism alive in today’s digital age. (Not good for business here at Toledo Money.) Domhnall Gleeson plays Ned Sampson, the upbeat new editor-in-chief with big ideas, while Sabrina Impacciatore takes on Esmeralda Grand, the pragmatic managing editor tasked with stretching every dollar. For longtime Office fans, there’s even a familiar face in Oscar Núñez returns as accountant Oscar Martínez, tying the new series back to the original.

The humor lands, but so does the timing. The Paper spotlights the challenges facing local newsrooms everywhere: shrinking budgets, shifting business models, and the community cost when hometown papers disappear. Ironically, no we at Toledo Money had nothing to do with the planning of this series 😂. With Toledo as its backdrop, the show blends comedy with commentary, helping turn Toledo into both the setting and the story.

Why This Matters for Toledo?

• Visibility on the big stage: Even if some of The Paper wasn’t filmed here, being the show’s setting puts Toledo in front of a national audience and strengthens the city’s brand.

• Laying the groundwork: Ohio’s film tax credits and Toledo’s push to formalize FilmToledo as a regional film commission make the city more attractive for future productions.

• Economic potential: Productions bring hotel bookings, private travel to FBO’s, restaurant traffic, and local hiring. These are benefits that grow if more filming actually takes place in Toledo.

• Cultural pride: Having our city as the backdrop of a major show builds local pride, sparks conversations, and gives residents a chance to see Toledo through a new lens.

• Future opportunity: With the right infrastructure and support, Toledo can turn this spotlight into a springboard for more film and media projects that boost the local economy.

👉 The takeaway: Yes, we chose to spotlight The Paper this week; a series about bringing an old-school newspaper back to life. A bit ironic, considering Bill and I are pouring our energy into building the region’s go-to digital newsletter for business, economic, and financial news. But who’s to say The Paper doesn’t need a second season? Maybe this time the story follows a newsroom that upgrades, modernizes, and goes digital. We’re all ears. The ball’s in your court.😉 

🥤Neuroflex Juice Co: Where Science Meets Wellness in Toledo

Neuroflex Juice Co didn’t begin as a business idea, it began as a solution. Founder Dr. Emily Hayman, a PhD researcher in autism, metabolic disorders, and oncology, first started juicing to get vital nutrients into the diets of children with autism who struggled with traditional foods. What started as a personal mission quickly grew into something much bigger. When parents began asking for juices for themselves, Neuroflex was born.

For more than a decade, Neuroflex has built a loyal following in Toledo by focusing on raw, organic, cold-pressed juices, you may have seen them at retailers like The Flying Joe. Their juices keep enzymes, vitamins, and minerals intact, rather than stripping them away with conventional processing. Over the years, the business has expanded into nutrition and health consulting, guiding families and individuals toward sustainable choices for long-term wellness.

Dr. Hayman has also taken her expertise into oncology, recently launching the Dodrill Foundation for Personalized Oncology. The nonprofit is dedicated to expanding access to advanced cancer testing and supportive care. One standout initiative: a mobile infrared sauna program that brings restorative therapy directly to patients who otherwise struggle to access it.

Her husband, David Schmenk, blends industrial sales experience with strength training expertise, guiding the business while reinforcing Neuroflex’s core values of health and balance. At its heart, though, Neuroflex is a family effort, with six-year-old Bella proudly claiming the title of “boss” and their son Aiden, a BGSU student, adding to the company’s spirit. Together, they’ve built more than a juice company.

Why This Matters for Toledo

• Local Innovation: Neuroflex represents how Toledo entrepreneurs are building businesses that merge science, wellness, and community impact.

• Healthcare & Economic Impact: The Dodrill Foundation’s programs, like mobile infrared therapy, bring advanced care options, expanding services that can attract both patients and practitioners to our region.

• Business Longevity: More than a decade in business shows the demand for holistic health solutions isn’t just a trend, but a sustainable market in northwest Ohio.

• Community Identity: Family-run businesses like Neuroflex add to the fabric of Toledo’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, showing that strong values and smart growth can coexist.

🤜🏼 Money Confessional | Balancing Books and Big Dreams

From crunching numbers to guiding strategy, she left behind retail shifts for a career in accounting, one that’s all about accuracy, problem-solving, and building trust. As a newly minted CPA at a mid-sized Toledo firm, she’s discovering that her work impacts far more than balance sheets and it shapes the way clients plan their futures. The long study nights were grueling, but the payoff is finally here: stability, professional pride, and the chance to grow into leadership.

“I used to think accounting was just math on a page. Now I see it’s about people and helping them make smarter decisions and find peace of mind.”

📈 Career Roots:

“I started in retail, juggling odd hours and tight budgets. Going back to school for accounting was a risk, but passing the CPA exam was the proudest moment of my career. Now I’m officially in the field, and every day I learn something new.”

💵 Growth So Far:

“That first salary paycheck felt like a win and proof that all the late nights and student debt were worth it. More than the money, it’s the confidence of finally being in a career with a future.”

📚 Mentorship Magic:

“My firm pairs new hires with senior associates, and I’ve soaked up every bit of their advice. From tax strategies to handling client calls, their guidance makes me feel less like a rookie and more like part of the team.”

☕ Favorite Splurge:

“Flying Joe Coffee in Levis Commons. A latte and a pastry before diving into spreadsheets feels like a luxury, and I budget for it guilt-free.”

💡 Biggest Worry:

“Student loans. Even with a steady paycheck, it feels like a mountain. I try to remind myself it’s an investment, but the monthly payments still sting.”

📊 Current Standing:

“I’m finally living within my means and starting to build savings. Not perfect yet, but miles better than where I was a year ago.”

💵 Financial Tip:

“I use a ‘zero-based budget.’ Every dollar has a job, whether it’s bills, savings, or fun money. It keeps me from wondering where the cash went.”

🌱 Inspiration:

“My grandmother ran her own business with no formal training, just grit and faith. If she could do that, I can handle a calculator and some tax code.”

🗣 Toledo Tip:

“Find your network here: mentors, peers, or even just a study group. Toledo’s business community is tighter than it looks, and people want to see you succeed.”