First Uptown Business Celebration are Popular with Neighborhood, Businesses

In late May the Uptown Consortium held its first Uptown Business Celebration to recognize the successful businesses and nonprofits throughout Uptown’s five neighborhoods.

The Consortium awarded winners in five categories:

•           Uptown Small Nonprofit of the Year, Clifton Cultural Arts Center;

•           Uptown Large Nonprofit, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden;

•           Uptown Business Community Champion, Dr. Stanley Broadnax;

•           Uptown Small Business, Stag’s Barber Shop; and

•           Uptown Large Business, Kilroy Restaurants.

Uptown President and CEO Beth Robinson congratulated the winners and spoke to the growth and success Uptown Cincinnati continues to experience. Robinson outlined the good work going on in Uptown from the Consortium’s business development partnerships to leveraging New Markets Tax Credits to prioritizing transportation and the I-71 interchange.

“As the second largest economic engine in the city of Cincinnati, Uptown is charging ahead and we wanted to take today to recognize the successes we’ve witnessed,” said John Prout, Uptown Consortium Board Chairperson. “Thank you to all of our nominees, committee members, winners, finalists, nonprofits and businesses for the great work you are doing in Uptown. We notice your commitment to the neighborhood and it is paying off with a surge of success.”

Award criteria included strong commitment to the Uptown community, success in meeting the organization’s mission and demonstration of sustainable business practices. All eligible businesses and nonprofits were to be located in Avondale, Clifton, Corryville, Clifton Heights, Fairview, University Heights or Mt. Auburn.

The event was held at Kingsgate Marriott Conference Center with a crowd of more than 240 attendees. WLWT-TV General Manager Richard Dyer served as a master of ceremonies while George Vogel, executive sports producer of WLWT, conducted an interview with special event guest University of Cincinnati Athletic Director Whit Babcock. The celebration also included remarks by Uptown Consortium Board Chair John Prout, president and CEO of TriHealth.