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…

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded the Economic and Community Development Institute, Inc. (ECDI) $800,000 on September 30, 2025, under the Community Services Block Grant Discretionary Awards program (CFDA 93.570, Community Economic Development component).

ECDI will use the award to support Dos Hermanos, a Columbus, Ohio–based Mexican restaurant, in expanding into consumer-packaged goods manufacturing by scaling production of jarred salsas, guacamole, and sauces for wholesale and retail distribution. Funding covers equipment purchase and renovation of ECDI-owned culinary business incubation space. The project will create 25 new jobs, 19 of which will be filled by individuals with low incomes. ECDI will provide wraparound supportive services to hired workers, including childcare assistance, career coaching, financial literacy education and coaching, and social service navigation. ECDI will partner with Accompanying Returning Citizens with Hope (ARCH), a local organization, to support justice-involved individuals in re-entering employment. Workers will access Dos Hermanos benefits including healthcare, paid time off, and retirement savings.

The project performance period runs from September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2029, with place of performance in Ohio. The award is classified as a Project Grant and represents the full obligation of $800,000.

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.