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What's good this week!

Equity Assessment Focus Group

Oberlin Equity Assessment: Business Community Focus Group needs YOU. The city wants to hear from local businesses regarding equity and access. Click here for a Doodle poll for meeting dates/times: Equity Focus Group Doodle Poll.
To learn more about who's leading the focus group, contact the city or click here: Center for Community Solutions.

OBP 2023 Inspiring Women Series: Leadercast Amplify

Registration is open!

$59 per person or $300 for a table of six!

For more details and to register, click:

Leadercast Women

Sponsorship opportunities are available: contact Janet Haar to learn more

OBP Member Information

OBP Good Morning Oberlin: February was packed! Join us on the second Thursday of the month. Learn more at: Oberlin Business Partnership Events
Member Benefits: Discount on Memberships. OBP members, did you know that OBP members can join the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce at a discount? To read up on ALL the resources available to OBP members, click here: OBP Member Resources.

Business & Entrepreneur Resources

Grants: You could win! "The FedEx Small Business Grant Contest is here, and so is your chance at $30K. You've been all in for your business since day one, now share your passion, success, and story with us for the opportunity to win big." To learn more: Fed Ex Contest.
Networking: March 14, 5 - 7 pm. Spacebound, 280 Opportunity Way, LaGrange OH. Lorain County Chamber of Commerce - Business After Hours. Connect and engage while enjoying refreshments in a beautiful location. To register: LCCC Business After Hours

Community - City - College

City of Oberlin: See top of newsletter.
Oberlin City Schools: OHS Alumni Games are back! Saturday, Feb 18. For more info: Oberlin City Schools. OCS SPRING BREAK Mar 17 - 24.
Oberlin College: Feb 24 - 25. Admissions visitation event. 200+ visitors expected. OC SPRING BREAK - Mar 18 - 26.
Oberlin Community Services: Feb 27, 2 pm. 500 E. Lorain St. Oberlin Community Services. Free class on personal finance and banking.
Health & Wellness: Check out Mercy Health's wellness blog: Mercy Health: Healthy Living.

SCORE Event Highlight: How to Recession Proof Your Business. FREE!

From the website -

"Economic recession can significantly affect small businesses, but your business can weather an economic downturn if you are properly prepared.

In this webinar, you’ll learn what challenges small businesses face during a recession, what is out of your control and what is in your control, and what simple steps you can take to prepare.

Regardless of the state of the economy, it’s important to control all aspects of your business so you can remain profitable during the good and bad times.

You’ll learn how to:

Plan for the most common financial disruptions
Manage your debt
Manage inventory during supply chain disruptions
Grow and maintain customer relationships"

To register: SCORE How to Recession Proof Your Business

"What I value most about my time at OBP are the relationships I've built with our downtown businesses and OBP members. From events to promotions to advocacy, the OBP community motivated me to learn and grow - and they made it all so much fun! Thank you to you all, and I'll see when I'm out shopping and dining in Oberlin."

Announcement from

OBP Executive Director Janet Haar

We are saying good-bye to OBP Programs Manager Maureen Simen. We are excited for her new opportunity and wish her all the best, but we will miss her.

Here is her official announcement:

"I am pleased to announce that I have accepted a full-time position at Lorain County Community College in the Office of Community and Education Outreach. In my new position as a College and Career Specialist, my focus will be on education programming, which is my area of expertise. I am looking forward to working with Lorain County students and staff and assisting LCCC with their program expansion efforts.

Thursday, February 23rd will be my last day at Oberlin Business Partnership and while I am excited about my new opportunity, I will miss everyone at OBP - Executive Director Janet Haar, OBP board members, and our wider OBP community. I am so grateful for my time with OBP, and I know what I have learned will serve me well as I go forward.

Should you need assistance regarding OBP programs or promotions, please contact Janet Haar at obp.org@gmail.com or by phone at 440.774.6262."

What's Up with What's Up Oberlin?

During this time of staffing transition, there may be interruptions in the What's Up Oberlin newsletter. Thank you for your understanding, Janet.

Looking ahead:

TUE: Apr 18: 8:30 am - 12 pm. The Hotel at Oberlin. Leadercast Women - Amplify Your Voice. Leadercast Women: Amplify - Registration
FEBRUARY: Black History Month. Learn about local connections to Black History through OBP member, Oberlin Heritage Center. Oberlin Heritage Center
MARCH: OCS PreK and Kindergarten registration begins.
THUR: March 9, 9 am - 10 am. Oberlin Public Library. Good Morning Oberlin. Guest speaker - Craig Snodgrass, Lorain County Auditor.
SAT: March 25, noon - 4 pm. Ben Franklin. Northern Ohio Writers Guild, Group Book Signing. Ben Franklin & MindFair Books Calendar of Events

To stay up to date on the City of Oberlin, including council, board, and commission meetings, go to City of Oberlin Website

Be sure to check the Environmental Dashboard website for more events!

Make sure to keep your calendar up-to-date with Oberlin College's events at Oberlin College Events Calendar and the OC academic calendar at Oberlin College Academic Calendar.

If there is an important date you'd like to be considered for next week's newsletter, send me an email!

You can reach us at

Janet Haar, obp.org@gmail.com

OBP | Positively Oberlin