ZANESVILLE, OHIO — The Downtown Exchange, a revitalization project designed to foster small business growth and economic development, has opened in downtown Zanesville, about 55 miles east of Columbus. The Downtown Exchange business owners, in partnership with JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority and the Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, Aug. 14.
Over $1.1 million was invested to redevelop the historic building into a mixed-use marketplace and coworking space. A first-floor food hall features a variety of local eating, drinking and social gathering space, along with a bar and patio at the rear of the building. The second and third floors are coworking spaces featuring small and large conference rooms along with collaborative areas and open desk coworking.
Formerly known as The Black-Elliot Block, The Downtown Exchange is a historic commercial building consisting of three contiguous structures on Main Street. The building dates back to 1876. The project was supported by a JobsOhio Vibrant Community grant of over $400,000.