OAQDA Issues More Than $233,000 in Financing for Springfield Small Business Clean Air Project Supporting Expansion and Jobs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 09, 2026
Media Contact: Lindsey Sanders
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OAQDA Issues More Than $233,000 in Financing for Springfield Small Business Clean Air Project Supporting Expansion and Jobs

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA) has issued more than $233,000 in revenue bonds through its Small Business Clean Air Program to finance clean air equipment supporting a project in Clark County. First Federal Leasing, a division of First Richmond Bank, partnered with OAQDA to purchase the bonds, delivering the financing that helps the business retain and create jobs while meeting federal clean air and safety requirements.

The project supports Howald's Paint & Body Works, a family-owned auto body shop in Springfield that has served customers across Clark County and the surrounding area for more than a decade. The company will use the financing to install a new Global Finishing Solutions (GFS) Ultra XD 24-foot Downdraft Dual Prep Spray Booth, as part of the company's growth and expansion.

This project marks the second time Howald's has partnered with OAQDA on its growth expansion in the community to finance upgraded paint booth equipment to serve more customers. After successfully completing its first project through the program in 2022, the business is continuing to expand operations and invest in new equipment to keep pace with demand and maintain a safe and efficient workspace for employees.

"This is exactly the kind of long-term partnership our Small Business Clean Air Program is meant to support," said Christina O'Keeffe, executive director of OAQDA. "When a small business comes back to us after a successful project and is ready to grow again, it shows how the right investment can help a company expand, create jobs, and continue serving its community."

The new equipment will support the company's continued growth by allowing the business to take on additional work. The company estimates that their production and cycle times will improve by approximately 25-30 percent through the addition of the new equipment. The upgraded system will also help the shop meet clean air and ventilation requirements while reducing harmful volatile organic compound emissions.

For owners Zack Howald and Jacob Howald, the project represents another step forward for the business and the team that works there.

"This shop means a lot to me and to the people who work here," said Zack Howald. "We've built it one customer at a time. The support we received from OAQDA on our first project helped us grow, and this next investment will help us keep expanding and providing good, safe jobs for the people who work here."

The investment helps the business sustain six existing jobs and create up to four new positions as operations expand.

"I've seen firsthand how hard small business owners work to build something that lasts," said Senator Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield). "I was proud to attend the ribbon-cutting for Howald's first project with OAQDA, and it's exciting to see the company continuing to grow and invest in its future. When a local business expands and creates jobs, it strengthens the entire community."

"Behind every small business are real people working to support their families," said Representative Bernie Willis (R-Springfield). "Projects like this help make sure those opportunities stay right here in our community and continue to grow."

In addition to financing issued through OAQDA's Small Business Clean Air Program, the project includes financial assistance of up to $20,000 to help offset project financing costs and improve the business's cash flow.

The project was approved by OAQDA through the Small Business Clean Air Program. OAQDA offers financing packages through this program that are structured to suit the needs of individual projects, which are incentivized with financial benefits using conduit bonds and grants to help small businesses cover a portion of project costs.

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The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA) is an independent state agency that partners with cities, counties and other municipalities across the state to stimulate job growth, drive economic benefits and improve community health through financing air quality projects OAQDA's primary activity is to further economic development in Ohio by providing financing and incentives for projects that cause a reduction in air emissions, regardless of whether the project uses coal, natural gas, oil or another resource type. Since its creation in 1970, OAQDA has issued more than $6 billion in revenue bonds for air quality projects to help Ohio employers achieve energy cost reductions and improve air quality. For more information about OAQDA and its services, please visit ohioairquality.ohio.gov.