County Backs $190,000 Conference to Build Wealth Access for All

Franklin County Board of Commissioners I Franklin County Office on Aging

Franklin County is putting $190,000 toward a financial literacy conference designed to reach residents who have historically been locked out of wealth-building opportunities, including those who are underemployed, unbanked, or justice-impacted. 

The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously June 30 to approve Resolution 445-26, a tri-party grant agreement between the Office on Aging, St. Stephen's Community House, and the ROO Foundation (Realizing Other Options) to plan and execute the conference. St. Stephen's Community House will serve as fiscal agent for the agreement, and payments will be released only upon delivery of specified programming. 

The conference is being produced through the ROO Wealth Academy and draws from survey data collected earlier this year from Franklin County residents. Programming will include keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and vendor engagement, covering estate planning, real estate, entrepreneurship, job readiness, and life insurance. A youth financial education track is included. 

Ruchelle Pride, Chief of Economic Innovation and Development with Franklin County Economic Development and Planning, provided the data context at the Board session. Approximately 67% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. Franklin County's unemployment rate currently sits at 2.7%, but underemployment regionally, measured by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Federal Reserve Bank, ranges from approximately 6.5% to 7.5%. 

"Many impoverished and working class communities are locked out of access to wealth building options, financial literacy, and economic advancement," Pride told the Board. "Meeting people where they are on their financial journey should be our reality." 

The Office on Aging's lead role reflects the county's recognition that financial vulnerability is not limited to working-age adults. Older residents were among those surveyed in developing the conference content. Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce noted that before the session he had worked with county administration and the Prosecutor's Office to include contract limitations specifically to protect seniors. 

St. Stephen's Community House will control the financial flow of the agreement, ensuring accountability through a deliverables-based payment structure.