Chris Crader, the owner of Harvest Pizzeria, is giving back to the organization that helped him during Small Business Week. ECDI, a nonprofit institute based in Columbus, has provided over $177 million in loans since its inception in 2004 and has assisted more than 32,000 entrepreneurs through its educational programs.
Crader credits ECDI with helping him open his first restaurant in 2012. When he and his wife were unable to secure loans from commercial banks for Harvest Pizzeria, they turned to ECDI for help. With the institute’s support, they received a $75,000 loan through federal programs aimed at helping women and U.S. military veterans, as well as valuable business-coaching services.
Today, Harvest Pizzeria has multiple locations in Bexley, the Brewery District, Clintonville, Dublin, and Granville. Crader’s decision to give back to ECDI during Small Business Week is a way for him to support the agency in assisting other entrepreneurs like himself who may need financial assistance and guidance to achieve their business goals.
