ConnecToledo

What ConnecToledo does

ConnecToledo (legally the Downtown Toledo Development Corporation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2017 to coordinate the redevelopment of downtown Toledo. It is the reconstituted form of the 22nd Century Committee and operates as the central body implementing the Downtown Toledo Master Plan, most recently updated in 2023 with planning firm MKSK. The organization serves property owners within the Downtown Toledo Improvement District (DTID), developers, prospective and existing downtown businesses, residents, and the 3 million annual visitors to the district. Its service portfolio spans business attraction and retention, residential attraction, marketing and communications, development coordination, incentive navigation, and large-scale event programming (Party in the Park, Lunch at Levis, 419 Day Weekend Shop Hop), alongside partnership with the Downtown Ambassador program.

ConnecToledo's business model is structurally nonprofit and does not involve product pricing or commercial transaction revenue. Funding flows from two primary streams: (1) a contractual partnership with DTID, a 501(c)(3) Special Improvement District whose property owners pay special assessments to collectively fund district services, and (2) grant funding for specific programs, exemplified by a $120,000 matching grant from the Levitt Foundation awarded in November 2025 to support outdoor music programming across 2026–2028. The organization provides its core services at no charge to end users; developers, residents, and businesses access business resources, real estate databases, and pre-development coordination free of charge.

In June 2026, ConnecToledo and DTID announced a refined leadership structure that clearly separates ConnecToledo's role in long-term planning, redevelopment, and investment attraction from DTID's operational focus on safety, cleanliness, business support, and activation. ConnecToledo is governed by a board chaired by Matt Rubin (President & CEO of Crane Development), with key corporate stakeholders including Owens Corning, Fifth Third Bank, Libbey, and Hylant providing institutional backing. The organization does not have a disclosed technology platform or productized offering; its principal assets are its planning documents, partner network, and event-driven engagement capabilities.

Name

ConnecToledo

Legal name

ConnecToledo Downtown Development Corporation

Website

https://connectoledo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ConnecToledo (Downtown Toledo Development Corporation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that coordinates downtown Toledo's redevelopment by implementing the Downtown Toledo Master Plan, attracting investment, and operating signature events and ambassador programs. It serves property owners, developers, businesses, residents, and the 3 million annual visitors to the district.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Toledo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Special Assessment District: ConnecToledo partners with the Downtown Toledo Improvement District (DTID), a 501(c)(3) Special Improvement District. DTID represents property owners within a specific geographic area of downtown Toledo, each of whom pay a special assessment to collectively fund the district's services.
2. Grant Funding: The organization receives grant funding for specific initiatives, such as the Levitt Bloc Music Grant of $120,000 in matching funds for outdoor music programming at Promenade Park, Glass City Metropark, Junction Park, and Danny Thomas Park in 2026, 2027, and 2028.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ConnecToledo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that coordinates public and private investment to implement the Downtown Toledo Master Plan, providing business attraction and retention, residential attraction, master plan implementation, marketing and communications, and event programming. It partners with the Downtown Toledo Improvement District (DTID) to deliver Downtown Ambassador hospitality, cleanliness, and safety services across the 200-block downtown district, supported by special assessments from property owners and grant funding.

Product overview

ConnecToledo (Downtown Toledo Development Corporation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on downtown Toledo redevelopment. Rather than a technology product company, ConnecToledo operates as an economic development and community improvement organization that connects public and private investment to implement the Downtown Toledo Master Plan. Their service offerings include marketing and communications, business advocacy, residential attraction, business attraction, pre-development activity coordination, and a Downtown Ambassador program focused on hospitality, cleanliness, and safety. The organization partners with the Downtown Toledo Improvement District (DTID) to deliver programming and services for those who live, work, dine, shop, and play in downtown Toledo. Their work encompasses event management, real estate development facilitation, transportation planning, and community activation initiatives rather than technology products or software solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Resource Center
• Real Estate Property Database
• Downtown Ambassador Program Uniformed field ambassador program providing hospitality, directions, safety escorts, and cleanliness services throughout downtown Toledo's 200 city blocks. Operated by DTID with ConnecToledo coordination.
• Party in the Park Signature free weekly summer concert series held in downtown Toledo, drawing 55,000+ attendees and generating $1.5 million in economic impact in 2025.
• Lunch at Levis Weekly food truck event in downtown Toledo drawing 2,500+ attendees, providing dining and entertainment programming for downtown workers and visitors.
• 419 Day Weekend Shop Hop Regional shopping and promotion event driving downtown Toledo retail traffic during a designated weekend.
• Levitt Bloc Music Series Free outdoor music series funded by a $120,000 Levitt Foundation matching grant, to be presented at Promenade Park, Glass City Metropark, Junction Park, and Danny Thomas Park in 2026, 2027, and 2028. Implemented in partnership with City of Toledo, Metroparks Toledo, and Toledo Design Collective.
• Downtown Toledo Master Plan Implementation Long-range planning and coordination service implementing the Downtown Toledo Master Plan (updated in 2023 with MKSK), facilitating public/private investment, business and residential attraction, and catalytic project recommendations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 55,000 attendees at Party in the Park in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Downtown Toledo Improvement District (DTID)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnecToledo partners with DTID through a contract for services. DTID is a 501(c)(3) Special Improvement District representing property owners who pay special assessments. DTID focuses on downtown operations, safety, cleanliness, business support, and activation efforts. ConnecToledo leads long-term planning, redevelopment, and investment attraction.
• Metroparks ToledocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetroparks Toledo is implementing the Glass City Riverwalk project, transforming Toledo's riverfront with nearly 80 acres already restored. Total project cost approximately $225 million. Metroparks leads grant administration and project management for the $23 million BUILD grant from USDOT.
• City of ToledocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Toledo is a key partner in downtown redevelopment, owning and operating Glass City Center ($70M renovation), implementing programs for employment opportunities, and providing economic development resources including tax incentives and permitting services.
• Lucas CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLucas County partners on downtown development initiatives, with County Commissioners serving on the Downtown Toledo Improvement District Board. County provides support for transportation, parks, and community development programs.
• The Arts CommissionmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Arts Commission presents the Art Loop program, Toledo's signature arts and culture experience, partnering with artists and venues for celebrations of art throughout downtown. Also oversees public art installations and murals.
• Destination ToledomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism organization partnering on marketing efforts to attract visitors to downtown Toledo events, attractions, and accommodations.
• Toledo Regional Chamber of CommercemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Chamber provides business networking, EPIC Toledo young professional network (2,000+ members), and advocacy for regional economic development. Partners on business attraction and retention initiatives.
• Toledo Mud HensmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMinor League baseball team at Fifth Third Field in Warehouse District. Partnership on Opening Day celebrations, Hensville Park events, and T-Town Thursdays programming that showcase local organizations.
• Huntington CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDowntown arena hosting concerts, sports, and events. Partners on major downtown events including Fourth of July celebrations and African American Music Fest.
• Crane DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by Chairman Matt Rubin, Crane Development spearheads major projects including Huron Yards master plan, Produce Lofts, and Library Square Lofts. Key developer implementing downtown revitalization vision.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Downtown Columbus (Capital Crossroads SID): Special Improvement District organization serving Downtown Columbus. Comparable to ConnecToledo/DTID on assessment-funded district management, ambassador services, and event-based activation.
• Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. Manages Downtown Indianapolis through a special improvement district model with services, safety ambassadors, and event programming. Directly comparable to ConnecToledo/DTID on funding mechanism and core service mix.
• Downtown St. Louis, Inc. Non-profit dedicated to the revitalization of Downtown St. Louis, providing ambassador services and event programming. Comparable in scale, mandate, and Midwestern post-industrial downtown context.
• Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership: Manages Downtown Pittsburgh with ambassador services, events, and economic development programming. Directly comparable to ConnecToledo on ambassador-driven service model and Rust Belt downtown context.
• Milwaukee Downtown (BID #21): Business Improvement District #21 managing Downtown Milwaukee with hospitality, safety, and cleanliness services. Directly comparable to DTID's ambassador-led service model and funding mechanism.
• Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC): A non-profit, real estate developer and downtown manager for Cincinnati's urban core. Directly comparable to ConnecToledo for its mix of downtown redevelopment, public-private partnerships, residential attraction, and placemaking events.
• Downtown Cleveland Alliance: A downtown management and economic development organization serving Downtown Cleveland. It is directly comparable to ConnecToledo in mandate (BID-style services, events, business attraction, residential marketing) and geography (a Rust Belt Ohio downtown pursuing revitalization).
• Downtown Detroit Partnership: Non-profit organization focused on the revitalization and programming of Downtown Detroit. Comparable in mission (urban renewal, events, public space activation) and Midwestern geography.

Regional players

• Destination Toledo: Regional tourism DMO for greater Toledo/Lucas County. Comparable as a destination-marketing peer rather than direct downtown-management competitor; partners with ConnecToledo on visitor attraction.

Others

• Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce: Regional business chamber providing advocacy, networking (e.g., EPIC Toledo), and economic development programming. Adjacent peer with overlapping business-attraction and policy activities in the same metro.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/downtowntoledo
• Facebookfacebook.com/downtowntoledo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/connectoledo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ConnecToledo