In preparation for the first North Akron Market, the Exchange House is seeking prepared food producers, farmers, crafters and artisans to fill the vendors slots.
The first market is set for Saturday, May 5 from 2-7 p.m. at the Exchange house, 760 Elma St. in North Hill neighborhood.
With a community center for refugees and immigrants downstairs and an international hostel upstairs, the Exchange House is a project of the Knight Foundation and the Dallas-based Better Block Foundation. It was created through a $155,000 2015 Knight Cities Challenge grant.
North Hill has long been Akron’s international neighborhood. The Exchange House was created to serve as a central location for foreign-born residents to gather for programming, health clinics and group meetings.
Akron’s immigrant population has helped strengthen the economy and housing market. According to the “New American Economy, Welcome to Akron” study by the Knight Foundation, between 2000 and 2013, foreign-born residents settling in Summit County increased the overall housing value by $207 million. Collectively, Akron’s Immigrants and refugees hold $137 million in annual spending power and contribute $17 million in state and local taxes each year.
Read the full story from Cleveland.com: “North Akron CDC, Exchange House encourage entrepreneurs for North Akron Market”
