Not long after leaving prison in 2015, Troy Parker was ready to launch his own business. Using the public library as his office, he founded his own commercial cleaning company, began hiring employees and taking on clients. After five years in business, Innovative Labor and Cleaning Services, Inc was a success. Then the pandemic hit.
As the economy ground to a halt, Parker's business began to dry up. As many small businesses applied for the Paycheck Protection Program, Parker faced a problem: With a conviction on his record, he was ineligible to receive government stimulus funds.
But Parker reached out to Senator Rob Portman, Representative Steve Chabot and other leaders to change the PPP guidelines to include business owners who are also returning citizens. As a result, Parker finally received PPP funds.
Joining Cincinnati Edition to discuss his business is Innovative Labor and Cleaning ServicesFounder Troy Parker; and African American Chamber of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky President and CEO Eric Kearney.
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