Launching The Enclave on Main

How I produced a complex public grand opening for a 102-unit affordable housing community

In 2025, Woda Cooper Companies and co-developer IMPACT Community Action opened The Enclave on Main, a 102-unit affordable housing community in Whitehall, Ohio. With more than $29 million in public and private investment, this project represented one of the most significant housing initiatives in Central Ohio—serving residents earning 30% to 80% of area median income and helping address a rapidly growing housing shortage.

To mark the moment, Woda Cooper hosted a formal grand opening and ribbon-cutting attended by:

The Mayor of Whitehall
Franklin County leadership
The Ohio Housing Finance Agency
Financial institutions and development partners
Housing advocates, residents, and community stakeholders

I was responsible for every part of the event’s planning and execution—from the first invitation to the final breakdown.

The ceremonial ribbon cutting.

The Vision

This event needed to do far more than celebrate a new building. It had to communicate:

The scale of the investment
The importance of affordability
The strength of public-private partnerships
And the future of Whitehall as a growing, inclusive community

With elected officials, state agencies, lenders, nonprofit partners, and residents all in the audience, the experience had to feel credible, coordinated, and meaningful.

My Role & Responsibilities

Invitations & Attendance

Built and coordinated invite lists for:
- City and county officials
- State housing agencies
- Financial partners
- Development leadership
- Resident representatives and housing advocates
Managed RSVPs, confirmations, and attendance flow
Ensured the right people were in the right places at the right times

Vendor & Site Coordination

Detailed run-of-show
Seating, staging, and podiums
Audio equipment
Ribbon-cutting setup
Event signage
Photography
Oversaw vendor arrival, setup, timing, and teardown

Why it Mattered

This opening represented one of the most complex event environments possible:
government, finance, nonprofit partners, and residents all in one room (or one tent, as it were).

Every detail—timing, messaging, staging, and flow—had to be right.

By managing every component myself—invites, RSVPs, vendor coordination, speaker prep, run-of-show, setup, and teardown—I ensured the day reflected the significance of the project and the collaboration behind it.

The result was a polished, high-credibility event that honored the scale of the investment, the people it will serve, and the partnerships that made it possible.