Dr. Jayme Glamm isn’t the first dentist to occupy the building at 2164 Riverside Drive in Upper Arlington. In 2022 she purchased it and the practice from another woman dentist, Dr. Beth Loew, a popular practitioner who was retiring. Now Dr. Glamm is expanding her business and giving the building a much-needed refresh – financed in part with CFFA’s Small Business Loan program.
When the project is complete, Glamm Dentistry will occupy the entire building, taking over a section previously occupied by two other businesses. The exterior will be modernized and the roof, originally built in the 1940s, will be replaced. It will also gain a new front entrance designed to be more welcoming to the community. Even more important: the building will be much more energy efficient.
In fact, it was the Finance Authority’s PACE energy-efficiency financing program that first caught Dr. Glamm’s attention, after she was referred to it by Upper Arlington city leaders. In the end, the Small Business Loan program was the better fit for her needs. “The terms were even better than what you could find commercially,” says Adam Thompson, Dr. Glamm’s husband and a financial advisor to her business. “The rates were better, with longer terms – 20 years instead of 10.”
“The Glamm project and process is why we find the Finance Authority so valuable” says Steve Schoeny, City Manager of Upper Arlington. “Their team took the time to figure out the best option for Dr. Glamm’s capital needs. Having a variety of lending programs allowed the Finance Authority to put together a package that blended well with her bank financing and get the project moving forward in a very tough interest rate market.” Old Fort Bank also contributed financing for the project.
A Sustainable Mindset
It’s no surprise that sustainable business practices are important to the couple. They spent 15 years living and working in Denver, where Dr. Glamm taught at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine and built a practice, Pearl Dentistry, which she ran for a decade. She and Thompson are active outdoor enthusiasts and have climbed six of Colorado’s famed “Fourteeners,” mountains over 14,000 feet in altitude.
“Living in Colorado, we really cared about being intentional about choices that impact the environment and our community,” says Thompson. “So we said, if we’re making a significant capital investment in this building, let’s make wise choices that can help with energy efficiency and impact.” The project includes upgrading to high-efficiency HVAC and electrical, and adding medical-grade plumbing throughout the building.
The couple, both from Ohio originally, returned to be closer to family. “We chose Upper Arlington because of the community and the schools,” says Dr. Glamm. “It’s near downtown with lots to do. We felt like it was a good fit.” Her practice focuses on restorative dentistry, primarily treating adults to help rebuild their bite and smile through crowns, implants, and other forms of cosmetic dentistry. The practice will remain open during renovation, which they expect to be completed by the end of 2024.
“Beth Loew owned the practice for more than 30 years and she built a great following,” says Dr. Glamm. “She had a strong reputation and treated people right. It was a great fit for me.” Dr. Glamm retained many of Loew’s staff and patients, and says the practice is bursting at the seams. “We are maxed out in our space, so we are excited to spread out and be able to welcome new patients.”
Launched in 2020, the Finance Authority’s Neighborhood Improvement and Small Business Loan program was created to support small businesses and facilitate investment in low-to-moderate-income neighborhoods in Franklin County. The program provides low interest, fixed-asset-based financing to qualified applicants. Loans may be used for purchasing land and buildings, construction or renovation of a building, or purchase of machinery and equipment. Interest rate is 4.5% (subject to change) for terms up to 20 years, not to exceed the useful life of the asset to be financed.
For more information, please contact Matt Lima at [email protected] or call (614) 721-3854.