Five monthly dividend stocks could help retirees match income to monthly bills, with yields up to 6.65%. Three are real estate investment trusts (REITs) and two are business development companies (BDCs). EPR Properties offers the best coverage: a 65% adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) payout behind its 6.65% yield. Realty Income yields 5.77% after 670 consecutive monthly dividends, and Agree Realty yields 4.74%. Main Street Capital's regular 5.80% yield is covered by 76% of net investment income. Its supplemental payouts are discretionary. Gladstone Investment yields 6.22% but has the thinnest cushion. Coverage rose from 83% to 108% in one quarter, and its net asset value fell 3.2%.

OhioMBE daily business brief - oct. 15. By OhioMBE / October 15, 2026 Thursday Edition OhioMBE daily business brief. Cash - Contracts - Connections - Events October 15, 2026 Today's focus: A federal court ruling raises immediate compliance questions for government contractors, while new Central Ohio transactions show continued investment around data centers and retail development. The 2026 OhioMBE Awards are only one week away - business owners, buyers and community partners still have time to get in the room. Get in the room: 2026 OhioMBE Awards. Thursday, October 22 - 11 a.m.-1 p.m. - Huntington Park This is not an ordinary awards ceremony. Meet procurement professionals, government buyers, financial partners and major contractors over lunch, then use the dedicated connection period to introduce your business, ask questions and discuss contracting opportunities and resources. Small-business tickets are $50. Corporate tickets are $125. Corporate tables are $1,000. Jumbotron advertising is available for $149. Today's business news. Public Policy - Federal Contracting Judge declines to block federal contractor DEI order. Reuters report published October 14, 2026 A federal judge declined to block an executive order requiring companies doing business with the federal government to certify that they are not engaging in unlawful racial discrimination through diversity, equity and inclusion activities. The court said the order prohibits conduct already barred by federal law and applies to work performed under a federal contract containing the language. The lawsuit remains active, and a separate challenge has been brought by 19 states and Washington, D.C. OhioMBE analysis: Federal contractors should not rely on headlines alone. Review the exact language in each solicitation and contract, document the lawful business purpose of workforce and supplier programs, and obtain qualified legal guidance before changing compliance policies. Investment - Central Ohio New Albany industrial facility sells for $43.6 million. Reported October 14, 2026 VanTrust Real Estate sold a newly completed New Albany industrial facility to Realty Income for $43.6 million. The Class A building is fully leased under a long-term agreement to an unidentified technology and artificial-intelligence company. The transaction reflects continued investor demand for facilities serving the region's expanding digital-infrastructure economy. VanTrust is also developing another speculative facility nearby. OhioMBE analysis: A property sale is not an open contract, but it signals where recurring demand may develop. Maintenance, security, logistics, landscaping, food service and professional-service firms should identify the building owner, tenant and facility-management providers before pursuing business. Retail Investment - Job Creation RaceTrac plans $65 million investment in four Ohio stores. Reported October 14, 2026 Atlanta-based RaceTrac is expanding in Ohio with four stores representing approximately $65 million in investment. The company's current Central Ohio opening plan includes locations in West Jefferson, Canal Winchester and Circleville. The West Jefferson location is scheduled to begin serving customers this week, with additional stores expected to follow. OhioMBE analysis: Multi-site expansion can create opportunities beyond initial construction. Local firms should watch for vendor needs involving maintenance, snow removal, landscaping, security, signage, waste services and recurring store operations. Small Business - Shared Commercial Space Bond Hill bakery converts to commercial-kitchen rental model. Reported October 14, 2026 Davis Cookie Collection has ended regular retail operations at its Bond Hill bakery and is converting the location into commercial-kitchen space available to other food entrepreneurs. The business plans to rent kitchen space by the hour, offer membership-based access and host pop-ups and baking classes. OhioMBE analysis: Shared kitchens can lower the cost of entering or expanding a food business, but users should verify licensing, insurance, storage, scheduling and equipment rules before committing. The model also shows how an owner can repurpose existing capacity when a retail format no longer fits. Transportation Contracts - Project Delivery ODOT posts progressive design-build pilot announcement for Wood County. Contracts announcement posted October 14, 2026 The Ohio Department of Transportation has posted an announcement for a progressive design-build pilot project in Wood County. Progressive design-build brings the owner, designer and builder together earlier than a traditional design-bid-build process. Interested firms should review ODOT's complete announcement and procurement documents for the project scope, qualifications, schedule and submission requirements. OhioMBE analysis: Alternative project-delivery methods can shift when subcontractors and professional-service firms need to build relationships with the prime team. Qualified businesses should study the procurement structure early and avoid treating the general announcement as a substitute for the official documents. Upcoming business events. 2026 OhioMBE Awards. Thursday, October 22 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Huntington Park, Columbus Turn Cash - Contracts - Connections into action. Meet bankers, government purchasing representatives, major construction firms and community partners during lunch and a dedicated networking period. Small-business tickets: $50 Corporate tickets: $125 Corporate tables: $1,000 Business clinic: Workers' Compensation. Today, October 15 6-7 p.m. Online - Free Melony Bryant, Minority and Small Business Advocate with the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, will explain coverage considerations for owners, businesses with employees and entrepreneurs whose work carries an injury risk. Ohio veteran Small Business webinar. Monday, November 9 10-11:30 a.m. EST Online - Free The SBA Ohio District Office will connect veteran entrepreneurs with certification information, federal-contracting resources and practical guidance from veteran business owners during National Veterans Small Business Week. Daily business tip: read the contract clause, not the headline. Government policy changes often arrive through specific solicitation and contract language. Save the exact clause, identify what your company must certify, assign responsibility for compliance and keep written records supporting every representation made to a public buyer. Support independent black-owned business news. OhioMBE keeps business news, supplier-diversity updates, contracting information and practical resources accessible to Ohio's small and minority business community. Your business belongs on the big screen. OhioMBE Awards Jumbotron advertising is available for $149. Put your company in front of entrepreneurs, procurement professionals, government buyers, financial partners and major contractors at Huntington Park. The Awards are Thursday, October 22. Reserve your space now. Subscribe. Receive OhioMBE business news, events and resources. Advertise with OhioMBE. Reach Ohio entrepreneurs, diverse suppliers, procurement professionals and business leaders.