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Piqua's Educational Resources Are Key to Growth
Greetings!
Educational opportunities abound in Piqua and the Dayton Region. With a high school graduation rate of more than 90 percent and an "Excellent" rating in the 2009-2010 school year from the State of Ohio, the Piqua City School District is a key part of the community's economic development efforts. Through innovative offerings like the World Languages program, students are learning the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow. But learning doesn't stop there. For education and training beyond high school, Piqua offers its students and residents a variety of educational and training choices at the Upper Valley Joint Vocational School, Edison Community College (pictured above) and access to more than a dozen nationally recognized colleges and universities throughout the Dayton Region, including Cedarville University, Central State University, Miami University, the University of Dayton, Urbana University, Wittenberg University, and Wright State University. We encourage you to see for yourself what Piqua and the Dayton Region are doing to better prepare our workforce as we emerge from the recession. More information about the region's higher education institutions can be found be visiting the Southwest Ohio Council for Higher Education website. As always, we appreciate you taking time to learn more about Piqua and its economic development efforts. If you have questions or ideas for future articles, please contact Bill Murphy. |
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| Evenflo Adds New Production and Employees
Evenflo Corporation recently announced plans to expand its product lines at its Piqua manufacturing and distribution facility.
Plans call for the company to add $1.5 million in new equipment to the facility and add an additional 50 employees to the company's 350-employee operation in Piqua. The State of Ohio awarded a 45 percent Job Creation Tax  Credit for a five-year term as a result of the company's project in the City. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $82,787 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for at least eight years. Additionally, the State also provided the company with a $50,000 Rapid Outreach Grant.
For over 85 years, Evenflo has been a worldwide leader in the development of innovative infant equipment and is now one of the nation's leading manufacturers of high quality baby care and juvenile products. To learn more about the company and its product lines, visit the company's website at www.evenflo.com.
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City Receives Grant for Former Piqua Memorial Hospital Site
The City of Piqua was recently awarded a $199,903 Clean Ohio Assistance Fund (COAF) grant for the costs associated with Phase II Environmental Assessment on the Piqua Memorial Hospital site. The assessment will determine the environmental suitability of the property and the possible need for any remediation.
 The assessment is the next step in the City's plan to bring the property back into productive use. After completing the Phase II Assessment, the City plans to apply for additional funding through the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund (CORF) program to abate any environmental issues and to demolish the remaining structures on the site. Once complete, the site is ideally located for potential redevelopment.
The former hospital site is one of five (5) key redevelopment sites identified in the City's ReDO Piqua Plan. To learn more about these sites and the City's economic redevelopment efforts, please click here. |
Fort Piqua Plaza Regains Prominence as a Premier Conference and Banquet Facility
The Fort Piqua Plaza is seeing new life as one of the region's premier conference and banquet facilities.
In 1891, when the Richardsonian Romanesque-style Fort Piqua Hotel was built in the heart of downtown Piqua, the elegant and impressive building was an immediate community treasure. The 103-room luxury hotel became a popular gathering place for numerous events and also welcomed numerous dignitaries, including Presidents Teddy Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Warren Harding, as well as notable public figures Harry Houdini and John Philips Sousa.
 Over the years, the hotel underwent many physical changes as well as many changes in owners, proprietors and managers. By the 1970s, the 85,000-square-foot building was all but vacant and was in desperate need of renovation. For the next 30 years, the hotel was a constant reminder of what could be.
Today, after a $22 million restoration, the Plaza has regained its rightful place as the centerpiece of downtown Piqua. The beautiful grand ballroom pictured above is among several rooms available for receptions, events and meetings accommodating groups of up to 350. In addition to the conference and banquet facility, the Plaza is home to the Piqua Public Library, Winans Fine Chocolates & Coffees and an upscale restaurant, Toone P's at the Plaza.
If you are interested in hosting your next event at this impressive venue, please visit www.thefortpiquaplaza.com or contact the Banquet Coordinator directly at (937) 773-8871 or via email at banquetcoordinator@piquaoh.org. |
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Polysource Celebrates
20 Years
In 2010, Polysource reaches an important milestone as it celebrates 20 years of doing business.
The company, which manufactures color expandable polystyrene (EPS) resin and specialty EPS co-polymers, moved to Piqua in late 2003 and currently operates from a 180,000 sq. ft. facility on the city's westside.
Polysource provides these resins and EPS copolymers to a number of companies that use them in a variety of applications, including in packaging, displays, and consumer products, like bicycle helmets.
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