October 2012

The Economic Development Department's new quarterly e-newsletter will highlight recent business activity, new economic development programs, and other news relevant to the business community of Hamilton and beyond. 

 

Hamilton has developed an Initiative Update document to make it easier to find out what the City is  working on and how each project is progressing. Check out the Initiative Update here. 

Liferay's Joshua Asbury (left) with City Manager Joshua Smith. Photo courtesy of Greg Lynch, Hamilton Journal News

Liferay recently announced plans to open its national sales office in Downtown Hamilton in the beginning of 2013, bringing 6 to 15 well-paying jobs to the City. Liferay is a fast growing California-based technology company that is a leading provider of enterprise open source portal and collaboration software products. Joshua Asbury, Liferay's Director of Corporate Sales said, "The city's proximity to nationally-recognized universities and world-class corporations will allow us to attract top talent for our growing sales team." For more information on Liferay's new Hamilton office, visit the Hamilton Journal News' article here.

Hamilton Caster President Dave Lippert (right) with Hamilton Mayor Pat Moeller

Hamilton Caster was recently recognized by the University of Cincinnati's Goering Center for Family and Private Business as the Tri-State's 2012 Family Business of the Year for businesses that have been in operation for over 50 years. Hamilton Caster, which manufactures casters, wheels, carts, trailers, and custom products, has been in business in Hamilton for 105 years. The company received the award based on the Goering Center's ten best practices for successful family businesses. Click here for more information on Hamilton Caster and here for more information on the Goering Center.

Pease Warehouse Grand Re-Opening. Photo courtesy of Greg Lynch, Hamilton Journal News

On September 21, Pease Warehouse and Kitchen Showroom celebrated its grand re-opening, moving to a new location at 1780 S. Erie Highway. Pease Warehouse and Kitchen Showroom has been in business since 1893. The company signed a 5 year lease at the new facility, citing great visibility at the new location as a primary reason for the move. For coverage of the re-opening and a glimpse inside the new building, check out TvHamilton's business highlight here. To visit Pease Warehouse's website, please click here. 

Hamilton Station

Hamilton has three new restaurants to enjoy and a new cell phone service location. Ranging from fast food to fast casual and offering Italian, Mexican, and American food, the restaurants have received a warm welcome by customers. For directions, please click here.

RiversEdge will be Hamilton's new Downtown riverfront amphitheater and overlook that will be the host of civic and entertainment events, such as concerts and fairs. RiversEdge, a brownfield redevelopment of a former hospital, is an opportunity to reconnect residents to the Great Miami River. 

The first concert will be held Spring 2013. Components of the development will include:

CRA Map with Special District Area highlighted in red

The Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) will provide property owners a tax abatement for investing in property improvements. The goal of the CRA is to incentivize revitalization where barriers to investment exist. 

Nuisance properties will be targeted by the Land Bank

Through the "Moving Ohio Forward" grant program, the Attorney General allocated a total of $75 million to all 88 counties in Ohio to facilitate the reclamation, rehabilitation, and reutilization of vacant, abandoned, tax-foreclosed, or other real property.

The Land Bank provides the City an opportunity to demolish nuisance properties and to promote economic and housing development. The Land Bank will be an important tool to make Hamilton a more livable, more economically vibrant community. As of October 23, the City has acquired nearly 100 properties through the Land Bank.

If you are interested in a property that is expected to be transferred to the City of Hamilton, please complete the Request for Information document and return it to the City of Hamilton's Economic Development Department. 

Form-Based Code encourages a mix of uses and promotes the character of an area

The City of Hamilton is in the process of developing Form-Based Zoning Regulations for Downtown, Main Street, and East High Street. Property owners, stakeholders, and interested citizens concerned about the future of these areas are invited to participate in a Zoning Workshop to hear about how proposed Form-Based Zoning Regulations will impact the future character and form of new development and redevelopment within these areas. 

Vora Technology Park

Vora Technology Park provides Class-A office space, a secure state-of-the-art data center, and a professional incubator wing for the use of both established and growing high-technology companies. The 365,000 square foot complex offers data center space, fiber optics throughout, and campus-style walking trails. In 2007, Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions (CBTS) invested approximately $60 million in the development of a new 60,000 square foot data center at the site. For more information about office space at Vora Technology Park, please visit the website.

Need Assistance From the City? 
The City established the Business Development Team to make investing in Hamilton easier for current and future business owners. The Team focuses on assisting retail and commercial development. It is a single point of contact that coordinates between all necessary departments to help businesses from the first inquiry until the issuance of final occupancy. To contact the Business Development Team, call 513-785-7070 or email startmeup@hamilton-oh.gov.

Did You Know?

Special Permitting Districts

Don't forget - If you have a project that requires permitting and you are in a designated special district, you are eligible for reduced fees on certain items when submitting your building permit application. 

Contact: