Findings indicate economic development successes despite challenges of economic climate
The City of Hamilton Economic Development Department's Annual Report has been completed and its major findings show an increase in economic development activity from 2011 to 2012. The number of companies interested in Hamilton increased 65%. Of those leads, the City was able to respond to 67% of the inquiries with information that met their specific needs (a 30% increase from 2011). Unemployment decreased by 1.7%, dropping to 7.0% by the December 2012, decreasing faster than the U.S. average. To view the 2012 Annual Report, please click here.
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In This Issue
First Quarter 2013
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 CORE Fund Launched Hamilton's new CORE Fund offers financial support to development in the urban core
On December 12, 2012, the CORE Fund held a kickoff with its stakeholders, announcing its intent to be an important player in revitalizing Hamilton's urban core. The CORE, or Consortium for Ongoing Reinvestment Efforts, Fund will provide financial resources for qualified residential and commercial real estate projects within Hamilton's urban core.
The CORE Fund will be ran by Executive Director Mike Dingeldein and its key partners are the Hamilton Community Foundation, First Financial Bank, Fifth Third Bank, US Bank, and the City of Hamilton. The CORE Fund is also partnering with SoMoLend to provide a crowdfunding component to the financial toolkit. For more information on the CORE Fund, visit the website here. |
 | | The new Coolants Plus property |
Coolants Plus Announces Move to Hamilton
The new facility will bring 15 full-time jobs and create 4 new full-time jobs
Coolants Plus, a supplier of lubricants and industrial chemicals, recently announced its move to the former Pease Warehouse facility at 2570 Zimmerman. This will result in 19 new full-time jobs in the City of Hamilton. The company was formerly located in West Chester and was seeking a new site that accommodates their 10% annual growth rate. With this new building, Coolants Plus is tripling the size of its space.
The City is excited to welcome Coolants Plus to Hamilton. The company will be a great addition to our business community.
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 | | Butler Tech School of the Arts in the former JournalNews building |
New Tenants of JournalNews Building Moved In
Butler Tech School of the Arts, Hamilton City Schools ABLE Program, and the Miami Valley Ballet Theater now occupy the once-vacant space
Since January, the tenants of the new performance and educational hub have been moving in to their new space in Downtown Hamilton. The building was the former site of the JournalNews offices, but employees moved out in 2011. Today, the Downtown building is full of activity throughout the day and into the evening, providing a new cultural hub in the urban core and adding vitality to the area. For more information, please check out the JournalNews article here.
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Andy Levine, president of Development Counsellors International, and Jeff Finkle, president of International Economic Development Council, present Joshua Smith (middle) with the award
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Hamilton City Manager Recipient of 40 Under 40 Award for Economic Development
The presenter cited the CORE Fund and Business Development Team as main reasons for the award
City Manager Joshua Smith was selected as a recipient of the first-ever "40 Under 40" awards for Economic Development. The award was designed to discover the economic development profession's rising stars and to promote best practices in the U.S. Smith's involvement in the creation of the CORE Fund, the Business Development Team, and the effort to move the City towards 100% renewable energy were cited as reasons he was selected as a recipient.
The awards program was managed by Development Counsellors International (DCI), a New York-based firm that specializes in economic development marketing and placemaking. For more information on the businesses, please check out the JournalNews story. |
 | | Employees of Hamilton's Utilities Departments with the Business Courier's Green Business award |
Hamilton Recognized by the Cincinnati Business Courier at the Green Business Awards
City of Hamilton received an Honorable Mention in the Building category for Meldahl Hydroelectric Facility
At the March 7th Green Business Awards, the City of Hamilton was recognized by the Business Courier as an Honorable Mention in the Building category for the Meldahl Hydroelectric Facility, a $504 million construction project that will be completed in late 2014.
Once completed, nearly 70% of the City's power will be from renewable sources. Currently, 49% of the City's energy comes from hydroelectric power. In 2015, the City of Hamilton will be providing 100% renewable energy to its customers. Due to the stability of hydroelectric power and the fact that the City's energy prices will largely not be directly subject to market fluctuations, Hamilton is able to provide its customers with sustainable energy at competitive prices. |
 | | (From left) City Manager Joshua Smith, Deputy City Manager Tim Werdmann, City Councilmember Carla Fierher, Speaker of the House John Boehner, Speaker's Chief of Staff Mick Krieger, Economic Development Director Jody Gunderson |
City Leadership Meet with Speaker of the House
Representatives discuss key projects such as South Hamilton Crossing and Meldahl
In mid-March, a number of Hamilton ambassadors went to Washington D.C. to meet with Speaker of the House John Boehner. During the meeting, City representatives discussed the progress occurring on the Meldahl Hydroelectric Facility and the City's efforts to provide 100% renewable energy to its customers.
The City also shared the vision for and progress on South Hamilton Crossing (SHX), which is an overpass project that will provide access to the City's 65 acre University Commerce Park, improve traffic flow for the Miami University campus and Vora Technology Park, and enhance safety in Hamilton. The City is requesting federal support to move this project forward. For for information on the SHX project, please check out the brochure here.
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Hamilton's Natural Gas Rate Cheapest in Ohio
Hamilton Natural Gas 36% Cheaper than Duke in March
For the month of March, the City of Hamilton will be 14% cheaper than Vectren, the next lowest cost gas system in Ohio. Hamilton will be 36% cheaper than Duke in March.
Hamilton's residential customers are now paying $298 less for annual gas service than their neighbors in Fairfield, Liberty Township or West Chester. $298 of savings for 21,500 residential gas meters equates to an annual city-wide savings of $6,407,000 for our residential customers alone!
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 | | Demolition photo of 1550 Grand |
Former Marcell's Building Demolished and Remediated
1550 Grand is focus of $1.9 million brownfield redevelopment
The 7 acre site of the former Marcell's Used Auto Parts has been demolished utilizing Clean Ohio Revitalization Funds (CORF), which leverages both State and private funds for demolition and remediation to make previously unusable properties "Shovel Ready." The above-grade demolition was completed in late 2012. Concrete slab removal and soil testing is now occurring at the site.
It is anticipated that upon completion of the demolition and remediation project, the property will be redeveloped into a commercial or retail/mixed-use site. This is one of three ongoing remediation projects in Hamilton that are part of the Clean Ohio Program. All three have end-users or projects for the site. In the last ten years, the City has leveraged $10.9 million in Clean Ohio Revitalization Funds, remediated 48 acres of land, and developed 5 new users for old sites.
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 Hamilton's First Ca$h Mob Event at Pappa Luigi's The Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event to encourage people to shop local The Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is hosting its first Cash Mob event, which have become a popular way to encourage people to support local businesses. The concept: with $10-$20 in hand, members of a community come together at a designated date and time to shop in a locally-owned establishment to support the business and the local area economy.
Where: Pappa Luigi's 23 N. Third, Downtown Hamilton
When: Tuesday April 9th, 2013 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
For more information, contact Susanne Tulloss at the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce
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 | | Photo courtesy of Chris Glass |
Butler County Lumber Celebrates 100 Year Anniversary
Business is still family owned and operated
Butler County Lumber has been on Main Street since it opened in June 1912 and it is still run by the Sanders family. The company has survived multiple fires and numerous difficult economies to continue to thrive today. For more information on the anniversary, please check out the JournalNews story here. For more information on Butler County Lumber, please visit their website.
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 | | Ohio Lunch owner Elias Anagnostou at the grill. Photo courtesy of Samantha Grier at the JournalNews |
Pappa Luigi's and Ohio Lunch Reopen Downtown in Same Week
Restaurant re-openings provide more dining options Downtown
Two local restaurants re-opened in Downtown Hamilton in the same week of November. The re-openings are good news for Downtown, as the City works hard to help develop options for residents and workers in the urban core. For more information on the businesses, please check out the JournalNews story on the re-openings.
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 | | True West Coffee |
Business Highlight Video Series Launched
TvHamilton Highlights True West Coffee in first video
The City of Hamilton has partnered with TvHamilton to create a Business Highlight Series to celebrate the business community in Hamilton and get an inside look into neighborhood favorites. Due to the growing popularity of the relative newcomer True West Coffee, its highlight is the first installment of the series. The highlight featuring long-time favorite Richard's Pizza will be next to roll out. Please click here for the 2-minute highlight video for True West Coffee.
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 | | Regatta on the Great Miami |
Blue and Burgundy Regatta Returns to Great Miami River May 4th
Annual regatta brings people to Downtown Hamilton
The Great Miami Rowing Center's (GMRC) annual Blue and Burgundy Regatta will be on Saturday May 4th. GMRC was founded in 2007 by the Hamilton Vision Commission and a group of volunteers interested in bringing the sport of rowing to the Great Miami River, which is perfectly suited for the sport. For more information on GMRC and the Blue and Burgundy Regatta, please visit the website.
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 | | Key Bank Building |
Property Highlight
Key Bank Building
The Key Bank Building is a beautiful eight-story historical office building located in the center of Downtown Hamilton, across from the Courthouse. Built by turn of the century craftsmen, it is for rent or for sale. For more information, please visit the website.
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Small Business Tip
The Small Business Checklist
The Small Business Checklist is a great infographic illustrates how to legally establish a business. To view the checklist, please click here.
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Need Assistance From the City?
Contact the Business Development Team
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.
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Contact:
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Jody Gunderson, Director of Economic Development345 High Street, Hamilton, OH | Visit Website | 513-785-7070
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