Midwest Environmental Services, an industrial waste management company, has chosen 27 Kiesland Court as the new site for their facility. The move will bring 26 jobs to Hamilton with an annual payroll of approximately $1 million. There is a potential for the facility to add up to 10 additional jobs within the next couple of years. Midwest Environmental Services provides environmental response services and cleanup. 

"This facility will accommodate our expected growth and provides us with a more central location to serve both the Cincinnati and Dayton markets," said Ray Boyle, vice president of operations. For more information on the company and their move, please visit their website here and the JournalNews article here. 

The City of Hamilton received two awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), including IEDC's Gold award for Public Private Partnership for its partnership with Coon Restoration on three large-scale projects:

• The $8.6 million renovation of the Historic Mercantile Lofts into 29 market rate apartments and four street level retail spaces;
• The $2.5 million renovation of the former JournalNews building into a cultural hub for Butler Tech School of the Arts, Miami Valley Ballet Theatre, and Hamilton City Schools ABLE program;
• The $1.5 million renovation of the Robinson-Schwenn building, the 147 year old former opera house, which includes three floors of office space and three first floor retail spaces.

Electric

In 2014, Hamilton's Electric Department anticipates investing over $8.8 million in capital projects including LED streetlights and street signs, enhancements on the East High Corridor, and continued efforts to underground electric lines.

Natural Gas

Over $4.7 million is projected to be spent on improvements to the natural gas system including main replacements, a Medium Pressure Gas (MPG) loop to Enterprise Park, and Southwest Ohio's first public compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station, which will be located on Route 4. 

Water

Over $3.5 million is budgeted for Water System improvements including main replacements and water tank rehabilitation.

Wastewater

The Wastewater System is projected to see the most capital investments with $17.8 million budgeted for next year. Anticipated wastewater projects include sanitary sewer lining, sewer replacement, System Evaluation and Capacity Assurance Plan (SECAP), and Southwest Ohio Industrial District (SOID) lift station, located near the Butler County Regional Airport.

Recognizing the former department store as a potentially catalytic project for downtown Hamilton, the former Elder Beerman building was the first acquisition of the new CORE Fund. The building was built in 1968 as part of urban renewal efforts and was a profitable store until it closed in 2009. The CORE Fund acquired the property for future development, envisioning it as a complex of office, retail, and living space. The building is four stories and 167,000 sq. ft.

After the acquisition of the Elder Beerman building, the CORE Fund acquired two more prominent downtown buildings. Both the former Fifth Third building and the former Hungry Bunny building are at the corner of High St. and Third St. The former Fifth Third building, 2 S. Third St., is a 4-story office building. The CORE Fund will be seeking bids to redevelop the property as an office/mixed-use building.

The former Hungry Bunny, 254 High St., is a 3-story mixed-use 19th century building. The CORE Fund will be seeking bids to redevelop the property to restore its former design as a mixed-use building. For more information on the CORE Fund, please visit their website here.

The former Hungry Bunny building

The Lane Library's new Community Technology Center opened in October in the historic Robinson-Schwenn building. It is a 2,700 square foot, half million dollar project that includes a computer lab, business center, high-end production lab, and meeting room. Technology and amenities include a 3-D printer, advanced software and hardware, WI-FI access, tablets, computers, and access to computer and technology training. For more information on the Community Technology Center, please read the JournalNews article here or visit the website here.

Artspace Hamilton is officially under construction after years of planning and development. Artspace, a Minneapolis-based developer, is developing a mixed-use project in downtown Hamilton that will include 42 affordable live/work spaces for artists and 3,000 sq. ft. of commercial and gallery space. It is located next to the Historic Mercantile Lofts.

Biztech, Hamilton's business incubator, is announcing its reorganization and rebranding effort to aggressively pursue its vision as the driver of the startup community, both in Butler County and the surrounding region. Launched in 2003, Biztech has served companies well in its goal of nurturing businesses through the start-up phase and beyond and it will continue to do so. However, plans have been established to be more impactful in building the local economy.  

Biztech will be focusing on the city's assets, such as green energy and manufacturing tradition, to attract high-growth, high-potential startup companies, with a special focus on advanced manufacturing and clean technology. To achieve these ambitions, Biztech's board has been bolstered to include more representation from the entire Southwest Ohio region, especially from organizations and individuals that understand entrepreneurship, and there is a new interim Manager, Chris Lawson. 

Biztech's new strategy has already attracted its first clean technology company, KW River, a startup company that is in the process of testing and researching a hydroelectric power turbine that is placed at the base of a low-level dam. Biztech is looking for high growth businesses and executive mentors to be part of this new vision. If you are interested in being part of the startup community please visit their website here.

Hamilton's year-old Land Bank has made significant progress in demolishing vacant and blighted housing. As of November 14th, 60 demolitions had been completed with 47 more slated for demolition. The Lank Bank provides the City an opportunity to demolish nuisance properties and to promote economic and housing development.

The City of Hamilton was selected as a Finalist for the 2013 Social Media Leadership Awards (SMLA) presented by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The success of a comprehensive social media engagement strategy developed by the City of Hamilton's 2013 class of Fellows has been recognized alongside international organizations including Adobe, American Airlines, JPMorgan Chase, and a host of equally recognizable brands. For more information on the City's strategy, please click here for the WCPO story.

Bartels Heating & Cooling, located on Main St., is a heating and air conditioning service company that started as a one-man operation in 1973 and has grown to a thirteen person staff. For more information on the anniversary, please read the JournalNews article here.

Hamilton Eyecare Center, which offers eye care, eyewear, and contact lenses, has been located at the same site on Eaton Avenue for 25 years. The owners have recently remodeled their office and made significant technology advancements in equipment for checking for eye disease. For more information on Hamilton Eyecare Center's anniversary, please read the JournalNews article here.

Property highlights:

• 55,500 sq. ft. manufacturing space
• 27,000 sq. ft. office space
• 27' ceilings
• 2 docks
• 1 - 15 ton and 2 - 10 ton overhead cranes
• 3.6 acres
• 5 additional acreage available for building expansion
• 1200 AMP, 480 VOLT, 3 phase
• Rail possible
• Powered by the City of Hamilton's green hydroelectric utility 

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.