Red Roof National Center to Create 60 jobs
Red Roof Inn, a major hotel chain with 325 locations and 4500 employees worldwide announced last week that Springfield was selected as the site for their one and only corporate reservation center. The project will employ 60, and the facility expects to field over 1 million calls in its first year. The company was assisted in obtaining a $50,000 tax credit from the Ohio Department of Development last Monday. We welcome Red Roof Inn to the community!
>>Read the State press release on the tax credit
Workplus Hires Employer Recruitment Specialist
Barbara Carpenter recently joined the WorkPlus One-Stop Center, a division of the Job and Family Services of Clark County, as a recruitment specialist for existing businesses. Carpenter has over 12 years experience in human resource management and will serve as the one-stop liaison for all employer job postings and other related services. Carpenter can be reached at 937.327.1771, 937.521.3515 (fax), or by email at carpeb02@odjfs.state.oh.us.
Rittal Relocates Operation to Region
In tough economic times, when company downsizing and consolidation are commonplace, it was good to hear the announcement that Rittal, a world leader in the enclosure market with headquarters and administrative functions in Urbana and Springfield, is closing its 114-employee Fremont, Indiana manufacturing operation and moving it to Urbana in neighboring Champaign County. The 500,000 square foot Urbana facility processes 65 metric tons of steel per day. Rittal employs 700 in the US.
Local Manufacturer gets Export Sales Lead
If there was any doubt that we've entered the global economy, this month Sara Smiley, the Dayton region's Trade Advisor for the Global Markets Division of the Ohio Dept. of Development, put that to rest. Because she had a relationship with one of our manufacturers (still kept confidential at this point), she and her colleague were able to proactively identify an purchase request from the Uruguay government and forward that lead to our company. If you are exporting or thinking about it, please contact Sara to discuss how she can help you. Sara can be reached at 614.466.5297 or by email at sara.smiley@development.ohio.gov.
National City Cuts its Prime Rate to 3.25%
National City Corporation continues its drive to financial leadership for business and consumers. On Dec. 15, the Federal Reserve Board approved the PNC acquisition of National City, strengthening it to the fifth largest financial institution in the US. The following day, Dec. 16, the company announced it is cutting its prime rate 75 basis points to 3.25. For information on what National City can do for your business and your employees, please contact John Federer at 937.328.7320 or by email at john.federer@nationalcity.com.
>>For information on business loans and lines
>>For information on employee benefit programs
SpringfieldEdge Issue 5 - November - 2008
Selecttech Project to Create 100 Jobs
SelectTech Services Corporation, a Centerville-based areospace company, announced on October 27 the establishment of an advanced manufacturing facility at the Springfield Airport. The project involves $4 million in new investment, 100 new jobs within three years. Local legislators helped procure $1.5 million in funding from the state budget and the Ohio Department of Development provided over $500,000 in tax and grant incentives to seal the deal. The company will manufacture airborne mobile communications and related systems from the facility.
Meva Opens New $3.3M Headquarter Facility
On October 6, Meva Formwork Systems, a German concrete form manufacturer, held a grand opening ceremony for its new US headquarters, warehouse, and service facility. The company is located in Springfield's AirPark Ohio, and will be employing 25. The company originally started with Folker Hemmann and the German-American Development Corporation located in the SBDC in Springfield. The forms were used to build everything from the Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World to the largest building in the world, the Burj Dubai. The City of Springfield supported the project with an employment incentive grant of $90,000 as well as technical assistance.
Yamato Japanese Restaurant Opens in Springfield
On October 1, the Yamato Steakhouse of Japan opened in Springfield in the Tuttle Commons shopping plaza. Owner Bob Zhu has two other initmate hibachi-style cuisine restaurants in Viginia and Georgia. The restaurant has created a dozen jobs and seats 49. The address is 3467 E. National Rd., and it's open for lunch and dinner. Phone: 937.325.7338.
South Vienna Gets High Speed Internet
On Octber 30, AT&T announced expanded availability of high speed internet to South Vienna, a Clark County village with a population of about 500 located on the US National Rd (Rt. 40). This is part of AT&T's $500 million infrastructure investment to make broadband available to rural areas. Four plans up to an elite with speeds of 6MB/s will be available.
Wenco Center Industrial Park
In 1999, development and construction company Wenco Inc. (New Carlisle, Ohio) began the Wenco Center industrial park in Enon, Ohio. The first two tenants were the national headquarters for Speedway SuperAmerica (Emro) and a manufacturing facility and north american headquarters for seepex, a German pump manufacturer. The property is located right off of I-70, right at the Exit 48 interchange. Asking price per acre is $40,000 with front lots costing $70,000 per acre. Wenco has been a leader in the construction industry since 1983 and can handle all phases of construction.
SpringfieldEdge Issue 4 - October - 2008
New $12.8M Combat Communications Complex
A new facility will be built at the Springfield Air National Guard base for the 269th Combat Communications Squadron and the 251st Combat Communications Group. US Rep. Dave Hobson was instrumental in getting funds for the project and said, "We're trying to make sure the Springfield Air National Guard Base continues to be important in our nation's defense." The 178th Fighter Wing of the Ohio ANG occupies 113.6 acres and 39 buildings of about 336,000 sf, and employs over 400 full-time personnel. Its mission is to train future fighter pilots.
>>>Read press release.
TPI Lands $6M For Transport Vehicles
TPI Composites, a high-tech company headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ, established a Springfield, Ohio operation a few years ago. The company has grown to 60 in June of this year and plans to grow to 140 in its 100,000+ sf facility in Springfield's AirPark Ohio. It made headlines in 2007 with its unveiling of the first new lightweight, all-composite vehicle. It made further headlines this month with its procurement of $6M in federal funds to build 50 lightweight Specialized Reconnaissance Assault Transport System (SRATS) Vehicles. As the company manufactures products for its rail and military business and is also a leader in wind energy, its future looks bright in Springfield and in Ohio.
$63M New High School Opens
On Sept. 8, 2008, the new state-of-the-art $63M Springfield High School opened. It is the last part of a $195M schools facility project for Springfield City Schools, and it's anticipated to be the largest completed project for 2008, with 17 new schools total. Tecumseh Local Schools had the largest completed project in 2007 with its $89M project. Combined with increases in state report card ratings across the county (including 4 out of 7 excellent ratings), the innvoative small schools concept, and the international baccalaureate, the future of our students is bright.
>>>View photo gallery from Springfield News-Sun
Eagle Receives $2M For High-Tech Steel Project
Founded in 1939 in Springfield, Ohio, Eagle Machine & Tool operates out of a 95,000 sf complex with 108 employees in Springfield and another 65 in Cleveland. Eagle does work in the commercial and military aerospace industry as well specialized machinery and and specializes in the manufacture of high-strength critical components for aircraft landing gear systems. The US House just approved $2 million for Eagle to develop corrosion-resistant and ultra-high strength steel for landing gear. The company made headlines earlier this year as one of four contractors to win a $1.5 billion contract with the Air Force. Eagle does $20 million with the Air Force currently.
>>>Read article on earlier $1.5 billion deal
SpringfieldEdge Issue 3 - September - 2008
New $10M Avetec Facility to Open This Month
Springfield-based Avetec is a research firm specializing in modeling and simulation for jet turbine engines as well as supercomputing. Construction began on Avetec's new, $9.9 million, 37,000 sf facility in October 2007. Located in the new 250-acre Nextedge research and technology park, the building reflects the Prairie-style architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, whose most famous and best restored prairie house in the midwest is also located in Springfield. The Wescott House itself underwent a $5.5 million renovation in 2005 and has had 30,000 visitors since then.
Macro International Expanding Again
Macro International, a research and information company headquartered in Calverton, Maryland, announced in March its intention to locate its new teleresearch facility in Springfield, Ohio. After visiting the facility the past two weeks to survey progress, Vice President Mike McCarns, said things are going so well, they will grow more quickly than anticipated, hiring 165 by Q1 of 2009. "We have no problems in staffing. People (applicants for their jobs) are pouring in, and the quality is really high. We love Springfield."
>>> Article on March announcement
$230M Hospital Project Moving Forward
The new state-of-the-art, high-tech Springfield Regional Medical Center hospital is scheduled to break ground on October 10 at 10:00 a.m. at the corner of Plum and North Streets in downtown Springfield. The new 255-bed, 475,000 sf facility will have the latest in imaging technology, open heart surgery, among other things and will serve the greater Springfield area, including parts of Madison, Greene, and Champaign counties. Demolition on the project started in April, and the new hospital is slated to open in 2012.
Assurant Saves $500k Through Training
Clark State was able to provide Green Belt 6 Sigma training to the Assurant Group's Springfield operation which saved them $518,000 in operational cost. The program was so successful that Clark State will provide this training for Assurant nationally, including facilities in South Carolina and California. Clark State was also able to help Assurant obtain a Targeted Industries Training Grant to pay for half of the training cost. Assurant built their 150,000 sf, $20 million complex in Springfield in 2002 and now employs over 1500 people.
>>>Clark State's Six Sigma Training
EMA Moving to Springview
Clark County finalized last week the decision to move the Emergency Management Agency into the Springview Government Center. A tuberculosis hospital in the 1930s and a mental health facility in the 1960s, the 90,000 sf structure was purchased in 2005 by Clark County for $1. After a $5.5 million renovation, the county has created a "beautiful asset for the county and its citizens" while increasing operational efficiency and customer service, according to Deputy Administrator Nathan Kennedy. Thus far, 6 county operations have been consolidated into Springview.
>>>Springview Renovation Project
SpringfieldEdge Issue 2 - August - 2008
Transeo Cuts Ribbon on New Headquarter Facility
On July 25, Transeo Global Vehicle Systems, one of the world's leading companies in the armored car and cash-in-transit vehicle business, cut ribbon on their new 50,000 sf headquarters and manufacturing facility in New Carlisle, Ohio (Bethel Township). In the last year, the company has double its space, sales, and employees (now exceeding 70). The Chamber assisted Transeo obtain a $50,000 Ohio Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.
Woeber Mustard Plans $5M Expansion
One of the largest privately owned mustard and condiment manufacturers in the US, Woeber Mustard, is planning on breaking ground on a new $5 million warehouse project. The company is headquartered in Springfield and expects to hire 15 more people in the first year. Woeber is also a strong exporter and is now the leading private-label yellow mustard in England.
Learn More>>
New Primeohio 2 Industrial Park Planned
The Chamber is pleased to report that all of the options have been secured for Springfield's new industrial park, PrimeOhio II, a $7+ million project designed to provide over 200 acres of prime industrial sites, adjacent to I-70 (at SR 41 exit), with flat topography, rail, square sites, and infrastructure. The park is the successor to PrimeOhio I, which is now full. Contact David Zak at 937.325.7621 for more information.
Environmental Tech Incubator Comes to Springfield
At the grand opening of the Mills-Morgan building at the 250-acre high-tech Nextedge park on July 11, Nextedge President Ray Hagerman announced that Central State University will be leasing 5,000 sf for their National Environmental Technology Incubator at Nextedge. Another part of the incubator will be at Clark State's Brinkman campus downtown.
Resource Highlight: key4women
With the growth of women in business and women-owned businesses today, there is an even greater need for sound, credible financial advice to help accelerate the success of those women and their companies. That's why there's Key4Women -- a program from KeyBank focused on providing women business owners the information, tools and financial resources needed to help improve and enhance their business.
Learn More >>
SpringfieldEdge Issue 1 - July - 2008
Konecranes To Double North American Headquarter
The $2 billion Finnish giant is one of the world leaders in cranes and hoist equipment, and its North American headquarters is located in Springfield, Ohio, where it employs 151 people. Last month, Konecranes announced a $3.6 million investment last month, which will double the size of their administrative and training facility as well as establish a new data center. 34 new, high-wage jobs will be created as a result of the project. Learn More >>
Sutphen Announces Expansion, 30 Jobs
The oldest fire fighting truck and apparatus manufacturer in the US announced a $1 million expansion of their manufacturing and service operations in northern Clark County, where they employ 71. Founded in 1910, they rank in the top four and are the largest privately held company in the industry. Sutphen will be adding 30 people. Learn More >>
Spectra-physics Locates In Nextedge
Newport Corp.'s Spectra-Physics Laser division will establish an R&D facility in Springfield that will work with Wright Patterson Air Force Base to develop lasers to be used for advanced inspection of microelectronics and semiconductors. Springfield's Nextedge Applied Research and Technology Park is a 250-acre research zoned, with the most environmental planning of any park of its kind.
Southwest Landmark opens $5.4M Plant
Agribusiness is alive and well in Clark County, as Southwest Landmark held an open house for their 50,000 square foot fertilizer facility that can hold up to 40,000 tons of dry fertilizer that will be used to produce custom fertilizers and warehouse them. Landmark is a farmer-owned supply and grain cooperative with 8,000 members and $200 million in sales.
