News & Information.
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SpringfieldEdge
SpringfieldEdge Issue 13 - October - 2009
Expansions + Projects
In the middle of a difficult economy, there is still a lot of good news, from a research lab expansion by pump giant Moyno to Red Roof Inn doubling the size of the North American Contact Center. You can always check out our updated project list for the latest totals.
Resources for Business
A call from a colleague prompted me to get the nitty gritty details on how manufacturers get sales tax exemptions for equipment. I uncovered a lot of good information (a lot of things are covered), made the form easy to get (simple link), and tell you how to fill it out. Iris Cooper, the Director of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Division of the Ohio Dept. of Development also stopped by to our HITS meeting, and we have video and slides of her presentation.
Chamber Initiatives
A Lot Of Expansions + Growth
There have been a lot of projects announced or underway at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, including the following:
There are many others, and we will continue to work on blogging and writing about them to keep you up-to-date on the latest developments.
Highlight On Resources
In the light of recent activity with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as well as changes in State programs, we are working hard to keep you up-to-date on the latest developments with incentives and programs. Here are some of the most recent resources we've reviewed:
Updating Properties On Market
We've begun putting profiles of our buildings and sites on our blog, with more complete information than has ever been available before. Properties we have recently profiled and which are on the market include:
HITS Continues To Set Records
The HITS program to help existing businesses continues to grow, as we set records for the number of businesses reached out to one-on-one, the number who have responded with their plans, and the number whom we have assisted. It's important to note for perspective that the last initiative to reach out to businesses prior to HITS in 2008 was the 2000/2001 initiative in which 70 businesses were met. Here are are numbers at the halfway point:
- Businesses reached out to 1-on-1: 576 (1,028 for 2008)
- Businesses responding: 443 (697 in 2008)
- Businesses assisted: 233 (305 in 2008)
- Value tracked: $560K ($1.4M in 2008)
We have also put information about HITS online - click here.
SpringfieldEdge Issue 10 - May - 2009
$15m Air National Guard Base Expansion
First reported on our Twitter on May 12, the Springfield Air National Guard Base broke ground on May 11 for two new buildings at a cost of $15M, including a 35,000 sf Armed Forces Reserve center. At the base, the 178th Fighter Wing (FW) of the Ohio Air National Guard occupies 113.6 acres of leased land on the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport. The mission of the 178th FW is to train future fighter pilots and occupies 8 administrative, 25 industrial, and 6 services buildings totaling approximately 336,330 square feet with 409 full-time personnel.
Benjamin Steel Consolidates, 20+ New Jobs
We spread the story on Twitter on May 13. Benjamin Steel is a steel-service center headquartered in Springfield, Ohio with other locations in Lima and Mansfield. They purchase large quantities of steel (carbon-based plates, shapes, bars and tube), process it (saw-cutting, shearing, oxyfuel, and plasma cutting) and sell it to large and small customers. It went public on May 12 that they would be bringing 21 jobs from Detroit to Springfield and retaining the 65 already here. The City approved the granting of a three-year 60% income tax credit worth $27,000.
New SBA ARC Loans Offer $35k to Help Biz
It hit Twitter and our Blog on May 19. From the SBA website: "ARC loans can be used to make payments of principal and interest, in full or in part, on one or more existing, qualifying small business loans for up to six months. ARC loans provide an immediate infusion of capital to small businesses to assist with making payments of principal and interest on existing debt. These loans allow borrowers to redirect cash flow from making loan payments to investing in their businesses, to help sustain the business and retain jobs. For example, making loan payments on existing loans with proceeds from an ARC loan can allow a business to focus more funds on core operations, such as buying inventory or making payroll."
Patt-McDaniel Takes Reins At ODOD
We broke the story as it happened on May 16 at Twitter. Interim Director of the Ohio Dept. of Development Mark Barbash stepped down from that role (but will still be Chief Economic Development Officer), and Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Director of the Workforce & Talent Division, was appointed Interim Director by Governor Strickland. I had the privilege of working several years with and for Patt-McDaniel at ODOD. She will do a remarkable job and brings a unique combination of people skills, business savvy and passion for service that will serve Ohio and communities like the Springfield metro area well.
>>Press Release from Governor's Office with Patt-McDaniel biography: http://tinyurl.com/og75m6
>>Columbus Dispatch article on resignation of Barbash: http://tinyurl.com/olvk79
Update on Hospital Projects
As we reported on Twitter on May 12, at the Minority Business Committee meeting, Danis Construction provided an update on the hospital: 60,000 cubic feet of rock has been blown, 4,000 cubic yards of concrete poured. The building looks to come out of the ground on July 1. The November 2010 time frame is still on track. Also, the new $14M Ohio Valley Medical Center surgeons' hospital is ready to go this month. Just this beautiful facility visited today.
SpringfieldEdge Issue 9 - April - 2009
Ohio Gets #1; Springfield #2 in Large Projects
Site Selection magazine, the most widely read publication in economic development, announced its Governor's Cup and metro area winners for 2008. They rank states and communities based on the number of private, non-retail, non hospital projects that meet at least one of the following criteria: at least $1M in fixed capital asset investment, 50 or more jobs to be created or 20,000 or more square feet in new construction. Ohio's 503 projects beat out Texas by 6. For metros between 50,000 and 200,000 in population--of which Springfield is one--we ranked second in the country with ten projects (Sioux City, IA was first).
>> Read story in Site Selection magazine.
>> Read story at Ohio Dept. of Development.
$3m+ US Xpress Project to Happen in Springfield
U.S. Xpress, part of U.S. Xpress Enterprises, the third largest privately owned truckload carrier in the US, announced last month that they would be establishing their new home off of Leffel Ln. in Springfield. The company expects to employ 60 at the complex and to support 350 drivers hauling across the country. The property has been acquired, and the project is expected to be completed this year. The company expects to have a payroll of $2.1M. The City of Springfield provided a 75%, ten-year Enterprise Zone tax exemption expected to be worth about $140,000 to the company over the term.
>> Read more in the Springfield News-Sun.
Springfield Brand Campaign Wins Award
The Springfield Chamber was proud to win the 2009 Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) award for the best economic development marketing campaign. The four-year campaign (so far) impressed the judges with how comprehensive, creative and collaborative it was. Springfield beat out other Lorain County, Portage County, and the City of Dublin among other finalists. The HITS retention and expansion program was also a finalist for Best Innovation in Ohio Economic Development.
$3.1 in Stimulus for Roads and Rail
On March 26, Governor Ted Strickland announced 149 projects that were slated to receive transportation funding from the stimulus package. They included $1.1 million for Springfield city streets, $390,000 for county bridges, and $1 million to the Westco Port Authority to rehabilitate track. The improvements in infrastructure will help greater Springfield businesses continue to move goods and people quickly and safely by road and rail.
>> Click here for a list of all Ohio projects.
>> Click here for the ODOT press release.
Healthcare Company Comes to Springfield
Dayton-area based Angel Hearts Home Care Companies employs 320 throughout the Dayton region and focuses on providing home health care. The company announced that it has plans to open a Springfield branch and has started hiring local health aides, STNAs, RNs, and LPNs to serve a very strong market demand. The first round of employee orientation was expected to begin in March.
>> Read article in Springfield News-Sun
SpringfieldEdge Issue 8 - March - 2009
Phygen Locates $3M R&D/MFG Facility
SpringfieldEdge Issue 8 - March - 2009SpringfieldEdge Issue 8 - March - 2009SpringfieldEdge Issue 8 - March - 2009
Minneapolis-based Phygen Coatings announced on February 23 that it was locating its new $3M Advanced Coatings and Applications Center in Springfield. The company has purchased and will renovate a 28,000 sf facility as well as hire 20 high-tech workers. The company received several incentives at the state, local, and federal level which made President Dave Bell finally decide for Springfield. Bell credits Congressmen Hobson and Austria as well as many others for his decision. "I'm very impressed with the team in Springfield," he said in a press release.
>> Read story in Springfield News-Sun
Bushnell Building Secures $5M Grant
The City of Springfield and owners Jim and Nike Lagos were successful in procuring a $5M Job Ready Sites grant through the Ohio Dept. of Development. The grant will create 75,000 sf of LEED silver certified office space in downtown Springfield. The building was built by former Ohio Governor Asa Bushnell in 1893 and 1901. Bushnell also founded First National Bank, which was later to eventually become National City Bank.
>> Read detailed account at Center City.
Buck Creek Corridor Project Makes Progress
As quality of life becomes a more and more important economic development factor, Springfield is positioning itself to become a destination for active workers. Construction of a new whitewater park should begin in July. It would remove lowhead dams and create navigable waterways on Buck Creek (connected to Buck Creek State Park), which goes through the middle of Springfield. Future additions will include parking, restrooms, extention of bike paths.
>> Read article in Dayton Daily News.
Clark State Trains Intelligence Personnel
At the request of the Advanced Technical Intelligence Center--a nonprofit based in Beavercreek, Ohio, Clark State Community College has developed a two-year program in Advanced Technical Intelligence (ATI) to equip workers to fill the need being created in our region by the recent BRAC gains. The program consists of training about the intelligence community, remote sensing, history, geography, math, chemistry, and physics. Short term concentrated certificates are also available in ATI. Students must be US citizens and be able to attain a security clearance.
>> Read more about the program.
>> Read more about ATIC.
SpringfieldEdge Issue 7 - January - 2009
2008 In Review: $81M and 1200+ New Jobs
We're pleased to report that even in the midst of the tough economic storm in 2008, there was some significant economic growth in Clark County and the greater Springfield area. 483 existing company projects accounted for most of the investment ($75 million) and new jobs (773), with highlight projects for 2008 including Konecranes, Sutphen, and Teikuro among others. Almost 5,000 jobs were maintained or retained by existing companies as well. 11 new companies also came to the area in 2008, investing $6 million and creating 503 new jobs, and included such companies as SelectTech, Transeo, Red Roof Inn, and Macro International.
>> Media coverage of projects: Konecranes/KCI, Sutphen, Teikuro, SelectTech, Transeo, RRI, Macro.
Quick Quotes to Double in Size
The company formerly known as Health Plan Network has announced it will continue to grow in Springfield as it moves its sales, administrative, and training support center to a new location on Limestone St., with the intention to double from 15 employees to 30 in the next six months. The company also has operations in Cincinnati and assists companies and individuals with their insurance needs. The companies customers are located in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
>> Read Springfield News-Sun article
Top Tourist Dairy Adds Cheese Manufacturing
With over 1.1 million visitors each year and consistently ranking first or second as the Dayton region's most popular tourist attraction, Young's Jersey Dairy is venturing into cheese manufacturing. Started in 1869 as a 60-acre farm, Young's has grown into a 130-acre complex including a working dairy farm, two restaurants, miniature golf, picnic facilities, a catering business, and constant activities for the kids and family. The cheese manufacturing project is expected to add new jobs and equipment, require a building addition, and serve retail, tourist, and restaurant needs. The project is slated for 2009.
>> Young's Jersey Dairy official website
Clark State has Nation's Top Community College Executive
Of all of the leaders of the over 600 community colleges in the US, Clark State President Dr. Karen Rafinski was selected by the Association of Community College Trustees to receive the National Outstanding CEO Award for 2008. Started in 1965 as Ohio's first chartered technical college, Clark State under Rafinski's leadership has experienced the largest and most rapid expansion of its history, including non-credit and credit enrollment of 7,600 students, two new state-of-the-art facilities, and a $12 million fund raising campaign. Clark State also ranks number one among Ohio's 23 community colleges in assets per student.
>> Read Clark State story
>> Read Springfield News-Sun article
SBA Makes Disaster Loans Available to Small Businesses
On January 13, the US Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it was rolling out an "injury disaster" loan program for non-profit and for-profit businesses affected by the July 1, 2008 flood that occurred throughout Ohio (including Clark, Champaign, Madison, and Green counties). Eligible small businesses and non-profits may qualify for loans of up to $2 million at 4 percent with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition. Businesses can apply online, call the SBA's toll-free number at 1-800-659-2955, or email the SBA at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
>> SBA's website for this program
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