The committee decided which projects they would like to see funded and by how much. The next step is a vote by the County Commission, which usually approves the recommendations.
RELATED: Businesses plan nearly 550 new jobs in Dayton area
Eight local communities asked for more than $1.42 million to boost business moves within or to those communities. One problem: The county only had only a little over $1 million to offer in what the county calls the “ED/GE” (Economic Development/Government Equity) program.
But when the city of Dayton withdrew its request for $1 million to support the remaking of its historical downtown arcade, the landscape immediately changed.
MORE: 2017 year of record-growing stock market: What you need to know
“That should make this committee’s work just a little bit easier,” said Joe Tuss, county administrator.
Ford Weber, development director for the city of Dayton, said city staff wasn’t yet ready with projected construction costs and other preparatory work.
“This is a very complex project with historic buildings,” Weber said, adding: “This is our No. 1 economic development priority.”
A request from Dayton for the arcade will likely return in the ED/GE program’s spring funding round. Tuss said the county will have $2 million allocated for the program next year.
MORE: GE lays off 12,000: What we know about the local impact
Vandalia request $400,000 for MSW to help with renovations at 6161 Ventnor Ave.
MSW is an Ontario-based plastic extrusion company. The company was recently ranked No. 83 on a business magazine’s list of the fastest growing Canadian companies.
The project represents direct foreign investment in the Dayton area, much like Hematite in Englewood and Fuyao in Moraine, noted Chris Kershner, an executive with the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.
“I want to see more of those,” Kershner said.
Erik Collins said MSW is researching the local building, and he didn’t know if failure to get the full requested $400,000 would cause the company to look elsewhere.
Dan Foley, Montgomery County commissioner, suggested setting aside $300,000 for MSW, a number that was later bumped up to $320,000.
MORE: Cleveland investor acquires longtime Dayton manufacturer
Other ED/GE projects approved Friday, and the amounts those companies are slated to receive include:
N12Technologies Inc. was recommended to get $50,000 in a project that would create 10 jobs in Kettering. Also in Kettering, Northwestern Tools was recommended for $80,000 for a project that is expected to create 12 jobs and protect 25 current jobs.
The city of Centerville asked for $250,000 for Aeroseal, to create an expected 19 new jobs at the former Planet Ford dealership site on East Alex-Bell Road. The committee recommended $170,000.
In Huber Heights, the committee recommended $80,000 for Trimble, which wants to build a new workspace to facilitate testing and demonstration of products when the weather is poor.
Staco Energy Corp. was recommended for $150,000 for a $7 million project would create four new jobs and retain 62 existing ones.
A new Misumi USA distribution center in West Carrollton tied to Dayton Progress was recommended for $150,000. That project is expected to create 20 new jobs.
And in Harrison Twp., $75,000 was recommended for Staub Manufacturing Solutions, which wants to create six new jobs while retaining 28 current ones.
Since 2012, ED/GE-funded projects have created 4,718 new local jobs total — above the 2,058 jobs those employers had originally pledged — and retained 2,931 existing jobs, Collins said.
In that time, $6 million in ED/GE funding has resulted in $452 million in private investment in the Dayton area, he said.
About the Author
