Newsletter: What we can learn from Henny Penny, the small company that could — and did

If it’s Tuesday (and I’m pretty sure it is) that means it’s business newsletter day. Thank you once again for reading. If you want to tell me about your business, try me at tom.gnau@coxinc.com. If you want to tell someone how much you enjoy this newsletter, try rich.gillette@coxinc.com.

Many of my favorite companies had humble beginnings. The entrepreneurs who founded them either overcame obstacles or discovered unexpected dreams. Or both.

Henny Penny makes fryers and ovens in Preble County, and its origin story involves a small-town restaurant.

“We’re kind of a small company that’s gotten big,” is how Rob Connelly, Henny Penny executive chairman, recently put it.

How? By taking care of customers and employees.

Expanding Henny Penny enjoys sizzling rebound from pandemic

Rob Connelly, executive chairman of Henny Penny, gives guests a tour of one of the company's buildings off U.S. 35 in Eaton. THOMAS GNAU/STAFF

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Henny Penny is like a great book: Turn to almost any page in its history, and you’ll find a compelling story.

A small company: Connelly recently hosted visitors from the Dayton Daily News, recalling how the family-owned business became an employee-owned business.

That became big: And he recalled how the company — which established a downtown Dayton outpost not long ago — not only survived but rebounded from the pandemic.

Read the story.

Cities’ deal aims to add internet service options, businesses

Miami Valley Communications Council member cities Centerville, Kettering, Miamisburg, Moraine, Oakwood, Springboro and West Carrollton have approved a plan to contract with a business to market 17 miles of conduit in the council’s Gateway Fiber Network to internet service providers. NICK BLIZZARD/STAFF

Credit: NICK BLIZZARD/STAFF

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Credit: NICK BLIZZARD/STAFF

The completion of a fiber network will allow a south suburban group to market a section of that system to internet service providers for seven cities, Nick Blizzard has reported.

Connected: The Miami Valley Communications Council plans to sign a long-term deal to allow service providers in Centerville, Kettering, Miamisburg, Moraine, Oakwood, Springboro and West Carrollton to tap into 17 miles of strands and conduit in its Gateway Fiber Network.

Read the story.

Developer pulls Yellow Springs affordable housing proposal following delays, backlash

The Morgan Fields site is at the southwest corner of Dayton Street and East Enon Road on the west edge of Yellow Springs, on land currently used as soccer fields adjacent to Yellow Springs High School and Greene County Educational Service Center. Image from Google

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What happened: St. Mary Development Corp., the developer for a proposed affordable housing project off Dayton Street in Yellow Springs, has pulled its plans to apply for Ohio affordable housing credits, reporter London Bishop tells us.

Why it matters: The organization, with a partner, wanted $15 million in Ohio Low-Income Housing Tax Credits for one of two sites: the Center for Business and Education, about 20 acres at Dayton Street and East Enon Road, or Morgan Fields, a soccer field at the same intersection.

However: The Center for Business Education, first proposed last fall, is not zoned for residential uses, and would require the co-owners — the Village of Yellow Springs, Cresco Labs, and Antioch College — to come together to change the covenants of the property. And Morgan Fields is owned by Yellow Springs schools.

A contentious school board meeting last week saw members of the board and residents argue both for and against building housing on the school district property.

4 summer events slated at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

The Singing Sergeants are one of the six performing ensembles within The United States Air Force Band, the premier musical organization of the U.S. Air Force. Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., The United States Air Force Band honors those who have served, inspires American citizens to heightened patriotism and service, and connects with the global community on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the United States of America. CREDIT: U.S.A.F. BAND

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Get these on your summer to-do list.

Writer Alex Cutler explores the busy summer ahead at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

How to go: From blood drives to plane talks to singing sergeants — plus the amazing musuem itself, which always rewards repeated visits — it should be a great summer there.

Collaboration seeks to get folks to ‘Explore Cross Pointe’ businesses

Schlotzsky’s Deli, which had been a mainstay in the Cross Pointe Shopping Center for 20 years, has shut its doors. MARK FISHER/STAFF

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My wife and I were once Friday evening regulars at an Outback restaurant at the Cross Pointe Shopping Center.

That was a while ago. The site has changed considerably over the years.

Explore: “It has changed so much that many people don’t know what is there anymore,” said Charity Yingling, owner of C & C Studios Vintage & Paper Goods.

So, Yingling met with other business owners in the complex and started a new collaboration — Explore Cross Pointe.

Read the story.

Before you go: Read these, too.

Dayton National Cemetery Honor Guard: Could use the help of volunteers.

Breakfast in Brookville: We happen to know of a place for that.

‘I do not doubt her determination.’ Neither do I.

NATO Assembly headed to Dayton: For the first time.

PUCO allows higher AES Ohio charges: Here’s what to expect.

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