Newsletter: Wright-Patt opens gates for $250M investment

It’s tough to ask anyone to get excited about something called an “enhanced use lease.”

But at Synergy and Mills Development’s Beavercreek headquarters yesterday, there was a fair bit of excitement as a new local lease was announced.

An enhanced use lease, or “EUL,” is simply an opportunity to lease Department of Defense or federal land for businesses purposes.

Since we’re talking about property on or near some of the most important assets in the nation —near the nation’s biggest employer — it’s not an opportunity to be ignored, advocates say.

Wright-Patterson opens its gates for $250 million business development

The planned Convergence Research Center, shown in an artist's image. Dayton Development Coalition

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What happened: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is making 43 acres available for an “enhanced use lease,” a place for businesses to operate on federal land that will host what local leaders say will be a $250 million research center.

What this means: Supporters are talking about an expected $250 million in private investment, creating 2,500 new jobs, on 40-plus acres west of National Road. Proponents say it’s one of the biggest, most complex commercial deals in the Dayton area.

I am told: Parts of this property are behind the base fence while other parts are not.

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New owners of Russ Research Center plan changes

The Ohio University Foundation Board authorized the sale of Russ Research Center in November, at the same time the university is planning a digital design studio there. LONDON BISHOP/STAFF

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Take a ride eastward from Montgomery County into the rolling hills of Beavercreek Twp., and you may come across the Russ Research Center, a quiet enclave of innovation off Indian Ripple Road.

Fritz and Dolores Russ bequeathed the 29-acre property in 2008 as part of a $124 million estate gift.

Changes ahead: Now, Reporter London Bishop tells us of new zoning to turn the 60-acre industrial property toward new uses.

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Local farmer’s plans grow with his apple trees

Stephen Martinek of Sugarcreek Twp. planted six apple trees in 2015 on his farm. After nearly 10 years of learning and growing, he’s hosting his first public cider pour at Joui Wine in downtown Dayton on Feb. 16. NATALIE JONES/STAFF

Credit: Natalie Jones

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Credit: Natalie Jones

Stephen Martinek, of Sugarcreek Twp., planted six apple trees on his farm in 2015. After close to a decade of learning and growing, he will be hosting his first public cider pour at Joui Wine in Dayton Feb. 16.

A work in progress: Martinek said he experimented with gooseberries, black currants, red currants, catnip and spicebush before settling on cider apples.

“The apple trees is just what really stuck, because the doing of the thing brings us great pleasure,” Martinek said.

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JobsOhio names new exec for Advanced Air Mobility Center

Owen Flannery, an employee with the City of Springfield, cleans the electric vertical take off and landing aircraft that hangs in the lobby of the new National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence at Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

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The National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence in Springfield is busy and getting busier.

Now, the center has a new executive director.

Ted Angel, a veteran of the Dayton Development Coalition, is the center’s executive director, JobsOhio announced last week.

What they’re saying: “Ohio is establishing an entirely new end-to-end supply chain for the advanced air mobility industry, and we are at the forefront of integrating AAM aircraft into the national airspace system,” said JobsOhio President and Chief Executive J.P. Nauseef.

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RECALL: How Sinclair Community College is using the center and advancing the research.

Dayton Convention Center’s $45M overhaul: An update.

The Dayton Convention Center is nearly done with about $45 million worth of renovations to the downtown facility. Construction on the facility began in August 2022 and should wrap up by April. CORNELIUS FROLIK / STAFF

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Last year, I spoke with an organizer of the Air Force’s Life Cycle Industry Days, who had good things to say about the Dayton Convention Center’s ongoing renovation.

Now: Reporter Cory Frolik updates us on the $45 million overhaul of the convention center. Leadership says the refreshed facility already is attracting attention from event and convention planners.

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Contact me: As always, thank you for reading. Tell me about your business at tom.gnau@coxinc.com, on X (direct messages welcome), LinkedIn or at our Dayton Business page.

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Meredith Moss: On the art of living well.

Connecting workers to workplaces: Ohio has a grant for that.

Arch: Remembering fellow sports writer Marc Katz.

A trio of food businesses: Announce closures in quick succession.

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