$40K will be spent to look at challenges facing Urbana, county’s 3 villages
“We want development to occur where there is available or nearby infrastructure. We are an agricultural community and we want to be able to preserve agricultural land as well,” she added.
The study will cost $40,000, and it will be paid for with funds set aside by Champaign County commissioners to be used for economic development, Bailey said. The study aims to compare municipalities in the county to others in the state that are tackling similar problems such as aging housing stock, a fair number of blighted properties and limited land for new housing developments. Bailey said the study will be similar to the one recently conducted in Springfield that looked at what the city could do to attract new housing opportunities. The Comprehensive Housing Market Analysis for Springfield was released in August and made six major recommendations to city officials. Those recommendations included playing into preexisting assets, continued focus on downtown revitalization and rehabbing existing housing stock. Bailey said her organization is looking to do the same in Champaign County and wants to use the findings of their study to make the area more marketable to developers. She said that includes looking at what new housing options would work best in the county, whether that would be smaller single family homes or loft apartments in recently renovated buildings. “One of the big things that we are looking at right now is what type of housing is in demand,” she said. “We are seeing more loft apartments in downtown Urbana for example. We want to continue that trend.” Bill Bean, the mayor of Urbana, said his city is landlocked and there is not much land available to develop new single family homes. He said, instead, some property owners in downtown Urbana are turning the second and third stories of their buildings into loft apartments. “Instead of growing out, we are growing up,” he said. Bailey said in the city’s Monument Square, she estimates 10 loft apartments and says more are currently being developed. However, the city’s last major housing development was completed in the early 2000s. The subdivision known as Parmore Estates, on the eastern edge of the city, consisted of 90 single family lots as well as two condo sections of 20 lots each, according to its developer Bill Parker, who is the president of Par-Mee Development Corp. He is currently working on a subdivision called Park Place of Urbana. The first phase of that project will consist of 13 small, patio/single family homes along Powell Avenue, which is expected to be completed in the next two years, Parker said. Bean said, however, land for new housing developments can be hard to find in the city. He said it depends on whether property owners are interested in selling their property or are working with a developer. “In order for us to grow, we need to get developers to look at us. We need to let them know what we have to offer,” he said. Bean said he believes the housing study will be a good tool for future development not only in Urbana but also in the county as a whole. Greg Kimball, the mayor of Mechanicsburg, said his village has similar housing problems such as the lack of available land for new developments and a limited number of developers operating in the area. He said there is also a fair number of nuisance properties in the village. Kimball said he hopes the study will help them work around those issues as the village hopes to reassess its housing stock while working to increase property values. Contact this reporter at 937- 328-0355 or email [email protected]. BY THE NUMBERS 38,754 Estimated population of Champaign County in 2018, according to U.S. Census Bureau 4 Number of cities and villages in Champaign County that will be examined as part of the housing study $40,000 The cost of the housing study, which is expected to be completed in January CONTINUING COVERAGE The Springfield News-Sun has provided extensive coverage of housing and employment issues in Clark and Champaign counties, including recent stories on wages, job opportunities and a recent housing study conducted in Springfield.
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The Dayton, Ohio area is expanding and getting a new area code. As the area’s number-one provider for telephone service in Champaign County, CT Comm wants to make sure that local residents remain informed regarding the new change.
Area code 937 has covered Bellefontaine, Dayton, Fairborn, Hillsboro, Marysville, Preble County, Springfield, Wilmington, Urbana, Xenia, and areas both north and east of Cincinnati since 1996. With Dayton, Ohio and surrounding areas expanding, the current area code is no longer able to accommodate the population’s need for unique number combinations. To address this, a new area code is being added: 326. The new area code, 326, which spells out “DAO” (as in Dayton, Ohio) on a traditional keypad, is scheduled to provide overlay for the 937 area in early 2020. On February 8, 2020, traditional seven-digit calling will no longer be available and callers will have to dial ten digits to make a call. The change is expected to take place in a series of steps, with completion anticipated for January 2020. A transition period is expected to begin August 10, 2019 with mandatory 10-digit and 11-digit dialing going into effect February 8, 2020. March 8, 2020 is the earliest that new numbers will be activated using the new 326 area code. All local residents should be aware of the following:
Individuals, families and businesses can be assured that the new 326 area code is recognized as valid in the following areas: automatic dialing equipment applications software any other types of equipment (as applicable) life-safety systems fax machines Internet dial-up numbers alarm and security systems gates ankle monitors speed dialers mobile phone contact lists call forwarding settings voicemail services (and any similar functions) business stationery advertising materials personal checks personal or pet ID tags medical alert devices Please note: Any needed reprogramming of alarm and home security equipment should be done between August 10, 2019 and February 8, 2020. CT Comm is available to answer any questions you have regarding this upcoming transition. Please feel free to call our Champaign County office at (937) 653-4000, option zero for CT Comm Customer Service. Additionally, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio offers extensive information regarding the overlay plan. You can learn more by visiting this page. Contact Emily Huffman Customer Service & Sales Manager CT Comm Phone: (937) 653-4000; Email: [email protected] About CT COMM CT Comm (www.ctcomm.net) is an Internet and network solutions provider that services businesses and residential customers in Champaign County. Established in 1898 as the Champaign County Telephone Company, CT Comm is the second-largest independently owned telecommunications company in the United States. CT Comm is committed to the innovation and strategic implementation of products and services that are relevant, critical, and valuable to the needs of local individuals, families, and businesses.
“I’m from here, and I got my first haircut in this shop,” he said. “It was available for rent and I guess I just always had an interest in cutting hair in my hometown. I had a successful shop in Troy and I just handed it over to a guy I worked with and moved home.” October is National Manufacturing Month
“We are fortunate to have such diversity of manufacturing in Champaign County,” said Marcia Bailey, CEP Director. “We want our young people to understand the career choices that exist in manufacturing and having this opportunity helps them gain first-hand knowledge. We have approximately 3,700 people working in manufacturing in our community and many companies are looking for skilled employees.”
Last year, the CEP, Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, Urbana University, and manufacturers from around the area created the inaugural Champaign County Design Challenge. After a successful first year, the design challenge is returning. For the second year in a row, approximately 90 students from Graham, Mechanicsburg, Triad, Urbana, and West Liberty-Salem are participating. The student teams were challenged to design a mousetrap race car within a series of criteria and constraints under the guidance of an industry mentor. Each school participating can have up to four teams with five students and is open to middle or high school students. For the challenge, the mousetrap car must include five simple machines and four wheels with the goal of the car going 20 feet. The teams cannot purchase or 3D print materials. The mentors for the teams are Steven Brandeberry from JWP, Zack Zizzo and Stephen Oser from Orbis, Mike Wagner from Navistar, Colin Turcu, Hayden Gephart, and Ethan Hess from KTH, Jeff Helman from Rosewood Machine and Tool, Jacob Schmitt from Ultra-Met, Dan Yohey from Rittal, Tyler Bumbalough from the Urbana City Engineering division, and Steve McCall from Champaign County Engineer. “The goal of the design challenge is to expose students to local manufacturers, interact with professionals, and use their creativity to complete a project,” said Allison Koch, Ohio Hi-Point Satellite Supervisor. “The groups are being judged on their collaboration and their ability to explain their successes and challenges.” The teams compete at their school district and the winning team from each school district advance to the countylevel competition held at Urbana University on November 1. All participants are invited to listen to the finalists present each team’s design to the judges. During the event, students are also able to participate in a tradeshow with local manufacturers. “Design thinking happens at the intersection of art and science. Designers direct our lifestyle, create our products, and shape the environments where we live, work, and play,” said Dr. Christopher Washington, Executive Vice President and CEO of Urbana University. “Urbana University is proud to host the Champaign County Design Challenge event for young designers in our region.” The Champaign County Design Challenge trophy is currently housed at last year’s winning school, Triad High School. For more information about manufacturing programs for students, please visit www.ohiohipoint.com or www.urbana.edu. Story by By Hasan Karim-Staff Writer at Springfield News-Sun
Photo from Urbana Daily Citizen The developer of a proposed wind farm in Champaign County no longer has the certificates needed to build the project. Attorneys representing the Buckeye Wind LLC and Champaign Wind LLC projects asked the Ohio Power Sitting Board to relinquish certificates that were approved for those projects nearly a decade ago. They also asked to withdraw any pending amendments filed since then. “From our standpoint, the cases are all closed now and the company no longer has the certificates to construct those facilities,” said Matt Butler, a spokesperson for the board. The request to relinquish those certificates was filed in September and was approved by the OPSB shortly after. The push to build wind turbines in Champaign County has been controversial and has sparked nearly a decade of debate between residents and county officials. State officials first approved a certificate allowing the wind farm to be built in March 2010, according to documents filed with the OPSB. However, it included several conditions such as that the original certificate would expire if construction did not begin within five years. An extension to that certificate was approved in 2014. The Champaign County project was split into two separate phases called Buckeye Wind and Champaign Wind. The projects were first proposed by Everpower, a company whose holdings were recently acquired by Innogy, a German energy company. Click here to read full article on Springfield News-Sun. The Cobblestone Hotel is starting to take shape. Concrete was poured early Friday morning, and on Sunday, the framing crew started. Floor joists are coming this Thursday. The goal is to have this totally framed by Thanksgiving.
The three-story, 54-room hotel is being built at intersection of 68 & 55 on the south end of Urbana. The project is expected to be completed by May of 2020. Click here to learn more about the project and what it will mean for Champaign County! Longtime Springfield business expanding, as it has large customer base in Champaign County city
“Wallace and Turner has always had a large customer base in Urbana and it continues to grow, so it was a natural decision to open a second location there,” said Patrick Field, a partner with the insurance agency. “We want to make the insurance process as simple as possible for clients and having a physical presence will make it even more convenient for them to stop in and ask questions or update their policy.”
Wallace and Turner has operated locally in Springfield since 1870 and provides personal and commercial coverage, according to a news release sent this week. The agency is also a long-standing member of Associated Risk Managers International, Keystone Insurers Group, Trusted Choice, Ohio Insurance Agents Association and Independent Insurance Agents Association, both in Ohio and nationally, the release said. “The office addition demonstrates Wallace & Turner’s continued commitment to providing the best services we can to our surrounding communities,” said P.J. Miller , a partner with Wallace and Turner. “Our agency is deeply invested in supporting our clients, their families and businesses, and we look forward to expanding our relationships throughout Urbana.” Contact this reporter at 937-328-0355 or email [email protected]. Lt. Governor Jon Husted today announced the launch of TechCred, a program that connects businesses with the talent they need and gives employees the ability to earn industry-recognized, technology-focused credentials, better preparing them for a job in today’s advanced, technology-infused economy.
Through TechCred, businesses can identify the specific qualifications they need and employees they want to upskill toward a more advanced position. In partnership with a training provider, the employer can apply online at TechCred.Ohio.Gov. The state will reimburse up to $2,000 of training upon completion of a credential. An initial list of eligible credentials is provided, but employers can request a credential be added to the eligible list by submitting an application for TechCred to be reviewed by a panel of stakeholders. The online application period opens October 1, 2019. TechCred is a competitive, merit-based program. TechCred fulfills a commitment made by Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted to fund the completion of 10,000 microdegrees each year in order to aid in closing the skills gap for growing technology jobs.
“(The developer) has indicated to us if they’re able to secure that grant, then they can move forward toward a closing to this project,” said Doug Crabill, Urbana’s community development manager.
Crabill, as well as Marcia Bailey, director of Champaign County Economic Development, have been working with Flaherty & Collins Properties, a developer based in Indianapolis that has expressed interest in the project, to secure the funding for “Legacy Place.” The project would convert the Douglas Hotel, as well as the former North and South Elementary Schools in Urbana, into affordable senior apartments. Click here to read full article on SpringfieldNewsSun.com. A unique celebration right here in Champaign County! Join Urbana University and The Johnny Appleseed Museum for a birthday celebration on Thursday, September 26th from 4-6pm in Browne Hall.
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