City of Hamilton, OhioFourth Quarter 2014
In This Issue
New craft brewery Municipal Brew Works
Three businesses announced for Artspace
Hamilton recommended to receive $10 million from State for SHX
Private donor will fund the next phase of RiversEdge
Hamilton economic development efforts receive recognition
The Hamilton Mill announces partnership with Queen City Angels
Enforc Hygiene joins The Hamilton Mill
Market and deli slated to open downtown
New businesses open on Main Street
Neal's Cafe opens in German Village
Liferay recognized as a national portal leader
The Hamilton Mill announces technology upgrades
CNG station celebrates grand opening
Hamilton Utilities launches new energy efficiency program
IceFest returns to downtown Hamilto
Program highlight: Community Reinvestment Area
Property highlight
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New craft brewery Municipal Brew Works announces plans to open in downtown Hamilton 

The brewery will be located at The Hamilton Mill

 

Municipal Brew Works will occupy the space which formerly housed the City's fire department. Once the brewery's build-out is complete, it will immediately employ 12 people and will have estimated production yields around 2,500 barrels a year. The space will also include a tasting taproom. The new brewery expects remodeling of space to be finished in the spring of 2015.

Municipal Brew Works was formed by six founding partners, three of whom live in Hamilton; between them they constitute nearly 50 years of collective brewing experience. For more information, check out the Cincinnati Enquirer article here 
Three of the six founders of Municipal Brew Works

Three businesses announced for Artspace

Renaissance Fine Art Supplies, The Almond Sisters Bakery, and Unsung Salvage Design Company will open in the retail spaces

 

The three companies with local roots will move into the Artspace building in early 2015. Renaissance Fine Art Supplies is owned by Rick Jones, who is currently the Executive Director of the Fitton Center for Creative Arts, and Chris Jones. Hamilton natives and sisters Jenni Hubbard and Brandi Carder own The Almond Sisters Bakery which specializes in handmade artisan baked goods. Unsung Salvage Design is a local family business that creates custom furniture and accent pieces. There are a total of four retail spaces in the Artspace building.


Artspace Hamilton Lofts, an $11.8 million project developed by Minneapolis-based nonprofit developer Artspace and Neighborhood Housing Services, will create 42 artist live/work units, plus 3,000-square-feet of ground floor commercial space. Currently under construction, the building is expected to open in the spring of 2015.
 For more information, check out the Journal-News article here.

Artspace construction

Hamilton recommended to receive $10 million from State for South Hamilton Crossing Project

TRAC proposes funding to Southwest Ohio regional priority project


 The Ohio Department of Transportation's (ODOT) Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) met today to recommend funding for projects from throughout the State of Ohio.  The council members recommended $10 million dollars for the South Hamilton Crossing (SHX) project citing the significant impact the project will have improving transportation in the City of Hamilton and the region. SHX will replace an existing at-grade railroad crossing with a railroad overpass created by extending Grand Boulevard to the west. 

 

SHX is anticipated to have especially important benefits to Vora Technology Park, University Commerce Park, and Miami University-Hamilton, as it greatly improves transit access to these areas. In addition to the $10 million from the State of Ohio, SHX has received $2.45 million in funding from OKI Regional Council of Governments, $750,000 from the Butler County TID, $100,000 from the Butler County Engineer's Office, and is expected to receive an estimated $1 million from the railroad. The City of Hamilton anticipates contributing approximately half of the cost of the project. The total project cost is estimated to be $29 million.


 

For more information, please see the press release here.

 

Rendering of South Hamilton Crossing

Private donor will fund the next phase of RiversEdge

The donor has committed over $3 million for Phase II of the park

 

Thanks to a yet-to-be-named donor, Phase II of RiversEdge Park and Amphitheater in downtown Hamilton will move forward in 2015. RiversEdge is located on the former Mercy Hospital site and currently hosts the popular Summer Concert Series. Phase I, which included the amphitheater, overlook, and bathroom facilities, cost $3.8 million. Phase II is estimated at $3.6 million and Phase III is estimated at $1.3 million. The City of Hamilton worked with MKSK to develop a master plan for the site in 2014. More information and details on the Phase II design will be available early in 2015.

 

For more information, check out the Journal-News article here.



Hamilton economic development efforts receive international and state recognition

The City of Hamilton and The Hamilton Mill receive multiple awards

 

In October, the City of Hamilton and The Hamilton Mill accepted awards for their economic development efforts from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and from the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA). The City of Hamilton received the Gold Excellence in Economic Development award from IEDC for the 2013 Economic Development Annual Report in the Annual Report category for communities with a population between 25,000 to 200,000.  The City of Hamilton was runner-up in the Excellence in Economic Development Marketing category from OEDA for the Utilities Marketing Campaign. Additionally, Liz Hayden, Business Development Specialist for the City of Hamilton, received the Rookie of the Year award from OEDA. 


 
The Hamilton Mill received the Excellence in Economic Innovation award from OEDA and received the Bronze Excellence in Economic Development award from IEDC in the Green/Sustainable Development category for communities with a population between 25,000 to 200,000. Rahul Bawa, Chairman of The Hamilton Mill Board, was runner-up in the Excellence in Volunteerism from OEDA. 

 

For more information, check out the press release about the awards here.

Chris Lawson of The Hamilton Mill and Liz Hayden of the City of Hamilton with their awards from OEDA.

The Hamilton Mill announces partnership with Queen City Angels

Partnership will support local startups

 

In December, The Hamilton Mill and Queen City Angels announced a strategic partnership to provide complimentary services to the regional startup community. The partnership is a logical fit as it will provide a diversified portfolio of potential investment opportunities for Queen City Angels. In return, The Hamilton Mill will have access to Queen City Angels mentor members and other resources within the regional startup community. Queen City Angels was recently recognized by CB Insights as one of the top two private seed-stage venture capital investors in the country.

 
For more information on the Queen City Angels, please check out their website here.

Enforc Hygiene joins The Hamilton Mill

Company is developing a new handwashing system

 

In October, Enforc Hygiene joined The Hamilton Mill. Enforc is in the process of developing and marketing a revolutionary handwashing system that provides a certified path towards clean hands. The solution is ideal for numerous industries including healthcare, food service, and educational industries and teaches users how to properly wash their hands according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. To learn more about the Enforc Hygiene System click here. 

Market and deli slated to open downtown

The store will open in the former Elder Beerman building in early 2015

 

Hamilton couple Stephen and Sheri Jackson are opening Jackson Market and Deli, a 3,000 square foot market that will offer healthy grocery options. According to a Journal-News article, the market will supply freshly prepared deli sandwiches and salads, coffee, baked goods, and local organic produce from Hamilton Urban Garden Systems. They will also offer specialty diet items, including gluten-free and vegan options. Stephen Jackson's family has a background in grocery stores and Sheri Jackson has 20 years of restaurant and food industry experience.

 

For more information, please read the Journal-News article about the new market here.

Photo credit Greg Lynch, Journal-News
Photo credit Greg Lynch, Journal-News

New businesses open on Main Street

Secretly Shabby and Killian's Cupboard recently opened in the business district

  

Killian's Cupboard and Secretly Shabby both opened on Main Street in 2014. Secretly Shabby is located at 231 Main Street and sells jewelry, repurposed and repainted furniture, and a variety of other goods. The owner, Lisa Weaver, also hosts furniture painting classes at the store. Killian's Cupboard opened at 557 Main Street and sells repurposed furniture, custom furniture, and salvaged and antique items.

 

For more information, check out the Journal-News article here.

Chris Melcher, Jessica York-Melcher, and Ethan York of Killian's Cupboard. Photo credit Greg Lynch, Journal-News.

Neal's Cafe opens in German Village

Restaurant specializes in barbecue

 

Neal's Cafe opened at its new location at 202 North Third Street in the German Village neighborhood of Hamilton on December 1st. The restaurant is owned by Hamilton resident Mike Neal, who originally started selling sandwiches on a corner on East Avenue, according to a Journal-News story. Mike Neal's barbecue sauce, which is sold at area stores including Jungle Jim's and Kroger, will be manufactured in the basement of this location. For more information, please read the Journal-News article here.

Mike Neal, owner of Neal's Cafe. Photo credit Greg Lynch, Journal-News.

Liferay recognized as a national portal leader

Gartner places Liferay in their Leaders Quadrant 


 
Gartner, a leading information technology firm, named Liferay, which makes open source portal software, as a Leader in the Magic Quadrant for Horizontal Portals for the fifth year in a row. Liferay has improved its position each year. Liferay's national sales office is located in downtown HamiltonThe yearly publication from Gartner positions the major competitors in the portal market and Liferay is the only independent, open source company in the Leaders Quadrant. For more information, visit Liferay's website here and to review the Gartner report click here.

Liferay2
Liferay's downtown Hamilton office with Director of Sales Josh Asbury. Photo credit Journal-News.

The Hamilton Mill announces technology upgrades

The Hamilton Mill and CenterGrid have formed a partnership for upgrades

 

The Hamilton Mill, City of Hamilton, and CenterGrid have partnered to provide business grade fiber to the startup community at The Mill. In addition, there will be opportunities for client members at The Mill to work with CenterGrid on developing custom hosting packages that will significantly enhance their technology infrastructure. CenterGrid is based in Hamilton, Ohio and is the premier infrastructure hosting company to the mid-market. 


 

CNG station celebrates grand opening

It will be Greater Cincinnati's first public CNG station

 

The City of Hamilton is celebrating the opening of Greater Cincinnati's first public CNG station with a ribbon cutting on Friday, December 19th at 11 am. The ceremony will be held at the Hamilton Municipal Garage at 2210 S. Erie Highway adjacent to the new CNG Station. All are invited to attend. 

 

CNG is less expensive than gasoline, increases the time between maintenance, lowers emissions, and is safe - it is the same natural gas that heats homes. The City of Hamilton is confident CNG will be a great fuel option for residents and companies in Greater Cincinnati. For more information, please contact Mark Murray at murraym@hamilton-oh.gov or visit the website here.

Photo credit Jacob Stone

Hamilton Utilities launches new energy efficiency program

Efficiency Smart is available for all customer types


Hamilton Utilities is partnering with Efficiency Smart to offer a comprehensive energy efficiency program to Hamilton utility customers. Efficiency Smart will provide technical assistance and financial incentives, which allow for the implementation of energy-saving improvements, to Hamilton's homeowners, renters, small to medium-sized businesses, institutions, and large commercial and industrial customers. Efficiency Smart services will be available for Hamilton utility customers beginning February 2015.

 

Hamilton residents and businesses will have the opportunity to benefit from a variety of energy efficiency services through Efficiency smart, such as:

  • Rebates for energy-efficient products, discounts on energy-efficient lighting and financial rewards for recycling secondary refrigerators and freezers for residential customers. 
  • Rebates for more than 90 improvements for businesses with annual electric usage of 20,000 to 500,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh), including lighting and lighting controls, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, electric heating, food service equipment and compressed air and motors.
  • Tailored services with dedicated account management, customized financial incentives and technical assistance for organizations that use more than 500,000 kWh of electricity annually.

For more information about the services and financial incentives available to customers through Efficiency Smart, visit the website here or call 877-889-3777.


 

IceFest returns to downtown Hamilton

Festival will be held January 16th and 17th


This year's theme is Hamilton Goes Hollywood and the event will include the Technicolor Ice Walk, the Fire & Ice Event, the Competition Ice Carving, the Human Dog Sled Races on Courthouse Square, and more. 

Program highlight: Community Reinvestment Area

Program offers property tax abatements for residential and commercial properties


 Property owners can receive a tax abatement for investing in property improvements through the Community Reinvestment Area (CRA). CRA can be used city-wide for renovations of residential buildings and for the construction or renovation of commercial buildings. For more information, check out the website here. 

University Commerce Park

City-owned land near Miami University Hamilton and Vora Technology Park

 

The newest of Hamilton's business parks, University Commerce Park is home to 60 acres of undeveloped land across from Vora Technology Park and Miami University Hamilton, and a mile from downtown. University Commerce Park holds very exciting development potential, and a planned transportation improvement project will drastically improve access to the site. For more information, check out the brochure here.

 

Need assistance from the City?

Contact the Business Development Team

 

The City established the Business Development Team to make investing in Hamilton easier for current and future business owners. The Team focuses on assisting retail and commercial development. It is a single point of contact that coordinates between all necessary departments to help businesses from the first inquiry until the issuance of final occupancy. To contact the Business Development Team, call 513-785-7070 or email startmeup@hamilton-oh.gov.

 

Contact: Jody Gunderson, Director of Economic Development  
345 High Street, Hamilton, Ohio    
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                                      513-785-7070 
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