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Update on Spooky Nook Sports at Champion Mill
Progress toward sports complex continues behind the scenes
While much of it may not yet be visible to those passing by the site, a lot of behind-the-scenes activity is taking place to move the Spooky Nook Sports at the Champion Mill project forward. Spooky Nook Sports is focused on the preservation of the historic Champion Paper Mill, with a particular focus on the view and feeling of the buildings from B Street. The Spooky Nook team is currently working on obtaining Historic Registration from the State of Ohio and the National Parks Service and should know by the end of the year whether the Historic Registration efforts have been successful. During 2017, the City of Hamilton is focused on environmental remediation, as well as a plan for the relocation of B Street. All partners involved are excited and committed to moving the project forward.
Click here to view the video fly-through of the proposed complex!
City officials provided an update on the plans and progress of the project during Alive After 5 in June, including showing a fly-through of the planned space. Earlier this year, Spooky Nook's facility in Manheim, PA was recognized by Sports Events Magazine as
one of the top ten Multi-Use Sports Facilities in 2017.
Rendering of plans for Spooky Nook at Champion Mill
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Pipeline H2O Hosts Inaugural Demo Day
First Pipeline cohort presented their technology to a crowd of 100 in May
The Hamilton Mill hosted the
inaugural Demo Day for its Pipeline H2O program, which launched in September 2016. Pipeline H2O is a water technology commercialization program managed by The Hamilton Mill in partnership with a coalition of regional cities, utilities, universities, and startup organizations throughout the Greater Cincinnati region. The goal of Pipeline H2O is to bring investment and attention to Hamilton and the surrounding region as a place to develop technologies around water. The first cohort ran from February through May and consisted of six startups (selected from more than 60 applicants) that are impacting the world. On May 18, these six companies presented their breakthrough technologies and potential impact to an audience of over 100 investors, innovators, university representatives, and members of the
#StartupCincy community. After the presentations, two companies were selected by their peer companies in the program to receive $25,000 investments:
PowerTech Water and
Searen.
PowerTech has been making waves in other areas of the industry, as well. On May 9, they were selected to receive a $200,000 investment from Clean Energy Trust, a nonprofit clean tech accelerator based in Chicago.
Click here to read the press release from Clean Energy Trust.
A crowd of more than 100 investors, innovators, university representatives, and members of the #StartupCincy community gathered to see presentations from the first Pipeline cohort
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Hamilton Utilities Receives RP3 Diamond Status
Hamilton joins elite rank of utilities to earn highest honor from APPA
Hamilton Utilities earned the Diamond Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) designation from the American Public Power Association (APPA) in May for providing reliable and safe electric service. RP3 Diamond is the highest honor bestowed by the APPA, and Hamilton is one of only 43 utilities nationwide, out of more than 2,000, to receive the honor in 2017. Hamilton's Utilities are one of the City of Hamilton's greatest economic development assets. The fact that our utilities are both publicly owned and come largely from renewable sources makes us highly competitive when it comes to attracting and retaining companies which use a high amount of energy. The RP3 Diamond designation lasts for three years. Click here for more information about this award.
Jim Williams, Patrick Moore, and Dalton Marcum (middle three) accepting the APPA's RP3 Diamond designation on May 8
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Hamilton Officials Host Realtor Tour
Event shows realtors the future of Hamilton
The Economic Development Department partnered with the Chamber of Commerce for the second year in a row to host a Realtor Tour. This event invites realtors from around the region to visit Hamilton and learn more about Hamilton from local residents and business owners. Last year's event, which took place on July 14, featured a bus tour of Hamilton's neighborhoods followed by a reception at Municipal Brew Works. This year's event took place on June 29 and featured a virtual tour of Hamilton's neighborhoods via drone footage, a champagne reception at Artspace Lofts, and walking tours of High and Main Streets. Following the tours, a catered reception was held at Municipal Brew Works, where realtors were able to interact with the Hamilton community.
Realtors got to tour the Mercantile Lofts and the residential upper floors of Sara's House
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Downtown Business Update
The Central Business District and German Village have been growing
During the weekend of June 10, Municipal Brew Works (MBW) celebrated its one-year anniversary with live music, food trucks, and a special anniversary bottle release. MBW is the first brewery in Hamilton in almost a century, and has seen enormous success since it opened in early June of 2016.
ODW Logistics has once again been selected as a finalist on the Cincinnati Business Courier's Fast 55 list, which ranks the fastest-growing private companies in Greater Cincinnati. ODW is looking to hire approximately 30 more people in the near future, for a total of more than 80 employees.
Finally, two new businesses opened downtown over the past few months. R.I.S.E. Fit, now at 112 S Second Street, offers high intensity, low impact group fitness classes and personal training and celebrated its ribbon cutting on June 2. Ashlee Willis, a financial advisor with Edward Jones, opened her office at 350 N Third Street on June 8.
City officials pose with the CMC Properties and Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce teams
Photo credit: Greg Lynch, Journal-News
Ribbon cutting at Edward Jones office in German Village
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First SkillsCon Career Expo Takes Place
Manufacturing & construction expo brings attention to jobs in these fields
The
Workforce Investment Board of Butler, Clermont, & Warren counties (WIB | BCW) and
Easterseals Serving Greater Cincinnati hosted the first ever SkillsCon on June 7, a manufacturing & construction career expo & job fair. This event was created to raise awareness of the great job opportunities in these industries and to help job seekers become familiar with the types of skills and training needed to work at a manufacturing or construction firm. More than 50 employers and an additional 10 educational institutions from around the Greater Cincinnati area were represented at SkillsCon'17. Some employers hosted Career Zones, areas where job seekers could talk to recruiters while also trying their hand at skills such as carpentry. Job seekers could also take part in "Extreme Interview Makeovers", which consisted of a mock interview and feedback from a hiring professional to improve interviewing skills. Several of Hamilton's own organizations participated in the event, including
Darana Hybrid,
Interstate Warehousing,
Miami University Regional campuses,
United Performance Metals, and
Valeo Climate Control.
Click here to read more about Career Connection, the Easterseals & WIB program that provides young adults in the Greater Cincinnati area with resources to develop their careers.
Darana Hybrid was just one Hamilton company who took part in the very first SkillsCon
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Hamilton in the News
Revitalization efforts and successes continue to bring positive coverage
Hamilton continues to receive great coverage in both the region and the state. USA Today did a story about Butler County's Donut Trail, which included Hamilton's own Kelly's Bakery and Ross Bakery. The Greater Ohio Policy Center, a non-profit which promotes and advances sustainable development and growth practices in Ohio, called Hamilton the "poster child for successful downtown rebirth". This comment came after staff from the organization met with Hamilton officials to understand the hurdles and opportunities our city faces.
Many of our small businesses and organizations were also recently highlighted by Cincinnati Magazine in this Neighborhood Spotlight article, including True West Coffee, InsideOut Studio, the Fitton Center, Sara's House, and Municipal Brew Works. Another Cincinnati Magazine article highlighted how Hamilton has used art and artists to advance economic development goals.
True West Coffee on Main Street
Local artist Stephen Smith at InsideOut Studio
Photo credits: Devyn Glista, Cincinnati Magazine
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Revitalization on Main Street Going Strong
Main Street continues to change as new stores open
Main Street has seen an enormous amount of energy and change over the past year. In 2016, 11 new small businesses opened in the Main Street Business District. New businesses in 2017 include
HIP Boutique,
Main Street Vinyl, which celebrated its ribbon cutting at 227 Main Street on May 19, and
The Little Nail Shop, which had its soft opening on June 13 at 334 Main Street.
Sherry's Petals, which opened last fall, moved to a larger space on Main Street and re-opened on June 15, and Blades Salon has
recently changed ownership and will become Steel Magnolias in the near future. Finally, The Studio, a paint-your-own-pottery shop which opened last summer, was featured in
the statewide Ohio SBDC newsletter and in
this Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA) video about small business development in Hamilton.
Additionally, the
Main Street Area Association is hosting a summer event series to draw even more people to local shops and restaurants. Meet the Makers on Main took place in May and Art Hop on Main took place on June 16.
Superhero Saturday on Main will take place on July 15 from 12-4pm.
Sherry's Petals reopened in a larger storefront on Main Street on June 15
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Downtown Hamilton Activity in Summer 2017
Downtown Hamilton will be busy with many exciting events this summer
The second annual Dragon Boat Festival will take place later this summer on September 9 at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts. The festival will last from 8am-4pm and will consist of cultural activities facilitated by the Confucius Institute of Miami University as well as a series of boat races. Organizations and individuals interested in getting involved can sponsor a boat, volunteer, or participate in a race! Click here for more information on how to get involved.
View from the new Marcum Park
Photo credit: Ian MacKenzie-Thurley
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StreetSpark Adding Three New Murals Downtown
One mural already completed, two more to be completed this summer
The StreetSpark program through the Fitton Center for Creative Arts is adding its second round of murals to downtown Hamilton this summer, for a total of five murals on High and Main Streets. The first mural to be completed in 2017 was on the side of Clark's Sporting Goods at 15 S. B Street and depicts Hamilton native Joe Nuxhall, both as a young Cincinnati Reds pitcher in the prime of his career as well as later in life as a philanthropist and popular local figure. This mural has received a lot of positive attention since its completion in early June. A dedication ceremony was held on June 27.
The other two murals being painted this year will be on the side of the old Marshall Electric building at 212 Main Street and on the McDulin Parking Garage. Painting for both murals began earlier in June and is expected to be completed in July. Click here to read more about StreetSpark.
(Rendering)
(Completed) This mural of legendary Hamilton native Joe Nuxhall, designed by Paul Loehle, was completed on the side of Clark's Sporting Goods in early June
(Rendering)
(In progress) This mural was designed by Annie Hamel for the side of the old Marshall Electric building. Painting began on June 14
(Rendering)
(In progress) "Taking Flight", designed by Hamilton native Taylor Welch, symbolizes a city reaching new heights. Painting on the side of the McDulin Parking Garage began on June 5
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Property Highlight: 347 N. 3rd Street
This property is located on the newly renovated Third Street Plaza in Hamilton's historic German Village neighborhood. The 5,000 square foot building is ideal for a restaurant or retail space.
Click here for more information or contact Stacey Dietrich in the City of Hamilton's Economic Development Department at 513-785-7078.
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Now Hiring in Hamilton
Click the links below to apply to these positions today
Hamilton has a number of companies which are growing or expanding, and these companies are looking to hire a combined 1,000+ workers in the next several years. If you are interested in applying for a position with one of the city's growing companies, click on the links below.
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| 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@ci.hamilton.oh.us.
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