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CITY OF FAIRFIELD
Quarterly Development Newsletter
Second Quarter 2023

Nth Cycle Innovating in Fairfield
A cutting-edge company involved in electric vehicle battery manufacturing has selected Fairfield for the first location in a planned national network of metal refining operations. This new facility will be the first in the United States to recycle and refine high-purity critical metals, such as nickel and cobalt. Currently, these materials are primarily sourced overseas and manufacturers have prioritized strategies to onshore sourcing of these precious metals. 

Mayor Rhodus and other local officials joined the company for an official commissioning of the facility in late June. The 21,000 square foot facility is located on Le Saint Drive. Once fully operational, the business will employ a highly-skilled workforce and partner with surrounding industries to source materials.

Read more in Bloomberg News.
Grant Awarded for Railroad Crossing Planning
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently announced a $3 million grant to support planning and project development activities related to the CSX railroad crossing on Symmes Road. The grant comes from the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program, a new program established in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. FRA announced 63 projects in 32 states for funding during the fiscal year 2022 round, including one other project in Ohio.

The planning work is expected to take several years and includes completing development work for a proposed grade separation—likely an overpass—at the Symmes Road crossing and performing a feasibly study for closing the North Gilmore Road crossing. Both crossings are skewed upon approach, which limits visibility for drivers, and both average more than 40 trains a day.

The Butler County Transportation Improvement District submitted the funding application on behalf of the City. The application outlined multiple benefits, including those related to safety, reliability, congestion, and rail operations. As an important industrial corridor, a potential overpass would be beneficial to both truck traffic and community workforce destined for the more than 36,000 jobs located within three miles of the Symmes Road crossing.
Study Confirms Competitive Utility Rates
Each year, the City participates in a survey that analyzes water and sanitary sewer rates of communities throughout Southwest Ohio. Sixty-five jurisdictions participated in the 2023 study, which was released by the City of Piqua Utilities Department earlier this year. The study found that Fairfield’s combined water and sewer rates were the 14th lowest among providers that participated in the study, placing Fairfield in the top 25% of lowest-cost utility providers in Southwest Ohio.

The City is continually investing in water and sewer infrastructure to ensure that the system remains in a state of good repair and can accommodate business and residential growth. A significant and highly-visible improvement is currently underway with the construction of a sixth water tower on Port Union Road. When complete, the 1.25-million-gallon water tower will rise 170 feet and help to meet the current and future demands of industrial customers on the east side of Fairfield.  
Port Union Water Tower Construction
LEFT: Assembly of the steel tank on the ground
RIGHT: Tank lifted atop the concrete pedestal
Fairfield Career Fest Returns for Second Year
The second-annual Fairfield Career Fest event returned to Fairfield High School in April. The one-day event featured nearly 50 area companies and educators with interactive exhibits, all with a goal to expose students to career opportunities in the Fairfield community. Approximately 1,500 juniors and seniors visited with companies throughout periods of the school day.

Companies highlighted both near-term job opportunities that students could seek for the summer or immediately upon graduation, as well as future career opportunities that may require additional training, education, or experience to attain. The students were highly-engaged and learned about careers across a variety of industries, including manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, and public service.

To learn more about the day, watch this video produced in partnership with the Fairfield Community Foundation:
Riegert Square Construction Underway
Construction began in late May on the planned improvements to Riegert Square, the commercial strip on the east side of Pleasant Avenue spanning roughly from Lindenwald Station to Little Caesars Pizza. The City has finalized agreements with all property owners to establish the necessary structure, easements, and permissions to complete the project. Fairfield City Council awarded the primary construction contract to Barry L. Brown Paving using funding from the City’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Major completion is expected prior to the end of 2023.

Once complete, the 15 access points from Pleasant Avenue will be consolidated to four major driveways. The City plans to install improved sidewalks, landscaping, pedestrian lighting, and new ground signs parallel to Pleasant Avenue, creating a greatly-improved streetscape. This project is expected to make Fairfield’s Town Center safer for autos and pedestrians, as well as a healthier location for business and job growth. 
To see the full set of project renderings, click here.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Coming to Route 4
A smoothie chain with roots to the panhandle of Florida is coming to the Route 4 corridor. The new shop will be located at 6775 Dixie Highway in the small shopping plaza located between Starbucks and Caruso’s, just south of Seward Road. 

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is well-known for smoothies, but the shop also has a full menu of food including sandwiches, flatbreads, wraps, bowls, and breakfast items. The Fairfield location is owned by Roma and Suresh Patel, former Fairfield residents who operate nearly 20 locations throughout the Cincinnati region.
Third Quarter Business Roundtable Planned
Please RSVP for the free event. Click here to register.
Cincinnati Financial Earns Energy Designation
Fairfield-based Cincinnati Financial Corporation, parent company of The Cincinnati Insurance Companies, recently received Energy Star certification for its office campus on South Gilmore Road. Cincinnati Financial Corporation’s headquarters is the largest building in Greater Cincinnati to earn this designation.

Energy Star certification, a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, represents verified superior energy performance over a 12-month period. Energy Star certified buildings cause 35 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than typical buildings.
Business Spotlight Video Series
The Fairfield Business Spotlight video series highlights new and expanding businesses, new development projects, and other economic development news across Fairfield. The series recently visited Oscar Station at Jungle Jim's International Market.

To see past and future videos, follow the City on social media or visit the City website.
Other Recent Openings & Projects Underway
PROPERTY HIGHLIGHT:

Fairfield Crossing

Located at the intersection of Bypass 4 and Port Union Road, Fairfield Crossing is a newly-constructed industrial building with 72,373 square feet still available for lease. Developed by ProLogis, the building offers 32’ clear height ceilings, 15 dock doors, 1 drive-in door, 6” steel reinforced slab, and ample parking. Colliers has the property listed for lease.
 
Learn more by clicking here.
How can we help?

The Development Services Department is here to support both new and existing businesses in the City of Fairfield. If we can be of assistance, please contact Nathaniel Kaelin, Economic Development Manager, at 513-867-5345 or nkaelin@fairfieldoh.gov.
Follow #FairfieldOhioDevelopment
on the City's social media accounts: