CITY OF FAIRFIELD
Quarterly Development Newsletter
Second Quarter 2020

Fairfield Businesses Involved in COVID-19 Response


In this time of global pandemic, Fairfield businesses are rising to the occasion to produce needed resources for the COVID-19 response. A few examples include:
  • Calvary Industries adapted its operations to make and donate hand sanitizer and other sanitizing products

  • Clippard added a second shift to fill orders for electronic solenoid valves, which are used to assemble hospital ventilators

  • Frank's Glass manufactured custom glass and plexiglass partitions for office, medical, retail, and other applications

  • Hamilton Casework Solutions expedited orders for healthcare clients, such as producing 100 lockers for the Cleveland Clinic in just one week

  • Honeymoon Paper Products produced disposable face shields, including customized shields sold at Jungle Jim's International Market

  • Tedia Company increased production of its high purity solvents that are used in the testing, treatment, and research efforts for the virus

Many Fairfield companies continued to operate as essential businesses during Ohio’s stay-at-home orders, keeping portions of both our local and national economies open to serve critical needs. Now that most businesses have resumed full operations, unprecedented steps are being taken to keep workers and customers safe. While the full health and economic impacts of COVID-19 are difficult to predict, we appreciate the efforts of all the heroes throughout our community that are keeping us safe and our economy moving ahead.

Below: Valve production at Clippard
Mayor's Tour Reaches 36 Businesses

Fairfield Mayor Steve Miller launched a video tour in April to highlight local businesses during the COVID-19 situation. Video clips filmed at each business were posted on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and the city website. Local restaurants, shops, and other businesses each shared how they adjusted and found new ways to serve their customers during this unique health situation. To watch the videos, click here .

While the tour was able to spotlight 36 businesses across the city, Fairfield is fortunate to have many additional locally owned businesses. We encourage you to continue to support Fairfield’s local businesses as they work to sustain and rebuild their operations. 

Check out coverage of the Mayor's Tour from WCPO 9 News .

Below: Mayor Miller visiting Hot 'N Spicy Restaurant
Ohio Minority Micro-Enterprise Grant Announced

The Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA) announced the creation of a $5 million grant program to help businesses owned and operated by minorities and/or women in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible businesses can apply for grants of up to $10,000 per business. State-certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and/or women-owned businesses with state certification in the Encouraging Diversity Growth and Equity (EDGE) Program with up to $500,000 in annual revenue and 10 or fewer employees are eligible.

Cincinnati Financial Makes Fortune 500

The Fortune 500 list for 2020 includes Cincinnati Financial Corporation, which claimed the 400th spot. Increased revenues moved the company up from the 515th spot in the previous year’s list. Cincinnati Financial Corporation, parent to Cincinnati Insurance Company, is headquartered on South Gilmore Road and is the City of Fairfield’s largest employer.

Fortune’s annual list ranks the United States’ largest companies. Read more about the listing and other Cincinnati-area companies on the list via the Cincinnati Business Courier .
North Route 4 Market Study Wrapping Up

In late 2019, the City of Fairfield engaged Market Metrics, LLC to conduct a market study for the North Route 4 corridor, focused between Nilles Road and the corporate boundary with Hamilton. The purpose of the analysis was to evaluate demographic and economic data to understand development trends and strength of the local market.

The consultant is wrapping up the study and will present findings to Fairfield City Council in July. The results will provide insight for redevelopment, planning, zoning, and other general development initiatives in the corridor.
Survey Confirms Competitive Utility Rates

Each year, the City of Oakwood surveys communities in Southwest Ohio to analyze water and sanitary sewer rates. Of the 63 communities responding this year, the City of Fairfield boasts the 12th lowest combined water and sewer cost, based on 3,000 cubic feet of water usage in a three-month period. The competitive rates and reliable service provided by the city’s Public Utilities Department has helped the city to attract and retain manufacturing companies that use significant amounts of water and sewer during production.
New Restaurants Plan Opening

Fairfield will soon gain several new restaurants, offering both national chain and local food options:

  • A new Dunkin' restaurant has been approved for construction on South Gilmore Road, just south of the newly-opened Chick-fil-A

  • Sandwich Café, which had a previous location in Fairfield Township, has signed a lease at 690 Nilles Road and will open a new shop later this summer

  • Dreams BBQ plans a new barbecue restaurant at 6025 Dixie Highway, near the intersection of Route 4 and Roesch Boulevard
Construction Starting at Fairfield Commerce Park

Ambrose Property Group is finalizing plans and approvals to construct the first two speculative industrial warehouse buildings at Fairfield Commerce Park on Seward Road. The 137-acre industrial park, most recently owned by Liberty Mutual, is targeted for e-commerce, general distribution, and manufacturing firms.

The first two buildings will be built fronting on Seward Road and each contain roughly 250,000 to 300,000 square feet. The City of Fairfield worked with Fairfield City Schools and the developer to establish a performance-based tax abatement for the development in order to attract prospective tenants to the site.

Read more about the project in the Journal-News .
Save the Date for the Annual Chamber Dinner

The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce has tentatively rescheduled their 64th Annual Dinner event for the evening of September 9, 2020. Contact the Chamber for additional information and tickets as the date approaches.
Other Recent Openings & Projects Underway
PROPERTY HIGHLIGHT:

630 Commerce Center

Located just off Seward Road and Union Centre Boulevard, 630 Commerce Center offers 176,800 square feet for immediate occupancy. Constructed in 2018 by Becknell Industrial, the interior can be customized within the 260’ x 680’ footprint. The building has a clear height of 32 feet, 50’ x 50’ column spacing, 20 docks, 2 drive-in doors, a truck court, and 112 auto parking spaces. CBRE has the building 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 [email protected].
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