CITY OF FAIRFIELD
Quarterly Development Newsletter
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Construction Activity at Record Levels
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The past two years have seen record levels of construction activity and investment across the City of Fairfield. During the years 2019 and 2020, the Building & Zoning Division recorded slightly less than $50 million in the estimated value of building permit improvements. In 2021, that number doubled to $99 million. Once the numbers were totaled up for 2022, the same number topped $199 million.
Commercial building activity has seen the largest growth increase, which is attributed to significant economic development projects including the expansions of Koch Foods and Pacific Manufacturing. A handful of speculative industrial developments are also contributing to this record activity.
Residential construction includes construction of new housing, home renovations, and minor residential improvements (fences, decks, etc.). There were eight new single-family homes completed in Fairfield last year.
Fairfield is fortunate to operate a full-service building division that is responsible for issuing building permits, reviewing and approving plans and construction specifications, and conducting required inspections throughout the construction process. The division issued 1,960 permits during calendar year 2022.
Estimated Value of Building Improvements
2018-2022
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Fairfield Chamber Names New President |
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After an extensive search process, the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce has named Peggy Emerson as the organization’s next President & CEO. Peggy is a Butler County native and a graduate of Miami University. She brings a diverse background with experience in education, government, non-profit management, and business. For the past decade, Peggy has successfully led two other Ohio chambers, serving as the President of Darke County Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director of the Paulding County Chamber of Commerce.
Peggy and her husband Roger have three grown children, two of which reside in Butler County. She will begin on a part time basis in late January, and start at the Fairfield Chamber full-time on February 13, 2023. Peggy looks forward to moving back to the area and supporting the businesses of the Fairfield community.
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Opportunities to Engage Future Workforce |
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Business Engagement with Fairfield Senior High School Students
Recognizing the need to expose high school students to both immediate job and long-term career opportunities at Fairfield companies, multiple partners have collaborated to establish free opportunities to engage students. Below is a summary of the various options a company may consider. For more information and scheduling, contact [email protected] for a program flyer.
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FAIRFIELD CAREER FEST
Annual spring event for businesses to showcase immediate and long-term career opportunities. Approximately 1,500 juniors and seniors participate throughout the school day.
LUNCH OR SPORTING EVENT
Exhibit table in the cafeteria or at a sporting event to highlight company to students. Sporting events also provide exposure to parents.
LUNCH & LEARNS
Lunchtime presentation by a company to a targeted group of students.
Companies will be provided with guidelines to protect the safety of all students.
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Zoning Code Revamp Continues |
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City staff and consultants are wrapping up a two-year process to update Fairfield’s Planning & Zoning Code, the city’s primary tool to guide the physical development of Fairfield. This code set standards as to how land can be used and developed. The goal of the update is to modernize the regulations, make the code more user-friendly, and improve the quality of the built environment for our residents and businesses.
The public is encouraged to review draft code chapters and provide feedback to city staff. To follow the process and review the proposed changes, please visit www.fairfieldzoning.com. Draft chapters on the subjects of parking, fencing, lighting, and landscaping were recently posted for review.
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Additionally, interested community members are encouraged to attend a Planning & Zoning Code Open House on February 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Fairfield Community Arts Center (411 Wessel Drive). Proposed changes will be explained and community members can provide direct feedback at that time.
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Fairfield Trade Center Announced |
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Another major Class A industrial park is on the drawing board for Fairfield. NorthPoint Development, a major real estate development firm based in Kansas City, Missouri, has announced plans to develop the Morris Farm property at the border of Fairfield and West Chester Township.
Accessed from Firebird Drive off Union Centre Boulevard, the former Morris Farm is approximately 83 acres, with nearly 77 acres within the City of Fairfield. The site is located within the flood zone, which will require extensive engineering and approvals to allow construction.
Additionally, the property is directly adjacent to an existing segment of the Miami-to-Miami/Miami-Erie Canal Trail. As part of the project, the trail will be enhanced with the construction of additional parking for trail users.
NorthPoint Development plans to construct two large speculative industrial buildings totaling more than 600,000 square feet at the site. The project will be known as “Fairfield Trade Center,” and builds off of NorthPoint’s success in development of West Chester Trade Center at the corner of Union Centre Boulevard and SR 747.
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Mercy Health - Fairfield Hospital Recognized |
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No stranger to national accolades, Mercy Health - Fairfield Hospital was recognized as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for 2022 by Healthgrades, a healthcare information and rating database company. Mercy Health - Fairfield Hospital is one of only four Ohio hospitals to receive this honor, which it has held for three consecutive years (2020, 2021, and 2022).
According to Healthgrades, America’s 50 Best Hospitals are in the top 1% of hospitals in the nation for consistently providing overall clinical excellence across a broad spectrum of conditions and procedures year over year.
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Hit Promotional Products Expands to Fairfield |
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Hit Promotional Products, a major supplier in the promotional products industry, has expanded its Ohio operations with a move to Fairfield. Headquartered in Florida, the company previously leased space in Springdale and West Chester Township totaling 250,000 square feet. The new consolidated location at Building III in Fairfield Commerce Park offers the company 350,000 square feet.
Profill Solutions, a sister operation that provides procurement and fulfillment services for promotional products and apparel, is co-located at the new facility. The larger space allows both firms to grow and add to existing employment levels, which are currently estimated at 150 employees.
Building III is located at 110 Mercantile Drive and is the largest building at Fairfield Commerce Park, offering 615,600 square feet. The remainder of the building was leased to Graybar, a distributor of electrical and communications products.
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Chamber Presents Annual Awards |
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The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce presented awards at its 66th Annual Dinner:
Community Appearance Award
Mercy Health – Fairfield Internal Medicine
Recognizing the rehabilitation of a vacant building on Patterson Boulevard into a modern medical center
Business of the Year
Mother Earth
Recognizing a long-standing Fairfield business and the entrepreneurial spirit of owner Pam Campbell (pictured)
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Other Recent Openings & Projects Underway |
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PROPERTY HIGHLIGHT:
Fisher Park North
Located on Route 4, Fisher Park North is a newly-constructed Class A industrial property offering 150,000 square feet. The building features 34 docks, two drive-in doors, 32' clear height ceilings, 52' x 50' column spacing, and LED lighting. Cushman & Wakefield has the building listed for lease.
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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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Follow #FairfieldOhioDevelopment
on the city's social media accounts:
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