Hello, Hamilton County

  E-News for Hamilton County Citizens and Employees

January 22, 2001  
  Quote of the Week:  "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
-Martin Luther King, Jr. Letter from the Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963
 

Successful Support Staff Retreat Held
On January 12, over 40 support staff representing approximately 30 different County departments got together to discuss common goals, challenges, and how to work together to find ways to best serve the citizens of Hamilton County.  The retreat, held at Winton Woods, is the first of what is hoped will become an annual event. The morning included a welcome by County Administrator David Krings, discussion of the County's budget and a review of available training opportunities.  The afternoon session focused on stress management.
 

Numerous ideas for improving operations and enhancing interaction between departments were discussed such as greater use of the intranet (the County's internal Internet) to share ideas and commonly used forms.  

"The retreat was really nice," said Deloris Charles from the County Administrator's Office.  "We shared a lot of ideas to help us do our jobs better and to help the County run better.  It was also nice to get to meet in person people you talk to on the phone every day."
For more information about follow-up from this retreat or to express interest in a future support staff events contact Sharon Booker at 946-4428.

 
Are you making the most of your money?  
Find out by attending the County Personnel Department's lunchtime seminar:  "Understanding Deferred Compensation:  The State of Ohio Deferred Compensation Program."

In this seminar, John Dunigan from the Ohio Deferred Compensation Program will share information about this benefit and will answer your questions.  Bring a lunch and learn how the Deferred Compensation Program can work for you!    

            Tuesday, February 27

            12 noon – 1 p.m.

            CAB Room 710

If you want to attend, please contact Debby Beck:  946-4701 or debby.beck@hamilton-co.org

 

Hamilton County Economic Development Pays Dividends to the Community
Hamilton County Development Co., Inc. is unlike any other non-profit economic development organization. HCDC is a private, not-for-profit corporation established to promote economic development in the Greater Cincinnati area. HCDC administers three distinct program areas, anyone of which could (and in many communities does) operate as an independent agency. These programs encompass small business loans, entrepreneurial assistance and economic development.
Lending
HCDC administers several different loan programs to assist small business owners. The SBA 504 Loan Program and the State of Ohio 166 Loan Program assist those businesses who are in need of financing for the purchase of fixed assets, such as real estate and equipment. The 504 and 166 Loans provide the needed financing with a low down payment requirement and a competitive fixed interest rate. The Microloan Program assists small businesses with loans up to $15,000 dollars for a variety of different business purposes, including equipment purchase and working capital needs.
Business Assistance
HCDC’s Small Business Development Center provides free business and technical assistance to entrepreneurs and existing business owners. Areas of assistance include business planning, financial management, human resource management, marketing strategy, training, business management and loan packaging. Additionally the Small Business Development Center provides contacts to financial, investment and legal resources. HCDC also owns and operates the largest business incubator (Hamilton County Business Center) in the Greater Cincinnati area. The Hamilton County Business Center is an Ohio Edison Program supported business incubator which provides entrepreneurs affordable space, business assistance, shared support services and an environment conducive to entrepreneurial thinking.
Office of Economic Development
The Hamilton County Office of Economic Development (OED) promotes Hamilton County as an attractive place to do business. Economic development activities include business development through enterprise zone and community reinvestment area tax incentives, site information, land development and business retention and expansion services. OED also promotes community sustainability through business district revitalization, economic development consultation and promotion of Hamilton County’s communities.

 
2000 Highlights from Hamilton County Economic Development Office

SITE DEVELOPMENT

· The Gap – The Gap—Harrison - 820 jobs - investment of $375,000,000.

· Civic Center Drive Property – Colerain - 5 companies purchased land / 2 have built

· Carillon Park – Forest Park – new industrial park– Hillman Fasteners.

· Rookwood - Norwood – enterprise zone for several office users and assisted w\ relocations.

· SiteTracker – Database updated. Responding to requests for sites and buildings.

INCENTIVE PROGRAMS

· Enterprise Zone & Community Reinvestment Area - Processed 20 agreements - 4,840 jobs created/retained $582 million invested – P&G, General Mills, and the Gap were the highlights.

 

COMMUNITY SERVICES

· Contracts – Corridor Study - Sharonville, Springfield and Fairfax. ED* - Woodlawn.

· Focus Community - Golf Manor—EZ established, business survey completed, and strategic planning started.

· Community Education - Workshops – EZ Guidelines and Urban ED; Presentations - Business Associations, and Realtors/Developers.

· Business Retention – Study in Springfield & Golf Manor. Targeted companies.

· Business Attraction – Partnership for Greater Cincinnati; trade shows; State confidential contacts.

· Special Improvement District – Cincinnati – Office Development Committee

· Princeton School Board - Business Advisory Council

 

TECHNOLOGY INVOLVEMENT

· Technology Leadership Council – Leader in Tech. formation; 

EcomOhio – Wired Community; 

Emerging Concepts – Tech. Innovation – focusing on commercializing university-based research;

 Statewide Tech. Formation (ODOD)

FINANCE

· 504 & 166 Loans – 28 loans for $8.5 million - created 318 new jobs

· Microloan – 10 loans for $64,647 dollars

ENTREPRENEURIAL SERVICES

· Edison Technology Incubator – HCBC – 48 tenants - 200 employees

· SBDC – Counseled 403 businesses (47% female owned; 35% minority owned); SBDC also sponsored 9 Seminars (Tax reduction strategy, Access to Capital, etc.); 4 CEO Roundtable Discussions; and 4 Lunch & Learn Sessions

· Small Business Collaborative – Member - Business assistance providers

 

 

 

 

  
COMPASS Survey highlights citizens' perceptions about development issues
Hamilton County residents want local leaders to communicate better about building and development, according to a survey released last week by the Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission.

The countywide Community COMPASS Values Survey, designed to gauge the public's opinion on development and other priority issues, also found that most respondents are satisfied with the quality of life in Hamilton County.
Members of Community COMPASS present survey findings at a recent press conference.
"This Values Survey told us that overall, life is good in Hamilton County, and residents want it to stay that way," said Frank Davis, Planning Partnership member from the City of Montgomery. "Residents want to be involved in how their neighborhoods grow, and this survey is part of a comprehensive plan to do just that."

The survey will be used to build a foundation for Community COMPASS, the Comprehensive Master Plan and Strategies for Hamilton County. The plan, developed in collaboration with residents, business leaders and civic leaders, could make the county more competitive in pursuing state and federal funding and help unify voices of the county's 49 jurisdictions.

"The Community COMPASS process will explore ways in which we can use the unique strengths of individual communities to work together to form a cohesive vision and comprehensive county development plan," Davis said. "This survey gives us a starting point for this very important process."

The survey, developed in partnership with Cincinnati-based Burke, Inc., and administered over a five-week period last fall, measured Hamilton County residents' attitudes on countywide development, community cooperation and population migration. It also explored demographics within the county.

The survey was distributed to 4,500 households across Hamilton County, with a 26% response rate. Most respondents (69%) were over the age of 45, and men (58%) were more likely than women (40%) to have responded to the survey. The margin of error was +/- 3%.

"Understanding the issues, perceptions and priorities of our residents is the first step in creating a county plan that works," said Adam Goetzman, Planning Partnership member from Green Township. "We're excited at where this will lead us, and how it will position the county for strategic growth."

For more information about the County's COMPASS Community Comprehensive plan contact Steven Johns in Regional Planning at 946-4457.

 
Tree Packets available from Soil and Water District
The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District is offering tree seedlings, some larger trees, and groundcover to the public.  A free informational brochure which includes an order form is available from the district.  Call the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District office at 772-7645.  Order forms are due by March 16, 2001 with pick on April 7.  There are two pick-up locations: District Offices at Triangle Office Park in Sharonville (Building #26) and at the Diamond Oaks Career Center.

Have a Great Week!

 
Hello, Hamilton County is published twice each month.  It is placed on both the County's internal and external Web pages.  It is design to enlighten and inform both citizens and employees of Hamilton County.  If you have questions or suggestions for future editions, contact Sharon Booker (946-4428) or Eric Stuckey (946-4432) in the County Administrator's Office or e-mail to eric.stuckey@hamilton-co.org.