Kettering Mayor Talks Economic Development

Since his start as the mayor of Kettering, Don Patterson has had his sights aimed toward his mission of developing the city’s economic base.

Patterson has been in his role since 2005 and has been on Kettering’s city council since 1998. He also has a commercial real estate background spanning almost 35 years. Currently, he serves as principal of DEP Dayton.

Due to his real estate background, Patterson has an eye for what aspects businesses are looking for in a city.

“If you have a strong economy, a growing employment base and stable infrastructure for new businesses, your city could do great things,” Patterson said.

With this mentality, he has helped transform Kettering into a community of opportunity.

During his time as mayor, Patterson has led initiatives to help expand existing Kettering-based businesses, along with attracting new businesses to the area. In an older community like Kettering, it was important for Patterson to also redevelop spaces to make the city as up-to-date as possible.

From a redevelopment standpoint, one of his first priorities was establishing the Wilmington Pike Improvement Plan, which focuses on revitalizing the Wilmington Pike corridor between Stroop and Marshall roads. The project, a $10 million investment, is led by the Wilmington Pike Improvement Committee comprised of business owners and community stakeholders.

The purpose of the project is to revitalize run-down properties, including facade improvements such as new landscaping and light fixtures, and to overall redevelop the space so it can have the opportunity to grow in the future.

Another highlight during Patterson's tenure was the city's $1.5 million purchase of almost 300 acres of unimproved land at the Miami Valley Research Park. The park, established in the early 1980s, is currently home to businesses such as Reynolds and Reynolds, WilmerHale, BWI, Kodak, Lunarline and Vivial Company, among others.

To read more of this interview visit the Dayton Business Journal.