A Year in Review: Exciting Projects Emerge in the Dayton Region

by Dan Bish

The economic development series, County Focus — hosted by Greater Cincinnati SMPS — brought together local influencers to discuss the challenges and opportunities businesses and developers may face when determining to relocate. 

Alongside Christine Russell from Northern Kentucky Tri-ED, Michael McNamara of Clermont County and Matthew Schnipke of Warren County, we interacted with organization leaders and emerging experts for an impactful conversation. 

I joined to highlight the numerous projects underway in Montgomery County as well as the roadblocks we’ve run into during this unprecedented year. Below is a snapshot of the progress we’ve seen throughout 2020. 

New Projects and Development Opportunities 

Our regional partners have effectively marketed the benefits of residing at the 70/75 intersection, and global companies are planting permanent stakes in the Dayton Region. Crocs, Energizer, Purina and Chewy are merely a few examples of major companies who’ve invested in recent years. 

Additionally, Montgomery County continues to unveil new projects to create a community where outsiders desire to live, work and play. A few notable developments we’ve witnessed in 2020 include:

• Brookville, Ohio: A new General Motors DMAX facility is currently being built in the City of Brookville, a total investment of $150 million and bringing 80 news jobs into the area. 

• The City of Union, Ohio: Aside from investing in utility upgrades to Union Park Boulevard and Old Springfield Road, the city will also submit Ascent Industrial Airpark to Site Ohio for site certification. 

• The City of Riverside: Defense companies and research and development contractors are taking advantage of the available office space in this area due to its proximity to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. 

The ongoing developments don’t stop here. With available sites and buildings in New Lebanon, Trotwood, Harrison Township, Huber Heights and Riverside, there are endless opportunities for companies both large and small to relocate or expand — and make the Dayton Region their permanent home. 

Dayton Airport Projects Takes Flight

Aerospace and MRO-related operations are a key industry within Montgomery County, and our work with Dayton International Airport and Dayton Development Coalition ensures industry businesses receive the resources they need. For example, the county just kicked-off the US-40 Expansion project and continues to market the Emery Air transit hub, with airport access directly next to the facility and immediate access to the tarmac. 

A New Downtown Dayton Experience

The outskirts of downtown Dayton are undergoing immense improvements, but we have not forgotten the importance of creating an experience for city-dwellers looking to remain in the Midwest. The quality of life in our historic downtown will only elevate with these exciting projects:

• The First Flight Business Park — home to the Wright Brothers’ first airplane factory — is gaining a new public library, museum and historic landmark status. 

• A new grocery store aimed at sustaining the west side and providing a link for downtown traffic, the Gem City Co-Op will also come online in the near future. 

• Renovations to Talbott Tower, apartments in the Fireblocks District and the Dayton Arcade are major progression points for downtown Dayton. Specifically, the Dayton Arcade — with a projected completion of January 2021 — will be utilized by the University of Dayton, The Entrepreneurs Center and more. 

Multiple key projects, such as those in The Oregon East, at the Avant Garde building and Prices Store building, are also underway, developed in tandem with those mentioned above. 

It’s an exciting time to be a resident, economic development professional and collaborative partner in the Dayton Region, but these victories have not been secured without our fair share of challenges. In my next article, I’ll highlight the roadblocks our county has faced in the year 2020, and what steps we’ve taken to better serve our businesses, resource partners and residents.