Holiday in the City a Success

Consider this a “shout out” to Maureen Fagans, Center City Association Executive Director, the City of Springfield, the event sponsors and the team of volunteers who helped make the largest annual event in the downtown a success. The fireworks were fantastic, the lights spectacular, the arrival of Santa a highlight even for me and Christmas Village in the old Meeks store again drew a crowd. This goes to show what we can do as a community when volunteers pitch in, donors are generous and the townspeople appreciative. All this despite the economy. Another large crowd estimated at 14,000 all but assured this event will continue to be a Christmas Season highlight for Springfield and the entire region. As the downtown park is completed next year and retail, restaurants and entertainment venues are added downtown, Springfield and Holiday in the City will only get bigger and better. Like Santa said upon his arrival: “It’s great to be in Springfield.” Have a great Chamber day!

Springfield City Schools Community Forums

One of the frustrations people sometimes have about school systems is the perception that they operate in a vacuum and don’t welcome outside input. That can’t be said about Springfield City Schools. Tonight, Dec. 1 and Tuesday, Dec. 8, Springfield City Schools Leadership is hosting two Community Forums. The purpose of the forums as explained by Superintendent David Estrop is to improve academic performance of the students, which he understands is critically important to not only the students but the entire community. It’s great to know that the superintendent in the community’s largest district sees that connection. A volunteer committee of more than 50 people has worked to develop ideas to improve academic performance. They will detail their conclusions and seek validation and further input from the community. The sessions will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. each night in the Cafetorium at Springfield High. Whether you have children in the school system or not, I urge you to attend. Have a great Chamber day!

Mixed Results for Local School Levies

Results of the two school levies on last week’s ballot that were for funding new construction produced mixed results. Congratulations to the Northwestern School District for passing its combined property and income tax levy that will allow it to build two new schools to replace the three now being used. Unfortunately, the news wasn’t so good in the Northeastern District. It failed by about the same margin that the Northwestern levy passed – 44.57 percent for to 55.43 against. This isn’t just a setback for the students and residents of the Northeastern District, but it’s a setback for the community of Springfield and Clark County.
As I said a couple weeks ago, when companies look to locate to an area and residents to a school district, they ask about the quality of the school system. When the buildings aren’t conducive to learning, they look elsewhere. Looking at the bigger picture, it’s clear that the funding system in Ohio is flawed. Maybe we should use Pennsylvania as a model in how schools operate. Decisions, such as whether a district needs new buildings, are made by the school board. Ohio should look into that concept. Have a great Chamber day!

Another Potential "Win" For Springfield

News of the potential for an insurance services company locating in the Credit Life or Bushnell Building downtown can’t be understated. I feel confident it will happen. This is the kind of development that every city in the country seeks so the news that Insurance Claims Management of Eau Claire, Wisc. is “strongly considering” downtown Springfield as a location for “hundreds” of jobs is exciting to say the least for a number of reasons. One is obvious. Putting that many workers concentrated downtown is sure to spur other development. It also establishes us as a player in the insurance industry with Assurant Specialty Services, another insurance services provider, being the largest single-site employer in the county. We can continue to build on that segment of the market. With the downtown Ohio Valley Medical Center open, creating more than 100 jobs, the Springfield Regional Medical Center under construction downtown, the Center City Park expected to be completed next summer, a downtown ice arena to be built, the Buck Creek navigability project underway and Clark State’s recently announcing plans to build a $5.8 million Creative Arts and Conference Center, I wonder if any city our size or larger has this amount of activity taking place and doing it in tough economic times. Have a great Chamber day!

School Bond Issues Critical

We tend to note when other school districts have bond issues and levies on the ballot, but if it’s not our district, we likely don’t consider what’s at stake. What we need to do is look at the bigger picture. If you live in the city and Northwestern and Northeastern have issues to build new schools, the outcome has an impact on you … or anyone who lives in Clark County. Why? School districts, townships, villages are not islands unto themselves. What they do impacts others. I mention the schools, in particular, because Northeastern and Northwestern have issues that would build new schools in both districts. Quality education requires facilities conducive to learning. And existing businesses looking to grow, or new ones considering locating in Clark County, need the assurance that there is a capable workforce coming out of our local schools. The Ohio Schools Facilities Commission will pay 45 percent or $23 million of the projected cost and 41 percent or $48 million in the Northeastern district. What’s especially noteworthy is this likely will be the only chance those districts can get that money from the OSFC, as its funds are nearly depleted. Have a great Chamber day and vote Nov. 3.

Strong Schools = Strong Community

One of the most important functions of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is to promote economic development in Springfield and Clark County.
Businesses have a number of issues they explore before expanding or moving to a community. At the top or near the top of the list is the educational system. They demand a pool of well-educated workers coming out of the local schools to fill the jobs their companies bring. They also want a quality school system for their own children.
Two school districts in Clark County – Northeastern and Northwestern – have buildings that are rapidly deteriorating to the point they now threaten the educational process. Northeastern and Northwestern are asking voters to approve a combined property tax and earned income tax.
Both have the opportunity to replace their outdated buildings. The Ohio Schools Facilities Commission would pick up 45 percent of the cost in the Northwestern District or $23 million, and 41 percent or $48 million in the Northeastern District. That’s quite a discount for residents in those districts, and one that likely will not be available again as state funds for new schools are all but depleted.
Northeastern is asking voters to approve a 7.572 property tax and a .25 percent income tax. You can determine what it would cost you by going to the district’s Website at www.nelsd.org and using the online calculator. Northwestern is asking for a 7.36 mil, 28-year property tax to build the schools and one percent earned income tax for operating expenses. Find more information at www.northwestern.k12.oh.us.
Some are asking why request this money during a down economy. Good question. The district is told by the OSFC when it is eligible for funding and this happens to be that time for both districts. If district voters don’t approve the funding, the problems won’t go away. They’ll only get worse. Money will be wasted repairing the buildings and the cost to replace will escalate. Plus, there’s a good chance in the future the districts will have to pay 100 percent of the costs for construction.
We as a community and Northeastern and Northwestern as school districts can’t afford to miss out on these opportunities. Remember, your home’s value is directly related to the schools in your district. Buyers with children check out the schools before purchasing a home. Look at it as an investment in, not only your community, but in your home, your greatest financial asset.

These issues are of the utmost importance in moving Springfield-Clark County forward. The children of these districts and all of Springfield/Clark County are counting on you. Don’t let the community and the children down, please.

"Tis The Season For Chamber Benefits!

With the Christmas shopping season approaching and knowing some of you like to get a jump on the crowds, I wanted to remind you about our Member2Member marketplace. It’s a page on our website (www.greaterspringfield.com and click Chamber of Commerce) where local merchants can post coupons free of charge to bring in customers or consumers can use the coupons to save money.
I’m hoping merchants and consumers will take advantage of this. You need a memberID, which is the word “member” (lower case) and your five digit Chamber ID number. It’s listed by your name in the Business and Professional directory that you recently received.
You’ll also need a password. For help with either, email Mindy Tillman at mtillman@greaterspringfield.com or phone her at 937-521-1945. Also during this shopping season, remember to “Buy Springfield” and keep the sales tax money in the community.
To save on gas while driving around town to buy those gifts, be sure to get your Speedway six-cents per gallon discount card from the Chamber and support another local company. We have plenty of cards in stock at our offices. All your employees and their immediate family members are entitled to a card. Take advantage of this offer. Have a great Chamber day!

RegionView Changing

Among antique collectors worldwide, Bruce Knight is an All-Star. His passion for antiques that began when he was a child has helped filter millions of tourism dollars into Springfield and Clark County, first with his Springfield Antique Show and Flea Market and now with the Heart of Ohio Antique Center in Harmony. You can read about Bruce and his wife, Vivalyn, and their antiquing exploits in the Chamber’s latest RegionView newsletter. Other stories include updates on the Buck Creek boating and navigability project, the Hartman Rock Garden and this week’s national German Shepherd dog show at the Clark County Fairgrounds. This will be the last RegionView until February when we will partner with Cox Ohio Publishing, which is launching “Springfield B2B,” a local every-other-month business magazine. RegionView will be an eight-page insert in the magazine, but we also will have 2,000 stand-alone copies to distribute. Look for the latest RegionView at the library, the Bushnell Building, the Chamber office atriuim, Young’s Jersey Dairy or in your mailbox if you are a Chamber member. There is lots of good … and interesting … news to report. Have a great Chamber day!

The Changing Face of Springfield

Ohio Valley Medical Center Administrator Steve Eistentrager talked of the surgical center having done 1,000 surgeries in its first month of operation (pardon the pun) and forecasting it would do 10,000 per year. What intrigued me was another statement he made at our Networking at Night event recently. He said those 10,000 procedures would lead to 30,000 people coming downtown on an annual basis as patients and to visit those patients, plus 100 staff, not counting doctors. Then, when Clark State announced last week plans to build a Creative Arts and Conference Center adjacent to the Performing Arts Center, President Karen Rafinski made reference to the number of students who would be coming downtown. We’ve been talking about how the yet-to-be-named Center City Park, the Springfield Regional Medical Center and the ice arena would bring people to the downtown area. And what happens when people begin gathering in a certain area? It spurs other development. Andy Bell, who is heading the fundraising campaign for the $5.8 million Arts and Conference Center, wondered out loud if any other community in the country has as many projects going on as does Springfield. The face of this community is changing for the better. Have a great Chamber day!

Let's Give Metallic Casket Site A Chance

During a recent trip to Raleigh-Durham, N.C., I was impressed with what the city of Durham had done in bringing back to life an area that was made up of abandoned tobacco warehouses. They didn’t tear the buildings down. They refurbished them and created new uses for the buildings.
We have a chance to do the same with the old Metallic Casket Company building downtown. It’s one of two sites being considered for the National Trail Parks and Recreation District’s new ice arena.
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, at its September meeting, voted unanimously in favor of the Metallic Casket site. Just as the location of the Springfield Regional Medical Center was important to revitalizing downtown, putting the ice arena in a visible and prominent downtown location would be another key ingredient. We think it also would be the best location to attract people to the ice arena.
Architectural renderings of what the Metallic Casket building would look like create a “wow” reaction. It’s doubtful a similar reaction would come from tearing down Memorial Hall and erecting a nondescript structure. Plus, the Memorial Hall site has drawn interest from other entities because it’s in the hospital zone.
When looking at this project and others, let’s not as a community start out with “no” as the response and look for ways to validate that answer. Let’s say “yes” and see if it’s feasible. Much study has shown this is workable. We simply can’t let this opportunity slip by.

Graffiti Removal Spurs Economic Development

We sometimes look at graffiti and are disgusted but don't really realize the costs, real and otherwise, associated with it. It is tough to combat such vandalism, but now Springfield and Clark County - thanks to the Clark County Waste Management District and the Keep Clark County Beautiful Campaign and other contributors - are fighting back.

A Graffiti Removal Unit was unveiled a couple weeks ago that uses a high-pressure combination of water and baking soda-like compound to magically erase the work of vandals.

Not only is removing graffiti costly in dollars, but leaving it on is an eyesore in the community. We want visitors to come away with the impression of a clean, well-kept community. Graffiti sends just the opposite message. Imagine bringing in a company looking to expand here and they see graffiti. Graffiti leaves a bad impression. Leaving graffiti on structures makes it look like you don't care.

I look at the new Graffiti Removal Unit as an economic development tool and one that will promote pride among residents. Thanks to all who had a part in this project. You can see the demonstration at www.youtube.com/greaterspringfield. Have a great Chamber day!

Fair at New Boston - Bigger & Better Than Ever!

The Fair at New Boston prides itself on authenticity. I found out just how into their characters the re-enactors get when I visited the fair with my family. Bill Smith, the former Kenton Ridge High School coach and teacher, is known as "the Ratkatcher" around the fair grounds. I was talking to this character and only a few days later did I realize I was talking with a long-time acquaintance.
When these characters are in costume and roaming the grounds, intermingling with visitors to their time period, they never step out of their roles and into the 21st century. What a great asset this event is to Springfield and Clark County and one that draws participants and visitors from throughout Ohio and neighboring states. Enacting a time period of 1790-1810, it continues to grow each year.
It had been a few years since I attended the fair. It was much bigger than I remember. It's the unofficial kick off to the local festival season. South Vienna's Corn Festival, Enon's Apple Butter Festival, New Carlisle's Festival of Flight, Springfield's CultureFest and Oktoberfest are a few of the other local fall festivals we can look forward to each year. Have a great Chamber day!

The Healthcare Debate

A member of our staff sat in on a videoconference of the Healthcare and Economic Development Advisory Committee recently, conducted by U.S. Congressman Steve Austria (R-7th District). He listed his three focal points on the issue that must be addressed: (1) How do you lower costs? (2) How you make healthcare more accessible? (3) How do you keep and improve healthcare?
He has learned through surveys and contacts with constituents that they overwhelmingly want to be able to choose their own doctor and treatment.
By the way, Austria will speak at the Chamber’s Legislative Affairs Committee breakfast on this and other topics on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at the Courtyard by Marriott beginning at 7:30 a.m. Cost is $20 and is for Chamber members only. A table of 10 is $175. Call Pam Johnson at 937-325-7621 or email her at pjohnson@greaterspringfield.com.
Austria said he would like more data on the uninsured statistics that are so often cited in the debate. There are people who have the option from their employer to purchase healthcare and choose not to. There are people temporarily without it because they are between jobs or laid off. Are undocumented workers part of the count? He said there’s a need to prioritize where the focus should be among the uninsured.
He supports Healthcare Information Technology (HIT) which creates a nationwide data base in which the information is contained in a patient chart on a computer, rather than on paper and can be accessed among your primary care physician, cardiologist, oncologist and others to review and share. It promises to create significant cost savings in the long term.
A major debate around the healthcare issue is the single-payer system. The argument is while proponents say the “public option” will compete with private insurance system, the opposition says employers will favor the government’s “public option.” The result will be an eventual single-payer system. Austria said he believes that’s the intent of many proponents of a “public option.”
One business owner said if any system costs him more money, he will have to lay off employees.
To lower costs, Austria said medical liability tort reform needs to be part of the debate and none of the proposals include it. He also said there needs to be incentives for people to invest in their health and well-being. Expanding Health Savings Accounts would be a way to do that, while lowering costs.
Austria asked for input on the idea being floated that would take healthcare reform out of the hands of the legislature and put it into the hands of an independent non-partisan panel, much like the Base Realignment and Closure process that impacted our own Air National Guard Base at the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport and Wright-Patterson AFB.
What we must avoid is a system that raises costs for employers and costs jobs and one that leads to a less efficient health care system for all Americans.

Springfield City Schools Convocation

Two weeks ago the Springfield City Schools held its annual convocation that takes place the day before students report. There was something different about this year’s event. I could feel it. After talking to some teachers, they felt it, too. One long-time teacher in the district said it was the best such event she’s ever attended. It was a very energetic gathering, one in which those attending were obviously excited about the direction the district is headed. It was the first convocation for new Superintendent David Estrop or - as Board member Ed Leventhal referred to him at Rotary - “Chief Wildcat.” I liked that. I also liked that “The Chief” has a clear vision of where we’re headed. I’m convinced that teachers, staff, administrators, parents, students, community are coming together to make the Springfield City Schools the place to be, instead of fleeing to other districts. There’s a new sense of spirit, a sense that the system is heading in the right direction and building a positive perception. It is in “continuous improvement,” as judged by the state’s report card, but the superintendent is determined to have an “excellent” system. I think it can be second to none. We all have to do our part. Have a great Chamber day!

Springfield's EcoSports Corridor

If you’ve seen our Chamber’s coverage of the Great Buckeye Challenge Half Triathlon and Duathlon at Buck Creek State Park (flickr.com/photos/greaterspringfield and youtube.com/greaterspringfield), you would have noted some of the license places on cars in the parking lot.
The event attracted approximately 700 competitors on Aug. 23 who swam, biked and ran. North Dakota, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania – at least nine states in all and two foreign countries – were represented. HFP Racing founder Shannon Kurek says our venue is second to none. Competitors say they love it.
Couple that with prospects for the eco-adventure venue on Buck Creek with kayaking and canoeing, bouldering in Veterans Park and more plans for rock climbing and mountain biking being proposed by Kevin and John Loftis, along with a downtown ice arena, and it’s clear we are developing a niche that will make Springfield the place to come and play. I saw some of the competitive cyclists in the event on Aug. 23 and thought by creating routes on country roads for cyclists this would provide another attraction.
Talking with some Chamber executives from Columbus and explaining what we have and what’s proposed, their comment was we could become the Boulder, Colo. of the Midwest with our many outdoor adventure venues. Springfield could be an adventure destination in the not too distant future. Have a great Chamber day!

Revitalizing Downtown

Garrigan's Office Plus new location at 14 N. Yellow Springs Street represents more than meets the eye. Their decision when displaced by the Springfield Regional Medical Center construction to relocate a couple blocks away in another downtown location is an additional step made in downtown revitalization. The fact the Garrigans have created a new use for an abandoned building that was once a car dealership adds to the significance of their commitment to downtown. And they're not just rehabilitating the building. Because there's more land than they need, they have plans for a beautiful landscape design that will be eye catching. That's what it takes to contribute to our downtown revitalization - visionary business owners who see the value in rehabbing older buildings and bringing neighborhoods back to life. Here's a pat on the back from the Chamber of Commerce for your belief in Springfield and downtown. Have a great Chamber day!