What's New in West Chester! |
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SECOND LARGEST INDOOR PICKLEBALL FACILITY IN THE COUNTRY
COMING TO WEST CHESTER
The Pickle Lodge, the second-largest indoor pickleball facility in the country, is coming to West Chester Township. The facility, housed in the building previously occupied by Court Yard Sportsplex on Kingsgate Way, will feature a cushioned playing surface, state-of-the-art LED lighting, a bar, restaurant, and a group event space designed for corporate and/or other events.
“The Lodge has been designed to satisfy everybody from the high-level player to the company event planner to those just learning the game,” said Joe Frank, co-owner of The Pickle Lodge.
With 17 indoor courts and eventually five outdoor courts, The Pickle Lodge will host national-level tournaments while at the same time hosting lessons, Open Play, large events, and reserved courts.
“The programming and scale of The Pickle Lodge are what will make it stand out,” said Mitch Dunn, President and co-founder of the Cincinnati Pickleball Club and a Lodge investor. “Everything we are doing is with the player’s needs front and center.”
Home to The Ohio Pickleball Academy, The Pickle Lodge will help those just beginning to play pickleball learn the nuances of the game, while also helping high-level players deepen their skills.
“Consistent drilling and instruction are surprisingly rare in pickleball,” said Dunn. “We will put instruction at the heart of The Pickle Lodge.”
The first phase is scheduled to open in March 2023, giving Cincinnati a major boost in indoor pickleball court space. Further phases will include grandstand-style seating for Championship Court, a mezzanine overlooking the courts, outdoor courts and bar, and a restaurant.
While The Pickle Lodge will be open to the public, it will also offer memberships designed to give frequent players significant discounts. The facility’s membership tiers are designed to make membership approachable for just about any budget.
“We can’t wait to introduce people to The Pickle Lodge,” said Frank. “We are committed to making it the best place to play pickleball in the entire Midwest.”
Founded in 2022, The Pickle Lodge’s lead investors are the President and Cofounder of the 1,500-member Cincinnati Pickleball Club and the Managing Partner of the Fowling Warehouse in Cincinnati. The company has partnered with Phoenix Architecture on the building design and Kiesland Development Services on general contracting.
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GRANTS "SPARK" SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT
West Chester was founded by strong-willed entrepreneurs who farmed the land and sought opportunities to determine their own destiny; the SPARK Grant celebrates that same spirit today.
The West Chester Board of Trustees have launched a small business revitalization grant program to encourage investment in exterior improvements in our business corridors. The incentive program was approved at the Nov. 15th Board of Trustees meeting using $250,000 in seed money that had been budgeted for an undetermined improvement project in the U.S. Route 42 corridor.
“Route 42 is the heart of our small business community in West Chester and so that is the inspiration behind the new grant program,” said Economic Development Manager Katy Kanelopoulus. “The program, however, is open to any eligible small business in the community because we believe all could benefit from the opportunity.”
The Spark Grant is for owners or tenants to make improvements at the front door of their business, enhancing the business specifically, as well as the aesthetic of the neighborhood. West Chester will partner financially with these entrepreneur applicants to make visible, impactful change invigorating their business and small business corridors across the Township.
The program is available to West Chester Township property owners or commercial tenants with no more than 30 full-time equivalent employees. Award amounts will vary between $1,000 and $10,000. Grant amounts will be determined by the strength of the application with scoring focused on quality of design, impact to the larger business neighborhood, location, job creation and shared investment of the applicant.
The grant funding could be used for exterior painting, enhanced outdoor public space, upgraded landscape, signage, exterior lighting and demolition of an existing building.
The current application cycle for grant applications is Dec. 1, 2022 to Feb. 28, 2023 with awards announced on March 15. Application periods will be available throughout the year as long as there is available funding.
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REPUBLIC WIRE OWNER REFLECTS ON HIS 40-YEAR COMMITMENT TO WEST CHESTER
On the occasion of Republic Wire’s 40th anniversary, owner and CEO Ron Rosenbeck shared this letter with the community:
This year is the 40th anniversary of Republic Wire. The first 13 years we were a small wire broker and importing from Chile. I knew my desire and company future was to manufacture copper wire. I finally had enough equity to build a building and invest in equipment in 1994. In 1994, I wanted land for our first building and heard West Chester was developing farmland and talked to Dick Alderson about the future of West Chester. He convinced me an I-75 interchange was in the future. I took the chance and the West Chester Trustees and Township helped in my development. I moved Republic Wire from Fairfield to West Chester and we were the third building in the entire area.
Our first building was 40,000 square feet and I had 27 employees. We currently have 400,000 square feet and 160 employees. Our current employee TEAM has been very important in our growth and successes. I have children currently employed in Republic Wire. Their positions are President (Jeremy), HR Director (Nicole), QC Manager (Heather) and Sales (Trent). It took many years of industry research, equipment research and marketing development to create the vision of our company’s future. From the beginning, we have built the company on quality and customer service.
Republic Wire expanded our sales team to cover the entire USA and Canada approximately 20 years ago. We have added many copper and aluminum building wire products to our commercial, industrial and residential package to supply our customers. We sell to electrical, industrial and utility wholesale distributors. We have supplied copper wire to Disney World, Cape Canaveral, New York Freedom Tower, SoFi Stadium in L.A., Paycor Stadium, Great American Ball Park, Christ Hospital, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and many other hospitals in the United States. We are proud to say 98% of our products are made in West Chester, USA.
I have enjoyed the last 27 years in West Chester from a personal and business career. We are currently considering building a 320,000 square foot building on 747 for our main distribution center. We will add another 30-50 employees to our current staff and look forward to our Company’s future in West Chester.
Thank you West Chester,
Ron Rosenbeck, Owner & CEO
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QUARTERLY COLUMN: KEEPING UP WITH KATY K
It’s been a busy quarter for the West Chester Economic Development team. First of all, thank you for voting us “BEST COMMUNITY TO DO BUSINESS” in Ohio Business Magazine for the third year in a row. I call that an Economic Development hat trick. We truly appreciate the acknowledgment and are humbled to be recognized. Not one to rest on our laurels and celebrate, we’ve made three major advancements this quarter for the Township and its commitment to being business-friendly. We are already looking ahead to defend our title as “best place to do business.”
In November, the Board of Trustees approved legislation to join the I-75 ESID. The I-75 Energy Special Improvement District (ESID) was created by the City of Monroe and Liberty Township in 2020 to encourage business growth through smart energy investments along the I-75 corridor. By taking a proactive approach and creating this district, businesses are able to access specific financing tools that reduce upfront costs during building construction, expansion, or rehabilitation. We are proud to now be partners with our neighboring communities and bring another tool to our West Chester business community.
On December 1st, the SPARK Small Business Revitalization Grant program was launched. SPARK was designed to encourage investment in exterior improvements in West Chester’s business corridors. The program is available to West Chester Township property owners or commercial tenants with no more than 30 full-time equivalent employees. Award amounts will vary between $1,000 and $10,000. Grant amounts will be determined by the strength of the application with scoring focused on quality of design, impact to the larger business neighborhood, location, job creation and shared investment of the applicant. The grant funding could be used for exterior painting, enhanced outdoor public space, upgraded landscape, signage, exterior lighting and demolition of an existing building. The current application cycle for grant applications is Dec. 1, 2022 to Feb. 28, 2023 with awards announced on March 15. Application periods will be available throughout the year as long as there is available funding. Applications can be completed online only at www.westchesteroh.org/SPARK
Also in December, two additional West Chester CED’s (Community Entertainment Districts) were set in motion, one in the Princeton Glendale Union Centre area and the other at the Streets of West Chester. Ohio law limits the number of liquor permits allowed within a jurisdiction (by type of permit) based upon population of the jurisdiction. The type of permit most often used by full service restaurants that wish to serve beer, wine and mixed drinks, is known as a D-5 permit. Currently, West Chester is nearly at capacity of D5 permits. As the supply of such permits becomes constrained, the cost and availability of permits can become an impediment to the establishment of new restaurants. The establishment of a CED creates a new, geographically limited allocation of permits. A CED may have up to one permit for every 5 acres, up to a maximum of 15 liquor permits per CED. West Chester’s goal with the addition of these two Community Entertainment Districts is to eliminate barriers and bring new dining options for our 65,000 hungry residents.
This quarter’s resource to know is: BCRTA or the Butler County Regional Transit Authority. The role of public transportation in West Chester is not often considered, but it should be. The BCRTA is working on a comprehensive plan to provide more service within the Township and surrounding areas. You can see the proposed routes here: https://bcrtatransitplan.com/. The BCRTA also offers a curb to curb service for only $5.00. The BCRTA service is similar to an Uber/Lyft trip within Butler County. Trips can be booked up to two weeks in advance by calling the customer service center at (513) 785-5237 to schedule a ride or use the new BCRTA mobile app.
Lastly, REDI Cincinnati notified West Chester that 17 projects in the Township qualified for the JobsOhio Governor’s Cup, more than any other community submitting projects from the region. Projects must meet one or more of the following criteria to be considered: 1) employees – 20 or more new jobs created; 2) square footage – 20,000 or more of new or expanded facility space; and 3) capital investment – $1,000,000 or more (construction, land, building.) West Chester is proud to continue seeing this type of investment from corporate stakeholders that translates to the success of our local economy and to the overall strength of the economy of the great State of Ohio.
Happy New Year West Chester, where families grow, businesses prosper, resolutions stick and dreams come true.
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West Chester: Built With You in Mind |
West Chester is a proven destination for corporate investment displayed by the expansive growth over the past two decades, yet development opportunities still exist throughout the township with commercial sites of 1 to 60 acres still available. Office, manufacturing, research and properties with accessible infrastructure, frontage on I-75 or within two miles of an interstate interchanges are available. Contact Katy Kanelopoulos at (513) 759-7325 or kkanelopoulos@westchesteroh.org for personalized assistance.
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OFFICE / MEDICAL / TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS |
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CSI Pharmacy, nationwide specialty pharmacy, will open an 11,200 square-foot medical facility at 8850 Beckett Road in West Chester Commerce Center. CSI Pharmacy was founded by pharmacists and is dedicated to providing services for patients with chronic and rare illnesses that require complex care. CSI Pharmacy is invested in improving the health of the people they serve by offering expert clinicians, passionate advocates, committed healthcare partners, and strategic reimbursement experts. CSI Pharmacy’s goal is to optimize patient outcomes while treating patients as if they were family members.
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VEO Ophthalmics, dedicated to bringing innovative and quality medical devices to ophthalmic surgeons, relocated to a 2,808 square-foot facility at 10184 International Boulevard in World Park. VEO Ophthalmics are manufacturers of the first artificial iris which is used to treat defects that reduce the sensitivity to bright light and glare. The professionals at VEO Ophthalmics believe that listening to its surgical customers and business partners, strictly adhering to regulatory and quality standards, is critical to its success.
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TriHealth Endocrinology, a network of highly-trained endocrinology and diabetes care doctors and support services, will open a 3,150 square-foot medical office at 8020 Liberty Way in TriHealth’s 50,000 square-foot Class A building located in West Chester Township near Cox Road. The medical professionals at TriHealth Endocrinology specialize in the diagnosis and management of hormonal conditions, including the endocrine glands, the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands which regulate metabolism.
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DOC Pain Management, specializing in effective pain management care by board certified, fellowship trained physicians, will open a 2,080 square-foot medical office at 8230 Beckett Park Drive off Smith Road. The mission at DOC Pain Management is to provide quality healthcare using state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. DOC Pain Management utilizes the most advanced medical techniques available with the goal of treating the whole person, providing patient education, interventional treatment, and returning patients to full mobility so they can get back to enjoying life.
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GBEX, a one-stop-shop for high quality office supplies, will open a 2,150 square-foot office headquarters at 4841 Rialto Road in Rialto Crossing. A certified Woman-Owned and Minority-Owned Business Enterprise, GBEX is a master distributor of office, janitorial, sanitary and break room supplies, copy paper, technology and promotional products, as well as office furniture. GBEX also offers MRO, electrical, industrial, tools and equipment. GBEX can deliver products to customers anywhere in the United States with competitive pricing, award-winning customer service, and streamlined procurement processes.
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EMC Insurance, nationwide property and casualty insurance providers, will open a 6,254 square-foot Class A office at 9100 West Chester Towne Centre Drive near The Square @ Union Centre. EMC Insurance is one of the top 60 property and casualty organizations in the United States. Founded in 1911, EMC sells its products solely through independent insurance agencies. Today, EMC has more than 2,000 employees in 40 states across the country.
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GSG Cincinnati, specializing in digital printing technologies, opened a 26,111 square-foot facility at 9407 Meridian Way in World Park at Union Centre. GSG combines a unique understanding of the latest digital printing technologies with half a century of knowledge and experience in traditional sign, screen printing, embroidery and textile decorating. As fully committed partners to printers across the United States, GSG offers screen making, color matching, digital technical support, educational and consulting services and more.
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Cincy Accounting & Tax Services, specializing in bookkeeping and payroll services, relocated its existing West Chester business to a 1,225 square-foot office at 7908 Cincinnati-Dayton Road near Tylersville Road. Cincy Accounting & Tax Services provides fast and accurate payroll solutions to small and medium size businesses. The company also offers additional services such as Quickbooks management, accounts payable/receivable, profit and loss statement preparation and more.
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IWG (Regus), global providers featuring flexible co-working office spaces, will open a 14,737 square-foot center at 8200 Beckett Park Drive. IWG (Regus) offers individual workspaces, meeting rooms and the ability for clients to set up a virtual office with a mailing address. IWG (Regus) users will also have access to full administrative support, WI-FI and all kitchen amenities. Memberships can be purchased for daily, monthly or yearly usage with thousands of locations worldwide.
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Enable Injections, a global healthcare innovator developing and manufacturing drug delivery systems, will open a 7,138 square-foot facility at 6306 Centre Park Drive in Schumacher Commerce Park. Enable Injections’ body-worn product, enFuse, delivers high-volume pharmaceutical and biologic therapeutics via subcutaneous administration. The product is aimed at improving convenience, supporting superior outcomes, and advancing healthcare system economics. Enable Injections positively impacts patients worldwide, offering patients the flexibility of in-clinic or at-home self-administration so they can focus on what matters most to them.
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Federal Eagle, manufacturers of world-class professional coaches and limousines, leased a 28,335 square-foot facility at 9950 Princeton Glendale Road. Eagle Coach and Federal Coach, two trusted funeral coach partners, are business units of JB Poindexter & Co. Federal Eagle has been providing its clients with quality service for more than 100 years. The company is a certified Cadillac Master Coachbuilder and a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier, offering specialty vehicle solutions tailored to the client’s needs. Eagle Coach vehicles are the leading choice for stately services, politicians and celebrities. This will be Federal Eagle’s second West Chester location.
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Techo-Bloc Midwest Corp., manufacturer of design-driven landscaping products, will open a 9,900 square-foot facility at 9950 Farr Court. Techo-Bloc is known for elevating exterior design by creating landscape stones that push the boundaries of functionality, durability and aesthetics. Techo-Bloc products span lifetimes and are engineered to endure the harshest weather. Techo-Bloc offers a diverse collection of landscape stone styles, textures and colors that transform any yard into a spectacular setting, and its distribution network has grown to more than 700 stores across the U.S. and Canada.
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Maersk, experts in global integrated transport and logistics, leased a 52,600 square-foot facility at 9251 Meridian Way in the World Park at Union Centre adjacent to its existing 433,000 square-foot facility. Maersk provides American businesses with regular connections incorporating rail, road and barges. Maersk’s global network of warehouses cover services such as consolidation, fulfilment, and distribution as well as container depots. The latest warehouses, utilizing a hybrid system of automation, robotics and skilled teams of warehousing professionals, acting as key components in all supply chains.
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Superior Image, a full-service, high-volume contract embroiderer, opened a 6,250 square-foot facility at 10152 International Boulevard in World Park. Superior Image can readily accommodate large and small orders with a committed embroidery staff who recognizes the value of a satisfied client. Superior Image’s ability to successfully balance quality workmanship, client preferences and exceptional services sets them apart from the rest.
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Saia Motor Freight Line, nationwide freight carriers, will construct a new 13,135 square-foot building at its existing operations center at 3010 E. Crescentville Road. Saia Motor Freight Line is one of the nation’s leading carriers, providing less-than-truckload (LTL), truckload, distribution and consolidation, and a variety of other logistics services to a broad range of industries including retail, chemical and manufacturing. Saia Motor Freight was founded in 1924, and today it is a billion-dollar carrier offering nationwide coverage through a network of 187 terminals.
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ENZO Building and Design, specializing in new commercial, industrial and retail construction, opened a 2,800 square-foot facility at 10020 International Boulevard in World Park. In addition to offering expansion and renovation services, ENZO provides in-house design services in order to streamline the process from concept to completion. ENZO takes pride in providing exceptional service and its understanding of code and construction enabling clients to achieve the best product for their budget.
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Horizon Freight System/Quicker Logistics, providers of intermodal trucking services, began construction on a new 2,670 square-foot operations center at 5090 Excello Court off Port Union Rialto Road. Since 1983, Horizon Freight System has provided international and domestic, heavy haul/over-dimensional transportation, and third-party logistics services. Horizon’s network of more than 800 trucks and 40 nationwide locations work together to move freight safely and efficiently. At Horizon Freight System, reliability and customer service take the front seat making it a leader in the intermodal marketplace.
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Refloor, a one-stop quality flooring shop, opened a 4,992 square-foot facility at 9850 Princeton Glendale Road. Refloor offers new, luxury flooring that is hassle-free and long-lasting. Refloor makes getting new flooring fast with its efficient warehouse stocking that delivers next day installation, free moving and removal of your furniture, as well as hauling away old flooring. Refloor offers free, in-home consultations, estimates, and all floors come with a lifetime guarantee.
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The Learning Kitchen, a premier hands-on cooking class venue and kitchen boutique locally-owned and growing since 2008, began a 1,858 square-foot expansion to its existing West Chester business at 7659 Cox Lane. The Learning Kitchen’s state-of-the-art facility was designed to provide educational cooking classes whether you are a gourmet chef, seasoned home cook or a complete beginner. The Learning Kitchen’s take on cooking is simple—it should be easy, fun and delicious. The expansion will more than double The Learning Kitchen’s existing footprint.
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Dollar Tree, offering extreme values on everyday items, will open a 10,364 square-foot retail store at 8140 Princeton Glendale Road in Beckett Commons. Dollar Tree offers deals on household items, cleaning products, toys, crafts, greeting cards, school supplies and more. Always available for one low price, Dollar Tree also offers a wide variety of party supplies, balloons, gift bags and seasonal decorations. Dollar Tree customers can also purchase in bulk at its website.
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Rancheros Cocina Mexicana West Chester, specializing in authentic Mexican food, will open a 4,717 square-foot restaurant at 9421 Civic Centre Boulevard in The Streets of West Chester adjacent to the AMC West Chester 18 theatre. Rancheros Cocina Mexicana is committed to satisfying its customer’s palates with a full spectrum of south-of-the-border favorites at every visit. Rancheros Cocina’s highly skilled team of chefs use only the finest, fresh ingredients and choice selection of meats and seafood in every dish they prepare to create an enjoyable dining experience.
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D-BAT West Chester, an indoor baseball and softball training center, will open a 15,055 square-foot facility at 9021 Meridian Way in World Park at Union Centre. D-Bat West Chester will offer an indoor, climate-controlled, state-of-the-art environment with baseball and softball batting cages and more. D-Bat West Chester's professional instructors live and breathe the sport. The center’s Pro Shop will feature member discounts on lessons, camps and merchandise.
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Yard Vybz Nyaminz, a new Jamaican restaurant impacting the world one taste at a time, opened a 2,108 square-foot restaurant and catering business at 9536 Cincinnati Columbus Road in Dimmick Plaza. Yard Vybz Nyaminz offers authentic Jamaican dishes personalized and cooked to order including oxtail, curry, Jamaican Jerk dishes, fresh seafood, stuffed plantains and more.
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Sawasdee Thai Cuisine, specializing in authentic Thai cuisine, will open a 2,753 square-foot restaurant at 6064 West Chester Road in West Chester Centre at Lakota West Drive and Muhlhauser Road. Sawasdee Thai Cuisine uses fresh meats and locally-sourced vegetables in all of its homemade dishes. Sawasdee Thai Cuisine’s sauces are created to give each dish a unique, distinct taste. Sawasdee Thai Cuisine eggrolls and spring rolls are hand-rolled daily.
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Ten Second Yunnan Noodle, famous for serving its handmade noodles at lightning speed, will open a 1,343 square-foot restaurant at 7606 Cox Lane in the Marketplace at University Pointe near West Chester Hospital. Ten Second Yunnan Noodle offers Chinese noodles in a variety of soup-based broths including spicy Szechuan, pork, chicken, vegetarian and hot-and-sour. Ten Second Yunnan Noodles takes pride in getting its noodles to customers super-hot and super-fast.
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The West Chester Development Council is a non-profit corporation, representing a public/private partnership between West Chester Township and the private business sector established to promote economic development initiatives. The following organizations have chosen to support the economic development and marketing efforts of West Chester Township and the West Chester Development Council. West Chester Development
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