Friday, March 19, 1999
Zoom town gets a boost
Industries take look at Springboro
BY RICHELLE THOMPSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SPRINGBORO — The fastest-growing city in Warren County may be getting a needed boost to its industrial base.
A Middletown business has decided to move its manufacturing facility and 29 jobs to Springboro, and city officials are courting another company that would bring 150 jobs.
Daklak Do, owner and president of Advanced Engineering Solutions Inc. in Middletown, said Thursday he intends to become the first tenant in Springboro's newest industrial park.
He hopes to open a 40,000-square-foot manufacturing plant by November. Advanced Engineering produces molds used to cut and shape carpets for automobiles.
City officials won't reveal the name of a printing company that could bring 150 manufacturing jobs. The company is expected to present site plans Wednesday at the city's planning commission meeting, said Mike Schepers, Springboro's economic development director.
The printing company is considering a 12-acre site in South Tech Business Park across from the Montgomery County Airport on Ohio 741, Mr. Schepers said. If it lands in Springboro, the company would bring twice as many jobs as Dalco Electronics, the largest business to locate in Springboro in 1998.
Landing these companies would be another step in Springboro's transformation from bedroom community to self-sustaining city where people can live, work and shop. With a population spike of 47 percent from 1990 to 1996, up to 9,693 people, Springboro — and its tax base — is primarily residential.
But city leaders are working to balance the explosive residential growth with industrial development.
That's welcome news to the largest recipient of property taxes, Springboro Community City Schools.
Voters have twice turned down operating levies that the district said it needs to handle the area's explosive growth. A 4.6-mill emergency operating levy is on the May ballot. If it doesn't pass, school officials say they won't be able to hire enough staff to open the newly renovated Springboro Elementary School this fall.
At least 90 percent of the tax revenue the district receives comes from residents, Treasurer Pam Ashbaugh said. There should be more balance, with a greater share coming from industry, she said.
“The more children you have to educate, the more burden it places on the taxpayers,” Ms. Ashbaugh said. “An industrial base gives you taxes to offset that burden.”
Springboro has attracted dozens of new industries in recent years. The city had gained 2,300 full-time industrial jobs since 1987, according to a 1997 report from the city's economic development office.
The problem, Ms. Ashbaugh said, is that most of the industry is west of Pioneer Boulevard. An old agreement between the Franklin and Springboro school districts and the cities dictate that the tax revenue from those areas goes to Franklin.
“We need more (tax) relief,” Ms. Ashbaugh said. “The availability of space is here. It's just a matter of getting the industries.”
The latest companies are a good start, Mr. Schepers said.
While taxes paid by Advanced Engineering would go to Franklin, the entire community will feel the economic impact, he said. The city has worked for three years to prepare 43 acres near Interstate 75 to become Stolz Industrial Park.
Advanced Engineering will use 10 acres. Cost for the land and building the manufacturing facility is estimated at $1.6 million, Mr. Do said.
The company, which Mr. Do started in 1995 with two employees, has outgrown its current facility on Emerald Way, Mr. Do said. He looked at locations in several Warren and Butler County cities, but said he was drawn to Springboro because city staff were helpful and the location meant his employees would have a short drive.
Springboro “historically has been a residential community,” Mr. Schepers said. “In the last 10 years, we've worked to build the industrial base to help develop a more well-rounded community.”
City needs 7 cop-watchers
School board prayer banned
Smokers get many fuming on litter
Butts, nicotine products can sicken children, pets
No butts about it: Smoke make readers mad
Justin to stay put for appeals
Democrats reserve a place for Luken
Pregnant wife in prison
Strickland may seek DeWine's Senate seat
NAACP endorses direct election of mayor
Clermont mother of four found guilty of rape, assault
Grandchild's cancer puts life in perspective
What would you ask 'N Sync?
Women of the Year's contributions celebrated
Year later, Tigerlilies face down crash memories in Dallas
Chemist's family sues over death
Computer project chief likely to be fired
Murder charge follows new law
Union for doctors dinner meeting topic
Urban sprawl feared from plan
Veteran investigator helping search for Erica
At-risk children may get visits
Cincinnati sets up ethics group
Judge orders Elder Cafe to remain padlocked
Kindergartners talk about death
Maplewood offers mystery
Report says hospital quality here high
Return to torched school delayed
Sentencing postponed for reporter in Chiquita case
Silverton swimming pool to open, council decides
Students get raw lesson on drinking, drugs, driving
Sycamore keeps Jewish holidays
Technology on display at schools
TRISTATE DIGEST
Warsaw Avenue gets attention long absent
Well-heeled glued to TVs
Zoom town gets a boost
