Sunday, May 09, 1999
Mason is Warren's $40M gorilla
Development again sets pace in '98
BY KEVIN ALDRIDGE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MASON — This fast-growing city was the crown jewel of Warren County's economic growth in 1998.
Mason, the county's largest city, captured nine business development projects last year. That translates into more than $40 million in new investment, 592 new jobs and more than $19.5 million in new payroll.
A report issued recently by the Partnership for Greater Cincinnati found that investment for the entire county topped $72 million in 1998 and 1,103 jobs were created. The report is the partnership's annual tally of economic development.
To be included, projects must involve creating at least 20 jobs and/or $500,000 in new investment. Retail projects were not included.
“The city continues to stake out its fair share of business development,” Mason City Manager Scot Lahrmer said. “I think we do an excellent job of encouraging a business-friendly atmosphere here, which is a direct result of our aggressiveness in support of business retention and recruitment.”
Mason's development figures were bolstered by several high-profile projects, including J.W. Harris Co.'s $26 million brazing and welding plant and a $3.1 million expansion project by Cintas Corp.
So far this year, Mason is keeping pace with 1998 figures — six new projects were under way during the first quarter. Five projects are major expansions by existing Mason companies and one is a new company.
Melissa Koehler, the city's economic development director, said job growth in Mason has held steady since 1995 at an average of 500 new jobs per year.
“In the last few years, we have captured a large number of moderate-sized projects, whereas in the late 1980s and early 1990s, we were getting fewer projects, but they were greater in scope,” she said.
Mrs. Koehler said Mason has a history of attracting powerhouses such as Mitsubishi and Cintas, which act as anchors for the business community.
She said these corporations traditionally invest millions in the community and create hundreds of jobs.
“Nationally, there has been a decline in the number of large Japanese projects,” she said. “But we've brought in a solid base of these types of companies and are now focusing on filling our business community with smaller and medium-size companies.”
She said that to have continued success, the city has to work harder at attracting more small to medium-sized projects, because larger projects are becoming more scarce.
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