Allen County is out for a new build of a data center by Microsoft. Allen Economic Development Group was notified earlier this week that Microsoft had removed Allen County as a location for the expansion. Microsoft representatives were just in town in mid-September, meeting with commissioners, Perry Township trustees, and residents about the proposed project.
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July 29, 2024, Press Release from the Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine: (COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced today that a 1,000-acre site in Defiance County will be the first location primed for future economic development success with support from the new All Ohio Future Fund. More than $14.6 million from the fund will be awarded to the Defiance County Commissioners to install critical infrastructure at the Baltimore Avenue Industrial Corridor in Defiance, with the goal of attracting major corporations that are looking for project-ready property.
Economic development can be a tricky and trying business, as it takes time to get the right fit. To improve the way they do business, the Allen Economic Development Group and the Greater Lima Region are doing some restructuring. Allen Economic Development Group executive director Dave Stratton is moving into the lead role of the Greater Lima Region, and Cindy Leis is taking the helm of Allen Economic Development Group.
Many people say there is nothing to do in Lima Allen County, but the numbers say otherwise. "Visit Greater Lima" is getting economic impact numbers for the area, and those numbers are up for 2023. According to tourism economics, the county saw nearly $483 million in economic impact, with a total of $62.9 million in tax revenue. Those figures are calculated by the number of visitors and the money that they spend when visiting Lima Allen County. There were a lot of events at the fairground in 2023, and an increase in day trips turned into stay trips that all went towards the bottom line.
The committee met for the third time on this issue and discussed current ordinances in place to protect the safety of those in the city from dangerous operations regarding food trucks. Currently, in order to obtain a special license or a yearly license to operate a food truck, applicants must obtain a copy of an approved Lima Fire Department inspection report showing compliance with the Ohio Fire Code. The committee voted to refer this to council with no further action.
It’s a collaborative effort to fully understand what is involved with the possible taxing options of Birch Solar by the Allen and Auglaize County Commissioners, the boards of Shawnee and Wapakoneta school districts, and the Apollo Career Center. If asked, these entities would have to decide on whether to accept a payment in lieu of taxes or a tax abatement and they want to make the best decision for all involved.
The Allen County commissioners also looking to 2019 with the hopes of continued development with the addition of the Greater Lima Region as an economic development tool.
It's been only a couple of months since Van Wert has had a new mayor, and he says the city is moving in the right direction.