Loveland, Miami Township, and Symmes Township gave their State of the Region address Wednesday, January 22
By Chuck Gibson
A crowd of nearly 60 local business leaders look on as Loveland Schools Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse presents the State of the Schools 2020 (Photo:Chuck Gibson)
MIAMI TOWNSHIP, CLERMONT C0UNTY– Close to 60 business leaders were on hand for the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance annual “State of the Region” address at the RSVP Event Center in Miami Township Wednesday morning January 22.
The event featured a sit-down lunch and State of the Region updates from Loveland, Miami Township, Symmes Township leaders and the Loveland City School District leader. School Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse was first to share a peek into 2020 for community business leaders in attendance. She offered a brief and bright perspective on the current state of the Loveland City School District.
Crouse focused her update on continuing to build on recent success for Loveland students with strong educational programs creating pathways for future success for all Loveland students.
Crouse touched on the subject of the failed November 2019 tax levy and its impact on the schools and the community as a whole. She also spoke of the impending March ballot school operating levy. Despite any challenges the school faces with funding, her focus for the future remained on implementation of programs and policies to keep the Loveland City School District a desired destination for families
Miami Township Administrator Jeff Wright focused his message on highlights of economic growth. The township continues to grow evidenced by a current population of 43,500 people, a 10-20 percent increase since 2010 according to census figures. Close to 15,400 homes with 121 new homes built in 2019 and expectations for 100 more new homes in 2020 is more evidence of township growth. Wright said the topography limits more residential development and sees new homes dropping to 50-60 annually in the immediate future. Growth can also be seen in household income with the township median at $90,745 compared to about $64,000 median household income for Clermont County.
Jeff Wright – Miami Township Administrator (Photo- Provided)
Miami Township Administrator Jeff Wright highlighted news business including plans for the Miamiville Trailyard Restaurant. (Photo:Chuck Gibson)
Wright cited the business corridors of Miami Township including the S.R. 28 Business Gateway at I-275, U.S. 50, Wards Corner Road, Branch Hill Guinea Pike and further east along S.R. 28. New businesses like Mike’s Car Wash, the Christ Hospital Medical Center and Satco Incorporated were highlights along with the planned new restaurant Miamiville Trailyard along the river. Improvements to the park system, roads, and initiatives like work internships for high school students from both Milford and Loveland High Schools were brought into focus for 2020 and beyond in Miami Township.
Symmes Township Administrator Kim Lapensee brought into focus the economics of overseeing operations for a premier residential community of about 15,000 residents. The township covers nine square miles, with 43 miles of roadways, and 197 acres of parkland spread over nine different parks.
Symmes Township presented as a “Premier Residential Community” (Photo:Chuck Gibson)
Law enforcement and Fire and Ems services for the residents are contracted by the township to Hamilton County Sheriff’s office and to Loveland-Symmes Fire Department.
Lapensee said the main business corridors for Symmes Township consist of Fields-Ertel Road, Governor’s Hill, and a stretch of Montgomery Road. Her presentation highlighted the addition of Performance Kings Honda and the new At Home store along with dozens of other new and upgraded businesses in the township. Improvements for parks – especially Meade Park – and paving projects for road repair and pedestrian and natural walkways were also emphasized looking into and beyond 2020 for Symmes Township.
Business leaders watch and listen as Kim Lapensee, Symmes Township Administrator presents a look at what’s ahead for 2020 (Photo:Chuck Gibson)
Parks are a priority for Symmes Township in 2020 (Photo:Chuck Gibson)
Loveland City Manager David Kennedy focused his presentation on the rebirth of Historic Downtown Loveland with an emphasis on economic development as well. While downtown continues to be “tweaked”, focus is turning to a comprehensive plan extending beyond the Historic Downtown district and into the Loveland-Madeira Road business gateway. Kennedy pointed to the development of the Oasis Turf & Tree headquarters there. Grants were used to improve basketball courts and playing fields at McCoy and Kiwanis Parks. Plans are in place for major improvement to the restrooms at Nisbet Park as well.
Big Brother entered the picture too as Kennedy could not restrain his enthusiasm for Loveland becoming a “Smart City” beginning with plans to turn on citywide Wi-Fi Tuesday, January 28.
Loveland City Manager David Kennedy presents the State of hte City address during the LMRCA event Wednesday, January 22. (Photo:Chuck Gibson)
It promises a wide variety of benefits for the city, business owners, residents and visitors. His tightest focus is on the biggest project to come – parking and traffic flow. Plans for a parking garage located on the property behind current City Hall and adjacent to S.R. 48 will not only provide nearly 300 additional parking spaces, but additional entry into parking off S.R. 48 helping relieve some of the traffic flow from Warren and Clermont County residents coming into Loveland.
“It is always a pleasure to get together with all the areas we serve; townships, cities, and hear what is going to happen in 2020,” said Cee Cee Collins, Little Miami River Chamber Alliance President. “That’s why we do this,
The popularity of Historic Downtown Loveland was highlighted (Photo:Chuck Gibson)
so businesses can be prepared; not blind-sided by road paving, new building or a parking garage. They kind of see what’s coming. This is another way to keep communications lines open.”
More about Miami Township here
More about Symmes Township here
More about City of Loveland here
More about Little Miami River Chamber here
