Middletown Forum

Economic Development : Cincinnati State leaving downtown

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 13:43:07 +0000

Author: middletownscouter
Subject: Cincinnati State leaving downtown
Posted: Jun 05 2023 at 1:43pm

This has been reported on since back in November, but didn't see if mentioned on these forums yet. Looks like a downtown property is going to be vacant soon.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cincinnati-state-leaving-downtown-middletown-141400534.html

Cincinnati State leaving downtown Middletown for Miami University regional campus

Michael D. Clark, Journal-News, Hamilton, Ohio

Fri, June 2, 2023 at 10:14 AM EDT·4 min read

Jun. 2—MIDDLETOWN -The next step in the growing partnership between Miami University and Cincinnati State in Middletown begins Monday as the community college moves from its decade-long home in the heart of this city.

The Hamilton County-based community college is moving its Butler County branch to Miami's Middletown campus.

It's a move anticipated since November, when the Journal-News first reported Miami and Cincinnati State officials were embarking on a historic cooperation, which in August will start to see some of more than 400 local community college students begin learning on Miami regional campus or via online courses.

As part of the move Cincinnati State will close its location at 1 N. Main St. where for the last 10 years the school had leased four floors of the former Cincinnati Gas & Electric building as its first branch campus in Butler County.

School employees will begin moving their offices and equipment from Middletown's second-tallest building to the regional campus' Johnston Hall and are expected to be done by the end of June.

The historic partnership between the Hamilton County-based Cincinnati State and Miami is advantageous for both, said school officials.

"We truly appreciate the partnerships we have developed with the City of Middletown, Butler County, and with our education partners," said Monica Posey, president of Cincinnati State. "We are excited about our new location and the innovative approach to serving students that it will make possible."

At Miami Middletown, Cincinnati State is leasing about 1,500-square feet for offices, but will have shared access to classrooms as needed, and students will have full use of the library, cafeteria, recreation center and other amenities on the campus that will enhance student experience.

Ande Durojaiye, vice president and dean for the Miami regional campuses, stood Thursday next to some of the new signage outside of Johnston Hall featuring both Cincinnati State and Miami's names and said both of the newly joined educational institutions will gain from their first partnership, but more importantly so will students.

"Miami is committed to increasing access to higher education for all individuals across the region. And we do that by partnering with institutions like Cincinnati State and bringing their students on to our campus, exposing them to our programs," said Durojaiye.

"Ideally this partnership should be sent up in a way that students who are at Cincinnati State should have a seamless path to Miami and a Miami degree."

School officials said the merger will mean tuition savings for the Cincinnati State students, which numbered more than 2,000 last school year, with most living in Butler County.

Robbin Hoopes, provost of Cincinnati State, echoed the enthusiasm for expanding college options for local students.

"The partnership with Miami Middletown means they have access to a lot of things here that we did not have at the Middletown campus, recreational facilities, cafeteria, library and things like that," said Hoopes.

And, he said, "it allows for educational pathways. Before (students) completing a one year or two-year college credential with us, if they were going to go on for a bacchelurate degree at Miami regional, they had to transfer to a completely different campus."

"Now they get to do that right here, on site to a place they are familiar with and in addition they can begin that second step, while they are still a student with us ... and it shortens their time to (earning) a degree," said Hoopes.

The departure of a major downtown employer will hurt, at least a temporarily, the central business economy, said Jeff Payne, executive director of Downtown Middletown Inc.

"But we don't want to see this in a negative light and we'd like to see re-occupancy of that space," said Payne of the 79,000 square feet used by Cincinnati State.

"And we will work with the city to look for positive re-use for it. But obviously with (school) staff moving out, that is fewer folks to take part in eating at our restaurants and things like that."

"But we also see this as a new opportunity for a new tenant to come in and be part of our downtown. It's a great space and nice strategic location with good access," said Payne.

Students interested in enrolling in Cincinnati State's new location in Middletown may call 513-217-3700 or go online at cincinnatistate.edu/admissions.

City Council : Council wants YES on Aggregation of Energy

Mon, 15 May 2023 10:05:20 +0000

Author: middletownscouter
Subject: Council wants YES on Aggregation of Energy
Posted: May 15 2023 at 10:05am

A little late since both measure passed, but I did find information from the state of Ohio at:

https://puco.ohio.gov/utilities/electricity/resources/government-aggregation

It appears the city plans to go the opt-out method, which is what required the ballot measures. Basically they're setting up their own bargaining units for all Middletown residents and will become the defacto energy company for most of us. The rates and fees will be paid by us I'm sure but have to be laid out in the upcoming required meetings and notices that are laid out on the website I linked above. So Energy Alliances will get paid, likely via monthly fees on our bills. The question that pops to my mind is whether we'll be receiving two bills (or rather three) once this all starts up. One from the city / First Energy for electric, one for gas, and a third from Duke for delivery of the energy. Or will their job just be to negotiate rates with Duke, and then we'll have a charge on our water/trash bill for the fees to the city (that will be paid to Energy Alliance, after I'm sure the city takes a cut for their administrative fees)?

It isn't like we're going to have new utility lines run throughout town, so whatever energy will still be coming into our property via Duke's lines that they maintain, so will we be charged by Duke for something. Also it's their meters so they'll be the ones to know how much energy was used. Seems like this will be more likely that it just sets rates on our bills that Duke sends us, and whether additional fees to the city / Energy Alliance is going to be billed through Duke or direct from the city is the big question. Someone has to pay for it, and if they're claiming no new taxes, then it means the fees will get flowed directly to the consumers.

But since this is an opt-out version, the city has a lot of hoops to jump through to make sure that all information is relayed to the public with enough time for everyone to determine if they want to let the city negotiate energy rates on their behalf, work directly with Duke, or use some other third party (since that option has been around for many years).

City Council : Council wants YES on Aggregation of Energy

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 20:52:25 +0000

Author: whistlersmom
Subject: Council wants YES on Aggregation of Energy
Posted: Apr 28 2023 at 8:52pm

If anyone knows more please add on, feedback appreciated. Anything to make an educated vote!

Council has spent money printing and sending out oversized post cards (of which I have received 3). We are admonished to VOTE YES on separate issues for electric and gas, issue 4 and issue 5 respectively. The post cards read "the electric and gas aggregation programs will combine the energy needs for the residents of the City of Middletown to provide more stable rates". This is for Duke customers electric and gas rates.

Take note of the City's press release on March 7, 2023 . . .sent to whom I don't know, and I had not seen it until finding it online after receiving post cards. I feel March 7 was very short notice. To ill lately to take much note of city workings earlier, but better now. https://www.cityofmiddletown.org/DocumentCenter/View/6073/Energy-Aggregation-Press-Release--FAQ Also for more info: Questions? Contact: Ashley Combs Development Services Director.ashleyc@cityofmiddletown.org or 513-425-7950.The following are excerpts:

.The Middletown City Council has decided to place Electric and Natural Gas Aggregation issues on the May 2nd ballot

Energy aggregation is atool that local governments can use to give residents another option.

The City of Middletown has chosen Energy Alliances Inc. 513-794-5555 as a consultant.They will assist with certification for the City, the management of the program,negotiation of rates from energy suppliers, and maintain a level of customer service forMiddletown residents. Now I don't think this consultant company will do that for $0. But The City has not indicated what their fee might be. The City has only said there will be no new taxes involved, however, our tax dollars will be used to pay for their services. The balance of the "Press release" should be read in order to make a decision on how to vote.

It should be noted that even if this passes, we may individually opt out without charge but don't know if you can rejoin.

I have seen online that West Chester has used Energy Alliances but at one point prices increased so steeply that the company could not provide any relief.

If you look here: https://energyalliances.com/about-us you will see on their website that they are a for profit consulting and energy procurement business as follows:

"Energy Alliances is an independent energy broker and consulting firm that provides comprehensive energy procurement for businesses and communities. The company started in Cincinnati, Ohio and has grown over the past 30 years to be one of the largest in Ohio. We’ve been a leader from the start and continually expand our knowledge base and range of services to serve our clients applying only the highest possible standards to each relationship we make."

City Council : Stay out!

Sun, 11 Dec 2022 04:24:49 +0000

Author: buddhalite
Subject: Stay out!
Posted: Dec 11 2022 at 4:24am

Yeah, well, it doesn't seem to matter to our councilpersons.

First 16M for the mall - thank God that fell through - now this.

The city is not a toy to be played with by the council. That is OUR tax dollars - WE pay that to the city - even State and Federal dollars - I don't care the source - guess who's money it is?

YOURS AND MINE!

And, I was busy and didn't have time to check out the agena prior to the meeting...this crap of 'emergency' legislation is nonsense. This should have had the full 4 weeks of citizen comment and angry people at the podium like Hollywood and others get. They're bypassing the rules - the people of this city need to wake up!

I thought better of our Mayor than to go along with this crap - seems I was wrong about her too. All of 'em need to go.

City Council : Stay out!

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 00:25:10 +0000

Author: Dead man walkin'
Subject: Stay out!
Posted: Dec 07 2022 at 12:25am

Why can't our city officials understand that the City doesn't belong in the real estate business? If any of our city officials want to get in the real estate development game, let them do it their selves, on their own as private businesspeople with their own money, and leave us taxpayers (and our money) out of it.

If it isn't worth investing THEIR money, it isn't worth investing OURS!!!

Stay out of the real estate business. That is NOT a legitimate function of municipal government.

City Council : Why the city fails to develop

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 12:29:15 +0000

Author: buddhalite
Subject: Why the city fails to develop
Posted: Oct 01 2022 at 12:29pm

Can't say that I disagree. I was downtown last Saturday at 3pm - ghost town. Putting all our hopes and dreams into downtown has gotten us nowhere. The East end has the POTENTIAL- but the city has to risk $16M on a TIF (and those are only nationwide about a 35% success rate) to purchase the property and wasted 500K on an 'emergency' legislative vote to make that happen.

Transparency and common sense are the real issues. There's neither of the two on City Council. At least it doesn't appear that both traits are prevalent in any of the 5 currently seated at the semi-circle.

City Council : Why the city fails to develop

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 13:18:56 +0000

Author: whistlersmom
Subject: Why the city fails to develop
Posted: Sep 21 2022 at 1:18pm

Re: Redevelopment of thedefunct Towne Mall

Inmy opinion all of our businesses past and present, whetherestablished or new are hobbled by over regulation. What regulations? Minimalized signage is a big one! Businesses lining our interstateare virtually invisible to the traffic we want to attract. Cananyone justify the 274 pages of sign, landscape and buildingregulation down to the inch in the Middletown Development Code?

Councilneeds to be realistic if they want to attract business. And in thepast zoning has often been gerrymandered in order to require zoningchange fees for new business to locate even in a business district.What a turn off!!

Ourcodes need to be streamlined and reasonable.

IfMiddletown will encourage instead of discourage development then thecity will not need to subsidize said developments and will insteadreap the tax benefits of having a viable prosperous community. Thepast failures have involved the city in buying and selling at a lossand eventual demolition of abandoned pie in the sky projects.

The city was duped and raped, and learned nothing in the process. Howdid that happen? The contracts between the city and those whopresented themselves as developers had no protection for the cityagainst developer default!!

Ah hmm!

Wakeup!! Please, please can we stop doing the wrong things?

Maybe,maybe the East End can be a saving grace instead of another failure. Prosperity of all businesses in Middletown will ease the burden of taxeson our resident population, but that is only if our money is properlyspent in the designated places instead of frittered away on shysterslooking for an easy mark.

City Council : $16M! Great investement or another failed endeavor

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 12:20:08 +0000

Author: buddhalite
Subject: $16M! Great investement or another failed endeavor
Posted: Aug 23 2022 at 12:20pm

Ah. Well, I still have skin in the game - and taking $.5M of my (taxpayer) money for earnest monies and then the city still being on the hook for the $16M ('cause ya know - TIFs don't always pay out the way they're expected) and you have a recipe for disaster.

When government picks winners and losers - the people always lose. How much you wanna bet that we'll be giving tax breaks to all these businesses 'just waiting with baited breath to build in Middletown' when and if they come here.

I haven't seen one single named business that wants to build here. We talk about 'retail' we talk about 'hotels' we talk about all this as though they are done deals - but what retailer, restaurant and/or hotel isn't within 10 minutes on the interstate at this point?

I am not a pie in the sky guy - I think governments role is to encourage - NOT FUND - economic development.

City Council : $16M! Great investement or another failed endeavor

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 12:50:55 +0000

Author: spiderjohn
Subject: $16M! Great investement or another failed endeavor
Posted: Aug 21 2022 at 12:50pm

Don’t own anything commercial in town anymore, so no connection to any area of the city….

Something needs to happen at the east end site, and this sounds like a beginning. Creates another priority outside of the former downtown also.
IMO much better way to spend govt $$$$ than hollywoodtown and continuing storefront improvements again.

To survive, DMI needs to expand up Central to the Jug…and something needs to happen at my old center on S University to compliment a new Sonny Hill building and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Jmo——so much to say……

City Council : $16M! Great investement or another failed endeavor

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 20:35:10 +0000

Author: buddhalite
Subject: $16M! Great investement or another failed endeavor
Posted: Aug 19 2022 at 8:35pm

How do you not have skin in the game?