DevelopOhio

As the Pickaway County city of Circleville pursues a $3 million grand prize in the America’s Best Communities competition, Ross County also stands to benefit from the city’s “strategic revitalization plan” developed through that competition, the Chillicothe Gazette reports. Circleville was “one of 50 communities selected to advance to the quarterfinal round,” and was awarded $50,000 “to take the next step in refining and implementing strategies to strengthen the local economy and bolster quality of life,” according to the article. If Circleville wins the competition, the 10-point plan includes “‘big-idea’ initiatives” including a housing partnership to encourage college graduates to live in the city and a “$1.5 million investment in a Circleville fiber ring to create a high-speed data network for businesses.” More immediate plans could directly impact Ross County, such as a possible Circleville Energy Center, “a 200-acre industrial park designed to attract manufacturers and the accompanying jobs,” as well as a “Tech Circleville initiative” that would “provide $5 million for . . . programs to help development of high-tech companies and early stage start-up companies.” For more, read the full article.