DevelopOhio

There is so much positive economic development in Middletown right now that City Manager Doug Adkins said he would have a hard time keeping his comments brief at a recent presentation at the Middletown Rotary Club, the Hamilton Journal-News reports. Adkins spoke about Planet Fitness coming to the Towne Mall Galleria as part of the mall’s rebirth, saying, “the mall is on its way back,” in the article. Other top projects include “the $500 million Middletown Energy Center, a 500 megawatt natural gas power plant” that begins construction this fall, the $36 million AK Steel Research and Innovation Center scheduled for completion late next year, and “the $20 million Nicholas Place Apartment complex with 216 new, market rate luxury apartments.” Among additional projects Adkins outlined is the Middletown City Schools’ new school construction and renovations financed by a $95 million voter-approved bond issue, according to the Journal-News. Adkins also spoke about the economic development staff’s philosophy of being focused on preparation “to do the best business for the city every single day.” He noted that they are working with the Chamber of Commerce on the most critical need, workforce development. For more, read the full article.