The importance of business couldn't be emphasized enough as city officials shared news and updates effecting the commerce of Green.
The Nov. 5 meeting was kicked off by Mayor Dick Norton welcoming business leaders to the new Central Administration Building.
“A lot of thought went into this building,” Norton said. “We're proud of our building.”
Kristie Van Auken, the vice president of the Akron Canton Airport, announced AirTran will begin three daily non-stop flights to Milwaukee starting Jan. 5. The flights from CAK to Milwaukee opens up markets to northern Chicago as well as connecting flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and the western United States.
Green City Engineer Paul Pickett presented an update of construction projects.
Utility work is underway at the intersection improvement at South Arlington Road and State Route 619. The project is funded 80 percent by federal and state monies through the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).
“ODOT had managed the construction,” said Pickett. “The city has managed the design plans.”
Pickett said traffic will be maintained through the two-construction season project. Two through lanes will be constructed north and south. A left turn lane will continue through the corridor from the Target plaza to South Arlington.
Pickett said easements have been obtained. There is still some demolition of properties to be completed. Contracts should be awarded in the first of the year and construction may begin as soon as Feburary or March of 2010.
“This is a project driven by safety,” said Pickett. “It's a high accident rate intersection.”
With one roundabout complete at Steese and Massillon roads, the city is considering a roundabout at Greensburg and Lauby roads, said Pickett.
“A roundabout is the preferred alternative,” he said.
However, construction on the intersection and widening of Lauby Road most likely will not occur until 2011 or 2012.
Pickett urged residents and businesses to go online to the city's Web site, www.cityofgreen.org and sign up for e-alerts for updates on projects within Green.
"Reinvesting in your city retains our desirabilty and makes getting around easier,” Norton said of the infrastructure updates.
Norton also added Green has received a $250,000 grant to extend the sewer line northward from Greensburg Road to Wise Road.
“It's much needed,” Norton said, thanking Summit County Russ Pry and his staff for their support in Green.
Director of Planning Wayne Wiethe presented businesses with a list of business assistance resources, such as Business Basics, Ohio Small Business Development Center and Small Business Administration. The list was complete with services provided by the business assistance groups, e-mails and telephone numbers. The packet is available by contacting the city planning office.
He talked about Green's Community Reinvestment Areas (CRA) in which abatements on real property can be agreed upon.
“If we can help you, we'd like to help,” said Wiethe.
“Businesses can go anywhere,” said Norton. “We value business. We wans to create a business-friendly environment.”
Norton announced Nov. 16-20 will be Diebold Week in the city of Green. On Nov. 20 he will present the city's first ever Distinguished Business Award. Diebold's world headquarters is located on the southern edge of Green. The company is celebrating 150 in business.
Norton reminded business leaders of the city's AA rating by Standard and Poor's. He also said revenue is stable, but he has instructed the departments to reduce budgets for next year by 2.5 percent.
Norton reaffirmed the city's goal of becoming one of the top 10 places in the country to live. He said everyone, including businesses, benefit from that.
Regarding quality of life issues, Norton said plans for another grocery store have not been scraped. However, the cost of a new store will cost a company as much as $14 million.
Norton said the focus of the city is attract smaller businesses with 50 to 300 employees. He said the city needs to be diverse in its tax base and not dependent upon one major employer.
Growth, concluded Norton, should be embraced as a managed strategy, not something that is derrogatory to the quality of life.
