Introduction | Economic Development Insight | Business Survey
Economic Development InsightIntroduction | Financial Considerations | History of Economic Development | Master Plan | Commercial Districts | Mixed-Use Development | Market AnalysisHistory and Overview of Economic Development in Upper Arlington- Economic Development History- Economic Development Goals Mirror Community's Wishes - Economic Development Incentives - Recent Highlights/Achievements - 2003 Highlights - 2004 Highlights - Testimonials Economic Development HistoryAs was the case in many communities during the late 1980s, concerned elected officials and community leaders deliberated the challenges before Upper Arlington. The City’s limited commercial tax base was problematic, and it was recognized that residents would only be willing to pay so much in property taxes to support City services in addition to funding the Schools. Yet the costs of doing business as a City were continuing to rise.Upper Arlington Community Improvement Corporation In 1994, City Council created the Upper Arlington Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) to serve as the economic development agent for the City. Designated as a 501 (c)(6) and therefore tax exempt, the CIC mission is to promote economic development in a manner consistent with community values. Upon its creation in 1995, the CIC Board of Directors created an economic development plan. Initially, a staff position was part of the CIC but after one year it became housed at the City administration in order to be most effective. This position was to be complimented by the volunteer CIC Board, acting in an advisory capacity to the City Council and staff. This is the format in effect today. All CIC Board members are UA residents, with two-fifths comprised of appointed or elected City officials. Members represent a variety of areas of expertise, with a wide range of knowledge and interests. The CIC meets monthly to consider and advise the City on economic development issues. Incentive requests are routinely presented to the Board for its recommendation, before proceeding to City Council. Economic Development Staff In 1998 the first economic development specialist was hired. Less than a year later this individual accepted a similar position in Westerville. However during his tenure, a number of initiatives were undertaken to begin the City’s economic development efforts. Two of these included: - Creation of the City’s first economic development incentive programs. A state-approved Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) was created in North Arlington, offering real property improvement tax abatements to qualifying projects. Shortly after the creation of the CRA, a Tax Incentive and Development Agreement was executed with the Horizons Companies to relocate within the CRA in the former DeSantis mansion, converting it from a residence to a corporate headquarters. - The development of an Economic Development Fund program. Upon acceptance by City Council, the program was funded with a $500,000 appropriation to be utilized for low-interest loans and grants, and other economic development related initiatives. The City’s second economic development specialist was hired November 1999. Since then the seeds sown in the early 1990s have continued to mature and are now yielding a positive fiscal return for the City. From 2000–2004, the net fiscal benefit to the City from approximately 30 incentivized projects (excluding CompuServe/AOL which skews the numbers because of the windfalls realized by the City in 2001-2002) exceeds $750,000. Matt Shad Deputy City Manager-Economic Development City Manager's Office City of Upper Arlington 3600 Tremont Road Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221 Phone: 614-583-5046 www.ua-ohio.net |
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