Middletown’s Economy Demonstrates Healthy Growth
Collaboration was the buzzword (and the impetus) for Middletown in 2012 as city, business and community leaders worked together to foster innovative economic opportunities in our community. That group effort helped lead to growth in all industry sectors and all regions of the City, including both new construction and expansion. Milestones include:
- Several new companies started operations, and interest in new opportunities in the City continued to increase throughout the year.
- A new college campus opened, key infrastructure projects were completed and a new land banking project started.
- A microfinancing program was initiated for our downtown businesses that can be combined with a facade renovation grant program.
We initiated a new marketing campaign and reached out to more regional and state entities to draw attention to our multifaceted economic progress and potential, and take advantage of further collaborative opportunities.
Our industrial sector grew significantly, with the greatest amount of growth occurring in our chemical segment:
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Air Products and Pilot Chemical both implemented large-scale expansions and plant renovations totaling $113 million.
Barrett Paving Materials 
U.S. Protection Service LLC 
Hampton Inn under construction - Metal-Matic, Advanced Design Solutions and Valicor started new facilities here, supplying the steel and auto industry, and providing fluid purification services.
- Metal Coaters continued their plant renovation (starting operations in 2013).
- MRT, Steam Systems and MTR Martco also implemented expansions.
Our commercial, medical and other professional service sectors also grew and include:
- Three companies that opened administrative headquarters here—
Barrett Paving Materials, Premier System Integrators and U.S. Protection Service LLC. - Central Preschool opened a new facility, and three counseling providers started new operations.
Retail and tourism also expanded:
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Construction started on a new
Hampton Inn. - Towne Mall was sold to an investor group that is planning a $20 million redevelopment investment.
- A new Clark’s Pharmacy opened.
- Several other retail expansions and teardowns/rebuilds were initiated.
The City’s urban rebirth continued, accelerated by the successful opening of the new Cincinnati State Middletown campus which exceeded initial enrollment expectations and continues to grow.
Other urban developments include:
- The historic Sorg Opera House was sold to the nonprofit Sorg Opera Revitalization Group.
- Several new restaurants and specialty shops moved into downtown.
- Two brownfield remediation projects moved forward along the perimeter of downtown.
- Nearby Middletown Regional Airport continued its improvements to facilities, safety and lighting systems; and installed and published AWOS system information. The airport continues to have less than a 2% vacancy rate with operations increasing by nearly 20%. New hangar facilities are in the plans for 2013.
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| New residential development by Fischer Homes |
Residential development continued as Fischer Homes built new homes in the Renaissance District. The company’s confidence in the region was demonstrated by their acquisition of more than 240 acres of residential and commercial land in Middletown.
