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Urbana site earns EPA approval

3/31/2021

 
The former Johnson Manufacturing Company property at 605 Miami St. in Urbana has cleared another hurdle.
The former Johnson Manufacturing Company property at 605 Miami St. in Urbana has cleared another hurdle.
From Urbana Daily Citizen
The former Johnson Manufacturing Company property at 605 Miami St. in Urbana received another boost toward redevelopment for commercial or industrial use last week when the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency issued a covenant not to sue under its Voluntary Action Program (VAP) following the remediation of 12.66 acres located on the east side of the property.
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In 2011, with the assistance of Hull & Associates, the city obtained a grant from the Ohio Department of Development through the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund for assessment work at the site.

In 2014, the city filed an expedited foreclosure application with the county Board of Revision. The following year, no one bid for the property at public auctions and the property was forfeited to the city.

In 2017, the city took title to the property and, later that year, TIS Properties LLC partnered with the city to clean up and redevelop the site. The city and TIS both committed funds toward that end, and the Champaign Economic Partnership assisted in obtaining grant funding.

In 2020, the city transferred ownership of the east side of the property to TIS Properties LLC.

The city still owns the west side of the property, west of Dugan Run and the Simon Kenton Trail. City officials say remediation has been completed on the west side and that a covenant not to sue will be requested from Ohio EPA. At that point, the city hopes to find an end user.
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The city, TIS and the Champaign Economic Partnership continue work to redevelop the property.

Information provided by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the city of Urbana and the Champaign Economic Partnership.

Clark to begin medical residency

3/31/2021

 
Ryan Clark
Ryan Clark
From Urbana Daily Citizen
A local graduate, Ryan Clark, will begin his medical residency this summer after finishing his education a year early.

Clark graduated in 2014 from Urbana High School and was the class valedictorian.

He attended classes at Urbana University his junior and senior years while at UHS.

Clark graduated from Wright State University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering.
He was accepted into and attended Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State, and he will graduate on May 2.

He will be completing his residency in Anesthesiology at Indiana University.
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Clark’s parents are Rick and Shawn Clark.

Weidmann hires local students

3/30/2021

 
(From left to right) Gavin Adams, Jessica Engi, Dawson Cohn, Ashely Cook, & Marcia Bailey.
(From left to right) Gavin Adams, Jessica Engi, Dawson Cohn, Ashely Cook, & Marcia Bailey.
Weidmann Electrical Technology recently offered two local high school students the opportunity to work part time while finishing their senior year. Childhood friends, Dawson Cohn and Gavin Adams heard about the work study program through friends and liked the idea of working for a local manufacturer. Dawson is a student at Ohio Hi-Point in their Automotive program and Gavin attends Ohio Hi-Point’s Business Program at Graham High School. Both officially signed their letters of intent to become part-time employees on Thursday, March 18th.  The two work approximately 20 hours a week while also attending school. 
Weidmann works with them to accommodate their current school schedules and have the capability to offer any shift options needed. Weidmann Electric Technology’s HR Assistant, Jessica Engi said, “Their interviews are what set them apart. They interviewed really well.” 

Students like Dawson, who have an interest in entering the workforce after graduation, can apply to become a full-time employee with Weidmann. They also work with students to allow them to work part-time while attending college, which is what Gavin hopes to do.  After graduation he will be attending Ashland University majoring in Business Administration and Manufacturing Management. Jessica encourages local students to know they have options after graduation. “Whether a student enters a career path or completes a college education, we want them to know we have opportunities that range from entry-level, to technical careers.”

Click here to read more. 

Kaffenbarger named outstanding superintendent

3/23/2021

 
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Article from Urbana Daily Citizen
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Dr. Dan Kaffenbarger, superintendent of the Madison Champaign Educational Service Center, was named Outstanding Superintendent by the Southwest Region of the Ohio School Boards Association on March 9. The region includes 17 counties.

Kaffenbarger has 35 years of experience in education with the last 12 as superintendent of the Madison Champaign ESC, which has been recognized as a High Performing ESC five consecutive years and has increased services provided to local school districts.

CEP Welcomes 2 to Board and New Administrative Assistant

3/16/2021

 
The Champaign Economic Partnership Board of Trustees has elected two new members – Jerome Armstrong, as financial representative, and Brad Winner, leisure/entertainment representative. And Lynette Moody serves as the CEP’s new administrative assistant.
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Jerome Armstrong
​Jerome Armstrong has served as a financial advisor for about 20 years – with Fifth Third Securities, Chase Investment Services, and now Edward Jones in Urbana.  He’s a graduate of Miami University. He and has wife, Amy, both 1992 Urbana High School graduates, have three children, Taylor, Tessa and Tate.

A member and past president of the Urbana Lions Club, he also has volunteered with Junior Achievement, Urbana City Schools, Habitat for Humanity and the YMCA.
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“With the CEP I look forward to assisting in the continued growth of Urbana and Champaign County to help businesses create more opportunities for citizens, including our younger generation, and attract more families to live in our community.”
​CEP board member and treasurer Dave Snyder has changed from serving as the board’s finance representative to at-large member.

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Brad Winner
Brad Winner, a 2009 Urbana High School graduate, studied at Columbus State and Ohio State University before joining his family’s businesses, including four grocery stores, a franchised food chain and MIXX165, a full-service restaurant in Mechanicsburg. While in Columbus, he made connections with musicians, event organizers and bar/restaurant owners, developing his interest in the restaurant and entertainment industries.
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He moved back to Urbana in 2017 with his wife, Samantha. He serves on the Champaign County Arts Council board and is active at Faith Tabernacle Church. 
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“Bringing industry and entertainment to Champaign County is a top priority to me,” he says. “Rural areas in Ohio are in a revitalization period and our area has had some amazing people working to steer us in the right direction. I’m thankful to be asked to help build on their achievements.”

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Lynette Moody
Lynette Moody worked for Hearth and Home of Urbana, first as activities director, then as assistant manager, before joining the CEP.
 
Moody, who grew up in Urbana, said, “I’m so excited for the opportunity to help grow the community that helped grow me.”
 
She and her husband, Charlie, enjoy home renovations, working in their garden, volunteering for the community, and spending time with their children and grandson, Jameson.

gentle care clinic blossoms

3/15/2021

 

PRACTICE TO BECOME MADISON HEALTH - MECHANICSBURG

Ellen “Elle” Spinner, CNP, will join the team of providers at Madison Health this month.
Ellen “Elle” Spinner, CNP, will join the team of providers at Madison Health this month.
​By Joshua Spinner - Contributing Writer

MECHANICSBURG – “Business is thriving and we are blessed with a growing number of patients,” says nurse practitioner and practice owner, Ellen “Elle” Spinner.

Her practice, Gentle Care, opened in January of 2008 at 15 N. Main Street in Mechanicsburg and has grown to nearly 3,000 women.
​
Elle specializes in women’s health/gynecology and primary care for women. Her patients travel to see her from as far away as Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and beyond. Of course, she also cares for many local patients from Champaign, Clark, and Madison counties.

Her practice name will soon become “Madison Health – Mechanicsburg” as she signs with Madison Health and their Alliance partners at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Mount Carmel Health System.

“Because I believe in giving the highest quality of care and operating with sound business principles and policies, I’ve chosen to partner with Madison Health, which will allow me more time to focus on what I love best – the clinical care of my patients,” she said. “It takes a great deal of time to oversee the daily operations of the practice, while maintaining a compassionate, patient-centered approach. There are simply not enough hours in the day to do all the things I love – and that’s a good dilemma to have.”

Elle and her husband, Scott, are thrilled with the partnership and are hopeful that the future may yield even more health care providers in the practice. Elle will continue to see patients full-time in Mechanicsburg, and will even expand patient appointment hours beyond her present business hours.

Elle explains with a smile, “This is a win-win, for me, my patients, and Madison Health – Mechanicsburg. I will be able to spend all of my time providing direct patient care, while the daily operations are managed by Madison Health.”

She continues, “I look forward to being part of a larger team, and having access to an expanded group of peer providers and the potential for leadership opportunities.”
Also of noteworthy value, Elle and her patients will have access to a more robust electronic medical record (Epic/IHIS) and will be able to view some of their records through a secure online portal called “MyChart.”

Madison Health’s CEO, Dana Engle, has visited Gentle Care a few times since doors opened in 2008, always offering to listen and discuss how Madison Health could help meet the needs of Elle’s patients and join efforts for the common goal of improving health care in Champaign, Madison and Clark counties.

“At Madison Health, we are committed to supporting our local communities,” said Engle. “Elle is an established and well-respected practitioner, whose heart is also committed to the communities for which she passionately cares. We are more than excited for her to join our team and look forward to the positive impact she will continue to have on the lives of her patients.”

The anticipated date for name and facade changes to the facility is the end of March, along with some equipment and technology upgrades and an additional employee. For now, the phone number for scheduling appointments will remain the same: 937-834-5320. Appointments will be offered from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Elle says, “I feel so blessed to take this next step. God has opened every door in front of me along this journey, in His own time. Empowering my patients with the knowledge and confidence to improve their health, along with diagnosing and treating their pathologies, is truly my professional heart’s desire. I’m grateful to have this opportunity to practice clinically in a setting that supports my growth and development as a women’s health nurse practitioner.”

Downtown eyesore being renovated in village

3/3/2021

 
By Anna Gaertner- Contributing writer Urbana Daily Citizen

MECHANICSBURG – Champaign Economic Development Director Marcia Bailey was present during the meeting to discuss a building improvement project with the village council.
​
“The Main Street building there on the corner which used to have a laundromat and a video store was owned by the village,” Bailey said.

She explained that after the village had been trying to sell the property for a long time, Mayor Ben Layne put in a bid for the property, hoping to renovate it.
​

“He had gotten started on some renovations, but then decided to sell the property and his brother was interested in it. His brother (Austin Layne) and his wife are now renovating the property,” Bailey explained. “There is an apartment upstairs, and one in the front of the building as well. And then, there will be storefronts on the bottom floor.

“My question for the council is, do you want me to get another signed development agreement with Austin?” Bailey said.

“Because of the nature of the way this transaction happened, I think it would be advantageous for Ben if Austin is willing to sign that,” Attorney Joe Jimenez replied.

Council members unanimously agreed to have Austin Layne sign a new development agreement.

“Having that eyesore cleaned up will be great!” Councilman Jason Adelsberger said after seeing photos of the renovation project.

Other business
Village Administrator April Huggins-Davis informed the council members about an estimate for repair from storm water issues on East Race Street and Clark Avenue for a total of $10,675 to likely come out of the street fund money.

The council members approved the funds.

“I don’t know if you have driven down West Sandusky, but we have some major issues. On West Main as well. Do we want to get bids to come in and fix these potholes?” added the mayor. Layne listed different methods that could be used to improve the streets.
“We can use flash fill, concrete, asphalt. I think this needs to be as soon as possible. We can use the state fund for this, but it is our responsibility. We also have four water main break patches too.”

The council members agreed to set up a Street Committee meeting to further discuss these issues.

“I’ve had a couple calls about the Community Cleanup,” Huggins-Davis said. “Last year, it was canceled because nobody knew what was going on, but I think we can do that safely. They usually haul the dumpsters in on Friday and we get four of them. We need volunteers down there to help unload people’s trucks.

We use the backhoe to smash everything down, so we need someone who can operate that.”

The village council decided on Saturday, April 24 for the Community Cleanup.

Layne concluded the meeting by thanking Councilman Chip Wibright.

“I want to thank Chip and the street guys and anybody who chipped in with the snowfall this year. It was a lot more than usual. They did a good job and kept up with it as much as possible,” Layne said.

Village council unanimously decided the most efficient way to sell a forklift the village wants to liquidate was to list it on GovDeals.

Overview from Feb. 15 meeting
The permanent budget for 2021 was presented to the Mechanicsburg Village Council in an email prior to the Feb. 15 meeting. After discussion, the council members passed the motion to approve the budget unanimously.

The mayor requested to sell equipment that was unnecessary for the village, in order to clean out the barn which will provide a storage space for the storage trailer to be kept. The equipment included a salt spreader, two push mowers, a leaf vacuum and a John Deere mower. The items will be listed on GovDeals. Council also approved the disposal of village-owned scrap metals collected throughout the years.
Reach Anna Gaertner at UDCeditor@aimmediamidwest.com.Reach

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