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HJN local mobileLiberty Twp. forming economic development committee
Group of residents, business owners will advise township's administrative staff
Friday, March 28, 2008
LIBERTY TWP. — This growing Butler County community is forming its first economic development committee as a "sounding board" for township projects and future commercial growth, said Caroline McKinney, the township's economic development director.
Comprised of township residents and business owners, the committee will serve in an advisory capacity to Liberty's administrative staff, McKinney said. Committee members also will help spread the word about the township's "business-friendly" attitude and the active promotion of commercial development in designated corridors, she said.
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Caroline McKinney, Liberty Twp.'s economic development director
Liberty Twp. Trustee Patrick Hiltman"I'm kind of a one-person show here at the township," McKinney said. "It's good to have some outside feedback and perspective."
Trustees hired McKinney in May 2007 as the township's first economic development director.
Liberty Twp. Trustee President Patrick Hiltman said the committee is being designed to augment McKinney's efforts, which emphasize business attraction, business retention and economic development marketing.
"The whole idea is to support Caroline's actions, to try to get the direct input from the community, both from business people and community leaders," he said. "You can't have too many people looking at it to shine a different light on it for you."
The committee is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m., Thursday, April 3, at the township's administration building, 6400 Princeton Road. All three trustees are expected to attend to share their vision for development and answer committee members' questions.
McKinney said the committee's formation comes at a time when the township is gaining attention on the economic development scene thanks to several high-profile commercial and infrastructure projects now under way. Such projects include the $83 million Cincinnati Children's Liberty Campus and the $42-million Liberty Interchange.
Township officials identified nine people as possible candidates for the committee, but a definite roster has not yet been finalized. McKinney will serve as liason for the committee, which will meet quarterly.
