Manning said the 14.6-percent drop from 2013 to this year was expected because of a number of factors: the declining rate of high school graduates, an improved economy, and influx of new jobs into Ohio. She said as the economy continues turning around, there are fewer non-traditional college students needing to make career moves, thus they aren’t seeking different skills.
The enrollment drop was a trend seen in community colleges across Ohio, according to statistics from the Ohio Board of Regents. The number of students enrolled in the state’s 23 community colleges dropped from 510,794 in the fall of 2013 to 499,755 this year, a decrease of 2 percent. Only four of the community colleges reported higher enrollment from 2013 to 2014.
From 2012 to this year, the number of students taking online courses at Cincinnati State Middletown jumped from two to 54, Manning said.
When Cincinnati State opened a branch campus, the first community college in Butler County, in downtown Middletown in the fall two years ago, 311 students — 207 full-time and 104 part-time — were on site.
Manning said the college remains “a work in progress,” but said the increased number of students taking classes in two years is “a great accomplishment.”
She said the college is constantly refining its message, trying to reach students outside Middletown city limits through advertising and marketing. She said a small survey showed that students selected Cincinnati State because of its programs and degrees, affordability (about $3,800 per year) and location.
When Cincinnati State opened, Michael Chikeleze, Middletown director, said to meet regional demands, the college planned to increase enrollment to 3,000 by 2017.
In two years, the college has become “a key partner” with the city of Middletown, said Doug Adkins, city manager.
He said Cincinnati State has redeveloped and reoccupied an empty six-story office building at the corner of Central Avenue and North Main Street, investing millions of dollars into renovations. That investment has raised property values of surrounding downtown buildings, he said.
Longtime Middletown Rachel Lewitt, whose office is located on Central Avenue, said there’s been increased real estate activity downtown, but she hasn’t seen a dramatic rise in property values. That, she said, could happen over time if the demand for office space continues.
By serving as a downtown anchor, the daily student and faculty activity has made further investment in downtown more attractive, as several new businesses have opened this year on Central Avenue, Adkins said.
When Brandon Soale was looking for a location to open Crab Apple Books, he said Cincinnati State “definitely was a big factor” in his decision. He hopes to have the book store and coffee shop open within the next two weeks at 1385 Central Ave. He said the store is only a few blocks from Cincinnati State and a short walk. He will sell news and used books, with an emphasis on military titles, and have free WiFi.
“Everybody has to drive down Central Avenue so that’s where I wanted to be,” said Soale, 29, a Miami University graduate.
In the last few months, Uptown Country Boutique, a western fashion store, opened at 1040 Central Ave.; 3D Creation Station, which features four 3-D printers, opened inside Pendleton Art Center as did Sunshine Photography.
Larry Wagers, owner of 3-D Creation Station, said he wanted his business located downtown, close to Cincinnati State because he hopes college students will use his printers.
Cincinnati State and the low cost of rent were two reasons Three Brothers Trading Cards and Games opened a store three months ago on Central Avenue. Justin Alfaro, one of the owners, said the business hopes to “capture” some of the Cincinnati State students. He has noticed more activity downtown recently and he credited that on Cincinnati State and the surrounding businesses.
Sue Wittman, who owns Artique, a custom frame gallery in the Pendleton Art Center, just down the street from Cincinnati State, said she “absolutely” has seen additional foot traffic downtown. She said college students eat at the cafe inside the Pendleton, and she has framed pictures for professors.
Adriane Scherrer, a Middletown businesswoman, said Cincinnati State is “exactly what we needed downtown.” Now, she said, the city needs to address what those students need such as coffee shops with WiFi, and computer and school supply stores.
Jay and Linda Moorman, owners of BeauVerre Riordan Stained Glass Studios on Central Avenue, said they have seen a significant increase in people walking downtown since Cincinnati State opened. They said students and staff are patronizing Murphy’s Landing and the Canal House, two businesses next to the stained glass studio.
Jay Moorman called the influx of students “a much needed shot in the arm” for his and all downtown businesses.
His wife added the college is creating “a lot of positive things” downtown.
“There is a lot of energy down here,” she said.
Adkins said additional investment downtown is being developed now with new apartments for the Geotz Tower — located across the street from the campus — and with a $10 million renovation of the Manchester Inn and the planned addition of a microbrewery restaurant.
“These types of ventures are only possible when the business community believes that downtown is growing and that their business investments are likely to bring profit and sustainability to the area,” Adkins said.
He said Cincinnati State has become an active member of the community. He said various volunteers from the college have assisted on several projects. Recently, the mural on the side of the former Butler County Job and Family Services building on Central Avenue was dedicated, and Dr. O’dell Owens, president of Cincinnati State, attended and painted the final fish on the building.
Adkins said on an economic development level, one of the goals of Cincinnati State’s strategic plan was to “increase the accessibility of higher education for a broader population and address the need for a more skilled workforce.” He said the city recognized that today’s advanced manufacturing jobs require skills beyond a high school diploma.
There has been a conscious effort throughout the community to put more focus on education, from kindergarten readiness through post high school employment skills paying a living wage, he said.
“Cincinnati State not only fulfills the overall goal of making higher education more available to the citizens of Middletown, but they also are partnering with area employers to create work force development options geared toward local employers and local needs,” he said. “We are truly starting to develop a 21st century work force from Middletown area residents to fill current and projected future employment needs in our area. Cincinnati State filled a missing piece of the educational puzzle, and their positive impact on the community cannot be overestimated.”
Opening a community college downtown was a dream of the late Perry Thatcher. He valued education and cherished Middletown, said Sheree Garrett, the oldest daughter of the former city councilman, businessman and philanthropist who died in January 2010.
The city acquired multiple buildings in anticipation of Cincinnati State Technical & Community College making a decision to expand into Butler County, including purchasing the Manchester Inn, and the First National, Temple Arts and CG&E buildings.
Cincinnati State and Boston-based Higher Education Partners signed a deal to bring Cincinnati State Middletown online in the former CG&E building. The 20-year contract, which has four, five-year extension options, spells out that HEP would fund the construction and renovation of the downtown campus and Cincinnati State would supply the coursework.
The city sold the former CG&E building to Higher Education Partners for $202,000. The deal included the donation of the former Middletown Area Senior Citizens Center.
A few months ago, a $68,500 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation was announced and the money will assist in the redevelopment of a downtown property for Cincinnati State. Judy Bober, assistant director, at the time called the grant “very important” to the growth of the college and the continued redevelopment of downtown.
Chikeleze said the goal is to turn the vacant property at 1021 Central Ave., the former Butler County Job and Family Services building, back into “productive use.” He said the grant will help fund feasibility studies and architectural and engineering services to determine the best use of the building as the college continues its downtown footprint.
The more the college grows, the larger the impact it has downtown, said Denise Hamet, the city’s economic development director. She said additional students means there will be more of a demand for services, and that will spur growth.
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