“I never knew another community to go to the ‘whatever it took’ level to bring that community college here,” said Bill Triick, president and CEO of the chamber. “A lot of people won’t do that.”
The city spent three years courting Cincinnati State Technical & Community College to the city, including spending nearly $500,000 to purchase five buildings, including the former CG&E building at 1 N. Main St., where the downtown campus is located.
The city eventually donated the First National Bank building at 2 N. Main St. to the college for future expansion.
Cincinnati State Middletown Director Michael Chikeleze attributed the honor to “the power of partnership.”
“This project has been an amazing collaboration with our partners, (Higher Education Partners), the city and the community,” he said. “It’s a reflection of how we work so well for the benefit of the community. We’re all excited.”
Crane Consumables label and milling business in Monroe started at a one-employee business six years ago. In 2012, they added eight employees, an increase of 67 percent.
“Based on this alone, they deserve to be honored for their confidence for the faith in the future in the economy,” said Stewart Robinson, the newly named chamber board chairman. “Additionally, Crane Consumables is committed to the environment for their willingness to not throw away their waste products in the landfill, but ships their paper and adhesives to any company utilizing this waste as a flammable heat source in their operations at no cost.”
Start Skydiving came to the city in 2009 and “has brought new life and vitality to he local airport,” Robinson said. In 2012, more than 10,000 people jumped out of Middletown.
“Thousands of people come to the city each year from a three-state area to jump out of a perfectly functioning airplane while paying to do so,” he said. “These thrill seekers pay to stay at hotels, buy food and gas, and help add to the local economy.”
Start Skydiving, the fixed-based operator of the Middletown Regional Airport/Hook Field, has invested in renovations at the airport and has helped bring in new tenants at the airport.
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