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Sterling Accomplishment REGION’S ‘ECONOMIC ENGINE’ IS NAMED A BEST COMMUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
STORY BY VALERIE PASCOE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG EMENS
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or Tony Mellone, the view of Mt. Sterling from the sidelines of the soccer fields at Easy Walker Park is the best in town. The busy soccer coach and father of three boys says the community’s emphasis on children and families, as well as its superior quality of life and strong economy, make it an ideal place to work and live. “Mt. Sterling offers a young family like ours a lot. If you look around, you’ll see the new schools, the parks, the thriving businesses and just a great supportive community,” says Mellone, who relocated to Mt. Sterling over a year ago to work as a human resources manager for Nestlé, one of the area’s largest employers. For the second time, Mt. Sterling has been chosen as one of the country’s 100 Best Communities for Young People by America’s Promise Alliance for Youth, a nod to the area’s dedication to providing a safe and caring environment for children. Mt. Sterling also has received national recognition for its strides in economic development and was recently chosen as a Top 10 Micropolitan Area by Site Selection magazine. With more manufacturing jobs per capita than almost any other community its size in the state, the Mt. SterlingM T. S T E R L I N G
Montgomery County area is enjoying a sustained period of economic prosperity. In addition to being one of only two counties east of Interstate 75 with more people commuting in to work than out, Montgomery County also has seen its average per capita income rise from $21,398 to $22,115 since 2005.
According to Sandy Romenesko, executive director of the Mt. SterlingMontgomery County Industrial Authority/ Chamber of Commerce, expansions at existing companies such as Lexington Metal Systems, Quality Cabinets and Nestle – which produces Hot Pockets frozen entreés at its Mt.
From left, Anthony, David, Evan, Lisa and Tony Mellone enjoy family time.
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