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Serving Amelia, Batavia, Batavia Township, New Richmond, Ohio Township, Pierce Township, Union Township, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Township
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2017
BECAUSE COMMUNITY MATTERS
Pierce Twp. looking to lure businesses to Ohio 125 corridor Sheila Vilvens svilvens@communitypress.com
THANKS TO MILFORD SCHOOLS
Milford High School class of 2011 graduate Aaron Strait writes an $850 check to the school’s autism unit.
Local artist uses his talent to give back to Milford HS autism unit Sheila Vilvens svilvens@communitypress.com
Putting his art skills to work, one Milford High School graduate is giving back to those who have helped him. 2011 graduate Aaron Strait recently visited the Milford High School autism unit where he attended classes. Through the sales of his own paintings and cards, reproduced from his art, he was able to present an $850 check to his former teacher, Trena Panko. “Aaron is a very gifted and caring individual and I just love him,” Panko said. “We are so proud of his contributions and appreciate his generosity. He has been working as an artist since 2010 and his talents have been nurtured by his family and his school community.” Strait’s donation will go towards the expenses related to a service dog the Milford High School autism unit is receiving through 4 Paws out of Xenia, Ohio. Strait’s mother, Dawn Strait Wallace, said her son is enthusiastic about selling his artwork and making contributions to organizations that offer programs benefiting children with autism spectrum disorder. Because of this, he and his family established Aaron’s Art for Autism through which Strait uses proceeds from his artwork to make his donations. Over the years, Strait has attended various programs including one at the Cincinnati Center for Autism, Wallace said. A few years ago, Strait decided to donate one of his paintings for
Today motorists traveling the stretch of Ohio 125 in Pierce Township see a mixed landscape of new and established businesses along with vacant buildings and for sale signs. The hope of Pierce Township leadership is to change this landscape to include fewer for sale signs and more new businesses. To achieve this vision, in late 2015 the Pierce Township Board of Trustees appointed an Economic Development Committee. One of the committee’s first tasks was to create a Comprehensive Economic Development Plan. A draft of the plan was presented last September. The committee also investigated and presented to council ways of incentivizing businesses to locate in Pierce Township. During its November meeting the trustees took a step in this direction by approving participation in the Ohio Enterprise Zone Program through Clermont County. The enterprise zone is an economic development tool administered by the municipal and county governments and it provides real and personal property tax exemptions to businesses making investments in a community. The new enterprise zone could be tied to a package of incentives for development projects, Trustee Allen Freeman said. He is the trustee representative to the Economic Development Committee. This is a first step, he said. “When you have multiple tools for economic development, you’re better off,” he said. Anderson Township is an example of how an economic development plan and the existence of an active economic development committee can benefit a community. Over the last two-plus years Ander-
son has seen significant activity in commercial development. In 2008 Anderson Township appointed an Economic Development Committee. At the staff level, this is a business and community led group, according to Anderson Township Assistant Administrator for Operations Steve Sievers. The group developed the philosophy that “The mission of economic development in Anderson Township is to protect the community’s assets by advocating for competitive services; retain existing and foster growth of new businesses; and facilitate quality development/redevelopment, and improve the retail, office, and industrial offerings in the community, which subsequently improve residential property values and stabilize Anderson’s tax base,” he said. This has been the township’s guide in its effort to build upon the quality of life and community-based assets, Sievers said. By offering tax incentives and having a plan in place, Pierce Township is leveling the playing field with neighboring communities, Freeman said. “These are tools other townships have,” Freeman said. “We’re just joining them.” The tax incentives and development plan mean very little, however, unless the township can successfully market itself. For this reason, Freeman said he’s been talking to experts to identify best uses for Ohio 125. “So far I’ve met with five or six different commercial developers to get their thoughts,” he said. There are two to three different “nodes” along 125 for See PIERCE, Page 2A
THANKS TO DAWN STRAIT WALLACE
Milford High School graduate Aaron Strait at a recent one-man art show titled “Aaron’s World.”
the silent auction held at the center’s annual fundraising gala. His efforts snowballed from there to other charity events and to private shows. Wallace, also an artist, said Strait has a unique way that he works. “It’s somewhat different than
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how a usual artist goes about their work,” she said. When Strait first began painting, Wallace said she was looking for an outlet to help him socialize. “When he’s at the art studio, SHEILA VILVENS/THE COMMUNITY PRESS
See ARTIST, Page 2A
Pierce Point Cinema 10 is a big draw in Pierce Township.
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