View Dayton Business Journal article below.
WEST CARROLLTON, Ohio (WKEF) — The City of West Carrollton is sharing its schedule of family-friendly events for the summer of 2023.
Everyone can enjoy activities including kite flying, concerts, and sand sculpting.
The Sandmazing Event & Summer Concert Series, which runs from May 29 to June 2, is one of the highlighted events. This year’s event will showcase internationally renowned sand sculptors creating multiple ten ton sand sculptures and one “MEGA 30 TON” sculpture.
On June 3, there will be a Free Kids Day with tons of fun activities planned, which include bounce houses, water slides, a zip line, face painting, photo booths, food trucks and much more.
Starting on May 25, a new lineup of musicians will perform as part of the Summer Concert Series, which will run until August 17. A unique charity performance called Rockin’ The River marks the conclusion of the music series.
A selection of food trucks, cold beer, and other alcoholic beverages will be available at the summer concerts, which will be held next to the water tower across from the fire station.
The Lady Pirates Softball team will benefit from every beer sale made at the summer concerts.
A number of events will also be held by the City of West Carrollton, such as an Easter Egg Hunt, games, crafts, the Generation RX program, the Great Paint Escape, bicycle fun day, and Women’s Self Defense Class with Mom.
The city is also introducing a new event called First Thursday, which will feature music, activities, vendors, and more.
“We continue to enhance our events program to match the excitement of the planned growth of West Carrollton with the new development and the white water park,” said Brad Townsend, City Manager of West Carrollton. “It’s an exciting lineup of summer events for the West Carrollton. We hope that residents and visitors will take advantage of these opportunities to come together, enjoy great entertainment, and support our local community.”
Tom Johnson gets a bit wistful at the mention of Johnson Manufacturing Systems reaching the 20-year mark this year.
The company, which manufactures precision machined components and assemblies for a variety of industries, including aerospace, transportation, military, and commercial, began life in a dirt-floor pole barn in Germantown in June 2003, Johnson said.
“It seems like only yesterday that I was back in that pole barn by myself, wondering how I was going to afford a $50 tool or make a complex part with the primitive machines I had then,” he said.
When JMS outgrew that, it moved into a large, rented space there in 2004. But then came what Johnson calls “the best decision” he ever made regarding the company — moving it to the city of West Carrollton in 2008.
“From the beginning, West Carrollton made us feel welcome and wanted,” he said. “They were accommodating, flexible and had a pro-business attitude that was refreshing and energetic.”
Johnson said everyone with whom he has worked in the city, from the economic development office and the city manager to the fire department and the administrative staff, has been helpful and a key part of the company’s success.
“JMS wasn’t born in West Carrollton, but it’s certainly our home,” he said.
A mechanical engineer with a strong background in aerospace, Johnson also is a third-generation tool-and-die maker, which he said gives him ”the unique perspective of someone who has solid footing in both the world of theory and practice.”
“This allows me to quickly understand both the design intent of products we manufacture and have an immediate grasp on the manufacturing challenges of turning that design into a physical thing,” he said. “Further, having that broad knowledge base makes communication with our customers easy whether I am dealing with engineering, quality or the shop floor.”
JMS, which started with just one employee — Johnson — now employs 10 people in various roles with plans to add to that number this year with new products and projects coming online.
Johnson said JMS was never supposed to be a livelihood for him. Prior to his starting the company, he was “happily employed” as the leader of the machining division for Unison Industries (then Elano), a part of GE Aviation.
“I made race car components in my spare time as a hobby and to support my own auto racing endeavors,” he said. “One day someone asked if I could make a production part for them. I shrugged my shoulders and said, ‘Sure, why not?’”
Johnson said he had taken on a close personal friend as a business partner and they moved into a small rented space where they worked in the evenings.
“Then one day I woke up, realized I had customers, employees, and a manufacturing facility and couldn’t have two full-time careers,” he said. “So I made the choice, took the chance, and although the path hasn’t always been easy, I have never regretted making the leap.”
JMS expanded in 2016.
“We’d outgrown our facility and needed elbow room,” Johnson said. “With the help of Mike Lucking from the Economic Development office of West Carrollton and an ED/GE grant from Montgomery County, we were able to almost double our footprint to approximately 16,000 square feet.”
The company anticipates that with new customers with “exciting new projects,” it likely will be expanding again within a couple of years, Johnson said.
A significant investment toward a Dayton area’s $75 million revitalization and redevelopment efforts aims to put the city on the map as a destination. The planned district will bring new development, a whitewater park and new riverfront housing to the city.
In a recent press conference, U.S. Rep. Mike Turner (R-Dayton) announced a $3 million investment to the city of West Carrollton’s riverfront development project. The development, led by developers Dillin Corp. and Woodard Development, is slated for completion by the end of the decade.
The 25-acre development’s centerpiece will be a white-water park as the West Carrollton stretch is the only place with viable pool of water for boating and a vertical drop for competitive kayaking, canoe and river surfing, according to a previous DBJ report. Additionally, the development site is anticipated to host, alongside a planned hotel, a small residential section anticipated between 25 and 50 units. But the main section of the acreage will go toward commercial development.
Turner’s $3 million funding allotment will be used to develop the Great Miami River along Exit 47 on I-75 by adding safety modifications to the downstream side of the low dam and re-establish a small craft dock/marina on the river.
“…As we learned in the city of Dayton, you have to have a place for people in your city to come together,” Turner said. “Once you establish that, the capital follows. We’ve seen it happen in downtown Dayton and will see it here. It’s great to hear from Mayor Sanner that this could be a $75 million investment to redevelop and revitalize this area. The city of West Carrollton is incredibly important to Montgomery County and us. I’m very proud to have helped secure $3 million towards the redevelopment of this site.”
Mayor Jeff Sanner said the Whitewater Park and River District has been a project 25 years in the making.
“This project will be transformational for the community and as the gateway into our city,” Sanner said. “Not only is this project going to have an economic impact on West Carrollton, but on the entire region.”
The West Carrollton River District Project is anticipated to be completed by 2030, creating 300 new jobs and equating to about $360,000 in yearly income tax.
More about the funding:
Through the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations process, Turner was able to secure $3 million in community project funding for West Carrollton’s Development and Low Dam Improvement Project, according to a West Carrollton release.
VIDEO: https://www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/whitewater-park-project-moves-forward-in-west-carrollton/
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — West Carrollton’s Whitewater Park project is moving forward, with a three million dollar boost in federal funding.
On Tuesday, city council and community leaders gathered at the West Carrollton Civic Center to take the next steps for the Whitewater Park project. It will be located on the Great Miami River near I-75.
City officials plan to use the three million dollars to make necessary improvements along the river. Their goal is to make West Carrollton a destination for recreation.
The park will offer boating, kayaking, canoeing and river surfing. The project also would help the city to host competitions and events, bringing out-of-town and out-of-state visitors to the region.
The Whitewater Park project is expected to be completed by 2030.
Project will enable the Dayton region to compete to host whitewater competitions and events.
A whitewater park and community gathering space planned by West Carrollton is set to receive financial support from Montgomery County.
City council, at its most recent meeting, approved a measure to allow City Manager Brad Townsend to enter into a contract with Merrick & Company/The McLaughlin Whitewater Group for preliminary design services for a riverpark at the South Montgomery County Low Dam for up to $735,000.
“That’s a big number, but fortunately, our friends at the county have agreed to give us $750,000 to pay for this,” Townsend told city council. Entering into a contract with Merrick & Company/the McLaughlin Whitewater Group authorizes Townsend to sign a contract, but he said he will not do that until West Carrollton receives confirmation from Montgomery County officials that they’ve authorized that expenditure.
“But the biggest part of this is they would complete design drawings up to 30% completion and that’s what’s necessary for us to begin the permitting process with the Corps of Engineers …,” he said.
The design scope of the project would include some analysis and a planning area that goes slightly beyond the initial whitewater area, Townsend said.
The $7.5 million proposed project along the riverfront would include a 900-foot whitewater channel around the South Montgomery County Low Dam, competition-level whitewater features for kayaks and wave surfing, and safety modifications aimed at improving safety, use and access to the river.
Area officials say the project will enable the Dayton region to compete to host whitewater competitions and events, bringing out-of-town and out-of-state whitewater enthusiasts to West Carrollton and the Dayton region, city officials previously said.
The proposed project would be part of more than $70 million in private sector development along the Great Miami River at the Interstate 75 West Carrollton interchange, activity that is leading to the creation of 500 jobs over a 5- to 7-year build-out.
The multi-year, multi-phase redevelopment plan the city is crafting includes on-river recreation, riverfront development, and development at the southwest corner of the I-75, Exit 47 interchange.
Early plans include a hotel, medical office building, service retail, multiple restaurants (fast casual, premium white-tablecloth and drive-thrus), plus 26 high-end townhome condominiums and a 214-unit apartment project. There’s also a proposal for a small watercraft marina.
The project is expected to stimulate economic development for the city and the entire footprint of the Great Miami River, officials said.
Merrick & Company is an employee-owned engineering, architecture, surveying, and geospatial firm. McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group develops whitewater parks and river surfing projects nationwide. Both are based in Colorado.
WEST CARROLLTON — West Carrollton police officers, sergeants and administrative employees will receive raises each year for the next three years.
A recently approved agreement between the city and the West Carrollton Police Association provides for 5% cost-of-living wage increases for police officers in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
“We also agreed that the patrol contract would pay a 5% premium pay for an officer who would have to fill in for a sergeant,” said City Manger Brad Townsend “We’ve also agreed to increase their cellphone stipend to $100 per quarter and add Juneteenth [as a recognized city holiday].”
It also authorized a contract with West Carrollton’s sergeants union for a three-year agreement with annual 5% cost of living increases, adding 10% premium pay for sergeants if they were needed to act as chief of police, and adding Juneteenth as a holiday.
“We hope both the chief (Doug Woodard) and DC (deputy chief David) Wessling stay healthy but in case they don’t, the sergeants are ready to back them up for a 10% agreement and that’s fair,” Townsend. “It’s rare, but it does happen.”
City council also approved a pay raise for all non-union employees, providing for a 5% raise that matches the one negotiated with the city’s union employees.
It also adds Juneteenth as a new holiday for all non-union employees.
The agreement adds five new positions, eliminates five positions and reclassifies the full and part-time secretaries position to be called administrative assistant, Townsend said.
“In addition to the new positions that are being added, we’re going to reestablish an assistant finance director’s position to add some capacity back to our finance department, which we have been sorely lacking for … 20 years probably,” he said. “We’ve added a clerk a council position because … Tom Riley, the finance director, has always been designated as council’s clerk of council for umpteen years and now that he’s gone, we’ve broken that out.”
Now that Tracy Rankin is West Carrollton’s clerk of council, the city needs to add that position to the pay scale, Townsend said.
The city also is adding a human resources executive assistant position, which will be Rankin’s new title, he said.
“She’s already performing a number of duties that are personnel related and this will just solidify that and also will make her a salaried employee moving forward,” Townsend said.
In addition, West Carrollton has eliminated the utility superintendent’s position and added two new positions, one to oversee the water plant and the other to oversee the sewer plant.
Finally, the city has reduced the number of part-time account analyst positions to just one that matches the salary of the full-time account analyst positions in the finance department.
Calling all skeletons, werewolves and superheroes: the city’s 17th annual Monster Mash event returns this year. It will be held at Weidner Park next to the Civic Center, 300 E. Central Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27.
Hundreds of people typically attend the festivities. Activities include hayrides, pumpkin decorating, carnival games, costume contest a Cake Walk sponsored by The W.C. Lions Club. The costume contest for children will be held at the start of the event and prizes will be awarded in several age groups.
There will be a mini-pumpkin patch with free pumpkins for the first 400 children. The West Carrollton Nazarene Church will provide a ‘decoration station’ and the staff from the West Carrollton Library will also have activities. Popcorn will be available at the concession stand. Admission is free for all activities.
“This contest seems to be quite popular so, we’re happy to do it again for 2022. We’re also excited to bring in Underdogs Mobile food truck this year, too, for people to grab dinner during the event,” said Christian Mattingly, parks and recreation director.
The city will hold the second annual Halloween Home Decorating Contest for West Carrollton residents. To participate, persons must register their homes (houses, condos, apartments are eligible) by Wednesday, October 26, to be included in the contest. City Beautiful Commission members will be judging those homes Sunday, October 30, from 8-10 p.m. so, residents should leave any decorative lights on that evening.
Click HERE to register for the contest.
West Carrollton will hold the annual Father-Daughter Dance on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022.
Daughters can bring their dads or someone special to this year’s Disco-themed event held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 4, at Fire Station 56, located at 125 W. Central Ave., West Carrollton, OH, 45449. The event is recommended for girls ages two to 12.
Purchasing tickets online by Thursday, Nov. 3, is recommended. Advance tickets are $10 per pair, and $5 for each additional girl. Tickets can be purchased HERE, or in person from 8 to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday at the Civic Center, 300 E. Central Ave. Tickets will be available at the door however, the price increases to $15 per pair at the door.
The ticket price includes light snacks, music and a photo area. All girls will get to take home their photos and receive a special treat to commemorate the occasion.
“This is one of the best events of the year and we always look forward to seeing the kids dressed up. We encourage girls who can’t bring their fathers to invite a grandfather, uncle, big brother, or family friend to come,” said Christian Mattingly, parks and recreation director.
The West Carrollton City Beautiful Commission is holding their annual Rake Rally at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12. They are seeking volunteers to help with the event. Volunteers will meet at the Civic Center, 300 E. Central Ave., and then disperse across the city to help residents in getting their front-yard leaves to the curb for pickup.
“Many times, some of our residents aren’t able to physically get all their leaves to the curb for pick-up and that’s where we come in and help. We want to encourage any resident who needs that help to let us know,” said Parks Director Christian Mattingly, “We’re also seeking volunteers to help that day so we are able to get to all those who sign up for assistance.”
Any resident who would like to receive help or volunteer during the event should contact (937) 859-5182 or [email protected] and provide their name, address and phone by Thursday, Nov.10.
Volunteers will receive a long-sleeve ‘Rake Rally’ t-shirt (until supplies last) for their service. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own rakes, leaf blowers, or tarps, if possible. Some materials, such as rakes, gloves and bags, will be available.
The West Carrollton service department will begin the city’s weekly leaf collection at the curb line on October 10 through early December. Leaf piles should be free of sticks, stones and other debris to avoid damage to the vacuum truck.
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West Carrollton, OH 45449 - Mon-Fri: 8:00am – 4:30pm
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