Geis, who is the administrator of Union Twp. in Clermont County, helped facilitate the re-use of a blighted mall property there, turning it into Jungle Jim’s Eastgate location. During Geis’ tenure in Fairfield Twp., the township worked with Hobby Lobby to relocate its Hamilton store to an area near the intersection of Gilmore and Princeton roads. It is set to open later this year.
“He (Geis) is committed to making sure that we can continue to grow and thrive in Fairfield Twp.,” Trustee John McGinnis said. “He has begun the process and some negotiating. We feel it’s necessary as a township that we continue these talks in hopes that we can stir some additional economic development in the township.”
More economic development in the township will generate more tax revenue, said Trustee Shannon Hartkemeyer.
“This is another means that can help us with our financial situation that we find ourselves in,” she said. “We feel this is a sound investment to help continue with our economic development strategies.”
The township has been drawing down its general fund since 2011 to pay for cost overruns in the fire and police departments. If the spending continues, the township’s general fund will be depleted by 2018. A safety services levy that failed in May was supposed to stave that off. Trustees have not yet decided whether to put the levy on the November ballot.
The township has also passed a memorandum of understanding to be part of the Butler County land bank.
With $2.7 million it received in Moving Ohio Forward grants from the state, Butler County formed a land bank two years ago to deal with blighted buildings. The cities of Hamilton and Middletown each gave $1.1 million to the land bank fund as well.
More communities have joined the Butler County land bank since the commissioners provided a funding source to cover the entire county.
One of the biggest advantage of being a land bank member is the ability to get clean title on blighted buildings so they can be torn down.
“Land banking is a way of recycling properties … long term, this is something that can really help us,” Hartkemeyer said.
Approximately 500 blighted buildings throughout the county have been torn down through the land bank program.
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