State Group Recognizes Kent for Downtown Development Work

Kent's ongoing, $100 million downtown redevelopment effort earned the city a spot as a finalist for best project in the Ohio Economic Development Association 2011 excellence awards.

The statewide development group recognized Kent as a finalist along with a Ford transmission plant redevelopment in Clermont County. The best project award went to the V&M Star Steel expansion project, which is expected to add 350 jobs to the Youngstown area.

Kent Economic Development Director Dan Smith said the city was in good company with the other award winners and nominees.

"There are only a few projects of this magnitude taking place around the state," Smith said in an email. "This recognition validates our belief that tremendous results can be achieved through strong public and private partnerships like the ones we have created in Kent."

The downtown redevelopment is an amalgum of several redevelopment projects, including:

• which just got its building permit this month.
• , in conjunction with the city of Kent, is under construction on South Water and Erie streets.
• is mostly finished, but individual stores remain under construction, including and , while others such as and have already opened.
• , which will rise across from the new hotel on Erie Street.
• from the Kent State campus to downtown

These projects, combined with several other construction projects around Kent, boosted revenue generated by the city's permit and building fees by .

Smith said the projects combined are expected to create 969 temporary construction jobs and permanent positions once all the work is finished.

"A tremendous number of temporary construction jobs have been created and long term permanent jobs will serve the city (for) many years to come," Smith said.