By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
The City of Decatur has been designated a Top Micropolitan community for 2023 by Site Selection Magazine, Adams County Economic Development Corp (ACEDC) Executive Director Colton Bickel announced Monday.
The designation for the city is the third in the past four years.
“We are thrilled to see the City of Decatur receive this designation for the third time in four years,” Bickel said in making the announcement. “It shows the major movement and hard work that has been and is taking place in Decatur and Adams County. “Decatur receiving this designation is no surprise and we believe this trend will continue for years to come.”
Bickel said the designation comes as the result of qualified projects developed within the “micropolitan”, which is a community with populations less than 50,000.
The qualified projects consist of those with significant impact, including manufacturing plants, research & development, operations & logistics, among others.
To be considered as a qualified project, based on the sectors above, new facilities or expansions must meet at least one of three criteria: (a) Involve a capital investment of at least $1 million; (b) create at least 20 new jobs, or; (c) add at least 20,000 square feet of new floor area.
“It is exciting to see the reinvestment and new investment in our community,” said Decatur Mayor Dan Rickord. “I am proud of the partnership we have with Adams County Economic Development Corporation in supporting the needs of our local businesses as well as offering opportunities for new investment and growth in our local economy.”
Based on the number of projects, Decatur tied for 84th. Regionally, Angola received the highest ranking at No. 3, followed by several other communities, Bickel said.
For more information go to: https://siteselection.com/issues/2024/mar/2023-top-micropolitans-ohio-delivers-a-fab-five.cfm