ECONOMIC CONDITION AND OUTLOOK

SUMMARY OF LOCAL ECONOMY AND FUTURE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

Greene County experienced lower unemployment rates than any other Ohio county in 1993. This is due in part to the extensive work force required to support the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base aviation and aerospace industries.

Many other programs and organizations share in the credit for the low unemployment rate. The Greene County Business Advisory Council and other Greene County organizations have developed trade with Canada, England, France, Germany, and Japan. At this time, 50 to 75 Greene County firms export their products and/or services throughout the world. The Business Advisory Council also makes recommendations to the County Board of Education regarding the skills and curriculum required to help students become more employable.

To help the County-based companies' position in the global market, the Campaign for Greene County, the Wright State University College of Business and Management and the Xenia Economic Growth Corporation pooled their resources to establish the Pilot Export Assistance Program (PEAP) as a pilot project. The program's concept is simple. First, PEAP identifies companies that have an interest in increasing their export sales or beginning an export program. Next, PEAP locates sources of information that are beneficial in developing and expanding international trade. Finally, PEAP helps companies with interpreting and analyzing the information so they can respond to potential trade opportunities in a timely manner.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an important recruiting tool in bringing new manufacturing facilities to Greene County. GIS examines a potential manufacturing site's accessibility to airports, highways and utilities. The information available from GIS is in high demand by entrepreneurs, surveyors, water and soil conservation districts, the Miami Valley Regional Planning district, and county departments.

Over two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) in construction permits were issued in 1993. Projects included a multi-million dollar Fairfield Commons Shopping Mall, several proposed golf courses, and various commercial and residential developments.

CURRENT YEAR PROJECTS

ALCOHOL, DRUG ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (ADAMHS): Our ADAMHS Board celebrated 25 years of service to the community in 1993. The ADAMHS Board participated in a community-wide forum and rewrote the Community Plan, the Board's funding application to the state. The Board also received a housing grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In November of 1993, voters renewed a levy that supports 39 percent of the Board's budget.

DATA PROCESSING DEPARTMENT: One major accomplishment by the Date Processing Department in 1993 was the conversion of the County Auditor's Integrated Tax Assessment System to an "open system platform." This platform will support the Auditor's Land Information System pilot project. Other initiatives completed by the Data Processing Department in 1993 include:

o Established payroll direct deposit for employees

o Developed the first phase of a system for distribution of taxes to County subdivisions

o Assisted the Greene County Board of Elections on redrawing County precincts

o Implemented a new billing system for the Sanitary Engineer

o Provided support and training for micro computers

o Developed and published a Greene County Micro Computer Handbook

REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION: Due to growth in the number of subdivisions in 1993, the Regional Planning Commission continued to increase its volume and scope of service. Initiatives completed in 1993 include:

o Regulation of land development within unincorporated areas of the County

o Administration of 150 bonds issues

o Reviews of annexation requests

o Determination of the specific documents needed by the Commission in their decision making process

BOARD OF ELECTIONS: The department has enhanced its scope of voter registration and can provide labels and lists of political party registration with names, addresses and voting precinct numbers. All voter records have been computerized.

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY: In 1993, 101 opinions and 283 civil files were entered. The Child Support Enforcement Agency through the prosecutor's office obtained over $1.1 million in revenue collections over 1992. Major accomplishments also include a computer program that identifies support cases and enables auditing by paralegal students. This aided a community services program with Greene County Litter Prevention and Recycling to use individuals in maintenance areas instead of sentencing them to jail. It provides employment for individuals and lessens welfare support. This program is monitored by the courts.

VICTIM/WITNESS: This department, under the jurisdiction of the Prosecutor's Office, received a grant and several awards in 1993. The grant was from the Ohio Department of Health, Rape Prevention Program, to establish a Sexual Assault Services Advisory Board to develop and implement a county-wide Sexual Assault Response Policy. Many law enforcement, medical, university, and military personnel serve on this board. A Special Achievement Award was received for this department's Volunteer Training Manual from the Ohio Attorney General's Office. This manual included information for victims of crimes and addressed the special needs of the elderly, children, the physically and developmentally disabled, and minorities. The Director, Jeanette Adkins, received the "Volunteer of the Year" award from the National Organization for Victim Assistance. She was not only awarded for her volunteer work, but was honored for her work as a team leader and caretaker who helped those families with loved ones taken hostage during the Lucasville prison riot in April of 1993. Nearly 1,000 victims of violent crime and assaults were helped by the 24-hour intervention program. This program fills an ever-increasing public need.

COUNTY ENGINEER: Major initiatives completed by the County Engineer in 1993 include:

o Resurfaced (chip-sealing) and upgraded 35.20 miles of County roads

o Resurfaced roads in two townships and one village

o Replaced 22 culverts

o Started a $2.7 million road widening project in conjunction with Montgomery County

o Inspected 291 bridges, replacing seven

o Identified 114 culverts for future improvements

o Installed 11 traffic signal systems and 1,645 raised pavement markers

o Conducted weed and mowing control programs for residents

o Assisted in 23 residential plats and three commercial/industrial developments

o Installed a 650-gallon above-ground oil tank inside the county highway garage

o Undertook 17 projects for surveying and designing

Also, the County Engineer, deputy engineer and highway superintendent attended the "Effective Supervising Management Course" plus trained employees in electrical safety, trenching and excavating, equipment protection, fire safety, CPR/First Aid, and chainsaw safety.

SANITARY ENGINEERING: During 1993, this department completed 18 public water improvements, 10 waste water improvements and a solid waste feasibility study. The underground storage tank remediation at the Sewer and Water Maintenance Facility was completed and the "level billing option" for customers was initiated. Employee safety training certification programs were also initiated.

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS): The County Auditor continued implementation of the Geographic Information System (GIS). County management has placed great importance on the successful implementation of the GIS system. County officials expect to benefit greatly from the powerful capabilities of GIS to access, store, manipulate, and analyze vast amounts of "land-based" data.

SHERIFF: The Sheriff's Department continues to work towards its defined mission to "Keep Greene County a safe place to live and work, raise children, and visit." Since 1987, the Greene County Sheriff has worked to achieve "Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies." In 1993, the Sheriff achieved the status of an accredited agency. The assessment team, which is responsible for the review of written policies, procedures and documentation of compliance, commented "(We have) determined this agency is committed to accreditation and provides a level of service to the community that is acknowledged and appreciated. This agency works extremely well with other agencies and exhibits a spirit of cooperation and support."

FUTURE PROJECTS

DATA PROCESSING DEPARTMENT: Projects for 1994 include implementing Imaging, a Board of Election signature verification system, supporting GIS and the ALIS projects, and completing a communication interface with the Xenia City Dispatch Center.

SANITARY ENGINEERING: In 1994, the department will continue to plan, design and construct quality water, waste water and solid waste services.

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS): Greene County has completed aerial photography, orthophotos and geodetic monumentation, and is currently performing the map compilation for over 60,000-plus land parcels. The conversion of the hard copy codestrial information in a digital database will be initiated in 1994. This conversion will enable customized layers to be added to the map compilation.

DEPARTMENTAL FOCUS - DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The Department of Economic Development is under the jurisdiction of the Board of County Commissioners. The Department of Economic Development has been a catalyst for economic growth in Greene County over the past several years, and 1993 was no exception. During 1993, the County experienced significant economic development. Examples of this development include:

o Construction of over 700 single family homes

o Expansion or relocation of over 100 different firms to Greene County

o Construction of new buildings totalling nearly $200 million in value

The primary areas of focus for economic development in Greene County are:

o Retaining existing businesses

o Assisting existing businesses with local expansion

o Enhancing the economic atmosphere for growth

o Creating a positive public image for Greene County

o Marketing Greene County's benefits to other areas

o Developing the State Route 35 transportation corridor

The County has encouraged growth in areas such as aerospace, agriculture, automotive secondary market, distribution, and software/information systems businesses. The County's diverse economic base enables it to weather the fluctuations in the national economy.

During the past five years, Greene County has cataloged results of local development. Such results include:

o More than $760 million worth of construction

o More than 2,700 single-family homes have been constructed

o More than 300 businesses either relocating or expanding into Greene County

o More than 7,500 net new jobs created in Greene County

The County is committed to support projects that will enhance economic growth. These projects include:

o Developing an electronic bulletin board to be available to local companies listing global business opportunities

o Creation of, in conjunction with the Xenia Economic Growth Corporation and Wright State University's College of Business and Management, a pilot exporting program (10 Greene County firms participated in 1993)

o Continuation of GIS to provide the information needed for planning and analysis of economic development.

o Enhancement of the communication system with an 800 trunking system