|
MAYOR’S ANNUAL REPORT Dear Massillonians: “Happy New Year”!!! As Massillonians we have many things to be thankful for at the start of this new year. Everyone should be happy to live in this great City of Massillon , as well as, our great country. A review of 2006 shows our economic development programs are working: 1. Industrial Development – Polymer Packaging a high-tech polymer company is finishing their move from Jackson Township to our City. This represents the largest company and investment in the industrial sector, in 2006. The future looks extremely bright for this company and will become one of Massillon ’s “crown jewels”. During the last couple of years, a trend is taking place that is noteworthy. Over a dozen small companies have established operations in Massillon . These include: 1) Genco, Alpha Omega, Expert Brazing, Relogis Techs, FKI Switchgear, Moments to Remember, Premier Stone Products, Kendel Welding, ABP Induction, CND Industries and Mathias Diversified, Inc. Integrity Crane Services has also started building a new plant in Nova East Industrial Park . A trend is occurring here that is positive. Smaller industrial firms are finding out that Massillon is a great place in which to do business. Economically, this presents a more positive trend, which most economists say provides more industrial stability. That’s great. However, because of our location and the availability of large tracts of industrial land, with utilities in place, eventually our City will attract a large manufacturer employing hundreds of employees. It is only a matter of time. 2. Retail Development - Downtown: Our City continues to attract additional retail development throughout the community. The recently rebuilt Meadows Plaza is 99% occupied and doing quite well. It along with the Massillon Commons – K-Mart shopping district provides an excellent retail corridor on the eastern side of Massillon . On the north side, Wales Square continues to serve that part of the community. However, Amherst Centre is in need of tremendous exterior improvements. Hopefully, the owners of this center agree and I promise to initiate discussions to accomplish this renovation goal. On the south side, Massillon Marketplace continues to attract retail tenants. The main center is 100% occupied with outlots available. With the entrance of Menard’s in 2007-08, to the retail family, the Route 30 – Route 21 corridor will continue to be a retail player in Stark County . Also, another retail development should be announced on Route 21 to further enhance our City’s retail position. With the residential growth of west Massillon , it is only a matter of time until retail businesses want a location in that region of our town. However, because most retail proposals would require potential rezoning requests, the residents of this part of our City will have the final say as to what additional retail will be constructed on the west side. Until that plays out, Mayflower Village will continue to be the main part of the retail community in western Massillon . We discussed all parts of town and the retail developments in those sections. That leaves downtown Massillon . As all of you know, there has been millions of public and private dollars spent downtown the last several years. Our downtown certainly looks much better and is more vibrant than it was twenty years ago. However, more work needs to be done. We should look at a “Streetscape” Project for Lincoln Way . Hopefully, City Council will agree to just explore this possibility. In 2007, let’s study the idea and decide, with the assistance/participation of downtown property owners, whether this renovation program would be beneficial to downtown Massillon . Downtown is the center of Massillon and continues to need more improvements. 3. Residential Development: Massillon continues to be a leader in Northeast Ohio when it comes to housing starts. However, there was a decrease in single-family homes in our City during 2006. That follows a national trend and shouldn’t be that much of a surprise. Condominium development increased with the most units built since 2002. So overall, the Massillon housing market continues to grow and that is confirmed because our City again has achieved over 100 total housing units built in 2006. This represents an eighth straight years of this accomplishment. Let’s hope that interest rates remain stable in 2007. If that occurs, this year should see a return to previous housing levels.
4. Recreational Development: 2006 saw the City of Massillon enter into a purchase agreement With Dan Cottrill, Jr. to acquire his 76 acres on the west side of town. This land will become a Nature Preserve and will only be used for recreational purposes. This move shows the foresight of all parties involved, including the Cottrill Family, to preserve large tracts of land for recreational purposes. With the rapid housing expansion of western Massillon this makes even more sense. Congratulations to all involved!!!! Entering 2007, our City’s overall financial situation is strong. However, because of Budget concerns, all parts of government must remain extremely diligent in maintaining a spirit of cooperation. Extra, bureaucratic procedures should be studied carefully and involve all parties, before the implementation process begins. I have stated many times that budgets are based on estimated revenues. That process takes time to evolve into a working budget. Cooperation is an overused term. However, I can’t emphasize how important it is, at this particular time. Happy New Year!!!! Respectfully, ____________________________________ |
©Copyright 1998 - present City of Massillon.
All Rights Reserved
Designed and Maintained by Imaging
2000 Web Design