This Week in Rotary (1/20/2021) (Jan 20, 2021)

7:45 A.M.

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Happy Bucks!

Olivia Smedi and her husband, recently married, will become parents later this year! Congratulations!!! Get your sleep NOW!

Eric Weber is celebrating the emptying of his nest. The last daughter is moving!! Also, Eric and Lauren celebrate her progress (from surgery) each and every day ... one small step at a time! We wish Lauren a speedy recovery!

Highlights from last week's meeting:

Our host, John Long, shared his story of happiness. He donated furniture to two families, recently homeless, who were soon to have more permanent housing. Thanks John --- you have served your neighbor well!

John introduced Rob Kurtz, Stow's Planning and Development Director since 2012. Rob, his wife Susan, and their three children live in Stow. He has a degree in Urban Planning from the University of Cincinnati.

Rob told us that in spite of the pandemic, or perhaps because of it, the building permits issued during 2020 totaled at least 100 more than in any previous year! 42 permits to build pools and 23 permits for new business construction were issued. Whew!

Some of the new businesses coming to Stow include:

- Regent Assisted Living Facility on Fishcreek Road - 72 beds.

- Cedar Crest Townhome Development (former site of Ritchie Turkey Farms on Darrow Road) - 11 buildings with 55 units.

- A four-unit building (a retail infill project) is being built on Kent Road next to Stow Cone.

- A Meijer Gas Station is being built across from Target on Kent Road, complete with LOTS of infrastructure, traffic lights, etc.

- The Summa Medical Facility is being built on Fishcreek Road - 56,700 sq ft building housing physician offices, labs and urgent care.

- D and S Distribution, Inc. will locate to Commerce Drive - 200,000 sq ft warehouse.

- Knight Sound and Lighting headquarters will relocate to an 8,000 sq ft facility at Allen and McCauley Roads.

The 'Fogg' Seasons Business Park - West, and soon East, developments in the northwest quadrant of Stow have transformed the Seasons Road intersection on Route 8. This undertaking required cooperation between Stow, Hudson, Summit County, and the State of Ohio (LOTS of infrastructure!).

Here's hoping Stow can finalize plans for a biotech company to relocate in Building 4 of Seasons Business Park - West. The yet-to-be announced enterprise is expected to provide 400 jobs within the next 4 to 5 years with an estimated $34.8 million payroll. YES!!!

Strong economic development results when relationships with businesses are established and maintained. Business owners have appreciated the City's check-ins during the pandemic.

Eric Weber raised the concern of people walking on Commerce Drive, especially to and from bus stops. He feels the lack of sidewalks is a real safety issue, but realizes funding concerns may delay a solution. Rob explained that Metro is looking at transportation logistics in this area --- let's hope for a favorable solution soon!

Rob --- thank you for your interesting and informational slide presentation. We look forward to seeing the results of Stow's business development efforts!!

Hosts --- Please invite your speakers to learn more about Rotary! Carrie, thank YOU for keeping everyone 'in the loop'.

Meeting

Wednesday,

January 20, 2021

7:45 A.M.

Happy Bucks!