Economic development director, commissioners discuss proposed comprehensive plan for Highland County

Highland County economic development coordinator Julie Bolender met with county commissioners Brad Roades, Terry Britton and David Daniels at their Wednesday, Aug. 6 meeting, where she spoke about her proposal to begin working on a comprehensive plan for the county.

According to Bolender, the county’s only comprehensive plan was completed in 2003, and she asked for, and received, the commissioners’ blessing to move forward on plans for an updated version with the help of community stakeholders.  

“Strong counties don't just happen,” Bolender said. “It doesn't take a very long drive anywhere throughout the county to realize that our issues and our opportunities are not the same as they were 22 years ago. 

“A comprehensive plan is essentially a fresh road map for the development and the future of our county. It's a big-picture guide that will lead us in making smart decisions about how our land is utilized, where people live, work, play, and how we invest in our infrastructure and our services. It will guide us to ensure that homes, businesses, public areas grow in the right place, not just wherever land is available. It will help us to preserve what's important to our residents, our open spaces, our farmland, the character of our towns and our villages, so that in this period of potential growth, we don't lose what makes Highland County special.”

Bolender continued that the comprehensive plan will also both “protect our tax dollars” and open opportunities for both additional grant funding avenues and potential investments from businesses and industries in the future.

“We avoid costly mistakes by knowing where and on what we spend and utilize our county resources, and it attracts investment,” Bolender said. “It’s going to identify the areas in our county that are ripe for economic development, and it shows investors that we are forward thinking and prepared to receive their investment. It will also help us secure state and federal funding by showing coordinated planning and support from our communities and municipalities.”

In addition to seeking the help and support of county, city and village leaders, Bolender said that she is looking for input from representatives of area businesses. In response to a question from Roades, she said that among those individuals contacted thus far are members of the Chamber of Commerce board and representatives from hospitals, schools, banks and “major employers” in the area. Any members of the community who would like to participate are encouraged to contact Bolender as well.

“I propose a community-driven comprehensive plan, one where the decisions are made by the residents, the businesses and the leaders,” she said. “Late Monday afternoon, I sent a survey to our business community leaders asking for their opinion on such a plan, and to date, I've received 87 percent of our responses back in less than 48 hours. 

“The top three issues the respondents would like to be addressed in the plan are education and workforce, economic development and job creation and infrastructure.”

In addition to individuals showing interest in helping draft the plan, Bolender said local governments in Hillsboro, Leesburg and Lynchburg thus far “have all signed on to financially contribute to the cost of this plan.”

Bolender concluded that once the plan is finalized, it will guide her office moving forward to better serve the county.

“The plan will number my steps,” Bolender said. It will illuminate areas of concern and areas of opportunity and show me where and how I can help our communities. It will sit on my desk, not on a shelf. It will be a daily reminder of why I'm here and what my goals are, and it will allow my work to be proactive and not reactive. It will help me create the kind of Highland County where people want to live, work and play.”

Commissioners said they were on board with the proposal, and Daniels said he was “glad” to hear that so many people in the community are responding positively already.

“I appreciate you recognizing that something that we did 22 years ago probably is not relevant today,” Daniels said. “When we talk about infrastructure and infrastructure repair, those are big-ticket items, and we want to make sure that we're hitting the mark on where they can best be utilized and best be served, and how we can grow.”

Daniels added that similar past efforts have “uncovered something that is a need” in the area, although due to various factors, such as past economic conditions and the county’s limited infrastructure, they’ve had varying levels of success applying these plans.

“I think in some ways, we've responded,” Daniels said. “Some ways, I think that we maybe not followed through as good as we should have or could have, but I think that we're looking at a different time now. We've got an economic development director that's working full time. The Chamber is going strong and has got good leadership there. We've got Workforce Council going on now. 

“I think that any plan that gets done now is probably going to have more action from individuals that are solely focused on the implementation of it, so I'm supportive of your efforts, and I'm sure that the county would be supporting.”

Both commissioners agreed, with Britton also thanking Bolender for her efforts on the project.

“I know that it’s going to be a real good road map for you and for the county,” Britton said.

In other discussion:

• Commissioners announced that Highland County’s 911 coordinator Scott Miller has been selected as the winner of a Gold Star Award, as he was named Ohio’s County 911 Coordinator of the Year.

According to ohionena.org, “The Ohio Chapters of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, International (APCO) are pleased to announce the continuation of a program for Public Safety Communications personnel in Ohio. Both Chapters recognize the value of the important contributions that Public Safety Communications professionals make to the safety and well-being of our citizens throughout the state. To publicly honor the outstanding individual achievements and contributions of the men and women who are the backbone of Ohio’s 9-1-1 system, the Chapters have initiated the “Ohio 9-1-1 Gold Star Award Program.”
    
Miller has served as the county’s 911 coordinator since 2017. Roades said Miller he will be recognized at an awards ceremony and dinner, which will be held in September in Columbus, according to the NENA website.

“We’re glad we have him here working for us,” Roades said.

• Commissioners and Highland County Auditor Alex Butler briefly discussed a “recent notice of the PILOT [Payment in Lieu of Taxes] approval for Fayette Solar.” According to Butler, it is effective “for tax year 2026, paid in 2027.”

The Fayette Solar project encompasses parts of Highland and Fayette counties, as commissioners previously approved a resolution for its PILOT in 2023. Geronimo Power, formerly National Grid Renewables, announced the start of operations at Fayette Solar earlier this year.  

As approved in 2023, the “amount of the annual PILOT shall be $7,000 per megawatt,” and “the amount of the additional annual service payment shall be $2,000 per megawatt,” for a combined $9,000 per megawatt — the maximum allowable under state law. This is the same amount as PILOT resolutions for other solar projects in the county.

Butler also encouraged the community to “take advantage” of Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday through Aug. 14.

Commissioners also made the following approvals, each by a 3-0 vote:

• An amendment to the Roadway Use, Repair and Maintenance Agreement (RUMA) among commissioners, the Highland County Engineer’s Office, Union Township, Dodson Township, Penn Township and Palomino Solar LLC.

“It is from the sections of Sharpsville Road between Quarry Road and Bald Knob Road, which has a total of 27.73 miles,” Roades said.  

• Commissioners approved a resolution in response to a petition filed by Joshua Tyler of New Market Township to vacate an alley in New Market, approximately 232.3 feet long, located west of U.S. Highway 62. Commissioners agreed to set the time and date for a public viewing to be held Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. at the site of the alley and a public hearing on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 11 a.m. at Southern State Community College, Room 106, at 100 Hobart Dr., Hillsboro.

• An additional appropriation from unappropriated funds within the (4220) Airport Capital Improvement Fund in the amount of $2,000.

• An additional appropriation from unappropriated funds within the (4220) Airport Capital Improvement Fund in the amount of $4,000.

• An additional appropriation from unappropriated funds within the (4220) Airport Capital Improvement Fund in the amount of $6,000.

• A budget modification within the 1000 County General Fund in the amount of $600.

• A request from JFS for a transfer from Child Support Enforcement Administration Fund (2015) to Public Assistance Fund (2050) in the amount of $23,122.62.

• A request from JFS for a transfer from Children Services Special Fund (2115) to Public Assistance Fund (2050) in the amount of $41,579.60.

• A request from JFS for a transfer from Public Assistance Fund (2050) to Child Support Enforcement Fund (2015) in the amount of $44,119.57.

• A resolution to create the following line item within 2505 County Land Bank fund: Contract & Services. 

• A resolution to create the following line item within the 1000 County General fund: Contract & Services.

• A resolution for the Engineer's Office to award the HIG-CR-5E New Market Road and 5-F Prospect Road Reconstruction and Resurfacing (OPWC) bid to Miller-Mason Paving Co. in the amount of $956,906.24.

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