0
COSHOCTON
COUNTY
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC PLAN
Prepared for:
Coshocton County Port Authority
Prepared by:
Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service at
Ohio University
Staff Research Team:
Marty Hohenberger, Director, Center for Economic
Development & Community Resilience
Clara Bone, Senior Project Manager
Student Research Team:
Vic Crawford, Graduate Research Assistant
Ryan Humeniuk, Undergraduate Voinovich Scholar
Ava Hamilton, Undergraduate Voinovich Scholar
December
2023
Funded by:
U.S. Economic
Development
Administration
Assistance to Coal
Communities (ACC),
JobsOhio, and the
Ohio Appalachian New
Economy Partnership
1
Executive Summary
This report, developed by Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service,
investigates strategies to enhance economic development for Coshocton County, Ohio as part of
RISE Ohio. RISE Ohio was funded by U.S. Economic Development Administration Assistance to
Coal Communities (ACC), JobsOhio, and the Ohio Appalachian New Economy Partnership, a
program of the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the State of Ohio.
Coshocton County has seen population decline over the last two decades, as well as overall
hollowing of prime working age adults. Over 40% of Coshocton County’s population is 50 or
older. The availability of quality housing is limited, which restricts Coshocton County’s ability
to address this population decline by attracting first-time home buyers, middle-class families, or
those looking to locate near Columbus or the new Intel facility in Licking County for work.
Additionally, the closure Conesville Coal-fired power plant was a significant loss in employment
and tax revenue for the county. Opportunities for redevelopment of the site should be explored.
Manufacturing remains Coshoctons primary employer. Supporting this industry and attracting
potential Intel supply chain businesses could be beneficial for Coshocton County.
Coshocton County has key decisions to make to stabilize and ultimately reverse this population
decline, and the resulting brain drain and other ancillary challenges. This plan specifically
recommends three focus areas: 1) Infrastructure (including Housing); 2) Workforce and
Entrepreneurial Development; and 3) Tourism. Concentrated strategic investment and support of
these themes may help capitalize on emerging opportunities resulting from the development of
the Intel facility in Licking County through workforce opportunities, supply chain development,
and attraction of new residents. Coshocton County should focus on implementing the priorities
put forth in this plan.
2
Table of Contents
Coshocton County Economic Development Strategic Plan
Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 1
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................... 2
1. Economic Scan .......................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Comparable Communities Assessment .................................................................................................. 21
3. Examining the Potential for Using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) in Coshocton, Ohio .......................... 32
4. Additional Studies ................................................................................................................................... 49
5. Community Engagement ........................................................................................................................ 49
6. Priorities .................................................................................................................................................. 54
6.1 Infrastructure (including Housing) .................................................................................................... 54
6.2 Workforce and Entrepreneurial Development ................................................................................. 55
6.3 Tourism ............................................................................................................................................. 56
3
1. Economic Scan
The first task associated with this work involved a demographic and economic scan in order to
compile a foundation of solid information on key economic and demographic descriptors (e.g.,
unemployment rates, income, labor markets, etc.) of Coshocton County and the surrounding
areas.
This section provides the existing population and household trends and characteristics of
Coshocton County and Ohio, including age, educational attainment, and household incomes.
Additionally, this section provides the economic trends in unemployment, labor force
participation, and employment by industry.
Figure 1 shows the change in population in Coshocton County from 1990 to 2022. Overall, there
has been about a 3% decrease in population during this period. However, the population grew
from about 35,427 in 1990 to 37,421 in 2005 before falling to 36,554 in 2022. This more trend of
decline is one facing almost ever Appalachian Ohio community as they look for ways to grow
their existing population, whether through retention or attraction of new residents. When
compared to surrounding Appalachian communities, Coshocton population decline is relatively
small. This may be due in part to the proximity to the Columbus MSA. Coshocton is in a good
position to attract people who work in Columbus, but no longer wish to live there or wish to have
a shorter commute if they are from another further away county.
Figure 2 shows the population distribution of Coshocton Countys population. In a perfect
scenario, the figure would form a pyramid or triangle with the most residents in the youngest age
range, and declining in number as age increased. The figure shows a hollowing in working age
individuals from age 20 to 49. This indicates that young people are likely moving to another area
to live and work, taking their knowledge and skills with them. Additionally, the figure indicates
that there is a significant portion of the population over the age of 50. This can impact on
resources such as healthcare and eldercare in the community.
Figure 3 shows the population by place within Coshocton County. This shows that the majority
live outside of a village or city. Likewise, figure 4 shows the dispersal by township and city in
Coshocton with the majority living in the city of Coshocton which is about 30% of the
population. This shows that people are more concentrated in the central and eastern portion of
the county.
Figure 5 shows the median income per household for each township or city in Coshocton
County. The highest median income is found in the northeast portion of the county, while the
area the lower median income is found in in the southern portion of the county and in the area
around the city of Coshocton.
Figure 6 shows the median age in Coshocton County as compared to the median age in the
surrounding counties, the State of Ohio, and the United States. At 41.1 years old, the median age
in Coshocton is higher than all three comparisons. Like the population distribution, this indicates
a loss of young people and their talents.
4
Figure 7 shows the educational attainment in Coshocton County as compared to the educational
attainment in the surrounding counties, the State of Ohio, and the United States. Only 36% of
Coshocton County residents 25 years of age or older have at least some college education. This
includes community college or other postsecondary education. This is much lower than the
surrounding area at 47%.
Figure 8 shows the age of the housing stock in Coshocton County as compared to the age of the
housing stock in the surrounding counties and the State of Ohio. Coshocton has more very old
housing, built in 1959 or before, in comparison. Additionally, Coshocton County has less new
housing, built in 2000 or later, in comparison. This is a concern as they would be poised to
attract residents from the Intel facility in Licking County. However, without housing
development, there just are not enough homes to support the potential that exists.
Figure 9 shows the housing property values in Coshocton County as compared to the housing
property values in the surrounding counties and the State of Ohio. Coshocton has less expensive
housing and lacks homes over $300,000 in comparison. On one hand, the low prices are
attractive to potential new residents. However, it is likely that these are old homes or homes in
need of repair, which could be a detriment to attraction. Likewise, the lack of more expensive
housing could also be a problem for attracting residents looking for higher end living.
Figure 10 shows the monthly unemployment rate from 2019 to 2021 in Coshocton County, the
State of Ohio, and the United States. Coshocton County has followed the same general trend as
the state and country but is slightly higher. This indicates that residents may be having a harder
time finding a job than in other areas.
Figure 11 shows the labor market participation rate from 2010 to 2020 in Coshocton County, the
State of Ohio, and the United States. Coshocton County has a much lower rate of participation.
Even though unemployment rates are low, this indicates that a larger proportion of the
population in Coshocton County is not actively seeking employment or employed. There could
be untapped potential in the population that could be attractive to potential businesses looking to
locate in Coshocton County if these individuals could be captured in the workforce. Likewise,
figure 12 shows the labor force participation rate for Coshocton and the surrounding counties in
2020. When compared this way, Coshocton is doing better than their surrounding counties,
except for Guernsey County.
Figure 13 shows the employment by industry in Coshocton County in 2020. Manufacturing is
Coshocton Countys largest industry employing around 3243 individuals. This is followed by
Healthcare and Social Assistance employing around 1571 individuals. With the announcement of
the Intel facility in Licking County, Coshocton is positioned to take advantage of their strength in
manufacturing as supply chain businesses look to locate near to Intel.
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Figure 7:
Coshocton County Surrounding Counties Ohio
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:
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Figure 11
:
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Coshocton
County
Guernsey
County
Holmes
County
Knox
County
Licking
County
Muskingum
County
Tuscarawas
County
Figure 12
:
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
Figure 13:
21
2. Comparable Communities Assessment
Prepared by the Center of Economic Development and Community Resilience, the
Voinovich School of
Leadership and Public Service
December 2022
Clara Bone, Senior Project Manager
Victoria Crawford, Undergraduate Scholar
Comparable Communities Assessment
Prepared by the C
enter of Economic Development and Community Resilience, the Voinovich School of
Leadership and Public Service
December 2022
Clara Bone, Senior Project Manager
Victoria Crawford, Undergraduate Scholar
Table of Contents
Introduction ……………………………………………….……………………………….………….2
New Investments…………………………………………………………………………………………2
National Comparisons to Coshocton County……………………………………………….......…….5
Ohio Counties Similar to Coshocton………….……………………………………………............7
Recommendations for Coshocton County……………………………………………………....………8
References…………………………………………………………………………………............…….9
Introduction:
The comparative communities project looks at how communities/counties (under an hour) were affected
by the announcement of large investment by a company. It looks at what those communities did to
attract the supply chain businesses, training/workforce development needs of the company/supply
chain, how they attract the workforce to reside in their county, and how they retain current workers
when the new facility may have higher paying jobs. The community that was mainly compared was
Coshocton County and/or City and the announcement of a $20 billion investment by Intel. As well, this
project looks at how Intel, Ford Motor Company, and Walmarts new plants will affect supply chains in
the areas they are moving to.
New Investments:
Intel Coming to Ohio
Intel’s projected plant in Licking county will not only add 7,000 construction jobs and 3,000
high-skilled and well-paid jobs ($135,000 per year plus benefits) but will add an additional
20,000 jobs that are indirect such as electricians, healthcare workers, engineers, housing, etc.
The international supply chain will be affected, as Asia currently produces the majority of
microchips for the rest of the world. With Intel’s new plant, the United States will now become a
mass producer as well, thus taking dependence away from foreign companies that produce
microchips. This increases the United States’ role in the global supply chain for semiconductors
and paves the way for the U.S. to have a more stable supply. It is estimated that Intel will
establish 30 to 40 supplier companies around the new Intel plant. There are currently more than
140 Ohio businesses that are Intel suppliers, so this will create more indirect jobs as well.
This plant, harboring two large factories, will become the companys most advanced
semiconductor plant in the world, bringing recognition to Ohio as being a technology hub. Intel’s
arrival to Ohio amplifies interest in manufacturing jobs which could help grow Ohio’s skilled
workforce and bring in more college graduates. Intel has also pledged to give $100 million to
Ohio education, providing long-term investment into the state. Intel’s investment of 20 billion is
the largest investment to Ohio by a private sector company. This could give way for other
companies to follow suit, paving the way for future large investments to Ohio. Lastly, there is an
expected increase of $2.8 billion to the Ohio annual gross state product.
There are some potential disadvantages to a large company moving into an area. For example, a
tight manufacturing labor market may mean Intel’s hiring could add pressure to the market.
Some have discussed a lack of housing in surrounding areas and there are questions surrounding
the impacts on the housing market. In addition, the impact could take years to be felt. However,
Ohio has many training initiatives, including TechCred, that help employers build a more robust
workforce and help people complete their education. Intel may engage “hidden workers” who
are people that could move into that specific labor force with additional training. They may also
be people overlooked by the workforce due to health reasons, gaps in employment,
disadvantaged backgrounds, etc.
Since Intel’s announcement, other companies have pledged to invest into Licking County as well
as other counties in central Ohio. These announcements have occurred in 2022 and tell of places
opening in 2024. The company Pharmavite, which is a supplement and vitamin manufacturing
company, is investing $200 million into the area. They plan to build a 200,000-250,000 sq ft
manufacturing facility in Licking County. This company is looking to employ around 225 full-time
employees to start with. This highlights that some of the business positive policies central Ohio
counties like Licking have been implementing are making a difference. Production on the facility
is expected by 2024. Prudential Cleanroom Services, a California-based company from Irvine
pledged to invest $35 million into Licking County. The company purchased a 66,715 sq ft
industrial facility and will create 80 jobs. At this facility, workers will clean the garments worn by
those involved in direct production of pharmaceutical products and semiconductor chips. EASE
Logistics Services LLC, city of Dublin in Franklin County, aims to create 140 full-time positions,
which would generate $7 million in new annual payroll and retain $14.1 million in existing
payroll. This third-party logistics company specializes in expedited freight for non-consumer
goods. BJSS Inc., in Franklin County, is expected to create around 50 full-time positions,
generating $6.75 million in new annual payroll. BJSS is an award-winning technology and
engineering consultancy for businesses. Ford Motor Company, City of Avon Lake in Lorain
County, is expected to create 2,000 full-time positions, generating $108.1 million in new annual
payroll and retaining $121.2 million in existing payroll. The Avon Lake manufacturing plant makes
the F-650/750 truck the F-350/450/550 Super Duty Chassis, e-series cutaway. Involta LLC, City of
Independence in Cuyahoga County, is expected to create 11 full-time positions, generating $1.15
million in new annual payroll and retaining $1.65 million in existing payroll. Involta is an
award-winning IT service provider and consulting firm that helps organizations plan, manage,
and execute IT strategies by utilizing a broad range of services. The industry’s focus includes
health care, manufacturing, finance, and technology. ORBIS Corporation of Wisconsin, City of
Urbana in Champaign County, is expected to create 46 full-time positions, generating $2.6
million in new annual payroll and retaining $17.4 million in existing payroll. ORBIS is a part of
Menasha Corporation, the third oldest family-owned business in the United States. This
company provides reusable plastic containers, pallets, dunnage, and bulk systems.
Ford Motor Company
Ford has pledged $11.4 Billion to construct plants in Kentucky and Tennessee and aims to create
a total of 11,000 jobs. The Tenessee site called Blueoval City in Stanton, TN, broke ground in
September 2022 and plans to create around 6,000 jobs. It will be the company’s largest and most
advanced auto production complex. Ford’s all-new electric truck and the batteries for it will be
produced here. Ford continues to engage with the local communities in West Tennessee through
online and in-person discussions and collaborative projects. As well, the company is working
with the University of Tennessee to restore the stream waters flowing through the University’s
Lone Oaks Farm. Additionally, they seek to expand STEM education to Tennessee students from
kindergarten through 12th grade. This is similar to Intel’s plans to invest in Ohio educational
institutions.
Ford has invested 5.8 billion into another plant in Glendale Kentucky. This will produce 5,000
jobs. There are other Ford plants in Louisville, KY, and Ford has repeatedly stated its devotion to
the communities that have continued to work for them. They are eager to invest more into
places that have continuously helped their business thrive. In addition, Ford employs more than
12,000 people in Kentucky and supports nearly 120,000 direct and indirect jobs in the state and
a state GDP contribution of $11.8 billion.
There is an interesting parallel between Intel and Ford. Ford has been battling a shortage of
semiconductor chips due to their global demand, as they are needed for manufacturing vehicles.
By Intel moving to Columbus, Ford’s supply chain could be positively impacted, especially
because these industries are closely located.
Walmart
Walmart is building a new high-tech grocery distribution center in Spartanburg County, South
Carolina that plans to open in 2024. This $450 million dollar investment will bring about 400 jobs
and will be Walmarts largest distribution center at 720,000 sq ft. The center will sit along
Highway 129, making it highly accessible for people and industries like transportation.
Major population growth is expected for the city of Lyman, where the center will be, and it is a
good location between Atlanta and Charlotte (much like how Coshocton is between Columbus
and Pittsburgh). Coshocton is 34 minutes from i-70, the main road transporting goods between
Columbus and Pittsburgh. Spartanburg County, SC, along with neighboring counties will benefit
from the influx of jobs and expanded tax base.
National Comparisons to Coshocton County:
Chandler City, AZ
Chandler is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, that has similarities to Coshocton County and
gives insight into the possibility of Coshocton’s future. In 1980, Chandler's population was barely
30,000 (around the size of Coshocton County) but since Intel’s arrival, the population now
exceeds 220,000. During the company’s first decade in the town, it grew to 90,000 and from
1990 to 2000, the population was 180,000. The population now exceeds 270,000. However, due
to the arrival of new industrial companies, the farming industry was wiped out there. In the
years following the companys arrival, Intel helped grow Chandler schools’ computer and science
programs. This may also be the case for the communities surrounding Licking County, especially
with the $100 million investment into Ohio education by Intel. In the city of Chandler and the
county of Maricopa, there has been a large influence from Intel to the community. The influx of
workers to the county has increased the number of volunteers there and Intel has incentives for
workers to volunteer. For example, the company pays schools $200 for every 20 hours of
volunteer work done by an employee. In addition, Intel spurred local small businesses to thrive
in Chandler.
Pinal County, AZ (near Chandler in Maricopa County)
Pinal County lies directly southeast of Maricopa County and has a population of 449,557, per the
2021 census. In 1980, the population was 90,918. During the first decade of Intel’s arrival in
Chandler, Pinal’s population grew to 116,397. From 1990 to 2000, the population was 181,280
(around the same as Chandler at the time). Unlike Chandler, this county is still considered rural,
even though it is the third largest county in the state based on population. There are still
significant companies that operate here though, such as Abbott, Attesa, Lucid Motors, Hexcel,
Walmart, FritoLay, Union Pacific, and Nikola, and these companies have been incredibly
successful. In addition, mining is a strong industry in the eastern mountainous portion of the
county. In this county, there has been growth and diversification in manufacturing and trade
services since the county is located between Phoenix and Tucson (but does not include those
cities). Locally owned businesses have a long-term commitment to the community as well and
stay rather than leave for other places. Like Chandler, this county has undergone significant
population growth after the arrival of Intel, but this county has taken off economically in its own
ways. Coshocton may expect to see significant population growth with Intel moving to a nearby
county.
Provo, UT
This county houses thriving manufacturing industries and attracts large industries for their
workforce such as Nestle, Texas Instruments, Nike, Ford Motor Company, Sherwin Williams, and
General Motors. They are heavily reliant on large firms and the companies that are looking to
provide jobs in the area are Tech companies.
Spartanburg County, SC
Like Intel making an investment into Licking County, Walmart plans to invest $450 Million in a
grocery distribution center in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. It will be Walmarts largest
distribution center and this will help move the countys tax base forward as well as add 3,500
jobs. Spartanburg has a poverty rate of 21.1 % whereas the average rate in the U.S. is around
10-13%. So, this investment by Walmart will have positive economic impacts for the county and
the surrounding communities. In addition, trucking companies’ upstream and downstream
supply chains will be impacted. Spartanburg has two locations of the Plumley Trucking company
which could be directly impacted by the mass amount of goods needing to be shipped to and
from the new Walmart distribution center. There are 23 other trucking, freight, and shipping
companies located in this county that could all feel the impacts. Interstates 85, 26, and 585
intersect in this county and run through surrounding counties such as Union County, Cherokee
County, Greenville County, and Laurens County. These neighboring counties could also benefit
from Walmarts investment into Spartanburg.
Union County, SC (near Spartanburg)
Union County borders the southeastern side of Spartanburg County and has a population of
27,016. There are opportunities for manufacturing but also in the shipping sector. US Xpress Inc.
has a sizeable location in Jonesville, SC (in Union County) and is one of the nation’s largest
truckload carriers. Employment could be increased with the introduction of Walmarts largest
distribution center coming to nearby Spartanburg County.
Ohio Counties Similar to Coshocton:
Ohio counties that are similar in population size to Coshocton County (36,618) as of 2019 data. The
counties closest in population to Coshocton are Champaign, Defiance, Guernsey, Jackson, Morrow,
Ottawa, Perry, Preble, Putnam, and Williams. Out of these counties, Guernsey, Morrow, and Perry were
most like Coshocton in terms of economic recovery.
Morrow County
Morrow County’s economy has recovered significantly in recent years and its job market has
increased by 0.6% over the last year. The most common jobs are in office and administrative
support occupations, production, and sales. The most common employment sector as well as
most specialized sector is manufacturing. It is comparable to Coshocton in that they are both
geographically located within Appalachia and have relatively same populations sizes. Both
counties used to be primarily dependent on agriculture/manufacturing industries but now
manufacturing is the sector with the highest employment in both counties. Additionally, these
counties are part of the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant Program where $232
million in grants are allocated to 11 different internet providers.
Perry County
Perry Countys economy is on the road to recovery as ODNR has dedicated $7 million to improve
former coal mine properties. In addition, $4 million is going to the Tecumseh Theater in the
mining community of Shawnee. Coming in July of 2023, a development company will launch a
visitors’ bureau this July to enhance the Shawnee area making it more of a tourist destination.
The expansion of the Black Diamond Tavern has allowed Perry County to fund the startup of a
nonprofit visitors’ bureau. Perry County is Comparable to Coshocton in that they are close in
population, both are included in the ODNR investment to make abandoned coal mine locations
safer. Coshocton has received $2 million to fill 6,000 feet of highwall left behind from a mine
located at the Richard Downing Airport. Both counties are closely located geographically and
have a labor force of around 16 years of age.
Guernsey County
Guernsey County has had to diversify its economy due to the declining extraction/timber sector.
Like much of the Appalachia region, the timber industry has declined and so new markets were
sought out. In regards to their economic recovery, in recent years, Healthcare and Social
Assistance have become the economic sector with the most employment. As well, wage trends
for healthcare and social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade have been on the incline.
However, Guernsey has a large percentage of people employed in major/large firms which can
be positive if a new company is creating jobs but can negatively impact a community if
something happens to the firm. The major employers in this county are Detroit Diesel, Bi-Con
Services, Colgate, and Palmolive. Guernsey is comparable to Coshocton County in that it has a
similar population size, it is close to Coshocton in proximity, and it is also reliant on large firms
for employment.
Recommendations for Coshocton County:
Companies are coming back to places that were left in the dust when they moved overseas. With that
being said, reinvestment into rust belt communities eager for jobs has begun. Other counties and cities
like Maricopa and Chandler in Arizona have felt the positive impacts from Intel’s arrival. By looking at
those examples, Coschocton can expect a rise in population, an increase in demand for housing, and
more community engagement by Intel employees. With a rise in population, Coshocton may want to
invest into new infrastructure such as roads and houses. A housing boom may occur and so creating
access and accessibility to housing may attract Intel employees. Those living in Coshocton that could
possibly be hired by Intel may have incentive to become more engaged with the community, as seen
with the volunteer work done in Chandler. Even though Coshocton may also expect to see some other
large corporations moving nearby, they should also seek to attract small businesses, as they would
promote a long-term commitment to the community. There are long term effects of having a company
staying around for awhile, but Coshocton may want to also prioritize growth and development not
dependent on a large company because if Intel were to move or close, the effects may not be as
detrimental.
Colleges in central Ohio are preparing for Intel’s arrival, such as the Central Ohio Technical College
(COTC). The COTC offers engineering programs that provide students with around 90% of what Intel is
looking for. With this being said, the college is placing a strong focus on an industrial electrician
certificate as well as electrical engineering technology and engineering technology associate degrees.
The COTC has expressed an eagerness to partner with the Coshocton County Career Center in order to
help the college with training all the workers required for these programs. The COTC and the Coshocton
County Career Center has been working with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local
on creating apprenticeship programs due to the increase in need for skilled trades like electricians. These
programs aim to start in 2023 and would allow students to come out with a level two apprenticeship.
This is a huge feature, as Intel has already stated that these students could get a job with the company
right away and even retire from there. Great partnerships are happening between Intel, the COTC, and
Coshocton.
References:
“Ford to Lead America's Shift to Electric Vehicles with New Mega Campus in Tennessee and Twin
Battery Plants in Kentucky; $11.4B Investment to Create 11,000 Jobs and Power New Lineup of
Advanced EVs | Ford Media Center.Ford Media Center,
https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2021/09/27/ford-to-lead-americas-s
hift-to-electric-vehicles.html.
“Governor DeWine Announces Monumental Investment by Intel to Bring Their Most Advanced
Semiconductor Manufacturing Plants to Ohio.Mike DeWine Governor of Ohio,
https://governor.ohio.gov/media/news-and-media/Governor-DeWine-Announces-Monumental-In
vestment-by-Intel-to-Bring-Their-Most-Advanced-Semiconductor-Manufacturing-Plants-to-Ohio-01
212022.
Guest Columnist, cleveland.com. “Intel's Benefits to Ohio - in Manufacturing and beyond: Ryan
Augsburger.Cleveland, 11 Mar. 2022,
https://www.cleveland.com/opinion/2022/03/intels-benefits-to-ohio-in-manufacturing-and-beyon
d-ryan-augsburger.html.
Hayhurst, Leonard L. “COTC + Intel + Coshocton = New Opportunities.Coshocton Tribune,
Coshocton Tribune, 22 May 2022,
https://www.coshoctontribune.com/story/news/local/2022/05/22/cotc-intel-coshocton-new-opp
ortunities/9806110002/.
“Hottinger Praises Pharmavite's $200 Million Investment in Licking County.The Ohio Senate 134th
General Assembly,
https://ohiosenate.gov/senators/hottinger/news/hottinger-praises-pharmavites-200-million-invest
ment-in-licking-county.
“Intel Announces Next US Site with Landmark Investment in Ohio.Intel,
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/newsroom/news/intel-announces-next-us-site-landm
ark-investment-ohio.html#gs.ibywbn.
Markham, Chris. “Chandler's Upscale Growth Tied to Intel.East Valley Tribune, 7 Oct. 2011,
https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/chandler/chandlers-upscale-growth-tied-to-intel/article
_eff95a9b-65cc-5670-9c49-05cbf9265b3a.html.
“New Projects Expected to Create More than $21.5 Billion in Investments.Ohio Department of
Development,
https://development.ohio.gov/home/news-and-events/all-news/2022-0926-new-projects-expecte
d-to-create-more-than-21-billion.
Owen Milnes | Columbus Business First. “California-Based Company Investing $35M in New
Licking County Facility.NBC4 WCMH-TV, NBC4 WCMH-TV, 26 Apr. 2022,
https://www.nbc4i.com/news/columbus-business-first/california-based-company-investing-35m-i
n-new-licking-county-facility/.
“Pinal County.PinalCentral.com, https://www.pinalcentral.com/site/pinal_county.html.
Staff, WGB. “Walmart Opens $220M Distribution Center in South Carolina.Winsight Grocery
Business, Winsight Grocery Business, 25 Apr. 2022,
https://www.winsightgrocerybusiness.com/retailers/walmart-opens-220m-distribution-center-sou
th-carolina.
“Success Stories.Economic Development for Pinal County Arizona - Business Success Stories,
https://www.pinalcountyaz.gov/ed/businessconnections/Pages/SuccessStories.aspx.
Wayland, Michael. “Ford to Restructure Supply Chain Following $1 Billion in Unexpected Quarterly
Costs.CNBC, CNBC, 22 Sept. 2022,
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/22/ford-to-restructure-supply-chain-after-1-billion-in-unexpected
-costs.html.
WKSU | By Annie Wu. “Ford to Create 1,800 New Jobs at Avon Lake Assembly Plant.WKSU, 2 June
2022,
https://www.wksu.org/economy/2022-06-02/ford-to-create-1-800-new-jobs-at-avon-lake-assembl
y-plant.
32
3. Examining the Potential for Using Tax Increment Financing
(TIF) in Coshocton, Ohio
This report demonstrates that even at the most conservative estimates, TIF could be a
beneficial financing tool for Coshocton. As TIF has never been used before in
Coshocton, this report was also accompanied by an educational meeting to explain
what TIF is, how it can be utilized, and the potential benefits for Coshocton. This
meeting was targeted to local leadership in government, education, and other key
groups. Parts of this report have been redacted at the request of the executive director
of the Coshocton Port Authority as it contains sensitive information.
Examining the Potential for Using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) in Coshocton, Ohio
Clara Bone,
Economic Development Specialist
Center for Economic Development and Community Resilience
Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, Ohio University
May 23
rd
, 2022
Abstract
Coshocton is need of housing to attract and retain young families and professionals in the workforce.
Coshocton’s current housing stock is both limited and old. To be competitive with other Ohio communities
looking to capitalize on its proximity to both Columbus and the newly announced Intel site in Licking
County, Coshocton needs to have new housing developments built. However, conversations with
developers have revealed reluctance to build in Coshocton. Working with the Coshocton Port Authority, I
explored the potential use of TIF (tax increment financing) as an option that could help alleviate these fears.
This report looked at 8 parcels in and around Coshocton to determine if the use of TIF could be used to
finance the construction of water/sewer and road infrastructure to the potential parcels if a housing
development were to be constructed. For at least one of the parcels, this seems to be a viable option.
However, this analysis took a very conservative approach as to not overestimate the capability of TIF or
the potential increase in property values. It is possible that TIF, in addition to other financing options, may
be impactful in starting a new housing development in Coshocton. The analysis in this report will continue
as conversations with potential developers are on-going and provide more precise data on the size, value,
and timeline of the development project. Additionally, community engagement to discuss the potential of
TIF with stakeholders, such as the school districts, and the general community will continue as to try to
build support for TIF and housing developments in the community. Whether or not TIF is used to finance
a housing development, will depend on the potential project passing the “but for” test, meaning that the
project would not be happening “but for” the use of TIF being established. Likewise, even if TIF is not used
to finance a development, the true measure of success for this project will be using all the financial and
incentive options in the “toolkit” as was taught at the OEDI course to finance a housing development. By
completing this project, I have helped the Coshocton Port Authority, the City of Coshocton Government,
and the overall Coshocton community widen their options in terms of creative financing for development
projects.
Introduction
1
Coshocton, Ohio is the county seat for Coshocton County, and is located between Columbus, OH and
Pittsburg, PA to the west and east, and Cleveland, OH and Charleston, WV to the north and south. The
Coshocton Port Authority is actively working to attract new businesses, support existing businesses and
entrepreneurs, revitalize their downtown, and otherwise improve the quality of life for the residents in
Coshocton. In fact, the Port Authority received a Vibrant Communities Grant from JobsOhio to renovate a
downtown building into a business incubator/co-working/makerspace building. While I do not work for the
Port Authority myself, as part of the Ohio University team working on the EDA funded RISE Ohio grant,
I began working on the project with a particular focus on the closure of the Conesville coal-fired power
plant. During a conversation with the Executive Director of the Port Authority, Tiffany Swigert, I became
aware of the need to examine the possibility of using TIF for Coshocton as related to infrastructure for
housing developments. As part of the OEDI Finance and Incentives course, I had learned about TIF and its
ability to be used to help finance projects that would otherwise not be able to be completed but for the use
of TIF.
First, I began my research into the existing housing stock of Coshocton to determine if there truly was a
need for new housing developments in the area. According to the US Census data for 2020, over 96% of
housing in Coshocton was built prior to the year 2000. Furthermore, over 76% of the housing was built
prior to 1970. Likewise, in 2020, 509 housing units were vacant in the city or about 9.8% of the housing
stock. However, most of the vacancy occurred in rental units rather than homeowner units.
2
These facts
coupled together demonstrate the need for new single family homes in Coshocton in order to attract and
retain families in the area. This is a key demographic for building an attractive workforce in Coshocton. As
it stands, without suitable housing in the area, this target demographic is likely to move elsewhere to find
housing, and a community, that fits their needs. In 2010, approximately 23%, or 2,611 residents, were aged
30-49 years old. In 2020, only 22.2% or 2,440 residents, were aged 30-49 years old.
3
Without any changes,
Coshocton will likely continue to lose residents in this key demographic and will be unlikely to be able to
attract new families with their current limited housing stock of older homes.
1
Image source: https://www.coshoctonportauthority.com/site-selection-resources/
2
U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey 5 year Estimates Table DP04: Selected Housing
Characteristics
3
U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2010 and 2016-2020 American Community Survey 5 year Estimates Table S0101: Age &
Sex
However, with a median housing value of $106,300 in the county
4
, Coshocton is poised to offer affordable
housing and low cost of living within an hour of the announced Intel plant in Licking County. Additionally,
Columbus is situated less than an hour and half from the Coshocton. These opportunities along with the
potential for supply chain business locate to the nearby area as they follow the Intel development, puts
Coshocton in a great position to attract workers looking to move to the area. If Coshocton can develop this
housing, they will be in a much better position to attract not only workers themselves, but the supply chain
businesses who are looking for communities with an available workforce.
So what is Tax Increment Financing (TIF) anyways?
After identifying the need for housing and the potential opportunities that made now the right to time to
act, I examined TIF in more detail to determine whether or not this finance tool made sense for Coshocton.
Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, is a financing tool that can be administered by local jurisdictions in order
to fund public infrastructure improvements that benefit private development.
5
Most often this is used for
commercial development, but it can be used for residential development, as would be the case in Coshocton.
A TIF works by exempting the increase in property value caused by a development project. Instead, the
property owners make “payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTS)” equal to the exempted to the local jurisdiction
that created the TIF agreement. These PILOTS are collected by the county treasurer and used by the local
jurisdiction to pay for the cost of public infrastructure improvements.
6
It is important to note that unlike a
tax abatement, with a TIF only the increased property tax is exempt. For example, if before the development
the parcel had a $5,000 due in property tax, but after the development the property tax would have risen to
$50,000, the property owner would still only pay $5,000
7
during the TIF period.
The TIF can be structured in one of two ways: either pay-as-you-go, where the TIF fund is used on a
reimbursement basis to the developer and/or local jurisdiction (depending on which party bore the initial
cost of the infrastructure) or a to pay off debt service on bonds or notes issued by the local jurisdiction to
finance the infrastructure.
8
The TIF structure will have to be created via an ordinance or resolution by the
local jurisdiction and establishes the public purpose of the TIF as well as the exemption rate and duration
of the TIF. The exemption rate and duration are particularly important when establishing the TIF as with
rates above 75% and/or durations beyond 10 years, the TIF becomes subject to the consent of the school
districts that would be impacted. Even if the TIF is set up at these thresholds and is not subject to the school
districts’ approval, it is still important to discuss the impact to the school districts and gain community
support for the projects. It is important to emphasize that the school districts won’t be losing any property
tax funding, and that without the TIF, the development project would not happen and the projected increase
in property tax would not have been realized anyways.
4
U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey 5 year Estimates Table DP04: Selected Housing
Characteristics
5
Bricker & Eckler (2021) DevelopOhio Economic Incentives Toolkit.
https://connect.bricker.com/101/654/uploads/developeohio-toolkit-july-2021.pdf
6
Bricker & Eckler (2021) DevelopOhio Economic Incentives Toolkit.
https://connect.bricker.com/101/654/uploads/developeohio-toolkit-july-2021.pdf
7
Assuming a 100% exemption rate TIF
8
Bricker & Eckler (2021) DevelopOhio Economic Incentives Toolkit.
https://connect.bricker.com/101/654/uploads/developeohio-toolkit-july-2021.pdf
Next Steps
As mentioned, the next steps for this project include meeting again with Max Crown and David Kadri from
the City of Coshocton Government and Tiffany Swigert of the Port Authority. We need to confirm that
there are not any other infrastructure needs facing these parcels. Additionally, I have will be sharing my
findings on TIF in Coshocton with the Mayor and other stakeholders in Coshocton including the school
districts. This will be in part to share how using TIF can benefit the whole community and hopefully build
community support for the use of TIF if the opportunity arises. An important piece of this community
engagement will be explaining that the school districts are not losing any property tax funding, and that
without using TIF, the development and growth in property tax would not be occurring at all. A list of
stakeholders can be found in Appendix B.
As Tiffany Swigert continues to meet with housing developers, she will be able to suggest TIF as financing
option. Once a developer has strong interest, but is unable to secure the financing to develop on the
identified parcel, I can rerun the analysis using their specific data on number of houses being built, the value
of the houses, the timeline for construction, etc. to make sure that TIF is still a viable option and/or suggest
other financing options.
Once it is time to actually create the TIF, it will take a city ordinance or resolution to establish the use of
TIF. Currently, the Port Authority and City of Coshocton are using Bricker and Eckler to examine the
potential for establishing a JEDD and/or annexing parts of the townships into the City of Coshocton. As
Bricker and Eckler are experts in this field, I would suggest using them or another experienced law firm
when establishing the use of TIF in Coshocton. This is particularly true when realizing that some of the
identified parcels are outside of the incorporated city. In these cases, the Port Authority would need to work
with the local townships and villages rather than the city to establish the use of TIF. Again, this highlights
how important it will be to have community support for TIF before it needs to be used. Until the City
proceeds with either creating a JEDD or annexing, the uncertainty around who will be responsible for
establishing the use of TIF will remain one of the biggest problems for the Port Authority.
I will remain a resource for the Port Authority as I work on the community engagement piece of this project
and will update the analysis if any new data is discovered or information is received from a potential
developer. Additionally, Bricker & Eckler’s “DevelopOhio Economic Incentives Toolkit”, the Ohio
Auditor of State Training PowerPoint “Tax Increment Financing and Residential Incentive Districts”, and
the Kentucky League of Cities’ “Tax Increment Finance Best Practice Reference Guide” can all be
resources for Tiffany Swigert and the Port Authority as they establish (or decide not to establish) the use of
TIF in Coshocton. The resources can also point to alternative financing options that can be used in addition
to, or instead of, TIF. See Appendix C for links to these resources.
The point of the project was not to shoehorn in the use of TIF, but rather to determine if it was a good fit
for Coshocton. I believe this reports shows there is evidence to support that TIF can work in Coshocton.
However, the true measure of success for this project will be the attraction of a housing development project
using all the financing tools taught to us during our OEDI courses. I will support Tiffany Swigert by helping
her determine whether or not the increase in property values will support the infrastructure needed for a
developer to be able to finance the project and whether or not it truly is a case where the developer would
not be able to undertake the project without the use of TIF. During this capstone project, I have helped the
Coshocton Port Authority, the City of Coshocton Government, and overall Coshocton community widen
their options in terms of creative financing for development projects. And while we hope to put it into
practice soon, this knowledge will be useful for years and years to come.
Appendix B: Stakeholder List
City of Coshocton
Mayor Mark Mills mark.mills@cityofcoshocton.com
Safety Service Director Max Crown max.crown@cityofcoshocton.com
Utility Director David Kadri davekadri@cityofcoshocton.com
Co
shocton County Commissioners
Gary Fischer GaryFischer@coshoctoncounty.net
Dane Shryock - daneshryock@coshoctoncounty.net
Rick Conkle - RickConkle@coshoctoncounty.net
V
illage of West Lafayette
Mayor Stephan Bordenkircher -sbordenkircher@westlafayettevillage.com
V
illage of Warsaw
Mayor Ron Davis - [email protected]
Supe
rintendents
Matt Colvin Coshocton County Career Center [email protected]rg
Chuck Rinkes River View Local School District chuck.rinkes@rvbears.org
David Hire Coshocton City School District dave.hire@coshoctoncityschools.com;
Mike Masloski Ridgewood Local School District mike.masloski@ridgewood.k12.oh.us
Appendix C: Resource Links
1. https://connect.bricker.com/101/654/uploads/developeohio-toolkit-july-2021.pdf
2. ht
tps://ohioauditor.gov/trainings/lgoc/2010/Tax%20Increment%20Financing%20and%20R
esidential%20Incentive%20District.pdf
3. https://www.klc.org/UserFiles/TIF Best Practices(2).pdf
49
4. Additional Studies
Several other reports were conducted for Coshocton Port Authority over the course of
the RISE Ohio project. These include a cluster analysis of the industries in Coshocton, a
housing market analysis, and a hotel development study. These reports can be found in
the full RISE Ohio report located on the centers website:
http://economicdevelopment.ohio.edu
5. Community Engagement
On November 3rd, 2022, the research team conducted a public meeting in Coshocton to explain
the current demographic and economic trends in Coshocton County, share the findings of the
stakeholder meeting conducted by Hamman Consulting on September 9th, 2021, and ask for
comprehensive input to economic development priorities for Coshocton County in a public setting. At
the end of the meeting, community members were asked to volunteer if interested in being involved on
the task force to help with refining specific goals and implementing the priorities for Coshocton County.
Overall, these community engagement activities helped identify community goals and promote buy-in
from the citizenry.
After compiling the results of the 2021 stakeholder meeting, the research team met with Tiffany
Swigert, executive director of the Coshocton Port Authority and a selected group of community leaders
and stakeholders on September 26th, 2022. Through our discussion, we determined broad categories of
priorities to use as a starting point during the community meeting. These categories were Infrastructure,
Broadband, Housing, and Workforce & Education.
The community engagement research for this project involved a formal meeting that was open
to the public. This meeting served as a platform to provide citizens and Coshocton County leadership
with objective information about the area’s economy and subsequently seek feedback on determining
the community’s economic development priorities. We invited local stakeholders, such as the county
commissioners and other government officials, business owners, health department employees, and the
concerned citizenry of Coshocton County. There were approximately 35 attendees in the audience.
After a formal presentation of the economic scan data (e.g., age, educational attainment,
household income, unemployment rates, employment by industry, commuter patterns, etc.), Jason
50
Hamman of Hamman Consulting, and the recovery coordinator for the RISE Ohio project, shared the
results of his previous stakeholder meeting and asked for community input for anything that may have
been left off the lists or changed in the past year. Afterward, we placed the categories of priorities on a
series of posters, and then asked attendees for specific needs under each category. Additionally, the
community noted three other potential priorities: Justice Center Programming, Entrepreneurial
Programming, and Tourism. After the notetaking was completed, the attendees were each given three
green dots and one red dot. We asked the attendees to place a green sticky dots next to each of the
priorities that they felt should be focused on. Specifically, if the dots were placed on the broader
category to indicate support for all potential work in that category, and on the specific ideas to highlight
the importance of that aspect. On the other hand, the red dot was placed on the priority they felt should
be the last one focused on.
The detailed results of this exercise are displayed below in Table 1. Likewise, Figure 1 shows the
totalled results for each broad category. It is also important to remember that the use of red dots does
not necessarily indicate that the priority should not be chosen, but rather that it should be chosen last
as compared to the other options. Furthermore, one will see that most attendees chose not to use their
red dots at all, indicating that there was no obvious “last choice” priority in their opinion.
The community indicated that housing is their number one priority, followed by workforce &
education programs. Infrastructure, Broadband, and Tourism were approximately equal in community
support. Finally, there was some community support for Entrepreneurial Programs as well. At the end of
the meeting, attendees were invited to sign-up for task forces to be created around these six identified
priorities. Additional follow-up from our team member in Coshocton County helped to identify and
establish these task forces for the purpose of both refining the broader priority categories to specific
and actionable items for Coshocton to pursue with the resources available in the county, and to act
champions for the implementation of said actionable items. GVS staff led the task force kick off
meetings in July 2023.
51
Table 1: Priority Balloting Results
Green
dots
Red
dots
Infrastructure
9
0
Water and Sewer Capacity
1
0
Improvement for Sewer System
0
0
Western Portion: Infrastructure to support sprawl from
Intel
3
0
ACG: streetscape as opportunity to improve aging
infrastructure
0
0
Roads and Bridges: lack of funding opportunities
0
0
Roads and Bridges: need for repair, resurface, etc.
0
0
TOTAL
13
0
Broadband
2
0
Spectrum Fiber to home
6
1
Need for high speed connection for students at home
5
0
Need for consistency/homes near Broadband terminals
still lack access
0
0
ARPA fund opportunities
0
0
TOTAL
13
1
Housing
13
0
Affordability
4
0
Elder population Housing
2
0
Youthful population Housing
5
0
Transitional Housing
2
0
52
Keeping the younger generations in town
1
0
Handicap housing accessibility
0
0
TOTAL
27
0
Workforce & Education
5
0
Inability to fill job openings
3
0
Manufacturing Jobs have been open for years
3
0
Workforce lacks physicality, willingness to work
2
0
Need for transportation to workplace
1
0
Need for maintenance workers/technicians
1
0
Need for Childcare support for workers
2
0
Opportunity to use Veteran-care as marketing
0
0
Financial literacy & employer support
0
0
Private Investment (reading, childcare, anti-drug
programs)
2
0
TOTAL
19
0
Justice Center future programs & outreach
0
0
Justice Center rehabilitation
0
0
Justice Center work w/ people w/ criminal records
0
0
TOTAL
0
0
Entrepreneurial Programs
3
0
Business start up programs
0
0
Internship programs
0
0
TOTAL
3
0
Tourism
0
0
53
Need for hotels
7
0
Demand exists
7
0
Losing overnights to other counties
0
0
Event Center
0
1
TOTAL
14
1
Figure 1: Priority Total Results
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Entrepreneurial Programs
Infrastructure
Broadband
Tourism
Workforce & Education
Housing
Priority Categories
Green Dots Red Dots
54
6. Priorities
Utilizing the information gathered from the economic scan and community engagement sections,
3 priorities were identified for Coshocton County: Infrastructure (including Housing), Workforce
and Entrepreneurial Development, and Tourism. Each priority is broken down into action steps
to be achieved in Coshocton County.
6.1 Infrastructure (including Housing)
In order to capitalize on potential opportunities, Coshocton County needs to address
infrastructure. Firstly, the Conesville brownfield site of the former coal-fired power plant could
be a large and attractive site for new industrial development. Additionally, in order to attract
supply chain businesses for Intel the infrastructure is needed to support them. Currently, the lack
of quality housing in Coshocton County is detrimental to the community. Infrastructure is needed
to get potential housing developers interested in Coshocton County. Once housing is available, it
could be an attractive feature for supply chain businesses or employees from Intel looking for a
place to live. A TIF analysis was conducted by Ohio University and a housing study was
conducted by Hamman Consulting to support these efforts. Furthermore, there is a need for
broadband to support opportunities such as education and work-from-home or hybrid working.
Action Steps:
1. Strategic identification of properties or locations
a. Determine best use to support different types of development projects
i. Industrial
ii. Commercial
iii. Residential
2. Financing
a. Determine available options for incentives and other financing options
b. Educate leaders and community about options
3. Broadband
a. Identify availability and determine ability to support:
i. Businesses
ii. Educational Opportunities
iii. Work-from-Home or Hybrid Working
b. Communicate with community about broadband and connectivity projects
55
6.2 Workforce and Entrepreneurial Development
As shown in the economic scan, Coshocton County has a lack of individual aged 20 to 49 which
is a key demographic needed by employers. This indicates that after high school, many
Coshocton County graduates are taking their skills, knowledge, and talent to other communities
leaving Coshocton County with a deficit. Coshocton County needs to market existing
educational, training, and employment opportunities to retain youth in the community.
Additionally, Coshocton County should work with employers to remove barriers to work, and
engage with individuals usually left behind from the workforce. Likewise, an overall marketing
strategy to communicate and attract workers to opportunities Coshocton County may be
beneficial.
Action Steps:
1. Communicating with schools and employers about mentorships
a. Coordinated effort to engage local employers with high school students
b. Communicate with parents
c. Prepare students with needed soft skills in addition to technical skills
2. Utilize tech to communicate opportunities to target audience
a. Marketing geared for youth
b. Cross-platform marketing
c. Targeted recruitment for businesses
3. Remove barriers to workforce
a. Childcare barriers
b. Work/life balance
c. Opportunities for part-time work instead of 40 hours
d. Opportunities for work-from-home or hybrid working
4. Support for nontraditional workers
a. Individuals who were previously incarcerated
b. Individuals experiencing homelessness
c. Individuals in substance recovery
5. Telling the Story of Coshocton---Marketing Scheme
56
6.3 Tourism
Developing the tourism industry in Coshocton County has the potential to be an economic boon
in the community. Current assets and events could be tied into the larger community to attract
people to stay longer in the community. Turning day visits into overnight stays is one way to
increase the economic benefit gained through tourists to a community. In addition to growing
current tourism assets, Coshocton County could benefit from determining the effectiveness of
their tourism marketing strategy to determine where improvements could be made. Additionally,
a hotel development study was conducted by Hamman Consulting for Coshocton County to
support this effort around tourism.
Action Steps:
1. Improve Outdoor Recreation Assets
a. Hunting and Wildlife
b. Hiking/Biking/Walking Trails to connect tourism locations
c. The 3 Rivers area
2. Roscoe Village
a. Develop consistency among businesses through incentives to:
i. Expand hours, or have village-wide consistent operating hours
ii. Remaining open during large draw events/festivals
b. Communication and tie-in with other tourism areas in Coshocton
3. Marketing Effectiveness
a. Use surveys during/after events
b. Track social media engagement
c. Improve technology use