Marketing Development Sites in Hardin County, Ohio

Marketing Development Sites in Hardin County, Ohio

In the office of Economic Development, we deal with two basic types of development opportunities: those that are broadcast to us and other local economic development offices through RGP and JobsOhio, and less frequently, those that come to us directly from organizations that are in the market to locate a facility or expand in this region.

Typically, the broadcast opportunities involve a consultant, called a site selector.  Site selectors are hired by companies to narrow down the options regarding available sites based on certain criteria provided by the company that hired them.  Site selectors then issue a request for information (RFI) regarding the opportunity to state economic development agencies, like JobsOhio, in the regions designated by the company, then accept responses to the RFI for a given period of time.  The information requested on the RFI aids the site selector in evaluating potential locations based on various factors, including cost, accessibility, infrastructure, and market conditions.  The priority for the company and the site selector is to identify shovel-ready sites that are immediately ready for development, or if not immediately ready, an estimate of the time and cost to become ready.

Direct opportunities do not typically involve a site selector, and they have less stringent requirements.  The drivers for these opportunities are often more focused on a desired region or location, and site readiness, especially in terms of due-diligence studies, is often secondary.

Here is a breakdown of shovel-ready site indicators.  The more known variables there are regarding a site, the less risk there is to a potential developer.

Shovel-Ready Site Indicators

• Acreage >30 contiguous developable acres – JobsOhio has set the threshold for SiteOhio eligible sites at 30+ acres.  Most broadcast opportunities require 30 acres or more, whereas direct opportunities may be accommodated on smaller sites.
• Zoning for industrial use – Industrial use should be allowed at the site, whether through zoning and/or covenants, and free from incompatible uses.
• Community control – Community control through ownership or an option agreement, an/or a letter from a willing owner with a set sale price per acre, and mineral rights transfer (if applicable).
• All major utilities– All utilities are to the site boundaries and have adequate capacity.
  • Water
  • Sewer
  • Electric
  • Natural Gas
  • Telecommunications Fiber
• Due diligence– The following due diligence studies have been completed:
  • Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
  • Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) – only if required by the Phase I
  • Geotechnical Study
  • Wetland Delineation
  • Phase I Cultural Resources Study (includes both Phase I Archaeology Study and a History Architecture Survey)
  • Endangered Species Study
• Concurrence– All state and federal entities have provided concurrence with the studies.
  • US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) – Approved Jurisdictional Determination (AJD)
  • State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Letter
  • US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Letter

More information: https://www.jobsohio.com/programs-services/sites/available-sites