In a recent article Lauren Heaton mentions that the process at the Center for
Business and Education (CBE) is taking longer than expected. It is indeed true that the process is taking longer, but it is also true that expectations have not necessarily been aligned with the reality of the scope of the work.
Community Resources is , however, hopeful that the various parts of the process
will come to fruition and that the economic development potential will become realized. We are in conversation with the Chamber of Commerce as well as members of the Villageʼs Economic Sustainability Commission. We have established a development partnership to assist in marketing the complex and feel this will significantly broaden the potential customers. Community business owners who wish to expand in Yellow Springs can be assured the CBE is a viable option. Hopefully the economy will improve and financing will become available regionally and nationally to support construction of the quality properties anticipated.
Though it is our desire to do so, Community Resources cannot give a precise
time when groundbreaking will occur. That event depends on a variety of factors that are outside of our control and involve timelines of the various entities like ODOT and the Village of Yellow Springs. There are deadlines that need to be met by the various players for instance in the process of getting road annexation accomplished and the infrastructure finally installed.
As to the overall project, it must be remembered that while Community
Resources was instrumental in obtaining nearly $1 million in federal funds for the project, responsibility for administrating these monies is vested with the Village. They are the manager of the project. While we would like to give a specific date of groundbreaking and until there is a comprehensive project schedule, any date we would suggest would be speculative.
Community Resources will keep the citizens and businesses informed of
developments. We share the frustrations of all awaiting recovery of the regional
economy; however, we are confident the CBE will be positioned to enable the Village to participate fully in the recovery.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Van der Heiden
Community Resources President
