• The Future of Galion

    A regular look at news and developments impacting the future of our community.

    Disappearing Galion Dollars

    by  • January 7, 2012 • News & Views, The Future of Galion • 6 Comments

    Ever wonder how many Galionites head to Ontario, Mansfield, or Columbus to shop? Here’s one way to answer that question.

    Ohio’s think tank for smart and sustainable growth, Greater Ohio, recently issued its third report on the rates of sales tax capture by Ohio counties, and how those rates illustrate what it calls “Ohio’s Horse & Buggy Tax Structure.” It is a structure which, in its words, is “holding Ohio back.”

    While the data shared is intended to illustrate the disconnect between the state’s economic activity and how local tax rates are structured, it also provides a rather interesting look at how the three counties in the MidOhio region – Richland, Ashland, and Crawford Counties – function as economic marketplaces.

    “Sales tax capture” refers to the difference between the census-calculated … Read the rest

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    Portland Way Public Meeting Held

    by  • December 1, 2011 • News & Views, The Future of Galion • 0 Comments

    4CORNERS

    On Wednesday evening, dozens of Galion residents and business owners descended on Council Chambers in the Galion Municipal Building. There, Ohio Department of Transportation officials shared drawings, maps, and details of the planned Portland Way Widening Project.

    The meeting was held, according to ODOT District 3 officials, in order to inform affected property owners, public officials, and others about right-of-way impacts that the construction project will involve. This was accomplished by displaying preliminary right-of-way scenarios, as well as answering any questions posed about the project. Officials were careful to note that “fully detailed” plans are still being developed, with input gathered today to be integrated into that process. Most the rights-of-way to be acquired will be done on a temporary basis only.

    The $2.2 million project, which will include some … Read the rest

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    Portland Way Widening Public Meeting Set

    by  • November 14, 2011 • News & Views, The Future of Galion • 2 Comments

    roadwide

    GalionLive received the following press release this morning from Galion City Manager Gene Toy:

    The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 3 and the City of Galion have scheduled a public meeting on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM in Council Chambers at Galion City Hall.

    Representatives of ODOT District 3, a north central Ohio region which includes Crawford County, and representatives of the City of Galion, will be on hand to discuss the various alternatives to improving State Route 61 / 598 (Portland Way) between Grove Avenue and Heise Park Lane. The project will widen Portland Way to three lanes and will reconstruct the bridge over the Olentangy River. Preliminary Right-of-Way plans have been developed and will be presented at the meeting.

    WHAT: Discussion of … Read the rest

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    Lifetouch Acquires Olan Mills; Local Impact Unknown

    by  • November 10, 2011 • Life in Galion, The Future of Galion • 0 Comments

    lifetouch

    According to the website Newsline, Minneapolis-headquartered Lifetouch, which maintains an operation on State Route 598 just north of Galion, has acquired the Olan Mills photography business, including its church and studio photography lines and its production operation located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

    The sale was announced to local employees in Galion on Wednesday. Terms of the transaction were not publically disclosed.

    Lifetouch says it will hire substantially all Olan Mills employees. “It’s a natural fit with our employee-owned business,” the company says. “We share a long history and commitment to professional photography. We are delighted to welcome the Olan Mills employees and customers to the Lifetouch family.”

    No information was released about the possible impact on the Galion facility, pro or con. In fact, several sources relay that major decisions about … Read the rest

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    MedFlight Landing at Airport; 20 Jobs Coming to Galion

    by  • October 13, 2011 • News & Views, The Future of Galion • 8 Comments

    medflight

    During discussion at Thursday morning’s meeting of the Finance Committee of Galion City Council, City Manager Gene Toy had very good tidings to tell.

    Noting that the topic was integrally related to the subject of EMS services under review, Toy shared the news that on Wednesday he learned that the Board of Trustees of the non-profit company MedFlight had given the final go-ahead to establish a regional base of operations at the Galion Municipal Airport.

    According to their website, MedFlight is an accredited “air and ground critical transportation company” operating as a service of several hospitals, including those affiliated with OhioHealth, the Ohio State University Medical Center, and others. The company undertakes up to 7,000 critical care transports each year.

    With the base comes some 20 new professional-level jobs, including … Read the rest

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    Well, Not Exactly

    by  • October 8, 2011 • News & Views, The Future of Galion • 6 Comments

    A GalionLive Editorial

    In Saturday’s Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum, reporter Henry Conte opines on the Keller Hall transition house issue. In an op-ed entitled “Transition House Bungled in Galion“ (click title to read), Conte expresses the view that the Crawford County Commissioners share blame for the situation with Together We Hurt, Together We Heal, and also – paradoxically – the City of Galion.

    When you compare Conte’s opinions to those shared last week in our editorial entitled “A Little Respect,” it is clear that we agree on much. We concur wholeheartedly that the Commissioners and TWHTWH could and should have done their homework where zoning was concerned. Both of those entities have largely admitted that was the case.

    In laying out his argument for blaming the City of Galion, however, Conte … Read the rest

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