Community Improvement Corporation

• Purpose
• History and Economic Development Efforts
• Powers
• 2009 Board of Trustees

Purpose of the Union County Community Improvement Corporation

The Union County Community Improvement Corporation is the statutory economic development arm of the community that has unique powers and abilities to spur business growth and development. The Union County Community Improvement Corporation’s purpose is as follows:

“To advance, encourage and promote the industrial, economic, commercial and civic development of Union County in whatever way and by such means as will improve the normal growth, employment opportunities, stability of employment in existing industry, advance of the industrial and commercial life of the community and to stabilize the general economy of the area; to participate in programs for the furtherance of the foregoing purposes and for the correction or improvement of conditions detrimental to the foregoing purposes in the Union County area; and to develop methods for or to assist in the development of methods in the furtherance of the foregoing purposes; and to furnish assistance to projects and undertakings concerned with the foregoing.”

History of the Union County Community Improvement Corporation and Economic Development Efforts

1979 - Union County CIC established a non-profit corporation in accordance with Chapter 1724 of the Ohio Revised Code. Their purpose was to facilitate industrial revenue bonds specifically for the City of Marysville, the Village of Plain City, the Village of Richwood and Union County.

January – June 1986 - Marysville Chamber of Commerce discussed the need for an economic development council and the need for an economic development director. Discussions with the county commissioners and with CIC representatives.

Late 1986 thru late 1987 - Retention and Expansion Task Force undertakes a survey of about 50 industries and major employers. The effort was sponsored by Union County Commissioners, Community Improvement Corporation, Marysville Area Chamber of Commerce, Plain City Chamber of Commerce and the Richwood Business Association. Task Force recommends establishing an economic development office and hiring an economic development director. Meetings were held with CIC representatives to discuss CIC involvement, and who and how an economic development effort should be structured to best serve the constituents of Union County.

July 1987 - Builder’s Association hosts dinner to “get everyone together” to establish direction for promoting economic development.

January – February 1988 - CIC accepts challenge and responsibility to establish an economic development office and hire a director. CIC expands board to have countywide representation to accommodate task.

December 1988 - CIC establishes office and hires director.

January 1989 - Union County Economic Development Office opens doors.

1990-1991 – CIC and ED Office assist with the establishment of the Marysville and Richwood Enterprise Zone Areas.

1999 – CIC leads efforts to assist The Scotts Company in expanding its operations in Marysville. The CIC provided the go-through entity that allowed Scotts to improve its System IV facilities.

1999 - The CIC assists Union County and Marysville in developing a Comprehensive Plan. The Plan provides various elements of planning including Agriculture, Community Facilities and Services, Economic Development, Housing, Land Use, Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, and Utilities.

2001-2003 – CIC and the ED Office play the lead roles in conducting a thorough strategic plan known as the Union County-Marysville Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP). The CIC, Union County, and the City of Marysville provide funds to conduct the EDAP.

2003 - Implementation of the EDAP begins. The Union County-Marysville Office of Economic Development becomes the Union-County Marysville Economic Development Partnership. The CIC changes its name to the Economic Development Council.

Powers of the Union County Community Improvement Corporation

Community Improvement Corporations are authorized under Chapter 1724 of the Ohio Revised Code. “A corporation not for profit may be organized…for the sole purpose of advancing, encouraging and promoting the industrial, economic, commercial and research development of a community or an area.”

In furtherance of those purposes, the corporation is empowered to do the following:

1. Borrow money for any purpose of the corporation.
2. Issue bonds, debentures, notes, secured or unsecured.
3. Secure such mortgage, pledge, deed or trust, or other lien on its property, franchises and rights of every king of nature.
4. Make loans to any person, firm, partnership, etc., providing such loans cannot be obtained through normal banking or commercial channels.
5. Purchase, receive, hold, lease, or otherwise acquire and to sell, convey, transfer, lease, sublease, or otherwise dispose of real and personal property.
6. Acquire goodwill, business rights, real and personal property and other assets of any person, firm, partnership, etc., including pledges, mortgages, etc.
7. Mortgages, pledge, or otherwise encumber any property acquired.
8. Accept (or purchase) publicly-owned property or act as agent for such in its disposal.
9. Do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers of the corporation.
10. Any corporation organized prior to August 17, 1981 and having similar purposes may be brought under Chapter 1724.

2009 CIC Board of Trustees

Article III Section 2: The governing board shall consist of not more than 25 members:

• (1) County Commissioner, or designee – no term limit
• (1) Marysville Mayor, or designee – no term limit
• (1) County Engineer, or designee – no term limit
• (1) Regional Planning Commission Director, or designee – no term limit
• (1) County Extension Agent, or designee – no term limit
• (1) School Superintendent – two year, non-consecutive term
• (1) Village Mayor – two year, non-consecutive term
• (1) Village Council Member – two year, non-consecutive term
• (1) Marysville Council Member – two year, non-consecutive term
• (2) Township Trustees – two year, non-consecutive terms
• (14) At Large, Consisting of at least:  Each can serve two - four year terms
  • 2 Public Utility representatives
  • 2 Industry representatives
  • 2 Financial Institution representatives
  • 2 Small Business representatives