Incentives

The Hardin County Economic Development Division has focused on several specific issues that are key to Industrial and Retail Growth, Workforce Enhancement and Community Development. 

1. The Revolving Loan Fund
Designed to encourage new start up business, and to assist those who are expanding, the Revolving Loan Fund allows a business to receive a portion of their project funding in the form of a low interest loan. In conjunction with a financial institution, the amount of the RLF loan is based upon how many new jobs the project will bring into Hardin County. 

2. Hardin County Enterprise Zone Program
Designed to encourage manufacturing and industrial start up and expansion, the Enterprise Zone is a program which forgoes a negotiated percentage of taxes for the real and personal property that is involved in the expansion.
 
Hardin County views the Enterprise Zone Program as an important tool in the process of economic development and will continue to do its best to administer the program in a responsible manner. The success of current program participants is testimony to the value of the incentives in assisting current employers with retention and expansion as well as attracting new industry to the County.
 
The Hardin County Chamber & Business Alliance staff administers the Enterprise Zone Program in Hardin County. The enterprise zone law in the State of Ohio allows tax abatements of up to 75 percent for ten years for enterprises locating or expanding in cities and villages and 60 percent for those locating in unincorporated areas (without school board approval). Currently there are three designated enterprise zones located in Hardin County. The three zones are located in Kenton and the Villages of Ada and Forest. 

3. Hardin County Downtown Building Improvement Loan Program
The purpose of the program is to encourage and facilitate development in the downtown areas of Hardin County’s villages and the City of Kenton. This purpose will be accomplished by providing easy to access, low cost loan funds to qualified property owners or business tenants who wish to make investments in the structure/appearance of buildings/properties they own or occupy. The ultimate goal is to stimulate property owner interest, inward business migration, storefront appearance enhancement, and overall economic growth for Hardin County.

Participating financial institutions include Community First Bank, First Citizens National Bank, Hardin Community Federal Credit Union, Home Savings & Loan Co., Huntington Bank, and Liberty National Bank. 

Details of the program include:

• Loans are available for downtown building owners who would like to improve the structure/appearance of their buildings.
• Minimum loan amount is $2,500 with the maximum loan of $25,000 per borrower.
• Loan rate is fixed for the term of the loan. Loan rate will be based on Prime Rate with a floor of 5%.
• Loan payments will be made monthly for 60 months.
• There will be only one loan, at any specific time, per building.
• Loan requirements for collateral and personal signatures/guarantees will be determined by consent of the approval of the Loan Review Committee.  

More information is available at the Alliance office or participating institution.

4. Workforce Development
In response to the needs expressed by local industry, and as a bridge to industrial recruiting, the Economic Development Division has taken an active role with the local and state agencies and institutions that support, design, and/or offer citizen, employee and workforce training and development. Business requires and we must provide a strong, educated, and skilled workforce in Hardin County if industrial growth is expected to continue. 

5. Foreign Trade Zone
Hardin County has the opportunity to be an extension of the Foreign Trade Zone in Findlay, Ohio (#151). It provides users with the opportunity to lower costs and boost profits. It can improve cash flow by delaying, reducing, or eliminating duties. 

6. Port Authorities
The Toledo- Lucas County Port Authority provides business financing for projects 1.5 million or more. It has assisted in a Hardin County project representing $7 million.  The project total investment is more than $32 million and will potentially create 45 jobs. 

7. Small Business Development Center
The Region 3 Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Rhodes State College is a public-private partnership supported by the US Small Business Administration, the Ohio Department of Development, Rhodes State College and other local partners. Through its programs and services, the Center provides entrepreneurial development assistance, training and business consulting to start-up and emerging business owners. The Center's services are offered at no cost to the client and all services are provided on a non-discriminatory basis.

8. Why Us?
The following are endorsements from established manufacturers who have been successful in Hardin County. 
  
“What are the benefits to International Paper to be located in Hardin County?
1) Labor- You cannot hire people off the street with cup making and flexographic printing abilities.  But with the present employees, with years of experience, we are training and developing the cup makers and printers of tomorrow.
2) Transportation- State highways 31, 68, 67, 53, and 309 come into the town of Kenton and U.S. 30 is approximately 12 miles away.  We ship as far east as the east coast (Maine), as far south as Florida and Texas, and as far west as Colorado.
3) Community Involvement/Support- As the plant has grown in volume, the community (local governmental agencies) has provided financial incentives on a local level and have acted as an interface with the State of Ohio agencies in applying for state funding.
We have had a presence in Hardin County for 40 years and plan to stay here for many more years to come. “
Ted Riggs               
Plant Manager 
International Paper Foodservice Business 

 
“. . . the Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance team have been very instrumental in our overall growth and success providing continuous leadership and direction. Through this support ATI continues to grow and year to date has invested more than 30 million dollars in our facility and equipment in Hardin County. Through many community involvement organizations and activities it is apparent we are in a community who wants us here.” 
Steve Powell
Executive Vice President/General Manager
Ada Technologies Inc.