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NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE OLD NORTH DAYTON DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

SMITH, WINIFRED KAYE
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1078359958

Abstract Details

2004, MCP, University of Cincinnati, Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning : Community Planning.
This thesis examines the potential role for community development corporations (CDCs) in the practice of business retention by investigating the industrial central city neighborhood of Greater Old North Dayton (GOND) in Dayton, Ohio. With commercial land uses dominating GOND, the health of businesses bears significant impact on the health of the neighborhood. In spite of this integral relationship between, the City of Dayton has a minimal presence in GOND, and the CDC serving the area, the Old North Dayton Development Corporation (ONDDC), has not been engaged in economic development of the neighborhood. In response, ONDDC and the GOND Business Association sponsored a survey of businesses in their community. The survey revealed that GOND is home to a significant concentration of manufacturing firms, particularly tooling and machining and related businesses. The survey also identified the chief concerns of business as being in the areas of labor supply, local government services, and the quality of the neighborhood as a place to do business. Labor supply issues were most severe for manufacturers who were suffering shortages in both skilled and unskilled workforce. Businesses expressed dissatisfaction with local government, with complaints including unfair taxes, poor quality of basic services, and unresponsiveness to business requests. Concerns regarding GOND as a place to do business surrounded problems that are typical of older central city neighborhoods. While most firms pointed to the area’s regional centrality and excellent interstate access as positive location factors, most also noted that crime and blighted appearance are detractors for the neighborhood. This study offers strategies for neighborhood-based economic development. ONDDC is presented as a vehicle for economic development well-positioned to be attentive to neighborhood businesses and to fill the gap left by a shrinking city staff and a Chamber of Commerce whose focus is larger businesses. Specific recommendations for ONDDC’s economic development efforts include developing a workforce development program that connect neighborhood residents and manufacturers, serving as a liaison between local government and businesses, improving neighborhood crime watches, coordinating shared security among businesses, and promoting positive events in order to cultivate a sense of momentum about the neighborhood.
Dr. Johanna Looye (Advisor)
105 p.
Urban and Regional Planning
Business Retention and Expansion; community development corporations; community economic development

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • SMITH, W. K. (2004). NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE OLD NORTH DAYTON DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1078359958

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • SMITH, WINIFRED. NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE OLD NORTH DAYTON DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. 2004. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1078359958.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • SMITH, WINIFRED. "NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE OLD NORTH DAYTON DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1078359958

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1078359958
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© 2004, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.
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