Township Hall (513) 777-5900

Business

Doing Business in West Chester

Listed among America's top "100 Places in America to Live," nearly 4,000 companies choose to be a part of West Chester’s diverse local economy and find themselves in good company in Ohio's largest township.

Aerial view of the Union Centre Boulevard interchange on Interstate 75, with offices and hotels beyond.
Union Centre Boulevard at I-75 The southernmost of the Township's three interchanges

West Chester’s targeted industry sectors fuel a sustainable business model and propel continued investment in amenities that matter most to businesses and residents calling West Chester home.

West Chester residents and businesses enjoy far greater amenities as a result of successful economic development, a commitment to sustain property values and fiscal restraint. Resources are directed to those attributes that have defined West Chester as a place "where families grow and businesses prosper."

Corporate investors benefit from our community's "no earnings tax" environment, exceptional workforce, and established corporate presence.

West Chester works closely with REDI Cincinnati to champion new business investment and provide individual attention to new investors and existing business exploring expansion options.

Free technical assistance is available to relocating and expanding companies. West Chester’s professional economic development team can be reached at (513) 777-4214.

Targeted Industries

Aerial view of warehouses and industrial buildings along the I-75 corridor in West Chester.
The I-75 corridor Warehouses and industry along the interstate

Life Sciences

A rapidly emerging and diverse industry that encompasses pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, medical device manufacturing, testing laboratories, medical labs and diagnostic imaging, chemical manufacturing, etc. Life sciences companies cluster together to symbiotically benefit from a shared workforce, advances in technology and new scientific discoveries.

Information Technology

One of the fastest growing industries in the economy, IT benefits from West Chester’s strategic location and access to extensive fiber optic networks, capitalizing on record business growth and leveraging the community’s location to reach customers in the Cincinnati and Dayton metros.

Advanced Manufacturing

West Chester’s manufacturing environment has evolved to become a more advanced industry with operations in research and development, engineering, aerospace and high-tech manufacturing. West Chester’s accessibility to transportation infrastructure and proximity to 54 percent of the nation’s population and 61 percent of all U.S. and Canadian manufacturing location has made it a prime location for manufacturing.

Corporate Headquarters and Class A Office

Corporate executives appreciate West Chester’s accessibility and amenities including a first-class public school system, quality affordable housing, restaurants, retail and hotels. Driving the establishment of corporate offices in industries like consumer marketing is the significant number of Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 company headquarters including AK Steel in West Chester.

Healthcare

Healthcare has been a growing sector of the West Chester economy since UC Physicians invested $100 million to construct a medical campus and the region’s first new hospital in 25 years creating a full-service medical campus. These expansive developments and the area's dense population have contributed to ancillary health care offices further defining West Chester as a regional focal point for medical and health care services.

Consumer Marketing

The Cincinnati area has the largest concentration of advanced brand design consultancies in the world. Driving the establishment of this industry is the significant presence of Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 company headquarters in the region.

Spark Small Business Grants

  • The WreckTech Auto Body team outside their shop on Princeton Glendale Road after a Spark Grant project.
    Spark Grant The WreckTech Auto Body team outside their shop
  • Blush Box staff cut the ribbon on their new store with Trustee Amanda Ortiz and Manager of Community Development Michelle Cone.
    Ribbon cutting Blush Box staff with Trustee Amanda Ortiz and Michelle Cone

West Chester Township honors its entrepreneurial roots with the

Spark Small Business Revitalization Grant program, providing grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to qualifying local small businesses (property owners or tenants).

Our goal is to "spark" investment in our community by helping business owners improve the front door of their business. This financial incentive program drives revitalization in our neighborhoods and business corridors.

Who is eligible to apply?

  • Privately-owned small businesses (no non-profits or residences)
  • Property owners or tenants (with written approval from property owner)
  • Must be located in West Chester Township
  • Must have 20 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees

What types of projects will be funded?

  • Aesthetic exterior improvements
  • Outdoor gathering spaces
  • Hardscaping (patios, retaining walls, etc.)
  • Exterior painting or lighting
  • Sign upgrades or replacements
  • Awnings
  • Landscaping
  • Previously completed work or projects already underway/permitted.

How do I apply?

  • Select a project that meets the grant criteria.
  • Get two (2) quotes for the same scope of work from two contractors.
  • Complete and submit your vendor paperwork with your application.*
  • IRS W-9 Form
  • Vendor Exemption Letter or PEDACKN Form
  • ACH Authorization
  • Upload photos of project area, as well as drawings/renderings of the proposed project, with your application.
  • Your business is considered the "vendor" for the purposes of the Spark Grant program. You must complete all vendor paperwork as instructed to received funding from the Township.

How are projects selected?

Grant amounts will be determined by the strength of the application. Scoring is based on quality of design, impact to the larger neighborhood, location, job creation, and shared investment of the applicant.

Applicant Eligibility

Spark Grant applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Must be locally owned and located in West Chester Township, Ohio.
  • Must be a private business. No non-profit organizations or private residences may apply.
  • Applicants must be property owners or tenants prior to initial application submission. Tenants must submit written approval from property owner for the project as part of their application.
  • Applicants must be in compliance with all Federal, state and local laws and regulations.
  • Business may not have more than 20 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
  • Applicants are eligible for one (1) Spark Grant award per calendar year. If a business applies for and is awarded a Spark Grant in consecutive years, the grant award will be reduced by 25% in each subsequent year. Eligible businesses are permitted to receive no more than four (4) Spark Grant awards in their lifetime.