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In This Hamilton! Thrive Issue …

📌Daily Weather Update

📌City of Hamilton is hiring!

🍕🍕🍕🍕VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE PIZZA JOINT 🍕🍕🍕🍕

📌Stupid Dad Jokes

📌Hamilton Collaborates with 80 Acres Farms for Continued Growth

📌Charcuterie Class: New Year, New Board

📌Local Business Spotlight - Animal Friends Humane Society

📌Local Music Spotlight - Ralph and the Rhythm Hounds

📌Reds Caravan Back at Spooky Nook

📌Cat Humor/ Far Side

📌Roland Lutz Of Riverside Athletic Club named Hamilton's Small Business Person of the Year

Midwest, Northeast Arctic outbreak and lake-effect snow to last days

Job Opportunities | City of Hamilton - GovernmentJobs.com

Welcome to the City of Hamilton's Job Opportunities! The City of Hamilton is constantly seeking talented and service-oriented people to join our team and assist us in providing the very best service to our citizens.

Have something our readers should know about ? 

Remember - One random voter will be awarded a large pizza from the #1 pick.

Feel free to leave comments on our Facebook Page!

Stupid Dad Jokes

How do you get a farm girl to marry you?
First, a tractor.🤣🤣

I built a model of Mount Everest, and my son asked, "Is it to scale?" 
I replied, "No…it’s to look at."🤣🤣

I wanted to be a doctor…
I just didn't have the patients.🤣🤣

Hamilton Collaborates with 80 Acres Farms for Continued Growth

In a strategic partnership, Hamilton is teaming up with 80 Acres Farms, one of the nation's leading vertical farming companies, to ensure its sustained growth and success in the coming years.

The City Council is set to review and potentially amend the Utility Economic Development Agreement (EDA) with 80 Acres for the second time in as many years. Christine Carr, Hamilton’s acting director of Business Services, emphasized that the proposed amendment aims to provide incentives for the company's future expansion within the city.

While the specific details of the amendment are still under discussion, Carr mentioned that the company is scheduled to present its case at the upcoming Jan. 24 council meeting. City Manager Joshua Smith's team is currently finalizing the agreement, intending to replicate the 2023 terms for 2024. In return, 80 Acres has agreed to extend the agreement by one year.

The utility EDA was initially established in October 2018 as a collaborative effort between the city and 80 Acres, focusing on promoting job growth and increased electric consumption within Hamilton. The agreement underwent a revision last January, mainly due to an unforeseen facility issue. Though the precise impact of the upcoming amendment will be unveiled next week, Carr anticipates that it will serve as a catalyst for future growth.

Reflecting on recent challenges in the vertical farming industry, Smith noted disruptions and bankruptcies of prominent vertical farms such as AeroFarms and AppHarvest over the past 12 to 24 months. Despite these setbacks, Smith highlighted opportunities for the industry, citing Forbes' report from last year.

In contrast to the industry's challenges, 80 Acres has experienced substantial growth. In September, the company inaugurated its largest and most advanced farm, a $95 million investment spanning 200,000 square feet in Florence, Ky. Their produce is now available in various stores, including Kroger, Dorothy Lane in Dayton, and Jungle Jim’s in Fairfield. Last year, they introduced new grab-and-go salad kits.

Operating two indoor farms in Hamilton, one on Enterprise Drive and another on South Second Street in downtown Hamilton, 80 Acres stands as the city's third-largest electric consumer.

Addressing office expansion, Hamilton Council recently approved a revision to 80 Acres’ lease agreement at One Renaissance Center, 345 High St. This adjustment aims to support the company's office operations by freezing the rent from 2024 to 2026 and extending the contract by three years until 2033.

City Manager Smith clarified the city's position, stating, "We're just trying to help them out." Regarding the lease agreement, he added, "All we're asking council to do is to push the larger part of the rent to the back end of the contract." Despite challenges faced by other vertical farm companies, 80 Acres remains a prominent player in the industry.

Read more at: Journal News

Charcuterie Class: New Year, New Board

Join us for an exciting and delicious evening at We Love It Too! Get ready to kick off the new year by learning the art of creating beautiful and mouthwatering charcuterie boards. Whether you're a seasoned charcuterie enthusiast or a beginner looking to enhance your hosting skills, this class is perfect for you.

click here for more info

Animal Friends Humane Society (AFHS) was established in 1952 and is Butler County’s largest, oldest non-profit animal shelter. Our mission is to promote humane principles, to protect lost, homeless, abandoned and mistreated animals, and to act as advocates for animals in our communities. In 2009, AFHS relocated from its outdated facility in Trenton and now occupies a 22,500 sq. foot facility with top-notch amenities for its shelter population in Hamilton, Ohio. By adopting nationally recognized best practices for animal shelters, AFHS has been successful in maintaining high live release rates and is committed to providing individual care to local pets in need. Your support helps the more than 5,000 animals that enter our doors each year.

Ralph and The Rhythm Hounds

Get ready, baseball fans, because the Cincinnati Reds Caravan is hitting the road again, making a crucial stop at the nation's largest sports complex later this month. We've got the inside scoop on the exciting details of this annual event that brings the Reds closer to their devoted fanbase.

Running from January 22 to 27, the weeklong Reds Caravan is a journey spanning from central Kentucky to northwest Ohio, with notable stops at several cities along the way. One highlight for fans in the Miami Valley is the caravan's visit to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, scheduled for the last day of the tour.

This much-anticipated event promises appearances from a star-studded lineup, including current and former Reds players, top minor leaguers, broadcasters, front-office staff, and the iconic mascots. They'll be making appearances at various locations throughout Reds Country, making this caravan a must-attend for baseball enthusiasts of all ages.

Last year marked the triumphant return of the Reds Caravan after a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the kickoff event at Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill in Hamilton drew an impressive crowd of over 500 fans. Now, with the 2024 season on the horizon, fans at all caravan stops will have the chance to engage in question-and-answer sessions, grab autographs, and get a sneak peek into what lies ahead for the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

The caravan's itinerary includes public events at malls and other destinations, with special appearances at schools in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia. While the specific times for each tour stop are yet to be announced, baseball enthusiasts can expect a chance to connect with their favorite players and get pumped for the upcoming season.

Breaking down the caravan into short geographic tours, the Central Tour kicks off on January 22 at Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill in Hamilton, followed by the Lawrenceburg Event Center in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, on January 23. The West Tour heads to Evansville and Indianapolis in Indiana on January 24 and 25, while the East Tour visits Charleston and Huntington in West Virginia on January 25 and 26.

For fans in Ohio, the North Tour stops in Columbus on January 26 and Dayton and Lima on January 27. Meanwhile, the South Tour heads to Kentucky, making stops in Louisville on January 26 and Bowling Green and Lexington on January 27.

Source: Journal News

In a dazzling showcase of community excellence, Hamilton, Ohio, is set to celebrate its standout achievers at the upcoming annual dinner hosted by the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. The spotlight shines brightly on Roland Lutz, the proud owner of Hamilton's hidden gem, the Riverside Athletic Club, who has been bestowed with the esteemed title of Small Business Person of the Year. Joining him in the limelight is Taylor Stone-Welch, crowned as Hamilton Citizen of the Year, making this event a remarkable celebration of local success stories.

Lutz, who has passionately steered the Riverside Athletic Club since 1997, expressed his elation at being recognized by his community, remarking, "I think it's wonderful. You've been here 25 years, and you get noticed by your community. I'm truly honored and excited." This acknowledgment comes as a testament to his enduring commitment to the thriving local business landscape.

Nominated by the esteemed Kathleen Klink and Craig Wilks, both past recipients of Chamber honors, Lutz's journey has been one of dedication and innovation. Klink, the 2019 Citizen of the Year, and Wilks, the 2004 Small Business Person of the Year, jointly penned a nomination letter commending Lutz's substantial investments in the Riverside Athletic Club. These investments include the creation of pickleball courts, a sophisticated wine bar, an outdoor shipping container bar, and the generosity of hosting free summer concerts on Fridays.

The nomination letter underscores the vital role played by small independent business owners like Lutz in nurturing successful communities. Describing Lutz's contributions as going above and beyond, the letter notes, "Roland Lutz does that in spades. His business continues to grow physically, economically, and socially, supporting the interests of Hamiltonians and those within the greater region."

Beyond his entrepreneurial prowess, Lutz has also left an indelible mark as the coach of two regional tennis stars, Eleana Yu and Peyton Stearns, who made their remarkable debut at the U.S. Open in 2022.

The news of this prestigious honor reached Lutz in late December, adding an element of suspense to the revelation orchestrated by Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dan Bates. Lutz, initially on the tennis courts when Bates called, recalls his curiosity, stating, "I thought something was up, but I wasn't sure what it was about."

As Lutz contemplates the future of the Riverside Athletic Club, situated on the west side of the Great Miami River, he envisions potential developments along the riverfront. These ideas align with his desire to see pickleball expanded and the addition of a restaurant overlooking the river. While the upcoming season promises business as usual, with tennis offerings and expanded pickleball options, Lutz emphasizes the need for discussions on future development plans.

Highlighting the collaborative spirit, Lutz envisions a master plan for the site, emphasizing the importance of incorporating the city's input and its vision for the western banks of the river. This momentous occasion marks the first time both the Small Business Person of the Year and the Citizen of the Year will be honored together at the annual meeting, symbolizing a unified celebration of exceptional community contributions.

As the anticipation builds for the annual dinner on January 26 at Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill, the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to join in applauding these outstanding individuals and their invaluable contributions to the fabric of Hamilton's success.

HOW TO GO

What: Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce annual meeting

When: 5:30 p.m. cocktails and dinner; 7 p.m. dessert and program, Friday, Jan. 26

Where: Spooky Nook Champion Mill Conference Center, North B Street

Info: The Small Business Person of the Year and Citizen of the Year will be honored at the annual event. For tickets, visit www.hamilton-ohio.com.

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