Today, our #GOPCThread travels to Southwest Ohio for the next in our #OHCommunitySpotlight series as we visit Middletown, Ohio! ( @CityMiddletown)

Located in Butler and Warren Counties, Middletown sits adjacent to the Great Miami River a little over 30 miles outside of Cincinnati #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight https://www.google.com/maps/place/Middletown,+OH/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88405de4a827047b:0x71aa01df9cf0620?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi0_vPtxtHwAhVrAp0JHdqtDkwQ8gEwKXoECFUQAQ

With over 330 acres of park and recreation space, Middletown has activity for residents and visitors! From fishing to hiking, recreational sports, or biking to name a few, its prime location offers an array of activity! #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight https://www.cityofmiddletown.org/541/Parks-Master-Plan

Today, the population of Middletown sits at a little over 48,000. Like its #legacycity peers in the state, Middletown experienced population decline & industry shift. In recent decades, Middletown’s population has nearly rebounded to peak population experienced in the early 2000s

Middletown is known for serving as the headquarters for AK Steel, formerly Armco Steel. Armco was headquartered in Middletown until 2007 – though Middletown is still home to a steel plant for AK Steel that is operational today #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight

Middletown became Ohio’s 1st city to establish a DORA, allowing visitors in a designated portion of downtown to purchase a beverage at a participating bar or restaurant, & enjoy the drink while strolling in the downtown! #GOPCThread https://bit.ly/3fBN0xg 

In October 2020, Middletown, in partnership with Cincinnati Bell, launched free WiFi access within the DORA district of downtown. This investment also includes aspects to support local businesses and drive economic development in downtown #GOPCThread https://www.downtownmiddletown.org/downtownwifi 

First Friday is an opportunity for patrons to shop local, have a beverage in the DORA district, and enjoy downtown Middletown #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight https://www.downtownmiddletown.org/first-friday-downtown-middletown

Middletown also has amazing murals throughout its downtown and a growing arts and entertainment focus among merchants and vendors #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight

Today, Middletown is a prime example of #legacycity revitalization & regrowth. Strategic planning in the early 2000s led to the development of a Master Plan for community leaders. Today, this plan guides community leaders work to grow & expand quality of life in Middletown.

In 2017, the city adopted a Downtown Revitalization Plan to guide community leaders in the planning, development, and direction of downtown Middletown #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight https://www.downtownmiddletown.org/downtown-master-plan

Earlier this year, Middletown Council approved a feasibility study for predevelopment planning for a transformational downtown mixed-use project, which would include a hotel & convention center & is partly motivated by Hamilton’s Spooky Nook project https://www.fox19.com/2021/03/04/hotel-convention-center-proposed-generational-development-middletown/

Collaboration & strategic planning are integral components to long-term revitalization efforts in a community! Keep up the good work, Middletown! #GOPCThread #OHCommunitySpotlight