Economic Development - Newark Ohio Gov

Eyes on Economic Development

The Department of Development is a combination of the Economic and Community Development Departments. The Department provides a range of programs and services designed to strengthen our community by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities. We work with other City Department, the County, and community-based non-profit organizations to improve the quality of life for our citizens.

Whatever your business – and however its growing – Newark is the place for it. The City’s staff value each interaction with you and will continue to facilitate the productive public-private partnerships that make Newark a place where businesses can thrive. Explore the information below to see how we can assist your business, reflecting our commitment to create the best possible environment for your business and your life.

Retention and Expansion
The City of Newark values its existing businesses who are operating in our city and we strive to meet their ongoing needs to help them remain competitive and successful. Also the City of Newark is very pro-business and prides itself on successfully attracting and securing new businesses to our city.

Certified Local Government
A Certified Local Government (CLG) is authorized to designate certain structures or geographic area historic thereby making such properties eligible to apply for participation in the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program in an effort to assist in the rehabilitation and preservation of such historic structures.

Department Contacts

Contact Information:

40 West Main Street,
4th Floor
Newark, Ohio 43055

Main Phone: (740)670-7530

Mark Mauter
Development Director

Phone: (740)670-7533

Email: mmauter@newarkohio.net

Melissa Seville
Office Manager

Phone: (740)670-7530

Email: mseville@newarkohio.net

Barbara Gilkes
Grant Writer

Phone: (740)670-7536

Email: bgilkes@newarkohio.net

Joint Economic Development District

Under Ohio Revised Code, sections 715.69 and 715.90, a Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) is set up by a contract approved by the legislative authorities of one or more contiguous corporations and one or more contiguous townships. Legislative authorities enter into such contracts to facilitate economic development, to create or preserve jobs and employment opportunities, and to improve the economic welfare of the people in the area. The JEDD program is designed to encourage cooperation among local communities, and it is considered by many to be a mutually beneficial economic development tool. This cooperation takes the for of tax revenue sharing among municipalities and townships.

Pataskala Corporate Park JEDD
The Pataskala Corporate Park JEDD was created on December 22, 2009 and is an agreement between the City of Pataskala, the City of Newark, and Harrison Township. The JEDD levies a 1.75% income tax on all businesses within its boundaries.

Joint Economic Development Zone
The creation of a Joint Economic Development Zone (“JEDZ”) was intended to assist, encourage and stimulate economic development. It is anticipated that the JEDZ will be developed into a commercial real estate development operating to facilitate new or expanded growth for commercial and economic development, to create or preserve jobs and employment opportunities, and to improve the economic welfare of the citizens.

Etna Corporate Park JEDZ 1 and 2
The Etna Corporate Park JEDZ 1 and 2 are agreements between the City of Newark and Etna Township. The JEDZ 1 and 2 levy a 1.75% income tax on all businesses within its boundaries.

JEDZ 1 and 2 Board Members

John Carlisle, Etna Township, Chairman
Charles Hagy, Etna Township
Walter Rogers, Etna Township, Vice Chair
Mark Mauter, City of Newark, Secretary/Treasurer
Chris Harknes, Licking County
Kandee Engle, Southwest Licking Schools

GROW Licking County Facilitates $3.06 Billion Investment

In partnership with the city of Newark, GROW Licking County has facilitated the addition of 6,000 new jobs, the retention of 1,200 existing jobs, and over $3.06 billion in direct investment throughout the county.

Helpful Department Info

Brownfield Program

Business Resources

Downtown Preservation and Rehabilitation Program

The City of Newark Department of Development announces the availability of grant funds through the Downtown Preservation and Rehabilitation Program. The program is intended to encourage economic development in downtown Newark by assisting local businesses in creating an environment that is aesthetically attractive, functional for conducting business, and respectful of downtown’s historic character. Grants are available to both new and existing businesses and organizations. Proposals that will have a positive effect on the abatement of building deterioration, job creation and retention, and the preservation of historic elements will be viewed most favorably by the City. Grant proposals must be consistent with federal, state, county, and local regulations including zoning, building, health and safety codes. The approval of application will be determined at the sole discretion of the City of Newark Department of Development.

All normally required ZONING AND BUILDING PERMITS associated with a project are still required and are the responsibility of the property owner and contractors. These grant funds cannot pay for these permits.
THIS IS A REIMBURSEMENT GRANT. That means that all contractors must be paid in full by the GRANTEE. Grantee must then present evidence that they are paid in full before reimbursement will occur.
ALL estimates must be completed using FEDERAL PREVIALING WAGE LABOR RATES. The Department of Development will conduct on site Federal Prevailing Wage interviews with laborers. Grantee will be required to submit the Contractors Federal Prevailing Wage Certified Payroll Reports before reimbursement will occur.
The Grant encourages the use of Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Women Business Enterprises (WBE) for both applicants and contractors.

Special Improvement Districts

A Special Improvement District (SID) is a private, not-for-profit organization established under state law. A SID is a mechanism through which downtown property owners assess themselves to provide funding for extended services aimed at the economic enhancement of the area. The need for such services has arisen as traditional U.S. cities have faced competition from shopping malls, out-of-town business/shopping centers and other new business districts. The experience of more than 1,000 existing SIDs throughout the United States has demonstrated the effectiveness of this mechanism in addressing the present economic and social challenges of urban development. Under an agreement, the Newark Development Partners (NDP) administers the services plan for the Downtown Newark Special Improvement District (SID). The SID is a private, not-for profit organization through which property owners assess themselves to provide funding for district-wide parking enforcement program, business resources, physical environment enhancement services, safety, marketing and promotion, as well as special project services.

Downtown Newark Special Improvement District

Under an agreement, the Newark Development Partners (NDP) administers the services plan for the Downtown Newark Special Improvement District (SID). The SID provides funding for a district-wide parking enforcement program, business resources, physical environment enhancement services, safety, marketing and promotion, as well as special project services.

Tax Increment Financing

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a public financing method that is used as a subsidy for redevelopment, infrastructure, and other community-improvement projects in many cities across the United States. The original intent of a TIF program is to stimulate private investment in a blighted area that has been designated to need economic revitalization. Through the use of a TIF, municipalities typically divert future property tax revenue increases from a defined area or district toward an economic development project or public improvement project in the community.

The City of Newark Currently has 6 TIF districts:

District # 1 – Deo Drive TIF enacted in 1999
District #2 – Deo Drive TIF enacted in 2003
District #3 – Mt. Vernon Road TIF enacted in 2006
District #4 – Longaberger TIF enacted in 1996
District #5 – River Trails TIF enacted in 2015
District #6 – Baker-Evans Project TIF enacted in 2016

City of Newark Economic Development