DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — The staff of Dayton's Economic Development Department has been on the prowl for businesses within the city that want to expand and grow jobs here.

Between Jan. 1 and Wednesday, May 7, the city has approved just under $3.7 million in development grants or offered technical assistance to 19 companies also willing to invest significant funds into their own businesses in order to grow.

All told, the companies agreed to invest about $22 million into their businesses, retaining more than 1,000 jobs in Dayton and creating just over 800 new ones.

"We've had a great deal of activity these first two quarters," Shelley Dickstein, Dayton's assistant city manager for strategic development said.

The Allied Supply Company Inc., 1100 E. Monument Ave., was the latest to receive a development grant to be used for purchase of new equipment and for facility improvements. On Wednesday, the City Commission approved $35,000 for the family-owned business headquartered in Dayton since 1935.

The wholesale distributor of HVAC supplies and equipment will invest about $700,000 in a new call center. The project will help retain 33 jobs with an average salary of $35,000 annually and creating five new jobs over the next two years.

Each year, Dayton's economic development staff visits an estimated 350 companies to discuss future plans and explore obstacles they may face or dreams of growth.

Dickstein said she expects the city will continue retention and expansion efforts throughout the year, but that approval of grants may slow down in the fourth-quarter, when the construction season ends.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2362 or josmith@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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