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State grants ‘Calamityville’ $2.8 million

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By Christopher Magan, Staff Writer Updated 12:46 AM Tuesday, May 19, 2009

FAIRBORN — City leaders and Wright State University officials learned Monday, May 18, that the Ohio Department of Development will grant them $2.8 million to clean up the proposed site of a disaster response training facility.

The money, from the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund, will be used to remove environmental contaminants and ready the 54-acre Cemex property at 506 E. Xenia Drive. WSU will provide $900,000 in matching funds.

The facility, dubbed Calamityville, is planned as a training center where medical first-responders can hone their skills under simulated disaster conditions. It is expected to create 20 to 30 jobs and bring in $75 million a year to the region.

“This is great to watch two years of effort come to fruition,” City Manager Deborah McDonnell said. “We are excited for the university and for Fairborn.”

Dr. Glenn Hamilton, who is heading up the project for the university, said the state grant was the final piece needed to create the training center.

“This is the critical piece that lets this all move forward,” he said. “We now know who we are going to work with and where we are going to go.”

Cemex will donate the former town plant to the city, which will use the grant money to clean up asbestos, trichloroethene contamination and prepare buildings, silos and tunnels to be used as a training ground.

Two environmental studies commissioned by the city and university conflict on how much cleanup is need for the site. One consultant estimated $4.4 million in cleanup costs could reach $4.4 million, but McDonnell said she believes a second environmental firm’s estimate that the site can be made ready for about $1 million.

The Calamityville project has now received nearly $10 million in federal and state support for construction and operation, according to its creators.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2342 or cmagan@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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Hey Knowthefacts.... Know the Facts! How do you think money is funnelled to the Schools? It is through job creation and expansion of the Tax Base. This is a golden opportunity for the City of Fairborn. Finally, some positive news for the City. Now, the FULL Council needs to back this project and stop the bickering!

arniez
8:42 AM, 5/19/2009

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If you look into the type of site that WSU is hoping to build. There are multiple sites across the country that offers the same type of training they are talking about.I really doubt that they will be able to bring in $75 Million to the area. Just another waste of taxpayer money, when local school systems are being choked by the state for funding.

Know the facts
4:20 AM, 5/19/2009

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20 to 30 "good paying jobs" at a cost of $2.8 million? That's $93,000 to "create" each job. That's MY tax money pal! Go find something else to cry about, you welfare case!!!

painfultruth
4:28 PM, 5/18/2009

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The DDN sure cheers when it's OUR TAX MONEY BEING SPENT! Possibly, we should begin taxing newspapers on a per copy basis! Hey, THAT'S a GOOD IDEA!

painfultruth
4:25 PM, 5/18/2009

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GIVE ME A BREAK!!! Out of work people want President Obama to spend bucks to create jobs. Why isn't this hailed as a job creation??? 20-30 good paying jobs!!! PLUS the spin off economic impact of $75 million in our region!!! GIVE ME A BREAK!!! Y'all need to quit looking in a myopic manner and open your eyes to the way the entire region will benefit!!!

Out of work
4:24 PM, 5/18/2009

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