Newsletter: Why is Warren County a tourism magnet?

Hello, Dayton business readers. What did I miss while I was on vacation?

A lot, apparently. But I have no regrets. Researchers for Pew tell us that more than four in 10 American workers don’t take all of their paid time off — and we’re talking about those who are fortunate enough to have paid time off. There’s something sad about that. Life is for living.

Now I’m back, tanned, rested and (I hope) ready. Tell me about your business at tom.gnau@coxinc.com. And let’s dive into today’s business newsletter.

Warren County: Our tourism mecca?

Kings Island opened for its 52nd season on Saturday, April 20, 2024. ALEX CUTLER/STAFF

Credit: Alex Cutler

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Credit: Alex Cutler

Kings Island opened for its 52nd season on Saturday, April 20, 2024. ALEX CUTLER/STAFF

Credit: Alex Cutler

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Credit: Alex Cutler

Warren County tourism shattered previous bests last year, with the industry accounting for $1.7 billion in economic impact, according to a new study, Reporter Nick Blizzard notes.

Growth: The report said tourism’s impact in the county that’s home to Kings Island and Miami Valley Gaming jumped 17% from 2021, the last year the study was conducted, according to the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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ALSO: Another Warren County attraction, this one so popular, attendance has to be capped.

Clopay opens the door on $30 million expansion

Inside the Clopay plant in Troy. The company is one of leaders in the making of garage doors.

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Credit:

What’s happening: Clopay Corp., a manufacturer and marketer of garage doors and rolling steel doors, is continuing an expansion project at its Troy location at a cost of $30 million.

What they’re saying: “The city of Troy is proud to be a part of the growth of the Clopay Corp.,” said Joseph Graves, CEO of the Troy Development Council. “This expansion will provide great job opportunities for Troy-area residents.”

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Buc-ee’s finalizing plans for groundbreaking ceremony for first Ohio store

The exterior of Buc-ee's travel center in Richmond, Ky. WCPO/CONTRIBUTED

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The golden era for amped-up convenience stores continues apace.

Reporter Aimee Hancock tells us that Buc-ee’s is wrapping up the planning stage for its first Ohio store, with a groundbreaking ceremony at the Huber Heights site in a matter of weeks.

Catch-up: Buc-ee’s was recently given the green light by the city to begin groundwork at the site in a step that signaled full-on construction is inching closer.

Next steps: Buc-ee’s final requirement is to submit updated development plans that include the signage details. Once that’s done, the company will have met all obligations required by the city’s planning commission.

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Growing Dayton area business park’s new tenant to build distribution building

EXM Manufacturing plans to build a 22,500-square-foot facility at 2555 Benner Road in Miamisburg's Byers Business Park. It will use the building mainly for warehouse and distribution of its electrical cabinet enclosures. CONTRIBUTED

Credit: Lynch, Gregory

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Credit: Lynch, Gregory

Byers Business Park’s final lot in Miamisburg will soon host an international manufacturer and distributor expanding its Dayton-area operations, Reporter Eric Schwartzberg tells us.

Construction: EXM Manufacturing, a manufacturer and distributor of electrical cabinet enclosures for industry, is set to build a 22,500-square-foot distribution building at 2555 Benner Road.

The setting: Byers has four buildings, three muti-tenant buildings and one single-tenant building ranging from 30,000 to 72,000 square feet.

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Army seeks to advance a powerful Dayton-bred technology

FILE - This Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, file photo provided by the U.S. Navy, shows an electromagnetic railgun prototype launcher at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division test facility in Dahlgren, Va. The Navy has pulled the plug on research on the futuristic weapon that fires projectiles at up to seven times the speed of sound using electricity. A Navy spokesperson says the decision frees up resources for hypersonic missiles, laser systems and electronic warfare systems. (U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams via AP, File)

Credit: John F. Williams

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Credit: John F. Williams

The U.S. Army recently issued a request for information on its desire to acquire an artillery system that incorporates a piece of Dayton-bred weapons technology.

Dayton history: IAP Research, based in Dayton, had been a key subcontractor for more than 10 years in the Navy’s development of the electromagnetic railgun. In 2017, BAE Systems acquired IAP Research, which at the time had about 40 local employees.

Locked and loaded: As early as the summer of 1987, IAP had demonstrated that the railgun could be loaded and fired at a rate of 10 shots per second, the Dayton Daily News reported in December 1987.

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Quick hits

Why do readers love this story so much? Yes, it matters what you say to your cat.

Total heartbreaker: Dayton Flyers star DaRon Holmes suffers major injury in NBA summer debut. (UPDATE: ‘I’ll be back!’)

Table 33 eyes Dayton Arcade move: Natalie Jones has the details.

Plans for 284 new homes in Franklin: Gains momentum.

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