While Troy has had many successes over its 200 years now isn’t the time to rest on those accomplishments, Mayor Mike Beamish said during the annual State of the City luncheon March 27.

Instead, it’s more important than ever that the city expands its vision by continuing to pursue economic development in an increasingly competitive world, Beamish said.

To that end, the Troy Development Council recently unveiled new recruitment videos while the county and city have new websites showcasing the area’s offerings.

Among them are amenities proven to attract employers and their employees such as good schools, available housing and cultural and recreational programs.

Beamish said the community can do even more by enhancing its amenities, including pursuing riverfront development along the Great Miami River.

“We need to avoid that ‘brain drain’ that we have had in our region by providing those qualify of life amenities that will attract those ‘brains’ to come to this region to live, work, play and bring and raise their families,” Beamish said.

The city council will be asked this year to consider a $5 million riverfront development program targeting Hobart Arena and the Treasure Island area.

The city can use its favorable Aa1 bond rating to borrow funds at low interest rates to make the project a reality, the mayor said.

 In addition to local dollars, the city continues to seek public-private partnerships and grants to help with projects, he said.

 “It is my hope that the city will continue to have vision by making the investments necessary in upgrading our facilities and accentuating our riverscape to help attract new residents,” Beamish said.

During his presentation, Beamish said he wanted to emphasize respect for the past, pride in the present and a vision to the future.

He provided a brief review of 2013, a busy year that included the annual Strawberry Festival and its soccer tournament, the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure stay in town, the Theater on Ice competition at Hobart Arena, numerous country concerts at the arena and the Gentlemen of the Road Stopover Labor Day weekend.

“It certainly was an epic year in Troy, and who were the benefactors? The businesses, small and large, and certainly all of us in the city of Troy,” Beamish said.

This year is busy as well with the city’s bicentennial celebration and other milestones for organizations such as Van Cleve school’s 100^th year, Troy Foundation’s 90^th anniversary, Chamber of Commerce 75^th anniversary and the 100^th year for the Hayner Mansion, home to the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center.

The city has seen modest growth in the income tax and some job growth, Beamish said.

“We are proud of our fire and our police services,” he added. “Thanks to them, our neighborhoods are safe and we know if we have to have an emergency, we have a quality response to any situation.”

Troy 2014 Budget

(Source: City of Troy)

Salaries/Benefits: $18,240,510 (41 percent)

Operating Expenses: $17,056,258 (30 percent)

Capital Expenditures: $8,712,510 (20 percent)

Total: $44,009,278