bank sits naturally above flood elevation, creating development opportunities no other river community can match.The city also benefits from its position in Ohio’s third fastest growing county, which has seen a 14% population increase and now boasts a median household income of $107,843. “We are sandwiched between two international airports,” says Jonathan Westendorf, Franklin’s city manager who previously served as fire chief for 20 years. “We’re nestled very nicely along the Great Miami River, and we have two exits off of Interstate 75 and our downtown is about a mile from both.”The city maintains 600 acres of vacant industrial land, positioning it for significant economic growth while Warren County’s tourism sector generates more than $1 billion in annual economic impact. Westendorf’s unique path from emergency services to city administration has shaped Franklin’s approach to development.“I have been in homes in every aspect, every part of our entire community because of an emergency,” he explains. This intimate knowledge, combined with a firefighter’s problem-solving mindset, drives the city’s ambitious plans.“If there’s a fire, we put it out. If somebody’s trapped in a car, we get them out,”Westendorf says.“I’m not interested in easy work. I like challenging work.” His collaborative approach benefits from remarkable council stability, with members serving terms ranging from eight to 25 years. FRANKLIN’S STRATEGIC LOCATION AND COMMUNITY CHARACTER Warren County’s explosive growth hasn’t happened by accident. As the third fastest growing county in Ohio, it leverages a significant geographic advantage. “We’re right off of I-75, Interstate 70 is just to the north of us, and that basically puts us near the center for all of the eastern half of the United States,” Westendorf explains. Franklin sits within Warren County, which hosts over 6,500 businesses employing more than 105,000 people.“We happen to be located at that midway point between Cincinnati and Dayton.As those two communities join together, that’s happening right here, right now.” Founded in 1796, Franklin maintains its historic small-town atmosphere despite rapid regional 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07 FRANKLIN, OH
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