Monroe, Ohio

Building the Future Through Planned Growth and Community Partnerships

Securing its future with ambitious development plans, collaborative efforts, and a vision prioritizing community well-being and economic vitality.

Monroe, Ohio, an energetic and growing city in southwest Ohio, is blending its rich history with the aspirations of its community.  With a population approaching 16,000, Monroe straddles the line between the charm of a small town and the infrastructure of a forward-thinking suburb. Its strategic location, at the midpoint between Cincinnati and Dayton, adds an element of connectivity many communities envy. Monroe isn’t just defined by geography, it’s the pulse of its people, their ambitions, and their collective investment in progress that make it unique.

Mayor Keith Funk sees this communal drive as a core strength. “One thing that really sets Monroe apart is the people,” he says. “There’s enormous pride that runs through the community, shown through city staff and our schools. It really seems like everybody is rowing in the same direction in terms of making a better tomorrow for generations to come.” This unity isn’t just talk—it’s embedded in Monroe’s initiatives and city planning. Over the past decade, significant investments have been directed toward enhancing city services. Now, as those investments bear fruit, Monroe is looking to its next chapter.

Part of the city’s current strategy involves revitalizing the downtown area, including methodically laying the groundwork for beautification projects and gateway features that add visual appeal and encourage tourism. City Manager, Larry Lester, highlights Monroe’s recreational spaces as part of this larger vision. “We have a great park system in Monroe,” he states while pointing out that Monroe thrives on its sense of place and community spirit. “We have a variety of distinct businesses that are quaint and inviting for folks to visit, and so, we see those as gathering places that the community enjoys.”

Building Infrastructure and Housing for Long-Term Growth

Monroe’s solid infrastructure forms the backbone of its strategy for long-term growth and economic development. Mayor Funk explains the priority placed on infrastructure maintenance. “We keep our roads and utility services up to par,” he says, emphasizing that attention is given to present needs and future requirements. Recent efforts include extensive work with stormwater management and water systems, paving the way for economic and residential expansion.

Director of Development Tom Smith notes that Monroe’s budget focuses on these priorities. “Specifically, we have two water main line replacements that are in effect right now on Timrick Place and going into downtown on Main Street,” Smith states. He also points to the city’s proactive approach to securing financial support for its ventures. “The City was awarded  $400,000 in State Capital funding to improve a strip center, along with a $470,000 Safe Streets for All grant to create a master transportation plan for funding future trails and pathways,” he explains.

Smith then discusses another critical aspect of Monroe’s development plan: addressing housing diversity and revitalizing the downtown area. A recent update to the city code has paved the way for creative housing solutions. He points out that the city council identified Monroe’s current housing stock is heavily weighted toward single-family homes—approximately 88%. “We saw that as a significant problem and chose to address that by offering different housing types,” he explains, mentioning a mix that includes townhomes, condos, apartments, and smaller-scale single-family homes.

Smith shares that a recent housing development spearheaded by Grand Communities, LLC,  supports this effort with approximately $130 million of private investment to create 219 homes. The development features a mix of entry-level and higher-end properties, which promotes the city’s initiative to increase housing options for diverse needs and income levels.

Strategic Growth and Workforce Development

Monroe’s City Council ambitions go beyond typical suburban development, prioritizing connectivity in all development planning. City Manager Lester expands on the Safe Streets for All grant, “This funding will support the development of a comprehensive thoroughfare plan to improve traffic flow, intersection design, and pedestrian pathways.” These plans also incorporate streetscapes, enhancing Monroe’s appeal with visually engaging elements that encourage walking and social gatherings.

The city’s focus on preparing for its growth aligns closely with its partnerships. Lester lauds these relationships as invaluable, saying, “We have great partnerships with Monroe Local Schools as well as the Butler Tech Career Center.” We are fortunate to have both in our community.” A recent release from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce reported that the Monroe Local School District boasts a performance index score of 94.6 placing it in the top 25% of Ohio school districts. Butler Tech goes beyond secondary education, providing adult education and career resources that feed into Monroe’s broader workforce development strategy. This dual focus on youth and adult training ensures a steady pipeline of skilled individuals ready to contribute to the local economy.

Economic Diversification

Monroe’s leadership actively seeks to expand its economic base, moving beyond traditional sectors to embrace new industries. Central to Dayton and Cincinnati on I-75, the city is well positioned to support innovation with its proximity to the aerospace hub and leaders in technology, research and development, aviation, and robotics.

The city’s venture into the cannabis industry illustrates its willingness to see opportunities where others see obstacles. Smith clarifies, “It’s not that we’re looking to do it. We already have.” Mayor Funk recalls the early days of dispensaries when Monroe’s city council displayed openness and flexibility. “The council was very open-minded,” he says. “We want to be business-friendly. We did embrace those, and now, with recreational store licenses being issued, we’re allowing that as well.” However, the city is careful to strike a balance, enacting restrictions to avoid oversaturation of cannabis-related businesses to maintain a diversified economic plan.

This proactive approach has yielded significant benefits. Smith highlights these businesses’ positive influence. “We’ve only seen advantages to having them as part of our community,” he emphasizes, pointing to the council’s foresight as a reason for Monroe’s upgraded AA+ bond rating by S&P Global Ratings.

“We have four dispensary centers that are great neighbors,” Smith says, adding that initial concerns about community impact have yet to materialize. Monroe also hosts one cultivation plant and one processing facility.

Strengthening Community through Strategic Partnerships

Monroe’s leaders recognize that the path to sustained growth lies in public and private collaboration. Mayor Funk highlights Monroe’s close relationship with its school district. “We have agreements with the school district related to economic development,” he says. This approach ensures the school system remains strong, bolstering goodwill and a unified vision. In return, Monroe has built a solid partnership that benefits the entire community.

Smith points out that private partnerships are equally vital, citing their significant contributions to the city’s revenue through its earnings tax. The city’s industrial parks play a significant role in this system, generating revenue that supports the delivery of major public services. The symbiotic relationship between the city and the school district becomes evident when discussing tax abatements designed to attract businesses. “The school is a significant part of that and understands what it takes to create jobs,” he adds. The revenues generated from these jobs assist in funding infrastructure improvements, police and fire services, parks, and other services provided by the City.

Monroe’s industrial landscape is home to large companies like Deceuninck North America, LLC, a vinyl manufacturer, as well as several Fortune 50 businesses that have set up operations in the city’s logistics parks. Smith highlights the city’s strategy of targeting industries that offer high-quality jobs while maximizing land use. “We’re working to position the City to attract advanced manufacturing industries that specialize in batteries, sensors, microchips, and hydraulics,” he explains. These types of businesses provide jobs the City is looking to attract making them an efficient choice for Monroe’s development plans.

Prioritizing Long-Term Vision and Community Needs

As Monroe looks ahead to the next 18 months, the priorities are clear. Mayor Funk emphasizes the importance of sustaining high standards for city services, which are tightly linked to the city’s economic health.  Growth must be intelligent and measured, with an eye on expanding housing options to attract new residents while ensuring that current infrastructure can support this growth.

The downtown revitalization plan is high on the list, with efforts to turn the area into a nucleus that is more engaging. Smith explains the necessity of this focus: “We continue to receive feedback from our residents that the city needs to offer more entertainment and leisure activities. We need to give them more to do in terms of entertainment venues and things of that nature,” he says. The hope is that this focus will transform the downtown area into a place where residents want to spend their time and support local business.  Monroe aims to create a welcoming, lively, and sustainable environment for years to come.

AT A GLANCE

City of Monroe

What: A growing city focused on strategic economic development, community partnerships, and revitalization projects

Where: Ohio, USA

Website: https://www.monroeohio.gov/