Ex-Montgomery County Fairgrounds site being revitalized

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — The former site of the Montgomery County Fairgrounds is set to see new life.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has tried to transform Ohio into the Midwest’s technology hub. As a part of that initiative, DeWine announced Monday the Dayton Innovation Hub is being created to advance the effort.

“It is my privilege to announce that Ohio’s second innovation hub will be placed right here in Dayton,” said DeWine.

The ‘On Main Innovation Hub’ will break ground in the fall at the 38-acre site of the former Montgomery County Fairgrounds property. With a construction completion year and occupancy estimation timeline of 2026, the property will feature a 120,000 square foot, five-story building.

Upon construction, an increasing security presence will be present on higher floors.

“It’s really a way for small, medium sized business and large to interact with the Air Force in a collaborative way,” said Brian Heitkamp, CEO of On Main Innovation Hub.

According to Eric Spina, president at The University of Dayton, the college educational facility is thankful for those who believed in the ‘On Main’ vision.

“It’s the perfect home for the Digital Transformation Center, and we’re grateful to the governor, lieutenant governor, for believing in the vision of Main and for being a catalyst in its creation. And thanks to this award, the future will be created right there at On Main.”

By 2031, partners believe the new hub will create 2,000 new jobs, along with over $39 million in more tax revenue and $500 million in new research funding.

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