THE MCGAVREN BLOCK | Downtown Van Wert

Known as The McGavren Block, this multi-store front, two-story brick building has extraordinary window surrounds of carved stone for the attic windows and a series of 18 terra cotta lion heads just below the roofline. It was built in 1903 and is 3,030 SF of commercial space on the ground floor. Previous businesses range from bars and restaurants to a pool hall. This building was recently completed as part of Van Wert Forward and has upper floor apartments and first-floor commercial spaces.

SPECULATIVE BUILDING

Spec Building in Van Wert attracts new investment and jobs. Robinson Investments, LTD is constructing a 100,000-square-foot spec building in Van Wert. The BDC, Van Wert Area Economic Development, and the Ohio Site Inventory Program (OSIP) support the project. This marks the second spec building for Robinson Investments in Van Wert.

FORMER VAN WERT INN | Land Bank Partnership

A former hotel and restaurant, the property, once known as the Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Van Wert Inn, and Lock 16 Restaurant, had been vacant for over a decade. The BDC partnered with local economic development and the land bank to acquire the property. Awarded funding in 2021 from the Ohio Building Demolition + Site Revitalization Program, the site is now remediated. A new branch of First Federal of Van Wert is currently under construction, marking a significant revitalization effort in partnership with local leaders and the BDC.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

The Business Development Corporation (BDC) of Van Wert has partnered with VWAEDC since 2020 to fund the workforce development initiative. Based on feedback from private sector leaders, finding appropriate talent to fill open positions is their No. 1 challenge. The BDC and VWAEDC listened and made plans to expand their partnership to include this workforce development program. The additional support to businesses is another differentiator to retaining, attracting, and growing companies in Van Wert County.

 

FIXED-BASE OPERATOR | Van Wert Co. Regional Airport

In 2021, the BDC provided gap loan funding to the Van Wert County Regional Airport to construct a fixed-operator building. A fixed-base operator (FBO) is an organization granted the right by an airport to operate at the airport and provide aeronautical services such as fueling, hangaring, tie-down and parking, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance, flight instruction, and similar services.