Logan County is experiencing notable growth, with Bellefontaine leading the way. On Tuesday morning, a panel discussion at the Logan County Legislative meeting hosted by the Chamber of Commerce shed light on the factors driving this expansion. A speaker panel featured local experts such as Justin Dinovo from Citizen’s Federal Savings and Loan, developer Jeremy LeVan, Doug Zimmerman from Zimmerman Realty, and Logan County Auditor Jack Reser.
The main topic of the discussion was the use of Community Reinvestment Areas (CRA) tax abatements, that are being offered to new home developments in Bellefontaine. These abatements are designed to encourage investment in the area by offering property tax reductions to new homeowners. However, there is a debate over their long-term impact. While these abatements can stimulate growth, they have a ripple effect on local funding, impacting schools, Children’s Services, and other essential community services, as they rely on property tax revenues.
In Bellefontaine, there are two types of abatements available: a 12-year and a 5-year abatement. This program aims to draw people to the area by making new homes more affordable. Mayor Dave Crissman goes over the abatements and what the city is doing to encourage growth and prepare for it:
Aside from tax incentives, the panel also talked about what makes Logan County an attractive area. Among the factors drawing people are the ongoing developments in downtown Bellefontaine, convenient access to US Route 33, the area’s utilities, and the overall welcoming environment as an entire community. As Logan County continues to expand, the focus is also on retaining younger residents, especially those who may consider leaving after high school or college. Having affordable housing is seen as a crucial first step in keeping young people in the community and attracting new residents.
