Community Spirit
The community of Urbana is a shining example of unity and solidarity, weaving together diverse threads of support and pride to create a vibrant tapestry of togetherness. One of the hallmark events that underscores this collective spirit is the Black Heritage Festival, a cherished celebration that honors the cultural richness and contributions of the African American community. Beyond such cultural festivals, Urbana boasts a robust network of community organizations, including the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, and Rotary Club, each playing a pivotal role in fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie among residents. These groups spearhead a myriad of initiatives aimed at enhancing community pride and support, from providing fireworks for the annual Fourth of July celebration at Grimes Municipal airport, to organizing neighborhood clean-ups to hosting fundraising events for local causes. Through their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to service, these organizations serve as pillars of strength, knitting together the fabric of Urbana's tight-knit community and ensuring that every member feels valued and supported. Education Urbana City Schools remains steadfast in its commitment to excellence in education, continually striving to enhance the educational environment and empower students to reach their full potential. At the core of their mission is the belief that every student deserves access to high-quality education in a supportive and nurturing environment. Through ongoing efforts, Urbana City Schools ensures that their facilities are not only accessible but also safe and efficient, providing state-of-the-art learning spaces for students across all grades. By investing in modern infrastructure and resources, they create an environment conducive to learning, exploration, and innovation. Recognizing the importance of digital literacy in today's world, Urbana City Schools has implemented a 1-to-1 computer device program for students in grades six through twelve. This initiative equips students with the tools they need to thrive in a technology-driven society, fostering digital skills and facilitating personalized learning experiences. Moreover, Urbana City Schools prioritizes student well-being by offering free breakfast daily to all students. By ensuring access to nutritious meals, they support students' physical and cognitive development, laying the foundation for academic success and overall well-being. In addition to rigorous academic offerings, Urbana City Schools provides opportunities for advanced learning through six College Credit Plus courses taught on-site. These courses enable students to earn college credits while still in high school, preparing them for future academic and professional endeavors. Furthermore, through partnerships with Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, Urbana City Schools offers Advanced Manufacturing and Health Science satellites, providing hands-on training and industry-relevant curriculum. These programs empower students to explore career pathways and gain valuable skills in high-demand fields. Urbana City Schools also values the importance of extracurricular activities in fostering holistic development. With a wide range of offerings including sports, choir, band, FFA, DECA, and student-run organizations, students have the opportunity to pursue their passions, develop leadership skills, and build lasting connections with their peers. Through these initiatives and programs, Urbana City Schools remains dedicated to creating a dynamic and inclusive educational environment where every student has the opportunity to excel academically, socially, and personally. Entertainment Urbana provides a diverse array of year-round attractions and special events that beckon visitors and enrich the lives of locals, enhancing the place we proudly call home. Second Saturdays in Downtown Urbana provide a lively atmosphere with arts, music, and local vendors, fostering a sense of community and vitality. Aviation enthusiasts flock to the area to explore three distinct aviation museums, while history buffs find solace in the Champaign County Historical Society Museum and the Johnny Appleseed Museum, both offering immersive glimpses into the region's past. Nature lovers revel in the wonders of Cedar Bog Nature Preserve and the Ohio Caverns, while outdoor enthusiasts traverse the scenic Simon Kenton Bike Trail or tee off at the Urbana Hilltop Golf Course. Melvin Miller Park has become a hub of activity with its “EveryBODY Plays” playground, as well as its new pickleball courts, catering to a growing interest in the sport. Freshwater Farms of Ohio captivates visitors with its aquatic wonders, while connoisseurs indulge in craft brews at Urbana Brewing Co. and award-winning wines at Dragonfly Vineyard & Wine Cellar. The historic Gloria Theatre, now showcasing new movies and live shows, serves as a beacon of culture and entertainment, further solidifying Urbana's status as a dynamic and thriving community. Health & Safety The Urbana community has every resource needed to make health and safety a top priority. Community members have yoga and pilates studios close by, and the Champaign Family YMCA located in Urbana, helps over 1,000 community members per year stay healthy through classes and self-guided fitness at their extensive facilities. Local health partners, including Memorial Health, Mercy Health, and Mary Rutan Hospital, and Ohio Valley have opened new medical care clinics with an array of specialists on hand. The Mercy Health Urbana Hospital continues to serve Urbana and surrounding areas just as they have for over 70 years. Construction has recently finished on a new and improved pharmacy at Mercy Health Urbana Hospital. The expanded pharmacy is the first phase in support of major plans to increase oncology access for the Urbana community later in 2024. Those plans include infusion services including six infusion chairs and a private infusion suite as well as a medical oncology practice featuring four exam rooms. The new pharmacy includes United States Pharmacopeia (USP)-compliant clean rooms that are required to bring oncology services to the Urbana campus. These rooms will enable the pharmacy to prepare compounds in advance of a need, which reduces the burden on nursing staff to compound medications at the bedside. Urbana is also home to a growing number of highly trained optometrists, dentists, and general practitioners. Mental health organizations partner and share resources to help promote wellness through counseling services and innovative programs, and our state-of-the-art Care Flight facility at Grimes Airport offers rapid transport to regional hospitals. An independent, nonprofit health organization that provides primary care and other wellness services in the area celebrated the grand opening of its new community health center in Urbana in August of 2022. The Urbana Community Health Center is located in a historic building in Urbana that once served as a factory for gas and oil cans for locomotives. Following significant renovations to the building since then and a partnership with Community Health and Wellness Partners to serve as a tenant, the space now boasts a primary care provider, behavioral health providers and offers a number of services including primary care, behavioral health, pharmacy and nutritional services. The clinic is a primary care location, offering services to those of all ages as well as programs to help combat addiction. The facility also offers in-person treatment as well as telehealth options. Business Environment Urbana’s downtown business district is centered around Monument Square which is at the central crossroads of Champaign County where US Route 68 and US Route 36 intersect. At the center of Monument Square is the iconic “Man on the Monument” which sits prominently within the roundabout that funnels approximately 25,000 vehicles per day through the downtown area. Long-time anchors within the central business district of Urbana include Guild Galleries Interiors & Gifts which has operated as a retail merchant and interior decorator for over 40 years; Mumford’s Potato Chips and Deli which has operated since 1932 from different locales downtown; Mike Major Fine Art and Sculpture which has had a presence in the downtown for over 30 years and today encompasses a downtown studio space; Carmazzi’s, a candy store and general store which has served the community since 1893; Teabaggers, a cafe, coffee shop, and wine bar which has operated downtown since 1990; and Mayflowers Chinese Restaurant which has been a community staple since the late 1980’s. Outside of the downtown area, a long-time fixture of the community is Crabill’s Hamburger Shop which originally opened in Urbana back in 1927. In addition to these long-time community anchors, the downtown business district has experienced a renaissance over the last decade due to renewed investment within the district. In 2021, the City of Urbana completed a $2 million project that resulted in a safer, more pedestrian friendly roundabout and Monument Square area. This project also included water main replacements within the downtown area. A year after completion of the roundabout project by the city, the long vacant Douglas Inn which occupies one-eighth of Monument square reopened as a completely renovated structure with seventeen units of affordable senior housing that was part of a larger project known as Legacy Place that repurposed the Douglas Inn, former South Elementary, and former North Elementary as fifty-one units of affordable housing. This project culminated from community partnerships to repurpose these buildings, and this project was awarded an honorable mention award from Heritage Ohio in 2022 for Best Public-Private Partnership. In addition to the Legacy Place project, the Urbana Lofts project opened on Monument Square in 2023 with nine new residential units on the second and third floors. Furthermore, in late 2023, construction started on the Willman Sellman project to repurpose a former furniture store with a new co-working space and another nine loft apartments with occupancy anticipated in late 2024. Beyond residential development, the downtown business district is anchored by the Scioto Inn, a boutique hotel, and the Gloria Theatre, a revitalized movie theater and performing arts venue. In addition to these anchors, downtown has seen a resurgence of new restaurants and retail shops. New businesses have included a microbrewery, wine bar, Venezuelan restaurant, ice cream shop, fresh food market, dog bakery, and clothing boutiques. In addition to these downtown businesses, a designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) was established downtown in 2023. Due to its equidistant location to the larger Dayton and Columbus Metropolitan areas and the city’s strong employment base, the community continues to attract and retain residents. With Urbana only being forty-five to fifty minutes to downtown Dayton or downtown Columbus, residents are close to the larger cultural and employment centers while being able to enjoy the quality of life offered in a smaller city. Residential growth is occurring within the central business district and a new housing development to be known as Dugan Place has been proposed for the eastern side of the city. In addition, the local housing market is proving strong with residential property values increasing and the sale prices of existing home inventory trending upward. Since 2020, over $105 million dollars has been invested locally within the City of Urbana by local manufacturers and warehousing facilities which has only boosted and built upon manufacturing being Urbana and Champaign County’s main employment sector. Manufacturing locally is diversified across different industry sectors, including an international presence. On a daily basis, an estimated 4,766 workers are coming into the city to their place of employment. In 2024, Sutphen Corporation, the family owned fire apparatus builder completed their new 185,000 square foot facility in Urbana which currently employs over 225 workers. Other Major manufacturers with a presence in the Urbana area include: Honeywell Aerospace, Rittal, Bundy Baking Solutions, Navistar, ColePak, Orbis, The Ultra-Met Company, The Hall Company, Weidmann Electrical Technology, Parker Trutec, Sarica Manufacturing, and Hughey and Phillips. Beyond manufacturing growth, other recent commercial developments include a new Cobblestone Hotel, a new Aldi store, a new Dunkin’, and a new Starbucks. The community’s larger employers anchor the community by providing employment and by supporting causes within the community. For example, Urbana High School recently sponsored a senior service day, and the t-shirts for each student were donated by local manufacturer, Orbis. Furthermore, many local companies support the community fireworks at Grimes Field Municipal Airport and Second Saturdays held downtown. Culture & Heritage In Urbana, Ohio, the cultural institutions weave a vivid narrative of the town's collective heritage, underscoring its essence as a cherished home. The Johnny Appleseed Museum, a testament to the town's folklore, celebrates the legendary figure's legacy and his profound impact on the region's agricultural heritage. Similarly, Simon Kenton memorials showcase the life and adventures of this pioneer, illuminating the early settlers' resilience and pioneering spirit. The Champaign County Preservation Alliance's Historic Home and Garden Tour invites visitors to step into the past, offering a glimpse into the architectural splendor and lifestyle of bygone eras. Through meticulous preservation efforts, this tour fosters an appreciation for Urbana's architectural diversity and historical significance. At the heart of Urbana's cultural landscape lies the Champaign County Historical Society Museum, a repository of local history. Here, artifacts, photographs, and documents converge to narrate the town's evolution, from its humble beginnings to its present-day vibrancy. This museum serves as a custodian of memories, ensuring that Urbana's story endures for generations to come. Dominating the town's center is the iconic "Man on the Monument," a solemn tribute to the valor and sacrifice of Champaign County's fallen soldiers. This statue serves as a poignant reminder of the community's profound contributions to the preservation of the Union during times of strife. Urbana marked a significant milestone in 2021 with the 150th Anniversary celebration of the dedication of the "Man on the Monument" statue. Residents came together to reflect on the statue's symbolism and its profound significance in Urbana's history. The celebration not only paid homage to the past but also served as a reminder of the values that unite the community and inspire future generations to uphold the ideals of service and remembrance. In addition to the tangible efforts in preserving Urbana's history, the community benefits from a digital hub of historical information through the "Historic Urbana" Facebook page. This online platform serves as a dynamic resource, offering citizens access to a wealth of information about the town's storied past. From archival photographs to engaging narratives, "Historic Urbana" fosters a sense of connection to the community's heritage, encouraging dialogue and participation among residents. By leveraging the power of social media, Urbana continues to bridge the gap between past and present, ensuring that the town's legacy remains accessible and relevant in the digital age. Through collaborative endeavors and a shared sense of stewardship, Urbana continues to honor its past while embracing the promise of its future.
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Champaign County Visitors Bureau
127 W. Court Street, Urbana, OH 43078 Phone: (937) 653-5764 Email: [email protected] Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 9AM-4PM |
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