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local economy Archives - OfficeKey | Cincinnati, OH
Locations

Here is a list of locations that all OfficeKey members have access to:

BLUE ASH

Westlake Center
4555 Lake Forest Drive, Suite 650
Cincinnati, OH 45242
Directions

DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI

Scripps Center
312 Walnut Street, Suite 1600
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Directions

HYDE PARK

Rookwood Tower
3805 Edwards Road, Suite 550
Cincinnati, OH 45209
Directions

NORTHERN KENTUCKY

Turfway Ridge Office Park
7310 Turfway Road, Suite 550
Florence, KY 41042
Directions

WEST CHESTER

Union Centre
9078 Union Centre Blvd,
Suite 350
West Chester, OH 45069
Directions

local economy

Adopt-A-Class Update

"Adopt-A-Class Update"

Adopt-A-ClassOfficeKey is very excited to partner with Adopt-A-Class again this year.  This will be our third year working with the kindergarten students at Miss May’s class at South Avondale Elementary.  Our first visit was in October. We did a “watch me grow” activity.  We planted seeds and measured the height of each student so that we can follow their progress over the course of the school year.  And since it was Halloween we had to spoil them with a little bit of candy as well!  We have some exciting things planned for this year and really enjoy the opportunity to spend some time with these great kids and their teachers.  

 

To learn more about Adopt A Class please visit their webpage.

Gigsmart

"Gigsmart"

Get Gigs and Workers at Gigsmart.comIn last month’s newsletter, we featured a spotlight on The Catino Family Foundation. Ted and Becky Catino are Cincinnati natives who retired after 25 years of starting and growing a successful business. Ted and Becky have come out of retirement to start a mobile technology company called GigSmart. The Catinos founded GigSmart to meet two core community objectives:

1) GigSmart seeks to create a seamless, efficient, friendly employer/independent contractor marketplace that optimally matches employers seeking on-demand labor and individuals willing to provide it.

GigSmart is the mobile platform that gives businesses direct access to workers on demand. Businesses search by skill, check worker ratings, and staff the good ones, all using the app. GigSmart has made the process simple and efficient. When urgent, unexpected labor needs arise, GigSmart gives businesses immediate access to the workers they need.

The platform reduces the time businesses spend looking for qualified workers and even lets them mark their favorite on-demand workers for future contact.

From the moment a worker accepts a gig until the minute they complete it—GigSmart lets businesses track their location and pay them directly through the app. And at a 10% fee, businesses can do it all at the lowest fee in the industry for sourcing labor.

2) GigSmart seeks to develop an efficient system for charitable organizations to manage their volunteer needs while providing interested volunteers the ability to make themselves available.

It is the NO cost solution to managing a charity’s volunteer workforce. GigSmart gives charities the opportunity to manage their existing volunteer base, as well as giving charities instant access to a new pool of volunteers.

GigSmart gives charities instant access to a pool of workers who are available to accept immediate volunteer requests. Whether a charity is one person or ten people short for an event, the app allows them to search for volunteers within seconds so they can be working within minutes. GigSmart gives charities instant access to students who need to earn service hours, retirees looking for ways to give back to the community, and families who want to volunteer with their kids.

This app is the way for businesses to source independent workers, charities to find available volunteers, individuals to select workers for jobs and services, and for workers to make extra money, gain experience, and volunteer.

It is the most efficient way to find and manage people when urgent and unexpected labor needs arise.

More information about GigSmart can be found at gigsmart.com and by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @gigsmartapp and Linkedin at @gigsmartllc

Download soon on the Apple App Store and the Google Play store.

OfficeKey Partnership with Adopt-a-Class

"OfficeKey Partnership with Adopt-a-Class"

OfficeKey Adopt-a-Class VisitOfficeKey is excited to begin a partnership with Adopt-a-Class, a local non-profit mentoring program designed to facilitate connections between business groups and local elementary school students.  Once a month during the school year, several members of the OfficeKey community will visit a class and engage in activities to support that mission.

In October we took our first trip to South Avondale Elementary School to meet our class.  Upon our arrival, we were very impressed with their opening song that included each child’s name and a message about the importance of not bullying.

After introducing ourselves to the children, we played an icebreaker game that had the kids sort jelly beans into groups by color.  We then proceeded to help the kids make Halloween trick or treat bags with stickers and markers,  all along while chatting with them and getting to know them better.  Of course, before we left we had to do a “mini” trick-or-treat session so they could get some candy to fill up their new bags.

We had a great time getting to know the kids and are excited to see them again in November and December for the holidays!

Contributed by OfficeKey Staff Member, Elizabeth Scharstein

Union Centre Boulevard Merchant Association

"Union Centre Boulevard Merchant Association"

Union Centre Boulevard Merchant Association
UCBMA - Union Centre Boulevard Merchant Association

Mike Peters is one of our newest clients and a Board Member of The Union Centre Boulevard Merchant Association. The UCBMA has around 100 members and meets once a month to network and learn about other businesses in the area. They also host a summer event you won’t want to miss…right on Union Centre Boulevard! (Keep reading.)

Q: Tell us about the Union Center Boulevard Marchant Association? 

A: UCBMA is an organization that exists to promote business in the Union Centre area. It is a dynamic, fast-growing group, full of professionals interested in seeing Union Centre businesses thrive. The organization meets monthly at various local businesses; the meetings are fast-paced, fun and include a happy hour after the meeting adjourns. Each year, UCBMA hosts the annual Food Truck Rally. This year’s event happens on Friday, Aug 11 – there will be 35 food trucks, lots of live music, beer, wine and the only fireworks show in West Chester. Go to www.UCBMA.com for more information or check out this video.

Q: Who should join UCBMA?

A: Anyone interested in promoting business in the Union Centre area. You need not have a business there, you need not reside there, you simply need to have an interest in seeing Union Centre continue to thrive. Annual membership is a mere $50.00. For that, you get your logo scrolling across the website and you gain access to the 100+ membership base.

Q: What do you enjoy most about the organization?

A: Great value, great mission, great potential. Check out this video to learn more about the potential of the I-75 Corridor

Q: What do you like the most about OfficeKey so far?

A: We initially joined for the multi-location resources, the professional environment, and the welcoming staff. Since joining, we’ve learned that other tenants are entrepreneurial, friendly and approachable – it is a great work environment.

Q: How do you spend your time outside of work?

A: I am a recent empty-nester, so I am still adjusting to that. I am an avid networker, I give away a lot of my time in volunteering and I spend a lot of time researching nutrition and non-traditional medicine.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote?

A: “You miss 100% of the shots you do not take.”

Q: If you could stock the OfficeKey fridge with anything you wanted, what would it be?

A: Avocados (organic), bacon (uncured, nitrate free), coconut oil (non-GMO), Pellegrino

Q: Which OfficeKey Location do you think has the best dining options close by?

A: West Chester; the President of UCBMA owns Uno Pizzeria and Grill – see me for special discounts, and don’t forget about the Union Centre Boulevard Merchant Association Food Truck Rally, with more than 30 food trucks! You can get more information about this year’s event on our website.

Cincinnati Office Support

Office Support Enhancements discussed at Annual Staff Meeting

"Office Support Enhancements discussed at Annual Staff Meeting"

Cincinnati Office SupportSeveral weeks ago, OfficeKey conducted our annual staff meeting. With a twelve-person team spread across five locations, this meeting always provides an incredibly valuable opportunity to get our staff under one roof where we can focus on how to better serve our clients and their guests with our office support services.

Each year we hold the meeting at a local business that we feel has a knack for high-level customer service or hospitality.  It allows us to get outside of our everyday bubble and hopefully learn a few things from their operational success.  This year it was hosted at Envision Cinemas, a unique new movie theater in Blue Ash that doubles as a full-service restaurant.  In recent years we have met at Nordstrom, the Aronoff Center, the Cintas Center, and the Horseshoe Casino among others.

We covered many topics, all with the primary focus being on how we can provide better office support in 2017 and beyond.  First, we spent some time zeroing in on the primary niche that we serve.  We know full well that there are many options available to companies when establishing an office.  So by regularly recalibrating our focus on those that can most benefit from our service we can take an important step to continually meeting those needs and developing our services.

Client engagement was another topic of discussion.  We want to make sure we have good communication with those that call OfficeKey home and also make sure we provide a vibrant community.  It is shared space after all and the sense of community is an intangible thing to measure but its importance can’t be understated.  To test our client engagement skills, we teamed up for a couple rounds of “OfficeKey Family Feud.”  (Special thanks to the clients that helped us by responding to our survey!)

How Can we provide even better office support?

To further improve our services for clients, we discussed the topics of caller assistance and after-hours access. Caller assistance is an integral part of our typical work day, so it’s always necessary to review where we could improve our methods used for that practice. And continued focus and development on making sure we have smooth after-hours procedures is just another way we are working to add value.

What will the “office of the future” look like?

Finally, we discussed the “office of the future,” and what it would look like. It’s interesting to see what seemingly outlandish day-to-day activities some offices have in place, and perhaps, more importantly, check out some of the technology that may one day become part of the typical office support system; then we can step back and see if any of those things could benefit us here at OfficeKey.

But the day wasn’t all business. We also got to enjoy a tour of Envision Cinemas and sit down in their restaurant for lunch. Overall, it was a successful annual meeting and we hope that many of the topics discussed there will contribute to a better OfficeKey experience!

Contributed by Kenzie Walters and Justin Myers

Brent Spence Bridge 2016

What’s Happening with the Brent Spence?

"What’s Happening with the Brent Spence?"

Brent Spence Bridge 2016As a staff member with OfficeKey, I am privileged to meet a variety of people and learn many interesting things from them.  This month, I had the pleasure of sitting in on July’s Key Connections Lunch. Our guest was Trey Grayson, President & CEO of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. He spoke about the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project.  Boy, was I introduced to something new!

Like many, I have been excited about the prospect of a new bridge between Ohio and Kentucky.  I didn’t fully understand why officials seemed to be back pedaling and recommending tolls.  According to all the sound bites I’d heard previously, wasn’t this project a “done” deal and wasn’t funding already secured?

Listening to Mr. Grayson explain the scope of the project and the myriad of pieces that are necessary to address the many considerations was a fascinating lesson.  As lunch continued and questions around the table were answered, it became apparent that much IS happening behind the scenes to move the project forward.  Within the current political climate and with respect to legislative constraints, it is a challenge to find common ground, at both a government level and with the general populace.   The biggest hurdle seems to be educating people, like myself, who assume the project has already been paid for twice over and find the thought of a toll booth very distressing.

The bottom line seems to be:  this is a huge, expensive project that encompasses not only the bridge itself but the highways immediately attached to the Brent Spence Bridge on both sides.  Current government funds available for this project do not cover all the work that is necessary.  Both states are tasked with finding creative resources for the additional funds…hence, the toll booth.  Unlike toll booths of the past, modern toll booths have the capability of “billing you later” by taking a picture of your car as it passes or applying a “quick pass” that electronically pays as the car passes through the gateway.  Either way, once explained, I felt a little more comfortable knowing that should a toll be levied, I will be able to cross the bridge without having to worry about bouncing coins out of the toll basket or causing a traffic jam because I don’t have exact change.  I have been schooled.

Keep an eye out for the next Key Connections Lunch – you might see me there!

Contributed by Terri Wilson, OfficeKey.  Most days you will find Terri in our Blue Ash office.  Among many other things, Terri puts together our weekly OfficeTalk, creates agreements and coordinates the Key Connection lunches.

 

Take a look at the bridge from several angles.

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Liberty Center Now Open

"Liberty Center Now Open"

IMG_1601-300x225Caroline McKinney, Economic Development Director for Liberty Township, Ohio, is seeing a vision come to fruition after eight years of planning, hard work and dedication. The New Liberty Center is now open! 

Caroline and the Liberty Township team began working with Steiner + Associates to bring a “mixed-use” commercial development to Liberty Township, about eight years ago. When the economic downturn occurred in 2008, the development team chose to pause the project. A couple years later, they were back in front of the Township ready to move forward.

Liberty Township has historically been a “bedroom community,” which means the majority of property is residential (only 3% commercial property). The goal is to reach 18% commercial, as to not overwhelm residents, but also to balance the community. They are conscious of the need to balance residential and commercial property to create more jobs and increase tax revenue.

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There are nearly 40,000 residents in Liberty Township. The goal is to get on the map as a viable option for commercial development. Having Cincinnati Children’s Liberty Campus in the township is a great indication that Liberty Township indeed is a viable option.

As Cincinnati and Dayton continue to converge, there is a market for shopping and entertainment along I-75.  This is an excellent time for Liberty Center to come to fruition. Phase I is on 65 acres, but Steiner + Associates own another 35 acres in Liberty Township that they can use for future additions.

Although Liberty Township is still rural and only 50% built out, having I-75 and Liberty Way makes Liberty Township an excellent place for retail office and entertainment.

Liberty Center includes residential, entertainment, retail and office space. It officially opened for business on October 22, but many businesses continue to move in. The first phase should be complete in December. The second phase may include a grocer and an expansion across the street.

Steiner + Associates have already brought White Barn, Express, Bath and Body Works, Macy’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Banana Republic, Torrid, Victoria’s Secret, Pandora, Sunglass Hut, White House Black Market, and Francesca’s into Liberty Center, as well as entertainment like The Funny Bone and Cobb 15 Luxury Theatres.

Restaurants including Cheesecake Factory, Brio and Kona Grill, have been placed throughout Liberty Center, and there is also an indoor mall with other food options like Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

There is a 120-room AC Hotel by Marriott on the grounds, 200 residential units, as well as green space, fountains and stages for concerts and other events. Parking has not been forgotten. There are metered parking options throughout the development as well as parking lots and garages.

Steiner + Associates developed Easton in Columbus and The Greene in Dayton. They were confident they could design something even better for Liberty Center with the help of their past experience.

Many of the companies filling the complex are hiring, which means hundreds of new jobs! For more information, go to www.Liberty-center.com.

We would like to thank Caroline for coming to OfficeKey to present. We are glad to support surrounding communities in their endeavors!

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