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State Representative Jim Buchy
Shelby County:
A Place Filled with Opportunity
West central Ohio is the best place in the world to live, work and rear
a family. I am fortunate that our local papers print Statehouse
Updates, but often we forget to talk about how great our local
communities are. For the past few months I have periodically
focused a column on the unique characteristics that make each county in
western Ohio the best place to live, work and rear a family. This
month I will discuss Shelby County.
In Shelby County, residents don’t have to travel far to experience
history and the great outdoors. The county is host to world class
entertainment and iconic manufacturing. Like many areas in
western Ohio Shelby County also boast some of the top agricultural
production in Ohio.
The people of Shelby County recognize their history and have used their
resources to preserve that history, from the efforts in downtown Sidney
at the historic theatre to the Anna one room school house.
Constructed in 1887 the school house was used for 38 years to educate
local children and remains intact today with period accurate school
house artifacts.
Just a short drive away is the Fort Loramie Wilderness Trail Museum
which contains historical artifacts from the Civil War, both World
Wars, and other artifacts from Native American history. In addition the
museum offers tours of an old time dry goods store to illustrate
turn-of-the century experiences.
Fort Loramie is also the home of Lake Loramie State Park, a 1600 acre
lake that is a popular spot for fishing, boating and swimming. The 30
miles of shoreline that surround it offer a great place to camp and
bike as well. Recent efforts from by the local residents have
resulted in the state’s plans to renovate the damn that is vital to
maintaining the lake’s water levels.
Fort Loramie also hosts the annual Country Concert at Hickory Hill
Lakes. A locally driven effort, the concert draws world class
entertainment and crowds from all over to take in the experience. The
people of Fort Loramie are always recognized as great hosts and that
keeps concert goers coming back year after year, strengthening the
local economy.
Shelby County has a tremendous economy thanks to the hard working
people in the area. The strong manufacturing base with companies
such as the Honda Engine Plant and the Airstream Camping Trailer
facility in Jackson Center have led to large numbers of people driving
into Shelby County for employment.
Strong industry allows only 6.7 percent of residents to live below the
poverty line, a number that is significantly less than the percentage
of the entire state. The strong families and hard working people of
Shelby County are desired in the work force and employers want to pay
them appropriately for their quality work.
Shelby County is filled with opportunity. No matter your
interests, you’re likely to find something to spend your time doing in
Shelby County Those opportunities provide for stronger families in the
county. Western Ohio is filled with wonderful communities like we
find in Shelby County. It’s just one more example of why western
Ohio is the best place in the world to live, work and rear a family.
Please give me your opinion on this topic and others in the news this
month by completing an online survey at tinyurl.com/buchyoctober2014
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