Harrison Township, Ohio – Montgomery County is moving closer to building a new $40 million Job and Training Center in Harrison Township after securing a large property in Forest Park and beginning the next stage of planning for the project.
County officials recently gathered with state representatives and community partners to celebrate the progress made so far. During the Thursday event, the Montgomery County Board of County Commissioners unveiled a temporary sign at the future construction site, marking an important moment for a project that is expected to bring employment services, job training and other resources together in one location.
The county completed the purchase of the 40-acre property in August for $729,000. The acquisition provides enough space for the planned facility while also allowing room for possible future development.
With the land now secured, officials are turning their attention to the building’s design and the steps needed before construction can begin.
“This is an exciting point in this project because we can see it moving from an idea to something that will soon become a reality,” Commission President Carolyn Rice said. “We’ve secured the property, brought our partners together and now have a clear path toward construction. Today’s sign is a small milestone, but it represents the progress we’ve made and the work that is ahead.”
Construction expected to begin in 2027
The Board of County Commissioners has approved a $3 million agreement with Levin Porter Architects, an architectural firm based in Miamisburg, to develop the design for the new center.
According to county officials, the planned building will cover approximately 140,000 to 160,000 square feet.
It will become the new location for Montgomery County Job and Family Services and Workforce Development, bringing together programs intended to help residents find employment, improve their skills and receive assistance with challenges that may prevent them from getting or keeping a job.
Local businesses are also expected to benefit from the facility, which will help employers connect with people who have the skills needed to fill available positions.
County officials have established a preliminary schedule for the development. Construction is expected to start around the middle of 2027, while completion is currently anticipated toward the end of 2028.
“This project is about more than a new building. It’s about creating a modern, state-of-the-art facility designed around what our residents and employers need today and what they’ll need in the future,” Commissioner Mary A. McDonald said. “We’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the services, resources and spaces that can best support our community, and now we’re moving into the next phase and getting closer to making that vision a reality.”
The project represents a major financial commitment to employment and workforce services in Montgomery County.
Officials estimate that the new facility will cost approximately $40 million. The development is being supported through county financing arrangements, including a $40 million bond issue designated for the Job and Training Center.
Forest Park property prepares for a new purpose
The future center will be located in Forest Park, an area with a long history as a gathering place for local residents.
County leaders believe the location offers several advantages, including access to a major transportation corridor and its closeness to other county facilities.
Nearby locations include Children Services and the Stillwater Center. Officials say having these facilities in the same general area could create more opportunities to connect residents with employment assistance and other important services.
Commissioner Judy Dodge emphasized that cooperation between different organizations has been essential in bringing the development to its current stage.
“Bringing a project of this size to a community takes a lot of collaboration,” Commissioner Judy Dodge said. “We’re grateful to the partners who have helped us get to this point, and we’re excited to continue working together as we move toward construction. There is a lot of work ahead, but today is a great opportunity to celebrate the progress we’ve made.”
The new building will also continue an approach Montgomery County introduced more than three decades ago.
At that time, the county brought public assistance programs, workforce services and employment training together in one facility, creating a model that later gained national recognition.
“Thirty years ago, Montgomery County was ahead of its time when it brought public assistance, workforce services and job training together under one roof,” said Michael Colbert, County Administrator. “That model became a national best practice, and this new center gives us an opportunity to build on that legacy. We’re taking a proven model and creating a facility that will serve our community for decades to come.”
County officials have worked closely with Harrison Township leaders throughout the property acquisition and planning process.
Harrison Township Administrator Shannon Meadows said the development could finally provide a new direction for the Forest Park property after years of uncertainty.
“For a long time, we’ve been trying to find the right future for Forest Park, and we knew it would take a major investment to truly bring this property back to life,” said Shannon Meadows, Harrison Township Administrator. “The Job and Training Center is the kind of transformative project this property needed, and we’re grateful for our strong partnership with Montgomery County in making it happen.”
The property has experienced several major changes since it first opened in 1928.
Over the decades, the site served as a zoo, later became an amusement park and eventually developed into Forest Park Plaza.
The shopping center remained a familiar destination for residents until its demolition in 2013. Since then, the property has remained vacant for more than a decade.
Now, the planned Job and Training Center is expected to give the location a new role in the community.
Although construction is still some time away, the temporary sign unveiled Thursday serves as the first visible indication of what county officials intend to build on the property.
As design and planning continue, Montgomery County will provide additional project information, including updates concerning temporary service locations.
Residents can follow developments and find further details through the county’s Job and Training Center Project webpage.
