Economic Development

Cost of Living

Overall the cost of living in the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area is 9% below the national average making it an affordable, amenity rich location to reside in.

• The median gross rent in Deerfield Township is $1,164
• The median home value in Deerfield Township is $228,100

No Local Income Tax

As a township in the State of Ohio, Deerfield DOES NOT HAVE a local income tax.

Fiscal Responsibility and Exceptional Services

After any rollbacks, exemptions, credits, etc., Deerfield Township typically receives about 17.5% of total annual property taxes for its operations - a figure which includes all levies. Those funds go to operate fire, police, public works (roads), cemeteries, parks, zoning, and any other functions assocated with a large suburban township. The remaining 82.5% of what residents pay in property taxes goes to the schools, the county, and any other special assessments, such as a lighting district to fund street lights.

The township is continuously exploring and uncovering outside funding sources and grant opportunities for projects and improvements, where available and appropriate. This approach to operations works to stretch every tax dollar, and in some cases, leverages local resources against matching outside dollars to fund improvement projects.

Project Highlights

Small Business Resources

As the largest political jurisdiction in Warren County, Deerfield Township is the economic driving force for the entire county. Furthermore, small businesses are the lifeblood of our community and we want to support and encourage entrepreneurship and growth with these companies. 

According to a report from the Small Business Administration there are more than 30 million small businesses in the United States and they employ nearly 50 percent of the total workforce. Additionally, the top three business sectors for small business employment are:

• Health Care and Social Assistance
• Accommodation and Food Service
• Retail Trade

Those business sectors are some of the main ones found here in Deerfield Township.

Overall, there are over 1,050 different businesses in the Township that employ nearly 30,000 people. The vast majority of these are small businesses. So, the success of the township is truly dependent on the success of small businesses and we, the township, have a responsibility to support their growth in any way that we can.

District at Deerfield

Silverman and Company is developing a 28-acre property between Mason-Montgomery Road and Wilkens Boulevard, just south of the township’s Deerfield Towne Center into 95,000 square feet of street level retail and restaurant space, plus 362 apartments. When complete the District at Deerfield will offer a unique, urban-style, pedestrian-friendly environment for visitors, residents and employees.

On June 4th 2021, the township will officially launch a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), which will initally encompass the Deerfield Towne Center. After that date, the DORA will be in effect year round.

Section 4301.82 of the Ohio Revised Code authorizes townships with populations more than thirty-five thousand (35,000) to create Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas or “DORAs” up to three hundred twenty (320) contiguous acres or one-half square mile.

A DORA is a designated area approved by the Board of Trustees that allows patrons 21+ to purchase alcoholic beverages in a designated cup from permitted establishments and carry the beverages within a defined area.  Establishing a DORA is another tool to help promote the township as a destination for dining, retail, and entertainment.

The Board of Trustees formally approved the establishment of the DORA at the Deerfield Township Board of Trustees Meeting on July 7, 2020. The township's application can be viewed here.

Paul Brehm, Director of Economic Development/PIO

Contact Information

• Phone: 513.770.2386
• Email: pbrehm@deerfieldtwp.com

Experience

Paul Brehm is the Economic Development Director for Deerfield Township, Ohio. An economic development professional with almost 30 years of experience, he has managed award-winning programs responsible for more than $500 million in business investment and 9,000 created or retained jobs.

Paul has served on the board of directors for several local, state, regional, and national organizations including the Ohio Economic Development Association, Mid-America Economic Development Council and REDI Cincinnati. He is a member of the International Economic Development Council.

He is also an instructor for the Ohio Basic Economic Development Course, an introductory class organized by OEDA, Jobs Ohio and the International Economic Development Council for those who are new to the profession. Paul has an undergraduate degree in political science from Xavier University and a master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute.

In addition to his economic development experience, Paul is a drummer who has played with several bands and community theater groups. He lives in Greater Cincinnati with his wife of 35 years, Sherry. They have two children, Nicholas and Claire.

In May 2019, Deerfield Township approved the creation of a Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) to manage economic development activities.

CICs were established by the State of Ohio General Assembly in 1961 under Senate Bill 299 and are currently defined under the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 1724.

CICs essentially are non-profit economic development corporations created for the following purposes:

Advancing, encouraging, and promoting the industrial, economic, commercial, and civic development of a community.

According to Chapter 80 of the Ohio County Commissioners Handbook, “CIC’s assist with the promotion and financing of economic development by providing loans to individuals and businesses; buying, selling, and leasing real and personal property for economic development purposes; and, by entering into contracts with the state and local governments.”

By creating a CIC for economic development purposes, Deerfield Township is better able to control (re)development activity throughout the township.

The Deerfield Township CIC is guided by an Economic Development Plan and the following mission:

Facilitate collaborative, strategic, and sustainable economic development in Deerfield Township that improves the lives of residents, increases business investment, and promotes the Township as a thriving and vibrant place to call home.

If you are in locating or expanding your business in Deerfield Township or interested in potential development opportunities please do not hesitate to contact Paul Brehm, the Economic Development Director at 513.770.2386.

CIC Meeting Minutes and Presentations - Go to Meetings Page

Mercy Health Deerfield Medical Center Grand Opening

The Mercy Health Deerfield Medical Center opened on July 25, 2019. This project is part of the District at Deerfield development

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions related to a DORA. If you have additional questions please contact the Deerfield Township Offices by phone at 513.701.6958 or email Paul Brehm, Economic Development Director and Public Information Officer at pbrehm@deerfieldtwp.com.

The District at Deerfield

Silverman and Company is developing a 28-acre property between Mason-Montgomery Road and Wilkens Boulevard, just south of the township’s Deerfield Towne Center into 95,000 square feet of street level retail and restaurant space, plus 362 apartments. When complete the District at Deerfield will offer a unique, urban-style, pedestrian-friendly environment for visitors, residents and employees.

Small Business Roundtable with Congressman Steve Chabot

On July 22, 2019 we had the priviledge of hosting Congressman Steve Chabot for a small business roundtable with some of our business owners and local government leaders from around the region. Below is the video of that event.

Other Resources for Small Business

Warren County Small Business Development Center

The District at Deerfield Groundbreaking

At the end of March 2023, a large crowd gathered in Deerfield Township for an official groundbreaking at The District at Deerfield. Construction began on the second phase of this $150 million mixed-use development. Another 80,000 square feet of retail and experiential restaurant/entertainment space will be built. Upscale apartments will be added as well as a public square owned by Deerfield Township and programmed with family friendly events. The District will feature several popular restaurant and entertainment venues including PINS Mechanical, 50 West Brewing Co., Bakersfield, The Eagle, and 101 Beer Kitchen. Silverman and Company is the developer for this ambitious development. Pedestrian pathways will be established linking the development with neighboring businesses, creating a safe walkable experience for those who live and work in the area.

Benchmark Gensuite

In 2023, Township officials joined representatives from Benchmark Gensuite to celebrate their decision to keep the company's global headquarters in our community. Benchmark Gensuite enables companies to implement robust, cross-functional digital systems for EHS, Sustainability, and ESG Reporting through a unified digital platform - locally, globally and across diverse operating profiles.  This impressive technology company recently moved into its new home at Deerfield Crossing. The 10,000-square-foot office supports 90 employees. The heart of this space is a large, open co-working area. Throughout the office, there are a variety of seating options for employees, including couches, desks with large monitors, work pods and conference rooms. It even includes a lounge area for employee events, a team café, and a meeting room that seats up to 60 people. There’s a large visitor conference room where Benchmark can host customer meetings - a major focus as Benchmark has more than three million building users across the world.

Deerfield Towne Center

In 2023, Deerfield Towne Center launched a dramatic recruitment effort to bring new stores and restaurants to Greater Cincinnati’s premier shopping destination. Ten new tenants were added including First Watch, J. Crew, and Crumbl Cookies. In addition, they announced that Nordstrom Rack is coming next year. Truva Turkish Kitchen, one of the region’s more popular restaurants, will open its second location here in Deerfield in 2024 as well.