About GPN

Starting in 2004, the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce, the Piqua Improvement Corporation, and the City of Piqua discussed the need to have the private and public sectors of the community work together in a collaborative process to enhance economic development in the Piqua area. Other Ohio community approaches to solving the dilemma regarding working relationships were studied. The end result of many discussions and negotiations was the creation, in April 2006, of a coordinating organization named “Grow Piqua Now.”

Purpose

The purpose of Grow Piqua Now is to pull together, lead and coordinate the economic development activities of the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce, the Piqua Improvement Corporation, and the City of Piqua.

Mission

Progressively promote and encourage economic development and civic welfare in the Piqua, Ohio area, through a private-public partnership, for the purpose of expanding the wage base and prosperity of the Piqua community and advancing the quality of life of Piqua's citizens.
Lead and coordinate all economic development efforts within the Piqua community.
Market to, recruit, attract and locate new businesses
Work diligently to retain and expand existing businesses
Secure from all stakeholders, the financial, in-kind, volunteer, and political support necessary for strong economic development.

GPN Governance

GPN Board

The GPN Board consists of 11 total members with staggered, two-year terms:

Three members are appointed by the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce.
Three members are appointed by the Piqua Improvement Corporation.
Three members come from the City of Piqua – the City Manager and two appointed by the City Commission.
Two at-large members are appointed by the other GPN Board members.
Harry Bumgarner, the Economic Development Director of the City of Piqua, has been appointed as the initial Executive Director of GPN. He will also serve as statutory agent for the organization.

GPN Committees

GPN has: an Executive Committee; a Long Range Planning and Development Committee, to provide input to the GPN Board and City on future development issues, to review the City’s Long Range Plan, to review Piqua’s demographics/metrics and recommend strategies to improve, and to develop other ideas to improve the quality of life in Piqua; a Marketing Committee, for internal and external marketing, to positively promote living and working in Piqua; and a Membership and Fund-Raising Committee, to solicit new members and annual renewals from existing members.

GPN Advisory Council

The Advisory Council will meet at least semi-annually with the GPN Board, to be briefed on GPN activities, current development projects and issues, and to provide feedback and suggestions to the GPN Board. Advisory Council members will receive GPN press releases by e-mail, the same day as the media. Council members will be given priority for their involvement on GPN committees. Membership is targeted for the President or CEO of the member’s organization, with one designated alternate (in event top management cannot attend).

The GPN Board will present to the Council information on GPN policies, activities, current development projects and issues, and similar information. The Council will provide feedback and input to the Board, for future use. This is the opportunity for the Council members to be heard. A social hour will follow the meeting for informal discussions.

Click here for a list of all Board and Committee members...

Membership Levels

Grow Piqua Now has five different levels of membership:

GPN Advisory Council, for those interested in playing a major role in the economic development of the Piqua area, as above. $3500 annual dues. Piqua’s three major educational institutions all participate in Grow Piqua Now on the Advisory Council at $1000 annual dues.
Large Company Membership, $2000 annual dues. Defined as companies with more than 200 Piqua-based employees, as well as financial institutions which have not joined as Advisory Council members.
Medium Company Membership, $1000 annual dues. Defined as companies with 51-199 Piqua-based employees.
Smaller Company Membership, $500 annual dues. Defined as companies with less than 50 Piqua-based employees, including professional groups.
Service Club, Other Non-profits and Individuals, $100 annual dues.

Companies that are Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce members will receive a discount from their GPN dues: $200 for Large and Medium Company Memberships, $100 for Smaller Company Membership; no discount Service Clubs, Other Non-Profits, Individuals, nor Advisory Council.

What Do GPN Members Get?

All members should derive civic pride and recognition from their participation, as they are making an investment in Piqua’s growth and future; membership in GPN makes you part of the solution. All members will receive information and an opportunity to help our community grow, prosper and improve. many members, large or small, growth will directly benefit them by bringing more business to Piqua and more opportunity to their organization -- a strong selling point. All members will benefit as Piqua grows, with added employment opportunities, better quality of life (more restaurants, stores, etc.), and probably increased property values. “A rising tide lifts all the boats.”

How Will The Money Be Used?

GPN is funded by the Piqua Improvement Corporation, the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce, the City Piqua, and GPN’s members. The contributions from GPN members will be used to support economic development activities, such as: external and internal marketing, the new European consulting/business search contract, a greatly improved website, the Business First! retention and expansion program, and other initiatives designed to help Grow Piqua Now.

TO JOIN GROW PIQUA NOW, contact GPN's Executive Director, Harry Bumgarner, at 778-8198

Latest News (Grow Piqua Now Newsletters)