This month’s #OHCommunitySpotlight features Lima, Ohio - county seat of Allen County, the first-city ever to simultaneously be home to the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives and President of the Ohio Senate, and fictional home to Glee’s William McKinley High School.
Not on Twitter? The thread is available online, as well as below.
Greater Ohio Policy Center Read on Twitter
This week's #GOPCThread focuses on @CityofLimaOH the county seat of Allen County in Northwest Ohio. Lima was founded in 1831 on land occupied by the Shawnee before they were driven to Kansas by European settlers.
In the early 1800s much of northwest OH was referred to as #GreatBlackSwamp and was covered with wetlands and forests. The wet conditions in this area were ideal for mosquitos and as a result, malaria was endemic to the region. #GOPCThread
Some accounts say the buggy setting was instrumental in choosing the city’s name. Despite the Ohioans pronunciation of a /ī/ the name may have been chosen to recognize Lima, Peru’s critical role as source of the anti-malaria drug quinine. #GOPCThread
In the 1850s OH drained #GreatBlackSwamp 2 make traversing it easier and promote agriculture. Today several initiatives are working 2 restore wetlands as a means of addressing algae bloom in Lake Erie and protect natural areas #GOPCThread, (@H2Ohio, @BSConservancy
.@CityofLimaOH has long been a center of industry and the home to Lima Locomotive Work, which produced 20% of the country's locomotives in the early 1900's & also produced tanks during WWII. The last locomotive made in Lima was produced in 1951. #GOPCThread @OhioHistory
Resource extraction is important in @CityofLimaOH economic history. Around the turn of the twentieth century Lima was home to the country's largest oil field & Standard Oil built a refinery that is still operating today as Husky Energy. #GOPCThread, #AllenCountyMuseum
Today advance manufacturing continues to be an important part of Lima’s economy; tanks, auto parts, protective coating, laundry detergent manufacturing, pallets & crates, & food production are all being made in the region.
#GreaterLimaRegion a p’tnrship promoting econ & comm development in 8 counties in NWOH & @jobsohio sponsor the exciting #MakersFest which includes a job fair and skilled trades competition for high school students that connects new workers with potential employers. #GOPCThread
.@CityofLimaOH is serviced by #AllenCountyRTA, which operates 10 fixed route bus lines that operate 6 days a week + UPLIFT paratransit service. #GOPCThread
Housing is a top community priority. A multi-sector committee has been working on this issue for 1+ year. And @SharettaforLima is pushing her admin to identify ways to improve housing quality, increase housing options, & reduce housing cost burden. #GOPCThread
Revitalization has come to Downtown Lima & there are many opportunities for dining, shopping, galleries, theaters, & gardens, including the @limaciviccenter which hosts national touring acts & shows as well as the @thelimasymphony. #GOPCThread
While downtown, don’t miss the chance to enjoy Lima’s new Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), which promotes econ development & allows customers to enjoy alcoholic beverages during specific times of day & within a certain district of @DowntownLima #GOPCThread
If hunger strikes, head to #kewpeeburger for a mity nice burger or slice of pie. The downtown location, 1 of 3 Lima locations remaining of the formerly 400+ Midwest restaurant chain operating before WWII, boosts streamline modern architecture and a giant baby doll. #GOPCThread
To learn more about #Lima visit @VisitLimaOhio and stay tuned to see which place will be featured in GOPC’s next #OHCommunitySpotlight #GOPCThread
