SOUTH BLOOMFIELD, Ohio — The Village of South Bloomfield is planning a town hall meeting in late August to discuss proposed development at the Crites Farm and sod farm properties, projects Mayor Aaron Thomas said could double the village’s population over the next decade.
Thomas outlined the plans in his monthly newsletter to residents, saying the village intends to give residents a voice as officials weigh how to manage the growth. A specific date for the town hall had not yet been set.
“These are significant developments that could potentially double our population over the next 10 years,” Thomas wrote, adding that the village’s responsibility is “to make sure that growth is managed responsibly and that residents continue to have a voice throughout the process.”
South Bloomfield, a village of 2,143 residents at the 2020 census, sits along the U.S. 23 corridor in northern Pickaway County and is served by the Teays Valley Local School District, which also covers Ashville, Commercial Point and Amanda.
The mayor also provided an update on a proposed satellite fire station for the growing village. Thomas said he and Village Administrator Joe Allen recently met with Harrison Township Fire Chief Shawn Davidson and Assistant Chief Colt Cline to discuss the project after the village’s request for state capital funding was not selected this year.
Thomas said everyone involved agreed the South Bloomfield area needs a satellite station to serve the growing community, but it remains undecided whether it would be a joint project between the village and Harrison Township or a township-led effort at a location farther north. Davidson planned to bring the discussion to the Harrison Township Trustees at their final meeting in July, with the trustees deciding whether to pursue a partnership with the village.
Separately, Thomas said he, Allen, Village Marshal Michael Maynard and Chief Financial Officer Alisha Burke met recently with representatives from OhioHealth to discuss the future of health care access in the area. Thomas said the talks are in an early stage with no announcements to make, but described the meeting as encouraging, with OhioHealth representatives acknowledging the population growth along the U.S. 23 corridor and the increasing demand for services closer to home.
Thomas said he plans to keep residents updated as discussions on both the fire station and health care fronts continue, and urged residents to attend meetings and stay engaged as the village navigates its growth.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Village of South Bloomfield.
