Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, has come to an agreement with the City of Xenia, Ohio, to annex 159 acres of university land into the city limits. By becoming a part of the city, Central State will save on surcharges it pays for city services. The annexation would also open the door for Central State to become a more engaged business partner with the city of Xenia on education, business attraction, and workforce development initiatives.
Central State currently sits on more than 600 acres in Xenia Township and, in the past, has worked with the township on needed services. The city of Xenia currently provides water and fire/EMS service to the university, via a contract. As a resident business, Central State will not have to pay a premium in surcharges and will have access to additional city services such as mutual aid police protection, roadway maintenance, professional planning, economic development and public relations services.
Central State President Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond said, “Central State University has a long and interwoven history with the City of Xenia. After many focus groups with statewide stakeholders and alums from across the country, on the cusp of welcoming our largest freshman class in years, we realize that if Central State University is to expand its visibility, economic growth and sustainability, we must forge a formal relationship with our closest municipality.’’
The annexation will be implemented in three stages over the course of the next several years.
