In The News

WEST CHESTER, A HOMETOWN WITH HEART

July 1, 2025  |  West Chester Township
West Chester A Hometown with Heart

In West Chester, Ohio, community isn’t just where we live — it’s how we live.

 

It’s built every day in the small moments: when neighbors roll up their sleeves to help one another, when generations gather in our parks, and when we show up — not because we have to, but because we’re proud to call this place home.

 

But what truly makes West Chester special runs deeper than celebrations. It’s service — neighbors lifting each other up in meaningful ways. Programs like RASKALS (Random Acts of Simple Kindness Affecting Local Seniors) build real bridges across generations. Nature Basket invites our youngest residents to discover the world outside their doorsteps, planting seeds of curiosity and care. And when families face tough times, nonprofits like Reach Out Lakota and Hope’s Closet are there, fueled by volunteers who understand that real community means showing up when it matters most.

 

It’s no surprise West Chester has been named one of America’s Best Places to Live by Money & Fortune Magazines — eight times. Here, families grow, businesses prosper, and neighbors become lifelong friends.

 

In West Chester, we know the future isn’t built overnight — it’s built one classroom, one opportunity, one student at a time. Education here isn’t just a service; it’s a community mission.

 

We’re proud to be home to Lakota Local Schools, the eighth-largest district in Ohio and a standout in the Cincinnati region, serving more than 17,500 students. With a 95% graduation rate and a reputation for innovation and excellence, Lakota isn’t just preparing students for the next test — it’s preparing them for life.

 

For those balancing school and work, Miami Regionals’ Work+ program is redefining access to higher education, offering students the chance to earn a degree, gain real-world experience, and graduate debt-free.

 

Because when we say West Chester is a place "Where Families Grow," we mean it — and it all begins with the opportunity to learn, thrive, and lead.

 

In West Chester, entertainment isn’t about spectacle. It’s about connection — building spaces, traditions, and everyday magic that make coming together feel like coming home.

 

Our parks and public spaces are the heart of our community’s story. Keehner Park, with its shaded trails and cozy amphitheater. Voice of America MetroPark stretches wide for families, athletes, and anyone seeking a breath of fresh air. And now, families can enjoy a brand-new Splash Park at Beckett Park, designed to turn up the fun and cool down the summer heat. And we’re just getting started. The USS Cincinnati Submarine Memorial at VOA Park will blend outdoor play with hands-on STEM exploration offering a first-of-its-kind space where curiosity and community meet.

 

We’ve also reimagined the heart of our gathering spaces.  Updates being made to the Square at Union Centre are about more than a facelift — they are creating a vibrant, walkable hub where neighbors can meet, linger, and connect.

 

That spirit pulses through our events calendar. The Takeover @ The Square, Keehner Park Concert Series, and the West Chester Farmers Market aren’t just events — they’re rituals of community. Tradition anchors us, too. The Fourth of July All-American Bash fills the night sky with fireworks. The Great Pumpkin Fest transforms Keehner Park into a fall playground. And the Very Merry Takeover and Santa Trot wrap the year in holiday magic. More moments including — a charity run like the Shamrock Shuffle, a crisp Saturday morning at the market — remind us: community isn’t just something we attend. It’s something we live. 

 

In West Chester, safety isn’t a department’s job alone. It’s a promise we keep for each other, every single day — and that’s what makes us stronger, safer and ready for anything.

 

West Chester’s nationally recognized Fire and Police Departments believe prevention is the best response. West Chester invests in smart, data-driven strategies: proactively deploying resources, strengthening visibility with cameras at key intersections, and making thoughtful design and planning choices that keep safety top of mind in everyday life. Preparedness is another pillar. Real-time alerts through Nixle, community education, and strong public communication ensure we’re ready — not just to respond, but to recover.

 

In West Chester, business isn’t confined to a city center — it’s woven into the fabric of everyday life. Here, opportunity stretches across a thriving, connected corridor where Fortune 500 giants, tech startups, and hometown entrepreneurs build the future side by side.

 

At the heart of it all is Union Centre Boulevard — more than just a road, it’s the centerpiece of a $4.3 billion growth story. Since its launch, West Chester has added nearly 50 million square feet of commercial space, fueling a surge of investment, innovation, and community pride. Today, West Chester stands as the economic powerhouse of the Cincinnati-Dayton corridor — home to 3,600 businesses and more than 58,000 employees. Major employers like GE Aerospace, Procter & Gamble, and UC Health anchor our economy, while trailblazers in life sciences, technology, and advanced manufacturing are writing the next chapter.

 

We don’t just celebrate big business — we build ecosystems where small dreams thrive. Our SPARK small business grant program empowers entrepreneurs, proving that small investments ignite lasting impact. SPARK reflects our belief that a community’s strength is measured by the dreams it nurtures.

 

Retail, hospitality, and experience-driven destinations are booming too. Centers like Union Centre, VOA Shopping Center, and The Streets of West Chester draw families, visitors, and business travelers alike — creating spaces where community and commerce naturally connect.

 

Healthcare is a cornerstone of our growth. UC Health’s $100 million West Chester Hospital anchors a flourishing medical campus, driving the largest biotech cluster outside the I-275 loop and positioning West Chester as a life sciences leader for the region.

 

Strategically located within a 30-minute drive of 1.9 million skilled workers, West Chester is perfectly placed for growth in emerging sectors like IT, smart manufacturing, and biotech. Companies like KC Robotics, Synchrony, and E Tech Group are choosing West Chester to build what’s next.

 

Ultimately, West Chester’s business environment isn’t defined by skyscrapers — it’s defined by partnerships, bold ideas, and an unshakable belief in possibility. Here, when businesses invest in West Chester, West Chester invests right back — and together, we create a future where everyone can thrive.

 

Because in West Chester, we know heritage isn’t something you preserve out of duty. It’s something you nurture out of love — and carry forward with pride.

 

Our heritage doesn’t sit behind glass — it lives in the bricks of a restored schoolhouse, along the bends of old canal trails, and in the powerful echoes of a WWII-era radio tower that once broadcast freedom across the globe.

 

The West Chester ~ Union Township Historical Society, preserving local stories since the 1970s, reminds us that memory is an act of community. Meanwhile, the Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting brings global history home as it tells the powerful story of how West Chester’s airwaves carried truth to millions during the darkest hours of WWII — proof that even small towns can leave mighty marks on the world.  Heritage here isn’t static — it’s celebrated.

 

In West Chester, we don’t just live side-by-side. We live heart-to-heart.