Year in review: 2024 at Hilliard’s new recreation and wellness campus

The state-of-the-art Hilliard Athletic Complex is now open at 3680 Cosgray Road.

This week, the City hosted a grand opening event for the new outdoor facility on the southern end of the Hilliard Recreation and Wellness Campus.

The celebration featured guest speakers, a demo of our Turf Tank robot field liner, and music from the Bradley High School Pep Band.

The Hilliard Athletic Complex includes two state-of-the-art turf fields, 20 natural grass fields, lighting for after-sunset play, and over three miles of multipurpose paths around the complex. The fields can host soccer, lacrosse, rugby, field hockey, and more.

The Well facility is set to open this fall.

For more information, visit https://recandparks.hilliardohio.gov/, and to reserve field space, please email sports1@hilliardohio.gov.

“Fresh Roasted Coffee. All About the People.”

Coffee Connections of Hilliard lives out its motto every day, as a staple in the heart of Downtown Hilliard at 4004 Main St.

Nate and Sharon Grenier started the popular local coffee shop in the fall of 2017, taking an intentional approach to relationships and service to the community. The couple lives out their mission by collaborating with more than 16 local businesses.

Behind the coffee shop and patio area sits an annex building that serves as a free family-friendly space, which includes an interactive kids play area on the second floor. This building is also available for rent.

Coffee Connections recently launched a new website, which includes its new online ordering platform at this link.

Have you heard about Hilliard City Lab, the City’s innovative technology platform?

This growing initiative supports businesses and entrepreneurs with resources and grants to transform ideas into business growth. To better inform residents and the Hilliard business community about this Citywide initiative, we’re launching a new podcast called “Hilliard City Lab Connect,” starting today!

• Watch the first podcast at this link.

• Listen on your favorite podcast platform at this link.

The first episode features City of Hilliard IT Director Duane Powell, who was influential in bringing this concept to Hilliard.

The monthly podcast will dive deeper into the background and mission of Hilliard City Lab, highlighting success stories from its partners and companies, many of which are located at the Hilliard City Lab Tech Incubator on Lyman Drive.

Future episodes of “Hilliard City Lab Connect” will release on the third Wednesday of the month.

Have a question about Hilliard City Lab or want to share your idea? Please email citylab@hilliardohio.gov.

The City of Hilliard is home to a leading electrical measurement manufacturer.

The idea may sound complicated and, in fact, it is. But the work Ohio Semitronics does makes our cars, appliances, and computers safer and more reliable. Located at 4242 Reynolds Dr., Ohio Semitronics has a diverse team of 66 associates who take concept ideas from the discussion stage to a working prototype in just three weeks.

Any electronics product you see in the store must be rigorously tested to meet federal and industry standards. That’s where Ohio Semitronics comes in. Its Hilliard facility contains all the high-tech equipment necessary to design and build custom measurement devices to fit various applications for the U.S. military, auto and appliance manufacturers, computer suppliers, and more.

Watch the video above to learn more and visit their website at this link.

As 2024 comes to a close, the City of Hilliard looks back on another year of progress, growth, and success.

We thought it was fitting to share this community profile video that was presented at the Intelligent Community Forum Global Summit in November. The City of Hilliard was honored as an ICF Top 7 Intelligent Community of the Year for the second year in a row.

Here are three main takeaways from the past year:

• The Hilliard business community continues to demonstrate innovation, progress, and significant economic growth.
• Major public and private projects are in the works that will enhance our residents’ already great quality of life.
• Hilliard is being recognized more and more frequently as a leading player in Central Ohio, the state, this nation, and around the world.

Thank you for allowing us to serve you. The best is yet to come in 2025!

It’s officially holiday shopping season, and Downtown Hilliard has something for everyone on your list this year.

Join Downtown Manager Angela Zody on a tour of four local retail shops that offer unique gifts, clothes, accessories, and more for the entire family.

• The Urban Market
• MAK HOME Furnishings
• Birch Tree Home
• The Happy Closet Boutique

Support small business at the Pink Friday in Hilliard event on Nov. 22. Downtown Hilliard is a magical place this time of year with special events, shopping, and restaurants that offer a unique holiday experience. Remember to #shopsmallfirst in Hilliard this holiday season!

It’s almost here! Join us for the 35th annual Hilliard Tree Lighting event from 4-6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1, in Downtown Hilliard.

This holiday celebration features fun and free festivities for all to enjoy at Hilliard’s Station Park, along Main Street, and at the Historical Village within Weaver Park.

Watch the video to learn more about activities, parking, trolley transportation, road closures, event schedule, and more.

For complete information about the Hilliard Tree Lighting, visit this link.

Hilliard’s innovation and growing technology presence was showcased on a global scale this week at the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) Global Summit in Barcelona, Spain.

Members of City leadership represented Hilliard at the event that included exploration, discussion, and debate on how innovative cities and regions are using the latest technology to benefit their residents and employers. The theme of ICF Global Summit 2024 focused on turning the challenges of today into tomorrow’s economic, social, and cultural opportunities.

Earlier this year, Hilliard was recognized as a Top7 Intelligent Community for the second straight year. Accomplishing this honor put Hilliard in the running for Intelligent Community of the Year, which was announced Monday on the final day of the ICF Summit.

Curitiba, Brazil took home the top honor this year. Hilliard was one of only two U.S. cities named finalists in 2024. The other Top7 finalists included:

• Assaí, Brazil
• Coral Gables, Florida
• Curitiba, Brazil
• Durham Region in Ontario, Canada
• Fredericton in New Brunswick, Canada
• Yunlin County, Taiwan

Hilliard City Manager Michelle Crandall spoke at the conference, along with Economic Development Director David Meadows and Chief Information Officer Duane Powell. All three represented Hilliard as part of panel discussions that showcased our community as a leader in skilled workforce development and sustainability.

“We’re proud that Hilliard is one of the smartest cities in the world, and highlighting our community on a global stage validates that we’re doing things the right way,” Crandall said.

“The award recognizes that we are employing best practices that will attract and train a workforce that prepares Hilliard for future economic growth,” Crandall added. “We are building and using the kind of broadband infrastructure and digital tools that make us attractive to high-tech companies. And we are providing amenities that promote a high quality of life for current and future residents who will call our community home.”

In addition to the Top7 honor, Hilliard was also recently recognized as the first U.S. city to earn ICF’s Full Certification status as an Intelligent Community. This distinction provides objective validation of policies, programs, and accomplishments in our technology-based community. ICF has recognized Hilliard as a leader in broadband connectivity, workforce development, digital inclusion, innovation, community engagement, and sustainability.

The team at Smile Hilliard wants to put a beautiful, long-lasting smile on your face.

On this episode of the Hilliard Business 60, hear from Dr. Rachel Sanyk and learn about her general dentistry practice at 6304 Scioto Darby Rd. Smile Hilliard is celebrating its 10-year business anniversary in Hilliard on Nov. 4.

“We love our patients, we treat them like family,” Sanyk said. “We believe in a personalized experience, providing patients with the highest-quality care that’s the best fit for them.”

Smile Hilliard offers conservative dentistry combined with proactive preventative care for the entire family. They are currently accepting new patients and can offer same-day appointments. Learn more at this link.

In July, Hilliard was selected as a 2024-2025 Best Hometown by Ohio Magazine, and copies of the special commemorative issue are now available at newsstands across the state.

To purchase a single issue or a subscription to Ohio Magazine, visit their website or call 1-800-453-1025. The November/December Best Hometown issue can also be purchased at select newsstands, including Barnes & Noble and Wal Mart.

Each year, the publication recognizes places that make our state a great place to live, work and visit. The magazine selected Hilliard for three main reasons:

🔷Our preservation of local history.
🔷Our development of spaces the entire community can enjoy.
🔷Our support for small businesses in the city.

Hilliard is one of five featured communities featured in the November/December 2024 and July/August 2025 issues of Ohio Magazine, and online at ohiomagazine.com. Other communities recognized include Bryan, McConnelsville, Millersburg, and Urbana.

To determine the honorees, Ohio Magazine solicited nominations and conducted site visits across the state in the spring and summer. The editors evaluated the nominees in six categories — Community Spirit, Education, Entertainment, Health and Safety, Business Environment, and Culture and Heritage — to help finalize their selections.

For more information about past honorees and Ohio Magazine‘s annual Best Hometowns honor, visit ohiomagazine.com/besthometowns.

Comic books, action figures, toys, games, and more! Packrat Comics has something for everyone in Downtown Hilliard.

Jamie and Teresa Colegrove founded the business in 1993, moved their operation to Hilliard in 1997, and have been located in the plaza at 3864 Lattimer St. since 2000. Packrat Comics sells new and old comics, graphic novels, action figures, toys, games, LEGOS, and much more.

Packrat Comics also hosts fun events throughout the year, including their popular Halloween ComicFest event this Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Get ready for a day filled with free comics, exciting trick-or-treating, an all-ages haunted house, and thrilling barrel train rides.

Watch this 60-second spotlight for more details about Packrat Comics and visit their website at this link.

Who doesn’t love a friendly snow road-eo competition?!

Last week, our Operations crew prepared for the winter season ahead with an education session and snow plow obstacle course.

Each member of the team learned new techniques and brushed up on their skills by navigating the course with various snow-simulated skills tests.

The top two finishers, Bud LeMaster and Gerry Yoder, will be going on to a regional competition to determine the best snow plow operator in the area.

Make sure to track Plowy McPlowface and the rest of the City of Hilliard snow plows in real-time this winter at this link.