Deal may keep WGI offices in Miamisburg
— A Miamisburg-based MIAMISBURG organization that helps pump millions of dollars into the Dayton region each year will stay in the suburb but at a new, larger site if it agrees to a deal with that city.
The city of Miamisburg will help Winter Guard International move from its Crosspointe Drive site to a new location, possibly in Austin Business Park off Byers Road, city records show.
WGI championships bring 60,000 visitors to the area and have a $41 million economic impact to the region, according to organization and Miamisburg documents.
A relocation agreement the city is offering is “partly a determining factor” in WGI’s future home, Miamisburg Development Director Chris Fine said.
“I have no idea what they’ve been offered from other communities,” he said. “But I think there’s a good chance we’re going to keep them here.”
Attempts to reach WGI officials on Monday were unsuccessful.
Last year, the WGI board of directors renewed Dayton as the host city from 20202024.
Fine said the organization has been considering a 60,000 square foot building under construction in Austin Business Park.
“I think we have a chance of keeping them here,” Fine said. “If we approve this, they’ll likely choose to stay here.”
The deal with the city would involve WGI – which has been in Miamisburg for 10 years – receiving up to $10,000 in funds from the city over two years beginning in 2020, according to a proposed relocation agreement set to be considered by Miamisburg City Council on tonight.
WGI has about 10 employees with an annual payroll of about $750,000, and the move would add two to three jobs in the next few years, records show.
More than 33,000 participants at the organization’s regional events, and more than 16,000 at world championships this past April, according to WGI’s website.
Events have held at several locations in the Dayton and Cincinnati regions, including: University of Dayton Arena; Dayton Convention Center; Wright State University Nutter Center; and the Cintas Center at Xavier University.
The nonprofit WGI touts itself as the world’s premier organization producing indoor color guard, percussion, and winds competitions, its website states.
Miamisburg City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. in city council chambers of the Miamisburg Civic Center, 10 N. First St.