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SPRINGBORO — Reliance Electric workers John Shambo and Chris Thomas were out last week, despite the bad economy, sub-freezing temperatures and bone-chilling winds, doing electrical work on the fifth building in the Richard's Run Business Park.

This week, Tipton Development is expected to get final approval from the Springboro Planning Commission for the sixth and final building in the $6 million development.

"It does your heart good to see some good economic development going on in the city," Marie Belpulsi, planning commission chair and city councilwoman, said as Tipton met with the planning commission Nov. 11.

Tipton plans to begin construction in January on the 10,900-square-foot office building, when the developer also expects to complete a 7,000-square-foot office for Irongate Realty.

"We see indicators. ... A lot of people are saying things are going to start snapping back around the middle or end of next year," said Eric Tipton, chief operating officer of the company he runs with his father, Richard.

A day care center, doctor's office and engineers from High Concrete — which moved these staffers from Centerville closer to their plant across South Richard's Run — already occupy the existing buildings.

Tipton began the development after purchasing the land, just south of Richard's Run and Ohio 73, from the city two years ago. It hopes to replicate results on Success Lane, a 10-building commerce park it developed Washington Twp.

Both are short drives from prime commercial locations nearer to Interstate 75.

"We can keep our costs down. People really like to be in these neighborhood office buildings," Tipton said.

It's the third development in Springboro for Tipton, which already built the Springboro Office Park and Campioni's Restaurant on Main Street (Ohio 741).

While confident, Tipton expressed a note of caution about completing the Richard's Run Business Park as soon as expected.

"Like everyone else, we're waiting to see what happens with the economy," he said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2261

or lbudd@DaytonDailyNews.com.