Springfield is experiencing an economic resurgence driven by manufacturing investment and strategic growth initiatives. The $1.3 billion 5C Data Center project at the former LexisNexis site represents the largest single investment in Clark County's history, creating approximately 100 direct jobs with substantial ripple effects throughout the regional economy. Meanwhile, Topre America Corp. is expanding its stamping and assembly facility by 140,000 square feet to serve the electric vehicle industry, and employers like Silfex and McGregor Metal continue to grow their operations.
Springfield tied Cincinnati for the second-highest employment growth rate among Ohio metros since the pandemic, at 2.3%. The Greater Springfield Partnership has assisted in bringing over 2,000 new jobs and $800 million in investment over the past five years, with projections of 3,500 total jobs by the end of their current campaign. This activity strains local contractor capacity and creates competition for skilled trades across the region.
Whether you're expanding a manufacturing facility to capitalize on the EV supply chain opportunity, developing commercial property along the I-70 corridor, or renovating space in downtown Springfield, this growth environment demands experienced oversight. An independent Owner's Representative ensures your project doesn't get squeezed by larger developments competing for the same contractors and materials.
Architects design. Contractors build. But who protects your budget and schedule? In most projects, no one fills this role with the owner's interests as their sole focus. Architects are primarily concerned with design intent and code compliance. General Contractors focus on their own means, methods, and profit margins. This leaves what we call the Leadership Vacuum, where the owner's financial interests go unprotected.
DeVore Consulting fills this gap. We work exclusively for you, attending critical meetings, reviewing every pay application, scrutinizing change orders, and ensuring that what gets built matches what you're paying for. In a competitive market like Springfield, having an experienced advocate prevents your project from being treated as lower priority than the headline developments.
Growth markets reward those who move decisively but not recklessly. Our approach balances speed with discipline.
We specialize in projects from $500K to $50M, the range where most Springfield commercial development occurs. These projects need professional oversight but often don't attract the attention of firms focused on billion-dollar data center deals.
We never hold trade contracts or self-perform construction work. This means our recommendations are based solely on what's best for your project, not what's best for our margin.
In a competitive market, every dollar counts. We verify that contractor bids are complete and comparable, review pay applications to ensure you're only paying for completed work, and analyze change orders to separate legitimate costs from scope creep.
Our expertise spans the project types driving Clark County's growth:
Supplier and logistics facilities serving the automotive and EV sectors, requiring precise coordination and often aggressive timelines to meet customer demands.
New construction and expansion projects serving the growing population and business community along major corridors.
Professional office construction for businesses expanding within or relocating to Clark County's growth market.
Distribution facilities capitalizing on Springfield's strategic location between Columbus and Dayton with access to major interstate routes.
Similar manufacturing growth is occurring in London, Urbana, and other communities along the I-70 corridor.
In a growth market, timing is everything. The ideal time to engage DeVore Consulting is during site selection and pre-construction planning, before you've committed to land or locked in designs. We provide Fatal Flaw Analysis that evaluates infrastructure availability, zoning constraints, and site conditions. In a market where contractor availability can make or break a project timeline, this early insight is invaluable.
If your Springfield project is already in motion, we can still add value through rigorous contractor oversight and change order management. But the earlier we're involved, the more problems we can prevent.
Let's discuss how independent oversight can benefit your Springfield project.
We provide comprehensive project oversight for business owners and developers who need expert guidance through the construction process. With 20+ years overseeing the design and construction of residential and commercial, we know where problems hide and how to prevent them.
These FAQs are a starting point, but your project has specific goals, risks, and financial stakes. My role is to be your trusted guide.I protect your time and money by simplifying the process, providing experienced oversight, and preventing costly mistakes before they happen.
The $1.3 billion 5C Data Center project, combined with manufacturing expansions like Topre, absorbs significant contractor and subcontractor capacity. Smaller commercial projects may face longer lead times for trades and competitive pricing pressure. An Owner's Representative helps you present your project professionally, identify contractors with appropriate capacity, and build realistic timelines that account for the competitive labor market.
Springfield's position directly between Columbus and Dayton, with access to Interstate 70 and major state routes, provides ideal market access. Businesses can serve both metropolitan areas while benefiting from lower costs and a strong workforce. For construction projects, this location also means access to contractors from multiple regional markets, though project organization and professional oversight help you compete for their attention.
Springfield is positioned in the EV supply chain with Topre's stamping facility expansion serving electric vehicle manufacturers. Companies supporting the EV transition can leverage Clark County's central location, workforce, and manufacturing infrastructure. We support facility construction for suppliers needing to meet OEM timelines, ensuring projects proceed on schedule despite the competitive contractor environment.
The Greater Springfield Partnership coordinates workforce development initiatives that have brought over 2,000 new jobs and $800 million in investment to the region. Local job fairs connect employers with workers across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and other sectors. For construction projects, this workforce pipeline means access to trained workers, though competition from major employers remains a factor in project planning.
Yes. Our service doesn't end when the contractor hands over the keys. Our "Phase 4: Closeout" process includes comprehensive warranty management and post-occupancy support to ensure your building functions as intended. We ensure all final documentation and manuals are collected, which is the foundation for your long-term facility management.
Yes. While some firms only focus on large institutional projects, we specialize in guiding small business owners and first-time developers. The need for an owner's rep depends more on your project's complexity than its size. A complex $2M restaurant renovation often has more risk than a simple $5M warehouse. We can help you assess if professional oversight makes financial sense for your specific project .
Yes. An owner's rep with a strong financial background is invaluable here. With an MBA in Real Estate Finance, we help you prepare the realistic, bank-ready documents lenders need to see. We create defensible pro formas, validate construction budgets, and manage the loan draw process, which builds essential trust and credibility with your lender.
Of course. We'll provide you with all the free advice you can handle. But to get started formally, we'll have to make sure our services align with you needs. We'll get to know your project aspirations and put together a proposal. Until we have an agreement no payment is expected.
Depending on scope, fees typically range from 0.5% to 1% of the total construction cost, depending on the project's complexity, timeline, and the specific scope of services you need . Studies have shown this investment typically saves clients 3-5% on total construction costs through rigorous contractor management, change order review, and problem prevention, meaning the service more than pays for itself.
Absolutely. While we add the most value by being involved from pre-construction through closeout , we can tailor our services to your specific needs. We are often brought in just for pre-construction planning, to help with contractor selection, or to get a troubled project that's already underway back on track.
This information goes to a real human being. Its a great way to learn more and start the conversation without any obligation. We will never provide your personal or contact information to a 3rd party.
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