DAYTON— MedShip, LLC, will demolish blighted properties and construct its headquarters, adding 30 new jobs and invest $2.3 million into the village of Camden’s downtown. The project represents the most significant investment in downtown Camden in decades.

“Renewing Camden’s Main Street corridor will attract more people and economic vitality to the center of the village,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “MedShip’s new offices will not only allow the company to grow, but will also create another opportunity to attract new investment in downtown Camden.”

MedShip, established in 2021, specializes in wound care management by direct-shipping surgical dressings to patients. The company has offices in Camden, Tampa, Florida, and El Dorado Hills, California. The new headquarters would create a 8,000-square-foot office and new off-street parking.

“We could place this business anywhere, but we want to do this in the town we know and love,” said MedShip CEO Rob Jarrell. “This venture will catalyze future investments and help revitalize the Camden community. In fact, we are already on track to add significantly more jobs than originally anticipated, which requires an adjustment to our building plans and additional capital investment.”

The properties at 11-25 S. Main Street that will be demolished have sat at the heart of downtown Camden since 1890. The buildings have seen disinvestment since their conversion from retail to multi-family housing in the early 1990s. The building at 25 S. Main has been vacant since 2017 and the 11-19 S. Main buildings have been totally vacant since 2021.

JobsOhio’s Vibrant Community program supported the revitalization project with a $750,000 grant. The JobsOhio Vibrant Community Program was established to assist small and medium-sized communities with the implementation of catalytic development projects that fulfill a market need and represent a significant reinvestment in Ohio communities. Eligible projects include mixed-use projects, real estate development projects, and shared spaces that meet the JobsOhio project criteria.

“With assistance from the JobsOhio Vibrant Community Program, properties in Camden that have stood vacant for too long will be replaced with a new MedShip headquarters,” said J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio president and CEO. “Through this collaborative effort, Camden will have new space and an economic roadmap to make it highly attractive for future investment and job growth.”

Supporters hope the project will serve as an anchor to catalyze additional investment in downtown Camden, including offices, retail and public spaces. Additional projects slated for downtown development include the Camden Tech Center, a $1.4 million facility that will be mixed use and offer community gathering space, and a $2.5 million renovation to Camden Town Hall.

“When looking at the last decade or so, the Village has seen little to no investment in our downtown business area,” said Village of Camden Mayor Toni Keesler. “We look forward to the significant impact MedShip will make on the community in many years to come.”

In 2019, the village embarked on a Downtown Revitalization Plan with a group of Miami University Urban and Regional Planning students to provide a strategic plan and vision for revitalizing Camden’s downtown area. This Plan entitled “Celebrate Camden” was recently completed and provides a roadmap the village can utilize for enhancing and redeveloping the downtown.

“MedShip’s new headquarters represents a unique opportunity to spark continued investment in Camden’s downtown business district,” said Julie Sullivan, Dayton Development Coalition Executive Vice President of Regional Development. “This rural community’s vision for a renewed downtown and their commitment to making it a reality perfectly fit the goals of JobsOhio’s Vibrant Community program. We look forward working with MedShip, Camden and Preble County to bring their vision to life.”

"The Village of Camden has taken the right steps to prepare for future growth," stated Preble County Development Partnership Director for Economic Development Justin Sommer, "This investment by MedShip, LLC and JobsOhio proves that rural Ohio communities can provide the location advantages and skilled workforce necessary for innovative businesses."