Lima’s #1 workforce retention problem has a ready-made solution.
1,700
open jobs within 10 miles of Lima
$0
cost to your company
48hrs
from application to credit decision
Any Employer Can Apply!
Logan Carter, COO @ Hometown Communities
Why Lima employers are losing good people — and it's not your salary.
Lima doesn’t. Not right now. Not at a price your employees can access. And that’s not your fault. But it is your problem.
“Challenges identified by the consortium include transportation, child care, a lack of adequate and affordable housing, a lack of infrastructure…”
— Allen Economic Development Group, 2025 Regional Development Report
The same organization that facilitated P&G’s $501M expansion in Lima.
4%
Lima rental vacancy rate (waitlists exist)
$15K–$30K
average cost to replace one employee
202,000+
unit shortage across Ohio (OHFAFY26)
Introducing Hometown Works.
Inviting Employers to Plant THE SEED 🌱 for their Employees!
| Benefit | What it means |
|---|---|
| ~$5,000 instant equity | They own a home worth ~$75,000 for a purchase price of ~$70,000. Real equity from day one — not a rental. |
| $1,500 closing cost assistance | We cover $1,500 toward closing costs — reducing the barrier to get in the door. |
| No broker fees | Employees can purchase directly without paying added broker fees. |
| No application fee* | Standard application fee waived for partner employer employees. * Reimbursed to approved applicants |
| 48-hour credit decision | Not a 12-week mortgage process. A decision within 48 hours. Move in within 3 weeks. |
| Priority home selection | Partner employees get first access to available homes before the general public. |
| What you get | Details |
|---|---|
| $0 cost to your company | This program costs your company nothing. No budget required. No vendor contract. |
| $0 administration burden | You verify employment. We handle every other step of the process. |
| Quarterly impact report | Every 90 days you receive a report on enrollments, homes placed, and retention. Bring it to your CEO. |
| Community partner recognition | Your company is featured as a Lima workforce housing partner — press release, Plaza signage, AEDG recognition. |
| Recruitment tool | Add to job postings: “Workforce homeownership program available.” One line that changes how candidates see you. |
Logan Carter, COO @ Hometown Communities
Total employee benefit value: ~$5,000
Total cost to your company: $0
This isn't our data. It's yours.
“Workforce development is among the organization’s biggest requests, highlighting the ongoing need
for skilled employees to support the local manufacturing economy.”
Tim Fitzpatrick, Business & Work Development Lead · Allen Economic Development Group
Source: hometownstations.com/news/allen_county/
“Challenges identified by the consortium include transportation, child care, a lack of adequate and
affordable housing, a lack of infrastructure…”
Allen Economic Development Group · 2025 Regional Development Report
Source: limaohio.com/top-stories/2025/07/29/regional-development-plan-is-discussed-in-lima/
#3
Lima’s national rank for manufacturing (cities under 150K population)
108%
more manufacturing jobs than the average US city (AEDG verified)
1,700
open jobs within 10 miles of Lima (OhioMeansJobs, 2026)
Logan Carter, COO @ Hometown Communities
Lima rental market facts:
• 53% of Lima residents are renters
• 4% rental vacancy rate — one of the lowest in northwest Ohio
• 1,098 income-based apartments in Lima — all have waiting lists
• City of Lima received a $720K state grant because the housing shortage is officially documented
Source: affordablehousingonline.com | City of Lima Housing Department
We are not asking you to take our word for it. Call the Allen Economic Development Group at 419-222-7706 and ask them directly. They will confirm that workforce housing is their documented #1 challenge — and that Hometown Works is part of their solution.
Ford Lima Engine Plant
1,393 employees
5 min drive
Procter & Gamble
1,349 employees
6 min drive
Mercy Health / St. Rita’s
Allen County’s #1 employer
7 min drive
General Dynamics (JSMC)
500+ defense workers
10 min drive
Bob Evans Foods Mfg.
Night shift workers
7 min drive
Lima Memorial Health
#3 largest employer
6 min drive
Allen County Government
500+ public servants
5 min drive
Lima City Schools
Teachers & admin staff
4 min drive
Built for the employers Allen County runs on.
Ford Lima Engine Plant
1,393 employees
5 min drive
Procter & Gamble
1,349 employees
6 min drive
Mercy Health / St. Rita’s
Allen County’s #1 employer
7 min drive
General Dynamics (JSMC)
500+ defense workers
10 min drive
Bob Evans Foods Mfg.
Night shift workers
7 min drive
Lima Memorial Health
#3 largest employer
6 min drive
Allen County Government
500+ public servants
5 min drive
Lima City Schools
Teachers & admin staff
4 min drive
How Hometown Works works — for you and your employees.
Logan Carter, COO @ Hometown Communities
STEP 1
You book a call
15 minutes. We walk you through the program, answer every question, and confirm your company as a partner.
Your time: 15 minutes
STEP 2
Your employees apply
You share the program with your team. Interested employees apply directly. We handle qualification, approval, and home selection.
Your time: one email to your team
STEP 3
They move in. You win.
Your employee is in a home they own within weeks — not months. You receive your first quarterly impact report 90 days later.
Your time: zero
Requirements
Program requirements:
• Current employment verification from your company (we handle the paperwork)
• Standard credit and income qualification
• No prior homeownership required
That’s it. No waiting lists. No lottery. First-come, first-served.
FAQs
Q: Does our company have to sign anything?
A: No legal contract required. You simply verify employment for interested employees.
Q: What if an employee leaves our company after buying?
A: The home belongs to your employee. There is no clawback or obligation on your part.
Q: How many employees can participate?
A: As many as qualify. There’s no cap on the number of employees from one company.
Q: How long does the process take from interest to move-in?
A: Typically 3–6 weeks from application to keys in hand.
Lima's housing problem has a solution. It's called Hometown Works. Your team deserves to know about it.
Logan Carter, COO @ Hometown Communities
Book a call. We’ll walk you through everything. No commitment required.