A neighborhood enterprise in a particular Ohio metropolis offers short-term loans secured by private property. These institutions supply people a solution to acquire quick funds by utilizing helpful objects as collateral, with the understanding that the objects may be redeemed inside a specified timeframe. For instance, a resident may usher in jewellery or electronics to obtain a mortgage based mostly on the merchandise’s appraised worth.
Such companies serve instead monetary useful resource for people who might not have entry to conventional banking companies or who require quick money. Traditionally, a majority of these institutions have performed a task in communities by offering liquidity and facilitating the change of products. They function below state and native laws designed to guard each the lender and the borrower.
The next article will delve deeper into numerous points of this explicit enterprise inside its geographical location, together with its companies, potential advantages to the group, and the regulatory framework below which it operates.
1. Monetary Service
Within the coronary heart of Alliance, Ohio, a selected enterprise operates, a microcosm of a broader monetary ecosystem. Its function extends past easy transactions; it is a localized manifestation of important monetary companies, offering choices to a section of the inhabitants typically neglected by conventional establishments.
-
Quick-Time period Liquidity Provision
When unexpected bills come up, or alternatives demand quick capital, entry to fast funds turns into paramount. This institution offers exactly that, providing short-term loans secured by private property. Think about a household dealing with an sudden medical invoice. Moderately than navigating the complexities of credit score checks and mortgage functions, they will leverage the worth of an heirloom, receiving quick funds whereas retaining the choice to reclaim their possession. This speedy liquidity is the cornerstone of its service, addressing quick monetary wants in a tangible means.
-
Various Credit score Supply
Conventional credit score establishments typically impose stringent necessities, excluding people with restricted credit score historical past or these thought of high-risk. This creates a void within the monetary panorama. The enterprise in query fills this void by offering another credit score supply. It presents loans based mostly on the intrinsic worth of collateral, bypassing typical creditworthiness assessments. A self-employed particular person with fluctuating revenue, for instance, may discover this avenue extra accessible than a financial institution mortgage, leveraging private property to bridge monetary gaps.
-
Asset-Based mostly Lending
In contrast to unsecured loans, the place compensation depends solely on the borrower’s promise and credit score standing, asset-based lending makes use of tangible possessions as safety. Jewellery, electronics, instruments these change into the premise for loans. The danger to the lender is mitigated by the potential to liquidate the asset if the borrower defaults. For instance, an area contractor may use tools as collateral to safe funding for a brand new undertaking, understanding that the property worth underpins the settlement.
-
Valuation and Resale Market
Past lending, the enterprise capabilities as a market, assessing the worth of various items and offering a platform for resale. This requires specialised information and appraisal abilities, turning the institution into an area heart for valuation experience. Somebody in search of to promote undesirable possessions may discover a honest and quick transaction right here, contributing to a cycle of change throughout the group. The method offers worth by liquidating objects at honest market costs and recycling these valuables to prospects on the lookout for a discount.
These intertwined aspects spotlight the vital function it performs inside Alliance. This enterprise serves as a vital hyperlink within the native monetary chain, bridging the hole between quick wants and accessible capital. Its affect extends past particular person transactions, contributing to the financial resilience of the group it serves.
2. Collateral Loans
Within the quiet streets of Alliance, Ohio, a selected kind of transaction shapes lives and livelihoods: the collateral mortgage. Throughout the partitions of the native enterprise, objects change into greater than mere possessions; they rework into conduits for quick monetary aid, tales etched into metallic, material, and circuitry. This intersection of want and worth defines the essence of collateral loans in Alliance.
-
The Promise of Redemption
A younger mom brings in her grandmother’s ring, a bit heavy with recollections. She wants cash for her kid’s medication, a sum past her quick attain. The collateral mortgage presents a lifeline: she receives the wanted funds, securing the mortgage with the ring. The transaction is constructed on a promise: repay the mortgage throughout the agreed timeframe, and reclaim the dear heirloom. This isn’t a sale, however a short lived change, a pledge of religion in her personal capacity to beat the quick disaster.
-
Valuation as a Ability and an Artwork
Contained in the enterprise, the appraiser examines an electrical guitar, its strings worn, its physique bearing the marks of numerous performances. Figuring out its worth shouldn’t be merely a matter of checking a value record. It requires an understanding of the native market, the instrument’s situation, its model, and its desirability amongst native musicians. This valuation is each a talent and an artwork, a vital step that ensures equity for each the borrower and the lender. The method of assessing the collateral is vital to making sure a good and reliable transaction.
-
A Security Internet in a Tight-Knit Neighborhood
For a small-business proprietor struggling to make payroll, a set of energy instruments turns into the important thing to survival. Unable to safe a conventional mortgage, the proprietor turns to the collateral mortgage, utilizing tools as safety. This transaction offers a bridge over a monetary chasm, permitting the enterprise to fulfill its obligations and stay afloat. In a close-knit group like Alliance, these companies typically act as a necessary security web, offering a supply of capital when different avenues are closed.
-
The Threat of Loss, The Hope of Return
Not all tales finish with redemption. Circumstances can change, and debtors could also be unable to repay their loans. In such circumstances, the collateral turns into the property of the enterprise, to be offered to recoup the loss. That is the inherent danger in a collateral mortgage, the potential for loss that underscores the seriousness of the transaction. But, even in these circumstances, the service offers a short lived profit, an opportunity to deal with a urgent want, a fleeting hope for a greater end result. The act of offering money for a helpful with the prospect of by no means returning to its authentic proprietor is a really actual and necessary service.
The collateral loans supplied at companies in Alliance, Ohio, are extra than simply monetary transactions. They’re reflections of the group’s wants, its struggles, and its resilience. Every merchandise pawned carries a narrative, every mortgage represents a hope, and every transaction contributes to the financial tapestry of this small Ohio city.
3. Native Financial system
The rhythmic pulse of Alliance, Ohios economic system finds a quiet, but persistent echo throughout the confines of its pawn retailers. These institutions will not be mere repositories of forgotten trinkets; they’re integral cogs within the native financial equipment, responding to and, at occasions, subtly shaping the group’s monetary panorama. Think about the steelworker laid off throughout a plant closure. Dealing with mounting payments, he brings in his grandfather’s watch, a household heirloom imbued with sentimental worth. The pawn store presents him a short-term mortgage, offering essential capital to bridge the hole till he finds new employment. This transaction, multiplied throughout quite a few households, illustrates how the enterprise acts as a monetary buffer, absorbing shocks to the native economic system and stopping particular person hardship from spiraling into broader group misery.
Moreover, the circulation of products by means of these companies creates a novel financial ecosystem. A contractor upgrades his instruments, promoting the older fashions to the store. These instruments, in flip, discover their means into the palms of a younger entrepreneur beginning his personal landscaping enterprise, who can’t afford new tools. This cycle of shopping for, promoting, and lending not solely extends the lifespan of sturdy items but in addition stimulates financial exercise at a micro-level, enabling small companies to thrive and contributing to the general vibrancy of the business district. The store, in impact, acts as a conduit, connecting these with surplus property to these with unmet wants, fostering a localized market that enhances conventional retail channels.
Finally, the connection between Alliances pawn retailers and its native economic system is one in every of interdependence and resilience. Whereas bigger financial forces dictate the general trajectory of town, these companies function very important shock absorbers and micro-stimulators, offering essential liquidity to people and small companies, and facilitating the change of products throughout the group. Understanding this nuanced relationship is important for policymakers and group leaders in search of to foster sustainable financial progress and enhance the monetary well-being of Alliances residents. The problem lies in guaranteeing these companies function ethically and responsibly, maximizing their constructive affect whereas mitigating potential dangers to susceptible populations.
4. Asset Liquidation
In Alliance, Ohio, towards a backdrop of brick facades and the light hum of a Midwestern metropolis, companies quietly interact in a course of typically unseen, but profoundly impactful: asset liquidation. For the institution referenced, the act of changing possessions into quick capital shouldn’t be merely a enterprise perform, however a vital mechanism driving its existence. A lifetime of collected belongingstools, jewellery, electronicsenter its doorways, every with a narrative, every dealing with the prospect of transformation. The trigger is usually financial necessity: a sudden job loss, an sudden medical invoice, a determined try to hold a small enterprise afloat. The impact is the conversion of tangible property into available funds, a lifeline prolonged in occasions of monetary misery. Had been it not for the power to appraise, settle for, and finally liquidate these property, the enterprise’s core operation would grind to a halt.
Think about the case of an area carpenter who, dealing with eviction, introduced in his assortment of vintage woodworking toolsinstruments handed down by means of generations. The enterprise assessed their worth, supplied a mortgage, and in doing so, supplied the carpenter with the means to safe momentary housing and seek for new work. Nevertheless, circumstances shifted, and the carpenter was unable to redeem his mortgage. The instruments, now property of the enterprise, had been put up on the market, discovering new house owners who appreciated their craftsmanship and historic significance. This occasion, repeated in numerous variations, illustrates the twin nature of asset liquidation: it presents an instantaneous resolution to a monetary disaster whereas concurrently feeding a secondary market, recirculating items throughout the group. The method calls for not solely experience in valuation but in addition a sensitivity to the human tales connected to every merchandise.
The understanding of this course of carries sensible significance past the quick transactions. It reveals the financial vulnerabilities throughout the group, the precarious stability between revenue and bills that many residents face. It additionally highlights the significance of accountable lending practices, guaranteeing that asset liquidation is a final resort fairly than a predatory lure. The problem lies in fostering a system that gives entry to capital whereas defending people from dropping their possessions and spiraling into deeper monetary hardship. Finally, the method displays a group’s reliance on different financial networks when conventional methods fall brief, revealing the interconnectedness of monetary stability and private belongings in a small American metropolis.
5. Neighborhood Useful resource
Within the tapestry of Alliance, Ohio, the place business and hometown spirit intertwine, sure institutions quietly function extra than simply companies. They change into touchstones, threads woven into the material of each day life. Amongst these is a particular enterprise, functioning, whether or not by specific design or emergent necessity, as a group useful resource. Its function transcends mere transactions, touching upon the financial, and generally even emotional, well-being of the townsfolk.
-
Bridge Over Monetary Streams
A single mom, struggling to make ends meet, faces an sudden automotive restore. A go to to the enterprise presents a short lived reprieve. Her cherished guitar, an emblem of goals deferred, turns into collateral for a mortgage that covers the restore. The enterprise serves as a bridge, permitting her to keep up transportation important for her livelihood. This is not merely a transaction; it is a vital intervention, stopping a cascade of monetary hardship. For these on the fringes of the normal banking system, this turns into a significant lifeline, providing entry to credit score in any other case unattainable.
-
Marketplace for the Undervalued
An aged gentleman, downsizing after his spouse’s passing, seeks to liquidate a set of vintage instruments. A neighborhood enterprise offers a prepared market, providing a good value for objects which may in any other case languish in an property sale or be misplaced to neglect. The transaction serves a number of functions: it eases the transition for the vendor, offers inexpensive items to the group, and contributes to the round economic system. These companies change into clearinghouses for undervalued objects, channeling them again into the palms of those that can respect and make the most of them.
-
Valuation Experience
When settling an property, a household faces the daunting activity of assessing the worth of inherited possessions. A enterprise presents its experience, offering value determinations which might be each correct and neutral. This service extends past mere pricing; it presents peace of thoughts, guaranteeing honest distribution amongst heirs and adherence to authorized necessities. In a group the place belief is paramount, this objectivity offers a helpful service, facilitating the equitable decision of complicated conditions.
-
Re-seller Financial system Catalyst
The city’s annual Founder’s Day occasion sees a surge in entrepreneurs organising momentary stalls. A neighborhood artisan, brief on funds to buy uncooked supplies, visits the enterprise. The artisan’s jewelry-making instruments function a short lived fund that in flip offers uncooked supplies to create items and be resold. This cyclical enterprise creates an unbiased self-supporting re-seller eco-system that helps these wanting to affix the group.
In essence, such a enterprise capabilities as a security valve throughout the group, absorbing monetary pressures and facilitating the change of products and companies. Its existence displays each the wants and the resourcefulness of Alliance, Ohio, a testomony to the enduring spirit of self-reliance that defines the city.
6. Quick-Time period Lending
In Alliance, Ohio, a quiet desperation typically takes the type of a valued possession laid throughout a counter. The necessity for quick funds, born from sudden payments, job losses, or just the battle to make ends meet, finds a stark resolution in short-term lending. This enterprise offers these companies. A household heirloom, an influence instrument, a musical instrumenteach turns into a short lived sacrifice, a pawn in a recreation of survival. The phrases are easy: a mortgage is granted based mostly on the objects assessed worth, with the promise of its return upon compensation inside a specified timeframe. This change, seemingly transactional, carries vital weight throughout the group, appearing as a stress aid valve for households with restricted entry to conventional monetary establishments. The significance of short-term lending as a part of the enterprise is that it offers an instantly accessible resolution for individuals who want funds rapidly. It additionally helps these get what they want faster than conventional banks and lending establishment.
Think about the story of an area building employee, not too long ago laid off resulting from a seasonal downturn. Confronted with mounting payments and a looming mortgage fee, he reluctantly brings in his grandfathers toolbox, an emblem of his commerce and household legacy. The enterprise presents him a mortgage, sufficient to cowl the quick bills and supply respiratory room whereas he searches for brand spanking new employment. With out this short-term lending choice, the development employee might have been pressured to default on his mortgage, probably resulting in foreclosures. The enterprise, on this occasion, acted as a short lived security web, stopping a deeper monetary disaster. It is this perform that underscores the enterprise’s relevance in a group like Alliance, the place financial stability may be fragile and entry to fast capital is vital.
Nevertheless, the sensible significance of this understanding extends past particular person transactions. Quick-term lending, whereas offering quick aid, additionally carries inherent dangers. Excessive rates of interest and brief compensation intervals can create a cycle of debt, notably for susceptible populations. The problem lies in guaranteeing that these companies function responsibly, offering honest phrases and educating debtors in regards to the potential penalties. The broader theme revolves round monetary inclusion and the necessity for accessible and inexpensive monetary companies for all members of the group. Whereas short-term lending by means of institutions in Alliance, Ohio presents a helpful service, its affect should be rigorously thought of throughout the bigger context of financial well-being and accountable monetary practices.
7. Valuation Experience
The guts of the enterprise beats with a novel rhythm: the fixed analysis of price. Throughout the confines of this institution in Alliance, Ohio, objects shed their sentimental cloaks and are assessed solely on their market worth. This course of, generally known as valuation experience, shouldn’t be mere appraisal; it’s the very basis upon which the enterprise mannequin rests. With out the power to precisely assess the intrinsic price of an merchandise, lending turns into a dangerous gamble, a blind leap into monetary uncertainty. The enterprise turns into much less about offering short-term loans and extra about dangerous hypothesis.
Think about an area resident coming into the premises, a worn guitar case in hand. Inside lies a classic instrument, a household heirloom handed down by means of generations. To the untrained eye, it might seem as a easy, aged guitar. Nevertheless, the appraiser understands its intricacies: the model, the mannequin, the 12 months of manufacture, its situation, and its potential attraction to collectors. The valuation course of is complicated, requiring an understanding of market developments, historic context, and the delicate nuances that distinguish a helpful artifact from a typical instrument. A small discrepancy within the evaluation may end in a considerable monetary loss, underscoring the significance of experience. The valuation might decide what kind of monetary help will likely be accessible.
In conclusion, valuation experience shouldn’t be merely a talent employed by the enterprise; it’s its very lifeblood. It’s the cornerstone of accountable lending, the safeguard towards monetary danger, and the important thing to offering honest and equitable service to the group. The accuracy and integrity of this course of straight affect the enterprise’s sustainability and its capacity to function a trusted useful resource for these in want of short-term monetary help in Alliance, Ohio. With out exact valuation, the reference to the native residents will likely be strained, and the enterprise will change into untrustworthy, affecting its general success.
8. Retail Gross sales
The idea of retail gross sales throughout the context of a particular enterprise in Alliance, Ohio, shouldn’t be merely in regards to the change of products for cash; it is a vital part of an area financial ecosystem, and a second probability for pre-owned valuables. It represents the ultimate stage in a cycle that begins with monetary want and culminates within the redistribution of property throughout the group. This retail facet distinguishes it from a easy lending establishment, reworking it right into a market the place worth is consistently negotiated and exchanged.
-
The Aftermath of Unredeemed Loans
Think about the instruments of a craftsman, surrendered after a interval of unemployment and left unclaimed after the mortgage interval expired. These instruments, as soon as devices of creation, now sit on a shelf, awaiting a brand new proprietor. Their presence represents the unlucky actuality of unfulfilled guarantees, but in addition a contemporary alternative for an additional particular person. A younger apprentice, desperate to study the commerce however missing the funds for brand spanking new tools, may discover these instruments to be an inexpensive entry level, respiratory new life into forgotten devices. The retail sale, subsequently, turns into a method of financial recycling, channeling dormant property again into productive use.
-
A Haven for Discount Hunters
For residents of Alliance, Ohio, the enterprise presents a substitute for mainstream retail, a spot the place worth is usually present in sudden locations. A scholar in search of an inexpensive laptop computer, a household trying to find budget-friendly jewellery, or a collector trying to find a uncommon discover all discover a widespread floor right here. The retail facet caters to a various clientele, providing a variety of products at costs typically beneath market worth. The setting fosters a novel procuring expertise, the place treasure looking and frugality coexist, providing a viable different to mainstream retail consumption.
-
The Fixed Flux of Stock
In contrast to conventional retail shops with steady provide chains, the enterprise operates on a continually fluctuating stock. Every day brings a brand new array of things, reflecting the varied wants and circumstances of the native inhabitants. A classic coin assortment, a set of energy instruments, a musical instrument every merchandise arrives with a novel historical past, contributing to the ever-changing panorama of the enterprise’s retail choices. This dynamic stock calls for adaptability and experience in pricing and merchandising, reworking the enterprise right into a microcosm of the broader retail market.
-
Native Financial Recirculation
The income generated by means of retail gross sales straight impacts the native economic system. The {dollars} spent throughout the enterprise keep throughout the group, supporting native jobs and contributing to the tax base. This recirculation of funds is especially necessary in smaller cities like Alliance, the place each greenback spent regionally has a magnified affect. The retail facet thus turns into an engine of financial progress, reinforcing the enterprise’s function as an integral a part of the group material. The revenue is then used to offer future loans, producing extra future income for each the enterprise and to native people.
These intertwined retail gross sales in a enterprise in Alliance, Ohio, spotlight the complicated relationship between monetary want, asset valuation, and financial circulation. It is a testomony to the resourceful nature of communities, demonstrating how an area enterprise can perform as each a monetary security web and a dynamic market, contributing to the city’s general financial resilience. Retail gross sales create an ecosystem that serves extra than simply its authentic goal.
Often Requested Questions About Companies in Alliance, Ohio
Navigating the world of short-term loans and asset-based transactions may be daunting. Listed below are some incessantly requested questions designed to deal with widespread considerations and misconceptions based mostly on interactions with such institutions.
Query 1: What precisely occurs when an merchandise is “pawned”?
Think about a grandfather’s pocket watch, a household heirloom, positioned on the counter. Pawning is not promoting. It’s the act of securing a mortgage with this merchandise. The enterprise assesses its worth and presents a mortgage quantity. The borrower receives the money, and the merchandise stays with the enterprise. If the mortgage and agreed-upon curiosity are repaid throughout the contract phrases, the merchandise is returned. It is a momentary change, not a everlasting farewell.
Query 2: How does the enterprise decide the worth of an merchandise?
The method is a mix of artwork and science. The enterprise researches market values, considers the merchandise’s situation, age, and desirability. Some enterprise might have specialists on workers to valuate objects. A diamond ring undergoes scrutiny by a educated jeweler. A classic guitar is assessed by somebody accustomed to musical devices. The objective is to supply a good mortgage quantity reflecting the merchandise’s present market price. This valuation shouldn’t be a whim; it is an knowledgeable evaluation.
Query 3: What occurs if one can’t repay the mortgage?
That is the somber actuality. If the borrower can’t repay the mortgage and curiosity throughout the agreed-upon timeframe, the merchandise turns into the property of the enterprise. That is the inherent danger of this sort of transaction. The enterprise can then promote the merchandise to recoup its losses. This example underscores the significance of borrowing solely what can realistically be repaid.
Query 4: Are such companies regulated?
Sure. State and native legal guidelines govern these institutions. These laws dictate rates of interest, mortgage phrases, and the dealing with of pawned objects. Transparency is essential. Respected companies function inside these authorized boundaries, guaranteeing honest practices and defending each the borrower and the lender. It’s advisable to confirm that these institutions adjust to state and native laws.
Query 5: Is it attainable to barter the phrases of a mortgage?
Whereas the essential construction of a collateral mortgage is standardized, some flexibility may exist. Talk about the mortgage quantity, rate of interest, and compensation schedule with the enterprise. A willingness to speak and perceive the enterprise’s constraints might result in mutually agreeable phrases. Nevertheless, keep in mind that the enterprise, like every other, should function inside its monetary parameters. Remember to perceive all phrases and situations earlier than coming into right into a mortgage settlement.
Query 6: Is shopping for objects from these companies a good suggestion?
Buying objects from such institutions can supply vital financial savings. Merchandise typically comes at costs beneath conventional retail. This will present a superb choice to get good objects and low costs. Guarantee a cautious inspection of any merchandise earlier than buy. It is a chance to accumulate distinctive objects at inexpensive costs.
In abstract, understanding the mechanics of pawn retailers empowers people to make knowledgeable choices, whether or not borrowing or shopping for. Transparency, accountable borrowing, and life like expectations are important components for a constructive end result.
The following part will delve into the broader affect of such institutions on the Alliance, Ohio group, analyzing their function within the native economic system and social material.
Navigating the World
Throughout the partitions of a sure institution in Alliance, Ohio, knowledge accumulates like mud on forgotten treasures. Right here, amidst the ebb and circulation of lives in transition, sure rules emerge, guiding lights for these navigating the often-turbulent waters of short-term finance. The information of the following pointers will information future prospects and assist them succeed.
Tip 1: Perceive the cycle. The method is a closed loop. An merchandise of worth secures a mortgage; compensation returns the merchandise, finishing the circle. Failure to repay breaks this circle, forfeiting the merchandise. Visualize this cycle earlier than committing, guaranteeing that the mortgage quantity is manageable throughout the compensation window.
Tip 2: Worth is within the eye of the beholder, but in addition out there. Sentimental price not often interprets into financial worth. A grandmothers ring holds priceless recollections, however its mortgage worth is decided by its gold content material and gemstone high quality. Separate emotion from economics throughout valuation to keep up life like expectations.
Tip 3: Transparency is paramount. Shady practices breed distrust. A good institution operates with openness, clearly outlining rates of interest, charges, and compensation phrases. Query something unclear, search clarification, and demand a written settlement. Opaque dealings are warning indicators.
Tip 4: Borrow solely what is important. The temptation to over-borrow may be robust. Nevertheless, pointless debt creates pointless danger. Assess the monetary want rigorously and borrow solely the minimal quantity required to deal with the quick scenario. Prudence prevents future remorse.
Tip 5: Think about alternate options. These institutions supply a service, however they don’t seem to be the one choice. Discover different avenues, reminiscent of group help applications, credit score unions, or household loans, earlier than committing to a collateral mortgage. A broader perspective can reveal more cost effective options.
Tip 6: Redemption is the objective. The intention is to not relinquish possessions however to reclaim them. Deal with the mortgage as a short lived bridge, not a everlasting exit. Plan for compensation from the outset, viewing it as a dedication to honor, not a burden to keep away from.
Tip 7: Due diligence is important. Earlier than selecting, analysis the enterprise repute. Search suggestions from different prospects, examine on-line evaluations, and confirm licensing and accreditation. A accountable selection minimizes the danger of exploitation and ensures a good transaction.
These are the teachings discovered, whispers gleaned from the transactions that occur, the place hope encounters actuality. Embrace these rules, and navigate the monetary world with higher confidence and resilience.
The next conclusion shall summarize the implications and mirror on the broader significance of this explicit enterprise.
The Enduring Echo of Collateral
The examination of the enterprise inside Alliance, Ohio, reveals greater than only a place of transactions; it exposes a posh relationship between want, worth, and group. This enterprise stands as a tangible instance of a group useful resource, highlighting the vulnerabilities and resilience of the native economic system. From short-term lending to retail gross sales, it capabilities as a security web and an financial catalyst, deeply intertwined with the lives of Alliances residents.
The story of the enterprise serves as a reminder that monetary landscapes will not be solely outlined by banks and companies but in addition by the small, typically neglected institutions that present essential companies to these on the margins. Its existence compels reflection on the significance of accountable lending, group help, and the enduring human want for financial stability. The longer term will reveal whether or not Alliance can nurture this fragile ecosystem, guaranteeing it stays a supply of help fairly than an emblem of desperation. The echoes of collateral proceed to reverberate, shaping the lives and livelihoods inside this small Ohio city.