Lima has earned its position as one of America's top-performing small metros, ranking in Site Selection's top tier for economic development for six consecutive years. The Allen Economic Development Group has facilitated over $3 billion in business investments over the past five years. Cenovus Energy's Lima Refinery, Ohio's oldest continuously operated refinery site, received significant investment including funding for training and equipment modernization, plus a $200,000 gift to Ohio State Lima's engineering technology program. The Lima Army Tank Plant serves as the sole producer of the M1 Abrams tank, anchoring defense manufacturing in the region.
The 2024 development landscape included projects ranging from the Spring and Main downtown development to expansions at Nutrien, Vanamatic, Procter and Gamble, and the Mercy Health-St. Rita's Medical Center. Manufacturing represents 108% more jobs per capita than the average city, with average manufacturing salaries of $67,797. A new Love's Travel Stop and ongoing Lima Mall improvements demonstrate retail investment alongside industrial strength.
Whether you're expanding a refinery-related facility, developing commercial property, or constructing healthcare infrastructure, Lima projects benefit from experienced oversight. An independent Owner's Representative ensures that industrial complexity and the demands of working alongside major employers don't compromise your project's budget and timeline.
Every construction project involves three core parties: the Architect, focused on design and code compliance; the General Contractor, focused on means, methods, and their own profitability; and the Owner, who funds everything but often lacks the technical expertise to protect their investment. This creates what we call the Leadership Vacuum, where no one is truly accountable for the owner's budget and schedule.
DeVore Consulting fills this vacuum. We work exclusively for you, never holding trade contracts or self-performing work. Our role is to translate your business objectives into construction outcomes, providing a single point of accountability from pre-design through project closeout.
We bring disciplined methodology to Lima's industrial-focused development environment.
Industrial and manufacturing projects demand precise budget control. We verify that pay applications reflect work actually completed, analyze change orders to separate legitimate costs from contractor overreach, and model the financial impact of decisions before they're made.
Projects in the $500K to $50M range are our specialty. These are often too complex for business owners to oversee part-time but may not attract attention from firms focused on refinery-scale developments.
We never build; we only manage. This means our advice is never influenced by a desire to self-perform work or protect a margin. When we flag a problem, it's because it affects your outcome.
We support the project types driving Allen County's diverse economy:
Facility expansions and equipment installations for manufacturers and industrial operators that must proceed without disrupting production schedules.
Supporting Mercy Health and Lima Memorial with construction that must meet regulatory standards while controlling costs and maintaining patient care operations.
Providing budget protection for downtown revitalization projects and commercial development serving the regional economy.
Supporting facilities that serve the defense industrial base with appropriate security considerations and documentation requirements.
We serve communities throughout Northwest Ohio including Findlay, Wapakoneta, and Van Wert.
The greatest value we provide comes from early engagement, before you've committed to a property or finalized designs. Our Fatal Flaw Analysis investigates infrastructure capacity, environmental considerations, and site conditions while there's still time to negotiate or walk away.
If your Lima project is already underway and facing challenges, we can help stabilize the situation through rigorous change order review and contractor accountability. But prevention is always more cost-effective than cure.
Reach out to explore how independent oversight can protect your Lima investment.
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 Lima Army Tank Plant, officially the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center, serves as the sole producer of the M1 Abrams tank. Defense-related facility work may involve security considerations, specialized documentation requirements, and coordination with government oversight. For companies supporting the defense industrial base, we provide project management that meets the documentation and quality standards expected in this sector.
Mercy Health-St. Rita's Medical Center and Lima Memorial Health System represent significant healthcare employers with ongoing facility needs. Healthcare construction requires specialized codes, infection control protocols during renovation, and coordination with patient care operations. Projects face regulatory inspections beyond typical commercial requirements. We ensure contractors understand healthcare-specific requirements and that documentation meets regulatory standards.
Lima has ranked in Site Selection's top tier for economic development for six consecutive years, with over $3 billion in business investments facilitated over the past five years. This reflects diverse activity from Spring and Main downtown development to industrial expansions at Nutrien, Vanamatic, and Procter and Gamble. For construction projects, this active market means opportunity but also competition for contractor resources.
Cenovus Energy's Lima Refinery, Ohio's oldest continuously operated refinery, receives ongoing investment in training and equipment modernization. When refinery maintenance or expansion projects are active, they absorb significant contractor capacity, particularly for industrial trades. Mid-market commercial and industrial projects compete for the same contractors. We help you navigate this competitive environment through professional project organization and effective contractor management.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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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