Mount Vernon and Knox County are working together through the Together Knox initiative to create a community-driven vision for growth. Manufacturing accounts for about 22% of employment, and healthcare comprises 17%. Major employers include Siemens Energy and Ariel Corporation, both manufacturers of natural gas industry components. Kenyon College, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and Kokosing Construction Company round out the major employers.
The Knox County Land Bank manages Heartland Commerce Park, an expansive 47-acre site with over 700,000 square feet across ten buildings, marketed for manufacturing and commercial opportunities with proximity to the Columbus market. Mayor Matt Starr's Phase 2 strategic plan focuses on sustainability, modernizing zoning laws, and enhancing infill development to address housing needs. The county's population reached 63,848 as of July 2024, with steady growth driven by proximity to urban centers and affordable living.
Whether you're expanding manufacturing facilities for the natural gas industry, developing commercial property in Heartland Commerce Park, or constructing housing to meet growing demand, Mount Vernon projects benefit from experienced oversight. An independent Owner's Representative ensures that development complexity doesn't compromise your 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 manufacturing and commercial projects in Knox County.
Manufacturing and specialized facilities demand precise budget control. We verify that pay applications reflect work actually completed, analyze change orders, and model the financial impact of decisions before they're made.
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.
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 Columbus-focused firms.
We support the project types driving Knox County's diverse economy:
Facility expansions for natural gas industry suppliers, compressor manufacturers, and related industries.
Construction in Heartland Commerce Park and throughout the county serving the business community.
Supporting healthcare providers with construction meeting regulatory standards and operational requirements.
Housing developments and infill projects addressing growing demand in the county.
We serve communities throughout Central Ohio including Delaware, Mansfield, and Coshocton.
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, zoning considerations, and site conditions while there's still time to negotiate or walk away.
If your Mount Vernon 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.
Schedule a consultation to ensure your Mount Vernon project starts on solid footing.
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.
Heartland Commerce Park is a 47-acre site with over 700,000 square feet across ten buildings, managed by the Knox County Land Bank and marketed for manufacturing and commercial opportunities. Its proximity to Columbus makes it attractive for businesses seeking regional access with lower costs. We help clients navigate site selection and construction management in this development.
Together Knox is a community-driven planning process creating a shared vision for Knox County's future. The initiative informs long-term goals, policies, and programs across Mount Vernon and all county communities. Understanding this vision can help align your development with community priorities. We help clients position projects to complement regional planning objectives.
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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