The wait is over, Buc-ee’s fans!: The highly anticipated 74,000-square-foot super station is officially open on Ohio 235 in Huber Heights. The grand opening comes fresh off a special Friday preview event, where local first responders were treated to food samples and an exclusive first look inside the massive new travel center.

ICYMI: Fifth Third Bets Big on Lima’s "Better Together" Future

LIMA, OH — In a move that has sent ripples through Northwest Ohio, Fifth Third Bank officially named Lima as the inaugural site for its national "Small Towns & Small Cities" initiative.

This isn't just another corporate donation; it is a strategic, four-year "place-based" commitment. For years, massive community development programs of this scale were reserved for major urban centers like Detroit or Chicago. By choosing Lima as the national pilot, Fifth Third is signaling that the most important work in economic mobility is happening right here, on our blocks.

Why Lima? The "Better Together" Factor

Kala Gibson, Fifth Third’s Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer, didn't mince words during the announcement: this investment follows leadership. The bank cited Mayor Sharetta Smith’s "Better Together" plan as the primary catalyst for their decision.

The investment is designed to pour "intellectual, social, and financial capital" into the city’s existing roadmap. It acknowledges a hard truth: Lima has faced decades of systemic disinvestment. This partnership is a deliberate pivot toward reinvestment in both the people who call Lima home and the infrastructure that supports them.

The Pillar Strategy: Investing in People and Places

The four-year roadmap focuses on moving the needle in four specific areas that residents highlighted during community listening sessions:

• Housing & Neighborhoods: Beyond just "fixing houses," the initiative will expand special credit programs to make homeownership a reality for families who have historically been locked out of the mortgage market.
• Small Business Corridors: A dedicated $53,000 pitch competition is just the tip of the spear. The goal is to revitalize local corridors by providing technical assistance and "Catalyst Fund" grants to homegrown entrepreneurs.
• Workforce Opportunity: By partnering with JobsOhio, the bank is helping create training pathways that actually match the industrial needs of 2026 Lima, ensuring residents are first in line for high-paying local jobs.
• Infrastructure Resiliency: In a nod to the "Better Together" focus on livability, the bank will support efforts to modernize aging neighborhood infrastructure and improve water and energy affordability.

Mayor Smith noted during the signing that this partnership validates the work the community has done over the last five years. "Economic mobility is built locally—block by block," said Gibson. With Fifth Third now standing behind Lima’s vision, those blocks are about to see a transformational level of support.

What's up, friends? We think adults should get spring break too. Props to the parents juggling kids and work this week.

Happy birthday to BLK.AM Lima member Kris Khalil!
Sounds like: "Confident," by Boyfriend.

Today's newsletter is a 3.5-minute read.

1 1 big thing: Cable Road hits a detour

Lima City Council has officially sent the controversial $6 million Cable Road redesign project to the Committee of the Whole for further debate.

• The news: Following the certification of a referendum petition with over 255 signatures, Council Clerk Dana Addis confirmed the move last night. The petition seeks to repeal the ordinance allowing for right-of-way acquisitions.
• Why it matters: Opponents argue the center-median design will harm local businesses. By moving this to the Committee of the Whole, the council is pausing to decide whether to repeal the project themselves or let it go to a public ballot.
• The data: City officials maintain the redesign is critical for safety, citing over 150 crashes in the corridor since 2017.

Source: WLIO/Hometown Stations

2 The "SAVE Act" & Voter Registration

National politics are hitting home as the Senate debates the SAVE America Act, which could fundamentally change how Lima residents register for the 2026 midterms.

• The shift: The bill, which passed the House in February, would require documentary proof of citizenship (like a birth certificate or passport) for all new registrations and updates.
• The impact: If signed into law, it would effectively end online and mail-in registration. Voters would likely have to appear in person at the Allen County Board of Elections to show their documents.
• In Lima: Early in-person absentee voting for the May 5 primary begins today at the Board of Elections office on North Main Street.

Source: Allen County Board of Elections / NCSL

3 Budget & Water: Council Actions

Beyond Cable Road, Lima Council cleared a major administrative block in their latest session:

• 2026 Budget: Council approved the city’s annual budget on its first reading, establishing funding for neighborhood improvements and public safety.
• Infrastructure: Two contracts with CDM Smith Inc. were moved forward to investigate raw and finished water conveyance for a potential new water treatment plant.
• Aquatic Park: Membership fees for the Lima Community Aquatic Park were set for the 2026 season—daily rates start at $5 for veterans and seniors.

Source: City of Lima Official Site

4 Around the 419

• Grants: The City is accepting CDBG and HOME project proposals until May 1, 2026. A public briefing is scheduled for April 15 at City Hall

  1 big thing: The end of the local registration drive?

  

  SAVE America Act Threatens Local Voter Registration Drives

  A sweeping federal election bill currently before the U.S. Senate could effectively end traditional voter registration drives at community gatherings like Juneteenth events, town square festivals, and Black church services. The SAVE America Act mandates in-person documentary proof of citizenship—such as a valid U.S. passport or a certified birth certificate—to register to vote. Because individuals rarely carry such sensitive documents to public events, impromptu voter registration efforts by local nonpartisan groups would become functionally impossible. The legislation would also completely upend the online and mail-in voter registration processes currently relied upon across Ohio.

  The financial and logistical hurdles introduced by the bill are significant. A U.S. passport, one of the primary accepted standalone documents under the proposed legislation, costs a minimum of $165. Furthermore, an estimated 69 million married American women do not have a birth certificate that matches their current legal name; under the bill, they would be forced to present both a birth certificate and a marriage certificate just to register. Proponents, including President Donald Trump, argue these stringent new requirements are necessary to eliminate the possibility of noncitizens voting in federal elections. Conversely, opponents and voting rights advocates counter that noncitizen voting is already a federal crime and extremely rare, arguing the legislation simply adds expensive, bureaucratic hurdles designed to disenfranchise legitimate citizens.

  What's next: The SAVE America Act passed the U.S. House in February but faces an uphill battle in the Senate, where it currently lacks the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.

  SPORTS UPDATE

  Salute to the Spartans! 🏀

  A massive congratulations to the Lima Senior High School basketball team on an incredible season. Through every fast break and defensive stand, you’ve made this city proud.

  "It’s a Great Day to be a Spartan!"

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  The Hearts of Our Classrooms

  A Note from the Editor — Lima’s teachers are the quiet architects of our city’s future. We know a simple 'thank you' isn't enough, so we're making it easier for the community to show up for you.

  Looking for Teacher Discounts?

  We’ve curated a list of Lima businesses—from Main Street to Allentown Road—offering exclusive perks for educators.

  Get the Guide

  Know a teacher who deserves a shout-out? Reply to this email and let us know.

  

  2. The Great Ohio Tax Shift

  What's happening: Two decades of tax code changes in Ohio have quietly shifted the state's tax burden away from the wealthiest earners and onto the lowest-income residents, according to a sweeping 2026 report released by Policy Matters Ohio.

  Why it matters: The cumulative effect of these ongoing tax cuts—including the state's recent transition to a "flat" income tax—now costs Ohio an estimated $17 billion in lost revenue annually. That is more than the state's entire K-12 education budget, severely limiting funding for public services, local governments, and infrastructure.

  By the numbers: * +$32: The average increase in annual state taxes paid by the lowest-income 20% of Ohioans (earning under $26,000) compared to 2005. They are the only group paying more today than two decades ago.

  • -$459: The average annual tax cut for middle-income households (earning around $72,000). That amounts to just $38 a month, which is mostly offset by increases in sales and gas taxes.
  • -$68,812: The massive average annual tax break reaped by Ohio’s top 1% (earning over $753,900).

  The bottom line: While middle-class families see negligible savings that fail to cover a single month of basic utility bills, the wealthiest Ohioans are receiving annual windfalls large enough to buy a new luxury vehicle every single year.

  Allen County Updates Economic Engine: AEDG & Google

  

  $500M Investment: The Allen Economic Development Group (AEDG) officially revealed that Google is the tech giant behind the massive $500 million data center project in American Township. The investment includes $50 million dedicated strictly to local infrastructure improvements.

  National Ranking: Driven by the collaborative efforts of the AEDG, the Greater Lima Region (GLR) & the City of Lima, Site Selection magazine recently ranked Lima/Allen County tied for 4th in the nation for metropolitan business growth and expansion projects.

  Downtown Consolidation: The Allen County Commissioners are making heavy progress on the new $17 million administrative building on Main Street. The move will eventually consolidate courtrooms into the historic Courthouse, with the Allen County Port Authority expected to assist in the future sale of vacated county properties.

  Talent Readiness: Apollo Career Center is aggressively prepping the local talent pool for incoming tech and manufacturing jobs. Hundreds of top students recently competed in the regional SkillsUSA events, with top tradesmen advancing to state and national competitions.

  Come On Down: Downtown Lima Inc. is gearing up for its highly anticipated Game Show Extravaganza fundraiser on April 16th. The community event features over $10,000 in prizes and helps fund vital downtown revitalization and vibrancy projects.

  National Report

  Trump's Profane Ultimatum to Iran

  "Living in Hell": Tensions are boiling over following Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Over the weekend, President Trump issued a profanity-laced ultimatum on Truth Social, threatening to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges by Tuesday. He demanded Tehran "Open the F***in' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell," marking an aggressive escalation in public rhetoric as behind-the-scenes negotiations stall.

  

  

  The Urban Corridor: Lima • Toledo • Fort Wayne • Columbus • Dayton • Cincinnati

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  Tuesday, Apr 7th LOCKED SHUT: The Industrial Set 7:00 p.m. | Ace of Cups, Columbus | $20.62 A raw, high-energy transition into the spring season. Ace of Cups remains the premier venue for those tracking the pulse of the underground alternative scene—a key demographic for the Midwest’s creative class.

  Thursday, Apr 9th NewFound Road: Roots & Resilience 8:30 p.m. | Natalie’s Grandview | Entry at door World-class musicianship meeting vocal harmony. For the jazz and folk enthusiast, Natalie’s offers an intimate, acoustic environment that serves as the midweek anchor for the city's influential consumer segment.

  Friday, Apr 10th Bob the Drag Queen: This Is Wild Tour 7:30 p.m. & 10:00 p.m. | Dayton Funny Bone | $37.00 A masterclass in performance art and unapologetic joy. The Emmy-winning star brings a "wild" perspective to the Dayton Funny Bone. Note: The late show is the preferred set for the night-owl connoisseur.

  Saturday, Apr 11th Lima City Schools’ All City Choir: America 250 6:00 p.m. | Crouse Performance Hall, Lima | Free Admission A cornerstone event for local families and civic pride at the Veterans Memorial Civic Center. This is where the community gathers to invest in the next generation of Lima’s talent.

  Wednesday, Apr 15th Arnez J: Live at the Funny Bone 7:30 p.m. | Liberty Center Funny Bone | $32.00–$42.00 One of the funniest "urban" legends in the game. Arnez J brings his physical comedy and sharp observations to the Liberty Center. High demand expected; a staple for the Black comedy circuit.

  Friday, Apr 17th – Saturday, Apr 18th The Lima Gun Show & Regional Trade 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Allen County Fairgrounds | $6.00 A massive regional draw. Beyond the trade, these events at the Fairgrounds are key networking hubs for Lima’s rural and urban overlap, driving significant local foot traffic and economic activity.

  Thursday, Apr 23rd Struggle Jennings: The Outlaw Revival 6:30 p.m. | Piere’s Main Stage, Fort Wayne | $34.00 Crossing the border for a night of storytelling and grit. Jennings’ blend of country-rap and raw narrative resonates deeply with the "real life" stories we champion at Blk.AM.

  Saturday, May 16th The Toledo Jazz Festival: Urban Kickoff Various Locations | Glass City Metropark | Seasonal Passes Toledo’s jazz legacy is a pillar of the Midwest. The festival launch focuses on the intersection of urban green spaces and Black musical excellence.

  WE OUT! ✌🏾

  Thank you for rocking with us for the inaugural BLK.AM Lima. We are doing this for the city, the culture, and the legacy. Information is only powerful if you move with it. Stay Connected: I’m in your corner. If you have a story that needs telling or want to connect, reach out at nate@blkamcity.com.

  Thanks for reading. I am.

  Next Intelligence Follows

  Nate King