Member Spotlight Archive

Lebanon, Ohio

The Cedar City
Published July 2016

Settled in the 1790s, the City of Lebanon was named for its abundance of juniper trees, which closely resemble the Lebanon cedar. Though the city initially flourished as a stagecoach stop for travelers from the east heading to Cincinnati, it quickly developed a reputation for attracting notable public figures, fostering economic development and serving as a rich cultural hub.

Known today as “The Cedar City,” Lebanon boasts 15 separate parks spanning more than 400 acres and features a 7.5 mile bike trail that connects its historic downtown to the 76 mile Little Miami Scenic Trail.

Thriving economy
The City of Lebanon is the county seat for Warren County, the second fastest-growing county in Ohio. Lebanon’s thriving business community is anchored by five industrial parks that span 700 acres, serve more than 50 industries and have created more than 3,000 jobs.

Though the city has experienced substantial economic growth, it has maintained the historical integrity of its downtown buildings, which house more than 50 specialty and antique shops. The cornerstone of these downtown attractions is the Golden Lamb, an inn built in 1803. Recognized as the oldest continually-operating business in Ohio, the Golden Lamb has hosted a variety of notable guests over the years including Charles Dickens, Harriet Beecher Stowe and 12 American presidents.

Rich culture
Lebanon distinguishes itself from traditional tourist destinations with its rich culture. The city showcases unique art and science museums, as well as its own theater company, symphony orchestra and chorus. Lebanon also hosts several popular annual events, including the Lebanon Country Music Fest in June, the Lebanon Blues Festival in August, Country Applefest in September and the Horse Drawn Carriage Parade and Christmas Festival in December.

Reliable public power
The City of Lebanon Electric Department owns and operates its own transmission and distribution systems in addition to a 30-megawatt (MW) generation plant used for emergency power production. Since 2007, the city has invested more than $10 million to upgrade and expand its electric infrastructure, resulting in doubled substation capacity and increased service reliability. Lebanon’s daily demand is met through bulk power purchases that allow the city to maintain competitive electric rates while also maintaining local control and offering a superior level of customer service.

As a member of AMP, Lebanon participates in AMP programs that assist in providing reliable energy and other benefits to the community and its citizen-owners. These include:

  • AMP Fremont Energy Center (AFEC), a natural gas combined-cycle facility that provides energy and capacity
  • New York Power Authority (NYPA), which provides hydroelectricity generated by plants on the Niagara and St. Lawrence rivers
  • Southwest AMP Service Group (SWASG)

For more information, please visit www.lebanonohio.gov.