AUTMOW BRINGING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY Lawn Mowing to Your Backyard One Westerville startup is providing a sustainable alternative to lawn mowing as you know it. Headquartered in Westerville since 2016, Autmow specializes in outdoor robotics and has expanded to 30 locations throughout the U.S. Named one of the best startups in Columbus CEO’s 2020 “Best of Business,” Autmow got its start providing robotic lawn-mowing options for homeowners before moving into the commercial side of lawn care with larger units and line painters for sports fields. “Robotic mowers work with buried wire and will learn within that space using GPS,” said founder, CEO and Westerville resident Jeff Lattimer. “It functions much like an indoor vacuum. It allows owners to get some time back but it’s also environmentally friendly. Robotic lawnmowers are batterypowered, so they cut down on the environmental impact of traditional lawnmowers, which the EPA estimates cause roughly 5% of air pollution in the U.S.”
Westerville Economic Development Director Rachel Ray sees Autmow as an example of how a small startup can benefit from all the City has to offer. “It’s exciting to see how an innovative small business like Autmow has been able to tap into Westerville’s considerable assets and amenities,” Ray said. “We understand how important it is for startups to be able to connect into a thriving business community, and we’re proud that Autmow has been able to find that community in Westerville.” The family-run company is happy to have made Westerville its home. “Westerville has so much to offer, not only to our business but our family too,” Lattimer said. “Not only is there a significant amount of industry in central Ohio but Westerville is a great community with an aggressively forward-thinking mindset and great young talent. The high-speed Internet and best-inclass data services provided by WeConnect are tremendous for businesses, and the City’s parks and amenities provide a large amount of options for both residents and employees.” For more on economic development in Westerville, visit www.westerville.org/business.
Street Updates Continue this Summer Westerville continues to make street maintenance activities a priority. Work began late spring on a handful of streets in the Uptown Westerville area in conjunction with the Street Rehabilitation program, continuing the commitment made to the community as a part of the 2008 passage of Issue 54. The project, partially funded through an Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) grant, will replace or repair aging utilities that include water and sanitary lines and the installation of new storm sewer infrastructure. Once the utility work is completed, pavement reconstruction will begin. Streets in this portion of the program include: Stoner Alley
East Home Street (from Stoner Alley to McCutcheon Alley)
McCutcheon Alley
College Avenue (from Whitehead Street to Otterbein Avenue) (Paving and sidewalk to be completed with a future project)
Whitehead Street
As a part of the work, sidewalks/walkways will be installed on Whitehead Street and East Home Street to help improve walkability for residents in the area. The project follows the City’s “Complete Streets” Policy, which helps direct the inclusion of bike and pedestrian facilities within infrastructure improvements whenever feasible. The policy continues work toward realizing the community’s vision of building a network of connectivity around Uptown, Otterbein University, commercial centers, neighborhoods, parks, playgrounds and schools. “It’s exciting to be able to make significant infrastructure improvements to this area,” said Westerville City Engineer Scott Tourville. “Adding sidewalk maintenance to the utility and roadway work is a huge win for the community.” Work is expected to be completed in the fall of 2022. Visit www.westerville.org/construction for a full list
4 of upcoming projects.
“Complete Streets” considers and encourages alternative modes of transportation that go beyond vehicular travel such as cycling, walking, public transportation, school busing, delivery services, freight hauling and emergency responses resulting in a more complete and safe transportation network.
