Before becoming mayor, Matt Miller had a very flourishing career in local government. He was Ashland County’s Commissioner for eight years. After that, he campaigned for a position in the U.S. Congress and was unsuccessful. However, that is when he was asked to be the Business and Development Administrator of the Salvation Army’s Kroc Center in Ashland, Ohio.
He held this position for three years before being appointed by Gov. John Kasich as the Deputy Director of Business and Human Resources for O. District Three.
After his seventh year in office as the Deputy Director of Business and Human Resources, he felt led by the Holy Spirit to run for Mayor of the City of Ashland, Ohio.
He said, “At that time when I kicked off my campaign, I never intended to say it, but at the end of my speech I said, ‘We wanted to make the city of Ashland Sparkle.’ By that, I meant not only cleaning it up but also make it stand out on the map – a place where people would look to as that’s a great place to live, ‘That’s a great place to visit! We want to go to Ashland!”
As soon as he got into office, Miller started working for the City of Ashland with the goal of “breath[ing] new life in the city”. Not only for those who live in Ashland but for the visitors and college students, Miller has done multitudes to follow through with his declarations to the people.
“I’ve told people repeatedly, our mission is to be safe, affordable and fun,” Miller said. “We want to be the perfect place to live and raise your family. We want it to be a community where there’s always something to look forward to on the horizon.”
Some memorable annual events put on by the hard-working citizens of Ashland are the lighting of the Christmas tree with downtown fireworks, the dying of the city’s creek green for St. Patrick’s Day followed by the walking parade in downtown, as well as the Big Splash Pool Party for families with all ages to attend.
Miller explained the change in attendance of the Big Splash Pool Party as, “the first year we did that, I think we had about 400 [people]. This year we had over 1400.”
Since being elected as mayor, Miller has also followed through with many of his city beautification plans. He has been working with the people of Ashland to make the roads going into and out of the city attractive to the eye. He has helped clean up 35 run-down buildings in Ashland. This includes the Pumphouse District that will be getting a new Hilton Hotel with 90 rooms inviting visitors to come get a true taste of Ashland.
“All these improvements were possible because we had the support of people in the private sector to help us, whether that be a business that’s sponsored one of our improvements or whether that be a generous family or individual who contributed to making these things possible,” Miller said. “So I want to make very clear, I know that I am not doing this on my own right, but I have been so blessed to have the support of so many people that will help if I come up with a good idea or someone here in the City Hall comes up with a good idea, they’re willing to help fund it.”
In this moment, Miller wishes to stay and enjoy the rest of his life in Ashland. As for reelection, he stated he would run to watch the projects that are still in construction from his current term if the people of Ashland, Ohio want him. To Matt Miller, “local government is where rubber meets the road.”
