Newsletter: Medina County Economic Development Corporation

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MCEDC E-Newsletter Vol. 4 Issue 1

Notes from Jim Doutt, Executive Director

One of the most important elements of economic development is the retention and expansion of the existing buisness base. With that specific factor in mind, MCEDC is partnering with the economic development directors from the cities of Brunswick, Medina, and Wadsworth to conduct a business retention and expansion (BRE) Survey of Medina County's industrial sector.  Companies throughout Medina County will be surveyed utilizing Synchronist, a survey tool developed by Blane Canada LTD., located in Chicago, IL. This survey tool uses software to assemble, organize and analyze information. Once obtained, this collated information will be provided to community decision-makers giving them important insight into business activity and the current dynamics of the local industrial business sector. No information on individual companies will be released. Over 40 volunteers from throughout the county have been trained on the survey tool and the proper methodology to use during the interviews. The surveys will be conducted from September 17th through October 19th. The goal is to survey more than 100 local businesses.

This effort is supported by the Medina County Commissioners and the elected leaders of our cities and villages. Mr. Don Simmons, CEO of Simmons Brothers Construction, is serving as the Chairman of the BRE.

Ohio Economic Development Association
It has been a very busy year at the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA). I have the privilege of serving as the 2007 President of OEDA. With the final quarter of the year drawing near, I am happy to report that OEDA has been very proactive engaging the Strickland-Fisher Administration and working with the Ohio Legislature on the new biennial budget.

This past May, OEDA delivered the results of a state-wide survey on Regional Economic Development Priorities to Lt. Governor Lee Fisher. This survey was done at the request of the Lt. Governor and provided important feedback from the local level on the economic development needs of communities and regions as the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) worked on its budget requests.

The membership of OEDA also stepped up and conducted a letter writing campaign that emphasized these priorities as the Ohio Legislature worked through the budget process. With over 400 members spread throughout the state, OEDA's voice was heard loud and clear. The end result was a budget that is aimed at more aggressive approaches to economc devlopement in Ohio.

Just this past week, OEDA was asked by Mark Barbash, Chief Economic Development Officer at ODOD, to particpate in the formulation of a strategic plan for the Department of Development. This process, which will take place over hte next four months, is a great opportunity to assist in the planning process that will direct ODOD over the next four years.

Medina County Port Authority
Ms. Laurie Price, CPA with HHL Group, LLC was appointed by the Board of Medina County Commissioners on Thursday, July, 12, 2007 to serve on the Medina County Port Authority Board of Directors.

MCEDC News:

Employee of Distinction
Ms. Sandy Neuman, MCEDC Executive Assistant, was one of seven Employees of Distiction honored by Goodwill Industries at a luncheon held at Blue Heron on September 6. Ms. Jennifer Rigo, Cirino Eye Center; Mr. Pete Kever, Griffith Holdings; Jerry Lichty, Retirement First; Ms. Vicki Sussman, Wadsworth Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Kevin Preda, Healthcare Innovative Solutions; and Marcia Ramey, National City Bank were also honored. Congratulations, Sandy!

Administrative Assistant
Ms. Jodi Robbins has returned to the MCEDC team as the Administrative Assistant. Ms. Robbins was previously employed by MCEDC on an iterim basis in 2001.

Welcome New Member:
Huntington Bank located at 1065 North Court Street, Medina a multi-bank holding company which performs commercial operations, mortgage banking, investment banking and more. (Application to be presented at the September 20 MCEDC Board Meeting)

Save the Date - November 15, 2007
The 2007 Medina County Business Awards (MCBA), sponsored by the Westfield Bank and presented in conjuctnion with the Ninth Annual MCEDC Speaker's Series will be held at the Blair Center, Westfield Center on Thursday, November 15 from 4-7p.m.  This year's Autumn Speaker Series guest speaker will be Mr. Brad Whitehead, President of The Fund for Our Economic Future.  The Fund (futurefundneo.com) is a very unique and important collaboration of more than 100 foundations, organizations and philanthropists from across Northeast Ohio committed to transforming the region's economy through grantmaking, public engagement and research. Mr. Whitehead has been serving as president of the Fund since last fall, while also continuing to work as a program director responsible for economic development at The Cleveland Foundation, the largest financial supporter of the Fund.

The 2007 MCBA categories are:
Entrepreneur of the Year
Capital Investment
Small Business Enterprise
Corporate Citizen of the Year honoring the Companay
Corporate Citizen of the Year honoring an Individual

All applications must be submitted by Friday, September 21, 2007. Preliminary judging will determine the three finalists in each category. The finalists will be presented to the three judge panel ( Brian Tucker of Crain's Cleveland, Ralph Berry and Chuck Hawley  former Medina County Commissioners) to determine the winner. Winners will be annoucned at the event.

Mack Industries Celebrates 75th Anniversary
Mack Industries originated in Valley City, Ohio. Under the direction of Dick Mack, President and Owner since 1958, the company continues to grow in size and scope. Mack Industries has been making quality precast concrete since 1932 and provides a broad range of concrete products and services.

Mack Industries is committed to being a responsible and caring member of the community. Ms. Barbara Mack, Secretary & Treasurer of Mack Industries is currently serving as a Liverpool Township Trustee as well as Secretary on the MCEDC Executive Committee.

GHI Receives 2007 Business Growth Award from the Cascade Capital Corporation
In August 2007, MCEDC Trustee Griffith Holdings, Inc., a holding company comprised of six diverse, privately-held high technology firms serving more than 5,200 clients worldwide, proudly announced that they have been recognized as a 2007 Cascade Capital Business Growth Award for the second consecutive year. Sponsored by Smart Business Magazine and Cascade Capital, the Business Growth Award recognizes local companies who have increased sales by more than 100% for five consecutive years.

"This award was created to recognize the existing and increasingly significant role small companies play towards the continuing economic growth and vitality of a local community", says Frank Griffith, Chairman and Founder of Griffith Holdings, Inc. "As a small business whose mission is committed to helping other small businesses grow, we appreciate this special peer recognition." ...More>>>

Innovative Sales Tax for Schools Starts October 1, 2007
By Steve Hambley, Medina County Commissioner
At the May 7, 2007 election, 56.5% of Medina County voters approved an increased sales and use tax of 0.5 percent (1/2%) for schools and only schools. According to the Ohio Attorney General Opinion 2007-002, a board of county commissioners may propose to the electors of the county a sales tax levy limited to permanent improvements for school districts only and distributed by a Community Improvements Board (CIB). These revenues will be used ONLY for the purpose of school district permanent improvements within Medina County...More>>>

Medina County University Center (MCUC)
On August 1, 2007 The University of Akron Board of Trustees approved a tuition discount to Medina County residents who enroll in undergraduate courses at MCUC. The $245 credit hour tuition will be offered to Medina County residents for $215.50 (this applies only to classes taken at MCUC and not other UA campuses). Visit uakron.edu.com for more information.

The Medina County Unversity Center is surrounded by Innovation Park in Lafayette Township, bordering the industrial sector of southwest Medina City.

MCUC is nearing completion and classes are scheduled to begin in January 2008.

Visit mcuc.uakron.edu for more information.

Medina County Fiber Network (MCFN) Project
The Medina County Fiber Network Taskforce, co-chaired by Jim Gerspacher and Macy Hallock, is preparing to issue a modified RFP to build/operate the proposed fiber ring. The responses to the initial RFP were rejected. The modified RFP will have a specific placement requirement for the fiber to be in the telecommunication zone of the utility pole and will include an option to operate and maintain the network.

Expanded Homestead Exemption Act
Ohio's Homestead Exemption Act has been expanded and now grants a $25,000 roll back on appraised taxable value for home owners that are 65 years or older and for residents with a permanent disability. This tax reduction is funded by the Ohio State Tobacco Settlement and will be applicable to the January 2008 taxes.

Regional News:

Team NEO Ohio Economic Report
Northeast Ohio continues to experience moderate growth. 2007 is expected to be the sixth consecutive year of growth in regional output. Review the June installment of the Team NEO Quarterly Regional Economic Report. Key quarterly indicators - employment, wages and GRP - have been updated through the first quarter.

The Truth About the Cleveland Plus Economy - State of the Region Invitation
Team NEO will present a State of the Region report on Tuesday, October 9. Two of the regions foremost economic experts, Cleveland State Provessor Ned Hill and Federal Reserve CEO, Sandy Pianalto, will look at the region's true economy - our region's growth, economic drivers, key industry impact and other facts that you may find suprising...More>>>

Cleveland Plus Business Development Activity – On August 3-5, 2007, the Cleveland + partners, including SDB, hosted seven site selection consultants to the “Jock” Familiarity Tour. Site selection consultants help companies decide where to expand or relocate. The Tour was built around the Pro Football HOF Enshrinee Dinner on Friday and the Bridgestone Invitational Golf Tournament on Saturday. The consultants were welcomed to the area by Tim Timken at a reception held at Brookside Country Club. They also had the opportunity to meet the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and a few NFL owners. Several other SDB Trustees were in attendance and sought out our guests to welcome them to Stark County. The Timken Company and Diebold hosted the consultants at the Enshrinee Dinner. One of the consultants wrote a thank you note to the partners and described the Enshrinee Dinner as a “magical” event. The next morning the group was given a presentation on the Cleveland + Region by Jay Foran of Team NEO. It was then on to Firestone where First Energy hosted the group at a villa off the 16th green. They had the opportunity to follow the golfers and to sample the food provided by First Energy. The Tour ended with a dinner at Lannings Restaurant west of Akron. Feedback from the consultants has been very positive and we believe will result in leads for our region. To read about the Cleveland Plus “Rock” Familiarity Tour held in July that included a tour of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame...More>>>

TeleTech Holdings, Inc. to open in Lorain County
Congratulations to Team Lorain County, its local partners and the Team NEO staff who proved that the synergy of regional and local partnership can attract and accelerate the regions economic growth. 460 new jobs will be added to Lorain County when TeleTech Holdings, Inc., one of the largest and most geographically diverse global providers of business process outsourcing solutions opens its new facility in Amherst. TeleTech chose this location for its newest facility after narrowing its search to three communities. To read more visit clevelandplusbusiness.com

Also:
Mr. Gary Searle, formerly of Medina County Workforce Development, has been named Director of Adult Education at the Medina County Career Center. Mr. Searle steps in to fill the shoes of the retiring Mr. Jack Higgins. Congratulations to both Mr. Searle and Mr. Higgins.

Medina County Economic Development Corporation - 330.722.9215 - info@medinacounty.org