John A. Stricker, Jr. 1948-2006

John Stricker, Medina County Administrator passed away on March 10, 2006.  No simple words can capture the many contributions that John made to life in Medina County.  John, who was a public servant in the truest sense of the term, will truly be missed.

  

NOTES FROM JIM DOUTT:
Medina County Economic Development Corporation once again enjoyed a well-attended 2006 Annual Meeting on January 24, 2006 at the Blair Center, Westfield Center featuring Richard Grigg, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of FirstEnergy Corp. as the keynote speaker.  Infrastructure for the future was the focus for the evening, uniting Mr. Grigg's presentation to that of the need for the fiber optic ring for Medina County.

Included in the presentations for the evening was a PowerPoint presentation recapping MCEDC's 2005 activities which was labeled "Setting the Table" for economic growth.   The point of future empahasis was that Medina County is now "Prepared to Take the Next Step".  The proposed Medina County Fiber Ring will bring access to significant broadband connectivity and will enable Medina County to compete on a global basis.  Quotes from Thomas Freidman's book The World is Flat were used to emphasis the necessity of knowing the current state of the global market and how to compete in it.

MCEDC acknowledged and thanked Mr. Dan Sondles and Mr. Jim Gerspacher for their years of service on the Medina County Economic Development Corporation Executive Committee.

The 2006 Executive Committee was presented:
President - Ron Paydo, First Merit Bank, N.A.
Vice President - Will Koran, Medina County Schools' ESC
Treasurer - Ray Klein, National City Bank
Secretary - Barbara Mack, Mack Industries Inc.

Jim Doutt, serving as Vice President of the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) is pleased to announce that on March 1, 2006, State Senator Ron Amstutz (R-22nd) was recognized as the recipient of the annual OEDA Key Legislator Award for his exemplary leadership in support of economic development initiatives during his many years of public service in the Ohio State Senate and in the Ohio House of Representatives.  Most recently, Senator Amstutz was a pivotal leader in the Ohio Senate in 2005 as the State enacted major business tax reform.  He was the primary sponsor of Senate Bill 1, the Senate's tax reform package.  His role as Chairman of the Senate Ways and Means and Economic Development committee was crucial to the passage of the reform package.  Read the entire article here.

Ohio Department of Development has released the 2005 Private Investment Report.  The Report shows that Ohio companies invested over$3.8 billion in new facilities, facility expansions and new equipment in 2005.  According to Site Selection Magazine, this ranked Ohio ahead of all other states, except Texas.  Click here to read the OEDA Press Release.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS:
Wallover Oil Company Incorporated, George "Hub" Marquis, President is located at 21845 Drake Road, Strongsville.  Wallover Oil was chartered in 1863 and is one of the oldest independent manufacturers of lubricants in the United States today.   Wallover's products and technology that will lead their industry well into the 21st century.  Motto: "Oil is our product but service is our business."

Stop'nGo of Medina, Becky Shotwell, President is located at 828 West Liberty Street, Medina, Ohio.  A family owned convenience store that started in 1963 with over 100 employees at 10 locations in Medina, Wayne and Lorain Counties.  The main goal of Stop'nGo is provide fast, friendly and courteous service to each customer, and to offer quality products at competitive prices.

WHAT'S NEWS:

PRESENTATION REQUESTING FIBER RING FUNDING
There were over 30 supporters present at the Medina County Board of Commissioners discussion session on Monday, January 30, 2006 when the Medina County Economic Development Corporation presented request for funding for the fiber optic project. This proposed $8M project is a necessary investment to encourage positive interest and to set Medina County apart from the competition to attract new businesses. Click here to view PowerPoint Presentation.

MEDINA COUNTY UNIVERSITY CENTER 
The initial meeting of the Medina County University Center Steering Committee was held on January 19, 2006. Jim Doutt serves as Co Chair of the Advocacy Subcommittee.  A major function of the steering committee will be curriculum development.  Crain's Cleveland Business February 20-26, 2006 edition reported that the University of Akron is ready to move forward on its proposed Medina County University Center, which will focus on workforce development for local businesses.  Click here to read the article.

CRM DONATES FUNDS TO EXPAND SCIENCE PROGRAMS
Clinical Research Management, an MCEDC member that is located in Hinckley, Ohio announced on on February 15, 2006 that it will donate funds to expand science programs in Medina County Schools.  "Recently, during his State of the Union Address, President Bush discussed the importance of accelerated education in science and mathematics in keeping America's competitive edge in a global economy.  As a company involved in the biotechnology industry, we feel it is critical for companies in our industry to do their part and take ownership of this process as well." stated Victoria Tifft, President of CRM.  Click here to read the entire press release.

MEDINA COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY HOSTS INFORMATIONAL SEMINAR
The Medina County Port Authority (MCPA), in collaboration with Summit County Port Authority (SCPA), hosted an informational meeting on February 21, 2006 at Weymouth County Club in Medina. Approximately 60 people attended the evening event featuring a panel discussion with the Chris Burnham, SPCA Executive Director, George Sarkis, of Roetzel and Andress and SCPA Bond Counsel, Tim Long,  of the R.W. Baird & Co. and Jeff Bomberger, of Squires, Sanders and Dempsey and MCPA Bond Counsel.  Mayor of Seville, Conrad Sarnowski, presented a testimonial of the benefits of bond financing of their recent project to upgrade the water treatment plant and to purchase a new Village Hall. The meeting provided background information about the financing tools available through the Medina County Port Authority.  Click here to read an article in NEO Municipal Leader Winter 2006.

TRI-COUNTY WAGE AND BENEFIT SURVEY
MCEDC is happy to announce that the Tri-County (Medina, Wayne & Ashland) Wage and Benefit Survey closed on January 31 with 153 responses, 100 of which were from Medina County businesses.  Thank you to all that participated, the results are being compiled and will be available in April 2006.  Click here to view the preliminary Executive Summary.

"OHIO MEANS BUSINESS" - More than a catch phrase
2005 Proves Busy for Ohio Department of Development
Tax Reform, Issue 1, Business Climate Rankings Prove "Ohio Means Business"
The climb from 8th to 4th in Site Selection magazine's 2005 Top State Business Climate Rankings was the icing on the cake following a productive year for the Ohio Department of Development.  It was the perfect end to a year that included historic business-friendly tax reform, and the kickoff of a marketing campaign to show the world that "Ohio Means Business".  Click here to read the entire article.

VOICES & CHOICES - Community Conversations
Thousands take on issues challenging Northeast Ohio
Northeast Ohio's communities can compete only if we work together.  In today's global economy, we are all on the same team - when one community loses, we all lose.  If we are going to win, we need a new game plan.  Click here to learn more.