Newsletter: Medina County Economic Development Corporation

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BRE Results article Beacon Journal

Medina work force low
Business survey results released at new university center in Lafayette

By Paula Schleis
Beacon Journal business writer Published on Friday, Mar 07, 2008

It was symbolic that the Medina County Economic Development Corp. released results of a recent business survey at the new Medina County University Center. An extension of the University of Akron, the $9.5 million facility in Lafayette Township is the first college presence here, in one of the state's fastest-growing counties the past two decades. The center, which opened in January, could play a crucial role in solving the No. 1 problem revealed by the survey: work force development.

Last fall, 70 industrial sector companies were interviewed about a variety of issues in an effort the county group hopes to repeat every two to three years. On a scale of 1 to 7, respondents ranked the availability of workers 4.16, the quality of the work force 4.54 and the stability of the work force 4.94. Those figures are far too low, development director Jim Doutt told some 60 business representatives. The issue came up again in two other areas of the survey. For instance, 56 of the 70 companies reported having recruiting problems. And when companies were asked to identify the county's biggest overall weakness, the top two answers were 'access to skilled work force' and 'work force recruitment.'

'That's why we're here today, not just to talk about this survey, but to introduce you to this facility,' Doutt said. He invited his audience to stay after the meeting and tour the center, which is offering college credit courses, professional development classes and job training programs. 'Make no mistake,' Doutt said. 'Work force is and will remain our No. 1 issue' for the foreseeable future.

Another revelation in the report, Doutt said, is that 28 percent of the companies said they don't export. Doutt said that surprised him, but added, 'I'd rather see this as an opportunity than a problem.' In the coming weeks, his staff will revisit those companies to gauge their potential for moving into European, Asian or other North American markets, and then offer them resources.

Other survey results:
•Over the next three years, 29 of the companies said they expect to expand their facilities and/or work force. Combined, they estimate adding 637 new jobs by the start of 2011.

•About half of the companies said sales have been increasing. Only 6 percent reported a declining trend.

•The most negative legislative changes identified by companies are, in order: electric deregulation, Ohio Workers Compensation, Environmental Protection Agency regulations, and health care costs.

•The most positive legislative changes, in order: elimination of the personal property tax, the commercial activity tax (CAT), and renewable energy grants.

•Public services getting high marks: fire protection, paramedics and police. Lowest marks: public transportation, community planning, availability of child care.