Notes from Jim Doutt, Executive Director
Congratulations to Sharon Ray on her re-election to the Medina County Board of Commissioners!  And thank you to the Medina County Board of Commissioners for sharing the vision and supporting the MCEDC core initiatives.  It is this vision that is intended to set Medina County apart from the competition and to enhance the quality of life in all of our communities. 

Congressman Ralph Regula will be the guest speaker at the MCEDC Board of Trustees Meeting, on Thursday, December 21, 2006.  This is the third consecutive year that Congressman Regula has given Medina County a year-end update and a look forward regarding legislation in Washington, DC. in the new year    All are welcome to attend the 8:00 a.m. meeting in the County Administration Building, Room 310.

As President-elect of the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA), I had the opportuntiy to share my goals for Ohio's economic future at the October 2006 OEDA Annual Summit.  Primary among these goals are to establish dialogue with the Strickland/Fisher Administration and to create consistent channels of communication with the Governor that keeps OEDA's agenda on the front burner.  To ensure that agenda is consistent with the local needs, I encourage involvement and communication of your needs to MCEDC.

MCEDC has made a memorial contribution to the Hospice and Palliative Care of Greater Wayne County in memory of Fred Huff.  Mr. Huff  had served as Executive Director of Medina County Economic Development Corporation and his contributions to Medina County will be long remembered.


Save the Dates: 
January 23, 2007
The MCEDC Annual Meeting will be held Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 6:00 P.M. at the Blair Center in Westfield Center. Invitations are forthcoming, please join us for the 2006 MCEDC review and share the goals for 2007. 

January 20, 2007
The Eighth Annual Medina County Commissioners' Charity Ball is scheduled for Saturday, January 20, 2007 at the Weymouth Country Club.  This is a great event and MCEDC encourages your support. This year's Ball proceeds will benefit local charities...More>> 

MCEDC News:

Excellence in Public Service Leadership Award
Jim Doutt, Executive Director, is the recipent of the Excellence in Public Service Leadership Award that was presented on December 6, 2006 by Leadership Medina County. With a vision for Medina County that centers around his core initiatives, Jim is a longtime proponent of and the catalyst for the Medina County University Center; the Business Technology Park; the fiber optic ring project; foreign trade zones; and the Medina County Port Authority. Jim understands the need to provide economic stability for families in Medina County by developing new businesses, retaining existing businesses, and providing workforce development. 
Congratulations Mr. Doutt as you continue your quest to enhance the quality of life for every family in Medina County. 


2006 Medina County Leadership Award Recipents
MCEDC would like to congratulate and recogonize the 2006 Medina County Leadership Award recipents and thank them for their significant and lasting impact on their individual field and Medina County at large:
Front row: 
Joyce Giles, Medina General Hospital - Excellence in Healthcare Leadership 
Linda Bowers, Medina County Career Center - Excellence in Education Leadership 
Back row:
John Root, A.I. Root Company - Excellence in Business Leadership
Jim Doutt, MCEDC - Excellence in Pubic Service
Don Simmons, Simmons Brothers Construction - Excellence in Medina County Leadership

The Fiber Optic Project
The Medina County Port Authority (MCPA) released a Request For Proposal (RFP) for a design/build of the Medina County Fiber Network on November 17, 2006. The RFP to design and build the fiber ring was drafted by Mark Ansboury, NGT Partners, LLC who was hired to guide the MCPA through the RFP process. A Respondents' Conference was held November 28th for potential bidders and the deadline for submission of proposals is January 12, 2007.   It is anticipated that a vendor will be selected and a contract awarded in March 2007...More on the RFP >>>

MCEDC Autumn Speaker Series & 2006 Business Awards
The eighth annual MCEDC Autumn Speaker Series was held in conjuction with the third annual (2006) Medina County Business Awards, sponsored by Westfield Bank, on Thursday, November 2, 2006 at the Blair Center in Westfield Center.  Tom Waltermire, CEO of Team NEO, was the keynote speaker and provided an update on "regionalism".

The finalists and winners for the 2006 Medina County Business Awards are...Photos and more>>

New Members:
Rico Equipment, Inc. located at 691 W. Liberty Street, Medina and Beacon Marshall Companies located at 4646 West Streetsboro, Richfield have submitted applications for membership that will be presented to the MCEDC Board of Trustees for action at its next meeting on December 21, 2006. 

JumpStart Networking Reception
MCEDC and JumpStart, Inc. agree that a key essential for any entrepreneur or growing company is a strong network and together they provided an opportunity for local businesses to build their network and share ideas in a fun and dynamic atmosphere at SantoSuossos Restaurant on Thursday, November 16. Thom Rhue, Chief Marketing Officer of JumpStart, kicked off the evening with an introduction to JumpStart and then turned the focus over to local entrepreneur, Frank Griffith of Griffith Holdings .  Frank spoke on "Building Businesses from Scratch".  Frank is a serial entrepreneur who has built six multi-million dollar high-technology start up companies in 25 years, taking one public on NASDAQ with a $1.8 billion dollar market cap. 

Medina County now has Foreign Trade Zones
Four industrial parks in Medina County have been designated as Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) and could attract new businesses.  These sites include Beacon Transportation Park in Seville at I-76 and I-71; Brunswick Commerce Center along I-71; Portside Corporate Park on State Route 18 in Sharon Township; and Wadsworth Corporate Park in Wadsworth Township... More >>

Medina County Port Authority financed its second project in Medina County
MCEDC is pleased that Superior Roll Forming, a manufacturing company located in Liverpool Township, has taken advantage of the financing benefits offered through the cooperatve agreement between Medina County Port Authority and Summit County Port Authority.  Visit MedinaCountyPortAuthority.com to learn how the $3 million project, a 81,000 square foot expansion, is being financed!  The Medina County Port Authority (MCPA), created in October 2003, is gaining recognition throughout Northeast Ohio and is beginning to utilize its creative financing options. More >>

Medina County University Center
The Medina County University Center (MCUC) launched its website mcuc.uakron.edu.  A comprehensive and interactive website is critical for reaching people who are interested in learning more about the MCUC.  The University of Akron engaged Chad Allan Consulting, LLC to design and launch the MCUC website.    It is anticipated that visitors will not only be able to learn more about what is being planned for this project, but also provide input to the development process through a variety of built in survey tools.

Regional News:
Group asks the state to help propel wind energy
November 14, 2006  The Plain Dealer - Turbines harnessing winds blowing across Lake Erie and Ohio's high grouond could also power the way for thousands of jobs in the state.  An investment in wind energy could create...More>>

Ohio's now a leader in fuel cells
November 14, 2006 The Plain Dealer - As its old-line industries have failed, Ohio has tried to create a climate for high-tech manufacturing.  Now, after plowing about $52 million int research and othe subsidies, the ... More>>

Pandemic Flu
Experts believe a worldwide outbreak, or pandemic, of influenza will happen someday which will drastically change our everyday lives.  To see what the State of Ohio is doing to prepare for a pandemic visit www.ohiopandemicflu.gov. or  how to prepare for your family visit www.pandemicflu.gov.

Happy Holidays,