Darke County Economic Development
August Newsletter
2011- Vol 2, Issue 5 |
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| P4P Investor Meetings |
If you are not yet a Partnering for Progress investor, but may be interested in participating in the P4P initiative, please feel free to attend one of our Investor Meetings to learn more about the program and how it promotes development in Darke County. Also, for more information you may contact Jim Poeppelman at 937-448-2191 or by email.
Meetings Scheduled for 2011:
Friday, January 28 Friday, April 29
Friday, July 29
Friday, October 28
Locations to be announced as meetings draw near! |
| Thank You! | |
Thank You to
Keith Troutwine Agency, Inc.,
Direct Wire Service, LLP,
Darke Co. Job & Fam. Services,
Buchy Food Service,
and
Richard Rehmert
(New Investor - Welcome!)
for contributing to
Partnering for Progress
in July 2011!
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| Greetings! |
July was a busy month for the Darke County Economic Development team. Business visits, retention and expansion projects, Integrity Ambulance ground breaking, and the quarterly investor meeting, among other things, have really kept us on our toes... But this is a good thing! It means that things are happening in Darke County! Thanks to the Partnering for Progress initiative, we are able to work toward the common goal of increased economic stability for our county. Thank you for all of your efforts and your continued support!
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Partnering for Progress- Highlights of Development Efforts from Across the County |
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| DCED Gets Facebook Page | |
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!!!!
Check out the new DCED Facebook page and keep up on Partnering for Progress activities 24/7!!!
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| Ramco Electric Motors to Expand Greenville Operations | |
Ramco Electric Motors will shortly be getting a new home in Greenville. The company has announced its purchase of the former Timmerman Truss facility in Greenville's industrial Park at 5763 Jaysville-St. Johns road and expects to shortly begin the relocation process. Currently, Ramco resides at 1355 Sater Street in Greenville.
Ramco officials say that the move is necessary to improve work flow in its facility and add space. The changes will eventually allow the 24-yr-old Greenville mainstays to service new customers and new product lines. Company owner & President Dave Dunaway projects eventual creation of new jobs along with the company's growth. Ramco will also be maintaining its existing workforce of 45 employees after the move.
The Timmerman building purchase culminates a lengthy search process for a new facility. According to Dunaway, the strengths of the new site include better proximity to county highways, higher ceiling heights, and room to grow.
Keep your eyes on local media outlets for the full press release!
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| CONTINENTAL CARBONIC VIDEO FOR DCED WEBSITE! | |
DCED unveiled this video to office backers at the recent P4P Investor Meeting. Almost in its final format, the video will be 1 of 3 on the new website (launch in August) which feature local companies discussing their experience dealing with Darke County. Please check it out- feedback welcome! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJNpeRUPueg
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| Darke County CIC to Begin Business Loan Program | |
Courtesy of a USDA grant, the Darke County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) has announced the creation of a new low interest revolving loan program for local small business. The program is the first of its kind ever offered by the county CIC and will put about $120,000 of new money into play for local development efforts. According to CIC President Jim Poeppelman, the program is exactly what the county's Partnering for Progress campaign (P4P) is all about.
"One of the goals of P4P is to increase the tools available to the local business community, whether it is financial or other," stated Poeppelman. "This grant obviously fits the bill. Any chance that we get to leverage state or federal dollars for the good of the local community, we'll take advantage of"
The funds will be available for disbursement after Sept 1.
According to DCED, the program is far easier to implement than many other low-interest loan programs and enables more local control. Furthermore, the CIC can apply for additional funds from USDA to refresh the account in future years. Between that and interest payments, the hope is that the loan program will grow much bigger over time.
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| Third Quarter Investor Meeting | |
 
Investors in Darke County's Partnering for Progress (P4P) campaign filled The Andersons Marathon Ethanol plant conference room on July 29 to receive the economic development report for the third quarter of 2011. Aside from the usual report on recent development efforts, the crowd of approximately 60 heard some new wrinkles from Economic Development Director Marc Saluk, including the direction of P4P itself.
"In my mind, we have completed phase one of Partnering for Progress," stated Saluk. "Over the last 21 months, a lot has been done to improve future development efforts through a lot of reorganization and restructuring. We've focused internally, and for good reason. But now, I believe we are ready to look outward."
Saluk stated that the creation of the first stand-alone Darke County Economic Development website (slated to be launched later in August), establishment of strong regional partnerships in West Central Ohio, and other recent developments all now make business attraction a more viable pursuit. Randy Gump, VP of the Darke County CIC, explained another key factor.
"The new administration in Columbus has been very clear that they are focused on the attraction of businesses to the state," explained Randy Gump. "The likely new JobsOhio structure looks like it will also have elements that will favor this as well. As our county-wide development campaign matures, we've become better positioned to capitalize on this."
Also at the investor meeting, attendees received an update from Continental Carbonic Plant Manager Scott Reece.
More mtg coverage:
http://www.countynewsonline.org/news/2011/aug/dced-new-direction.html
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| Integrity Ambulance Ground Breaking | |
On Tuesday, July 19th approximately 40 people came out to support Integrity Ambulance Service as they broke ground on their new headquarters. The project retains a company, creates additional shovel-ready land, and helps improve a gateway into the Greenville community. For coverage, check out the following links:
http://www.countynewsonline.org/news/2011/jul/integrity-ambulance.html
tp://www.whiotv.com/video/28640817/index.html
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| 2011 Business of the Quarter | |
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Leis - Daily Advocate www.dailyadvocate.com
Brilliant Beginnings Learning Center in Versailles has been recognized by the Darke County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) as its Business-of-the-Quarter award winner. The recognition came at the July 29 Partnering for Progress (P4P) meeting at The Andersons Marathon Ethanol facility in Greenville. Brilliant Beginnings, which offers learning and development services for children in addition to child care, opened its doors in October 2010 and is located by the Versailles School at 380 Marker Road.
Conveniently located adjacent to Versailles Schools, Brilliant Beginnings' building is equipped with nine classrooms containing age-appropriate sized equipment, a full service kitchen, and a computer lab. The facility also features a therapy area where children can receive speech, physical, or occupational therapies to help each child reach their potential
Brilliant Beginnings is the second company to review the Business-of-the-Quarter award from the Darke County CIC. Specialized Castings in Greenville received the initial award earlier this year in May.
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Darke County Economic Development Recommends You Read the Following: |
The following article was taken from a County Corp newsletter: Prevailing Wage Eliminated from Ohio Regional 166 Loans With the recent passage of the Ohio Biennial, loans from the Ohio Regional 166 Loan Program available from County Corp Development will NO LONGER REQUIRE PREVAILING WAGE!!! Take it from us, this is HUGE! This change becomes effective after the required 90 day waiting period necessary with the budget's passing. Meaning that ED grants, Rapid Outreach Grants, Ohio Enterprise Bond funds, and all loans under Chapter 166 that are approved by Controlling Board AFTER October 1st, 2011 will not be subject to prevailing wage. The elimination of prevailing wage requirements from a project funded with Ohio Regional 166 loan funds could save owners thousands of dollars in project costs and as importantly, it eliminates additional red-tape from the process. We know this will be well received in the business community. For information regarding the Ohio Regional 166 loan program, please contact Gary Fischer at 937-531-7038 or gfischer@countycorp.com OR Scott Woods at 937-531-7034 or woods@countycorp.com.
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| Greenville Mayor and County ED Director Visit Newcan | |
Greenville Mayor Mike Bowers (above right) continued business visits recently along with DCED with a visit to Newcan. Newcan supplies metal tubing for Fram and other customers and is located at 1367 Sater Street in Grenville. Plant Manager Jamie Jamieson (above left) played the perfect host and provided an update on the company's activities to local officials.
The visit was the 25th of the year for P4P as the effort continues to try to be pro-active about addressing the needs of local companies.
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| Second National Contributes to P4P | |
Second National Bank has continued their strong support of Darke County's Partnering for Progress (P4P) campaign with a 2011 contribution of $10,000 to the county wide economic development effort. The bank's contribution raised the year three total of the campaign to over $350,000, with more money being committed monthly. It also raised the bank's commitment thus far to the effort to $30,000.
"We're proud to be a part of such a valuable campaign," stated John Swallow, President of Second National Bank. "The Partnering for Progress initiative seeks to encourage growth and revitalization. Obviously, that's something that we want to support in any way that we can."
Darke Journal: http://www.darkejournal.com/2011/07/second-national-bank-continues-support.html
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| Versailles Chamber Holds Business Forum |  
On August 5th, The Versailles Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Business Workshop at the Versailles Performing Arts Center. This year's event featured the new President & CEO of the Dayton Development (DDC) Coalition, Jeff Hoagland. Following an update from DCED Director Marc Saluk on the state of county development, Hoagland discussed the outlook for the entire Dayton region and the DDC's plans for the coming years. Mr. Hoagland will return to Darke County for the October 28th P4P Investor meeting to discuss the JobsOhio initiative and to take questions.
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Don't Forget DCED Address Change! | |
The Darke County Economic Development Office has a new location!
We are now moved into our new office in The Palace.
Our new address is:
537 South Broadway Suite 201
Greenville, OH 45331
**Please remember to update our address in your records!**
Thank you!
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| Call if You Want Publicity! | |
Just a reminder...any Partnering for Progress contributors that would like coverage of their participation with the countywide collaborative development effort, need only contact the ED Office. We will arrange a photo op, write a press release, and handle placement in local publications, broadcast media, and on-line media outlets. Your participation makes our community stronger and fosters job creation and future growth. Why not get recognized for your contribution? Those interested can call Marc or Melanie at the ED Office at 548-3250 to make arrangements. |
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INFORMATION AND UPCOMING EVENTS |
| Center for Competitive Change Workshop | |
The Center for Competitive Change is proud to extend a personal invitation to
attend a first of its kind workshop with
MICHAEL HOSEUS
Co-Author of
"TOYOTA CULTURE: THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE TOYOTA WAY"
September 15th
Toyota Culture Series - Part V:
A-3 Problem Solving & the Toyota Recall Crisis
Mike Hoseus will review how a lean organization establishes their culture for problem solving at all levels. The workshop will also discuss in detail the Toyota Recall Crisis. The workshop will use the recall as a "case study" to apply the A-3 problem solving process. We will also reflect on the crisis to identify lessons learned, not only for Toyota, but also for your organization.
Click Here for More Information
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| Sinclair to Offer Courses | |
Sinclair Community College Offers Training Courses
We are dedicated to providing continuing education, training & development to enhance your career and organizational success. This includes upcoming options & a discount coupon
Please let us know if you have any additional topics of interest. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you.
Sincerely,
Workforce Development @ Sinclair Community College
937-252-9787
workforcedevelopment@sinclair.edu
www.sinclair.edu/workforce
Click Here For More Information
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| SBDC at Wright State University | |
Ohio Small Business Development Center
at Wright State University
The new schedule is out and online registration is open for classes.
Any questions or comments on our past or present classes should be directed to
Kim Woodbury at 937-775-3503 or Earl Gregorich at 937-775-4761 or earl.gregorich@wright.edu
Click Here to See the New Class Schedule and List of Upcoming Events
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| Ohio Means Jobs Webinars |
NFIB Partners with State to Host OhioMeansJobs.com Webinars
National Federation of Independent Business recently partnered with the state of Ohio and Monster.com to help expand, improve and promote the online job site www.OhioMeansJobs.com. OhioMeansJobs.com offers small- and medium-sized businesses free job posting, free access to millions of Ohio-based resumes from Monster.com, and free access to the same case management tools that Monster.com provides to paying customers. Each month, job seekers conduct 3 million job searches at OhioMeansJobs.com. Using this website is a great way to publicize your job openings and attract high-quality candidates. OhioMeansJobs.com also has up-to-date information on state and federal grants and other programs to help NFIB members with training, retaining employees and expanding their operations. NFIB is co-chairing a task force charged with enhancing the site and promoting it across the state, and already has planned some informational webinars that will take place over the coming weeks. Each webinar is organized for members in one of 11 separate areas of Ohio, allowing local business owners to ask questions specific to their region.
To participate in a webinar in your area, or one that fits best with your schedule, simply click on the corresponding link a couple minutes before the listed start time:
Click Here for a List of Webinar Dates
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| Ongoing Reminder... Doing Business with the Government |
Doing Business with the Government
A list of sites and contacts to create opportunity with the largest customer in the world
Between the federal, state, and local levels, the U.S. Government is, by far, the largest procurer of products on Earth. For those that are looking to gain opportunity from its diversity of purchasing power, the South West Central Ohio Procurement Technical Assistance Centers are available to help navigate the terrain. It's a long name, so call them PTAC. PTAC is a FREE service with counselors that will guide your business through the application process and help you understand the various sites and programs that could open up new revenue opportunities for your company. Call the Dayton-area Counselor, Kent Anderson, at 937-258-5407 or email him at kanderson@emtec.org, or call the programs' Director, Meredith Threatt at 937-259-1368. Meredith's email is mthreatt@emtec.org. You may also check out PTAC's website at: http://www.swcoptac.org/
· PTAC Daily Bid Match (Search for 'Daily Bid Match' on the PTAC site) · http://www.fbo.gov/(Forecasts from federal agencies on what buying patterns will be in 2-5 years) · http://www.fpds.gov/ (Show a history of buying patterns of various federal agencies) · www.dscc.dla.mil/News/events/tko/register.asp (Register for a FREE 2-day seminar on doing business with the Department of Defense!) Please call the Economic Development Office if you have any trouble getting connected with PTAC. |
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We welcome your feedback on the events listed above, so that we may be able to share more releveant information in future issues. | |
Darke County Economic Development
Community Improvement Corporation of Darke County, OH
537 South Broadway Suite 201, Greenville, OH 45331
Phone: 937-548-3250 Fax: 937-547-8446
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