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Dear
Nikki McConnell,
I
am happy to report that the new Ashland Area Council for Economic
Development (AACED) is off to a busy, successful start. As you may
have read in our last newsletter, on January 1, 2006 AACED was
formed when “Ashland Economic Development,” which was a Division of
the City of Ashland,
transitioned into this new non-profit structure with an independent
board and combination of public/private funding. I know I speak on
behalf of my staff and Board of Directors when I thank you for
supporting us in this great county-wide cooperative effort toward
economic prosperity.
AACED has been focusing much of its work these first four months on
development of the Ashland and Loudonville Business Parks. These
properties are wonderful assets, of which we should all be proud. The
Ashland Park has seen
the following activity since January:
1) Received approval for a State-funded rail spur extension to the
edge of the Park (Faultless
Drive), an investment of approximately
$500,000. This project will be completed in 2006.
2) City of Ashland has signed
a purchase agreement for the sale of 10 acres; construction will
commence this summer and the project is forecasted to create 50 jobs
over the next 3 years.
3) City has received a letter of intent from another firm hoping to
buy 9 acres.
The Loudonville Industrial
Park has a great track record of
accommodating great businesses, and it is poised for attraction of
new tenants. The former Merillat building was recently purchased by a
strong development firm out of Chicago—In-Site
Real Estate. In-Site is actively marketing the building, as it hopes
to attract a tenant into the available 200,000 square feet. In-Site
is pleased with the success and continued investment of their other
tenant—Mansfield Plumbing, whose sales and distribution center is in
the building. Other news in the Park includes an application I have
in to the State of Ohio for a
$500,000 grant to build a “spec building,” which we would market as a
community to small-medium size manufacturing prospects. I hope to
have more news on this project by July.
The projects I have noted above are very important, especially in
light of our county’s loss of industry that we hope to replace by
offering these great business sites. However, our most important work
is the services we can provide to the existing businesses that make
up our economic base. I have met with over 12 manufacturers since
January and am scheduled for several more meetings, where I typically
bring along key resource providers. I am encouraged by these
businesses that are constantly exploring new markets and/or
strategies to improve their productivity. There are many State and
Federal programs to help in this regard, so please contact us for
additional information.
Once again, thank you for all that you do to make this a great
county. We hope to hear from you, and I hope you can join us at the
Mohican Area Growth Foundation’s annual public meeting—May 12th, 7:30 am at Rader’s Restaurant in
Loudonville. I will be sharing an economic overview of the
Loudonville- Perrysville area at this meeting.
Sincerely,
AACED Director
Evan Scurti
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New
Hospice Facility to Open This Fall
 Hospice of
North Central Ohio, Inc. will be opening its new facility this
fall. Those involved in the project were able to raise 3.5 million
dollars and have the potential to raise 2 million dollars more
through fundraising campaigns for the project. Currently, Hospice
cares for over 100 patients a day either in a home, hospital,
nursing home or assisted living housing. The closest facilities for
terminally ill patients are in Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo. This
service is greatly needed in this area. Now Hospice will have their
own twelve-patient center, centrally located to care for those in
Richland, Ashland, Huron, and other neighboring counties, to better
serve north central Ohio.
The facility is 32,000 square feet, each ‘home-like patient rooms’
will include a view of the outdoor gardens, a great room, chapel,
family dining area, family sitting room, kitchen, library, and
screened in porches. The facility will also contain computer
alcoves with Internet access, expanded bereavement facility, in
addition to an indoor and outdoor children's play area. To prepare
for the opening of the inpatient center Hospice will be hiring
twenty to thirty individuals to better serve their clients.
For More Information...
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Ohio's Third
Frontier Internship Program Approved
 Once again
the citizens of Ohio have
approved the Third Frontier Internship Program. The 1.1 billion
dollar job creation program will bring together talented students
and educators with dynamic companies around Ohio. The
program is designed to keep high-skilled workers in Ohio after
graduation that can bring innovation to businesses.
Most manufacturing and service related businesses with some
information technology facets will qualify. These businesses will
have the opportunity to hire and develop students that will bring
innovation and opportunity to their company. Additional benefits
include a reimbursement for up to 50% of the intern’s wages or no
more than $3,000 dollars. Students, enrolled in approved math, science,
or engineering curriculum in a higher learning institution have the
chance of acquiring employment in dynamic firms. Students can also
earn up to $6,000 in a one-year period for their internship.
Educators will also be able to enhance their knowledge of Ohio
businesses and gain pioneering ideas for educating the next
generation of Ohio workers.
If you would like more information or to determine eligibility
please contact Ashland Area Council for Economic Development at
(419) 289-3200.
For More Information...
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Ashland's
Brownfield Redevelopment Initiative
 AACED is continuing to advance its redevelopment
agenda by researching best practices and educating the development
community in the benefits of brownfield redevelopment.
“Brownfields” are abandoned or under-utilized commercial or
industrial properties, whose redevelopment is hindered by the
private market’s perception of potential contamination and its
associated liabilities. There are some key sites and buildings in
the city of Ashland that fit this profile. As a
result, AACED anticipates the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency’s (USEPA) grant announcements in late May. On behalf of the
City of Ashland, AACED has applied for up to
$400,000 in brownfields planning money. Should the City receive
these funds, AACED looks forward to coordinating a community
planning effort that will guide redevelopment efforts and engage
developers.
Other AACED brownfield efforts include ongoing dialogue with the owners
of these sites and facilitating a 2005 Ohio EPA work session with
City Council. All of these activities recently led to Director Evan
Scurti’s enrollment in an invitation-only course developed by the
National Brownfield Association. This organization has received
USEPA grants to develop and implement seminars around the country.
The May 23rd event in Columbus will be attended by 10 Ohio municipalities, and Ashland’s attendance was recommended by
Ohio EPA staff. Following the seminar, the National Brownfield
Association has committed to follow-ups with the attendees to
monitor redevelopment progress. This is an excellent opportunity,
and AACED is excited to learn best practices and engage the
community in this initiative. Please contact us at anytime for more
details.
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Kitchen
& Bath Design Business Profile
 Kitchen
and Bath Design Center (KBDC): Innovation and Creativity
Driving Success for this Small Manufacturer in Rural Ashland County.
KBDC CEO Rodger Kaufman has implemented a business model of
diversification, progressive thinking, and a focus on quality to
achieve success over the past 20+ years. Starting in 1983, and with
construction on the Ashland County facility at Rt. 511/Rt. 302
beginning in 1986, KBDC has grown into the wonderful business
setting shown below. The facility and staff of 9 employee-craftsmen
reflect the company philosophy that custom-made products, backed by
unparalleled customer service is still a formula for success even
with many competitors worldwide.
Rodger strives for constant showroom renovation and improvement,
and he is currently completing a second floor renovation. He and
his staff also continuously work toward new product offerings to
retain their reputation as a cutting-edge manufacturer. Their
innovation does not stop at the manufacturing process; much work
has gone into the company’s product website, www.ekbdc.com,
where over 1400 items are for sale.
AACED is proud to note that Kitchen and Bath Design Center has benefited
from Ashland University’s new
Manufacturing Competitiveness Initiative, directed by Mr. Bob
Stimpert. Funded through a congressional grant from Rep. Regula’s
District, Mr. Stimpert brings a diverse manufacturing background to
his clients, as he finds resources and counsels them in many areas.
For KBDC, the Initiative’s focus has been on improving plant
productivity and efficiency. Bob is also utilizing AU students to
perform cost analyses that will guide Rodger as he plans to hire
new employees to accommodate growth. AACED encourages any small-
medium size manufacturer to contact us or Bob Stimpert
(419-289-5295), rstimper@ashland
.edu, to learn more about this great resource.
For More Information...
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Ashland Area
Council for Economic Development
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