“The
Ashland area is a great place to live and do business”
Steve
Englet Ashland Precision Tooling, LLC
2007 Goals & Objectives
Business Retention & Expansion (R&E)
Cluster Development: The trend of smaller, agile companies becoming the heart of local economies can clearly be seen in Ashland County. Success stories such as Maverick Innovative Solutions, Novatex North America, Inc., Farr Automation, Ohio Electric Control, and Chandler Systems, Inc., to name a few, are proving that independent entrepreneurs can collectively sustain or transform an economy.
AACED believes the Ashland County economy can accomplish a great deal by facilitating greater collaboration among our local firms. Known as “clustering,” this practice has become an important part of many economic development initiatives. AACED will strive to coordinate three (3) “cluster roundtables” among similar companies, e.g. printing and publishing, water pump systems, or machining/tooling. Focused discussions on specific joint strategies, such as workforce programs and partnering to win large manufacturing contracts, will be the goal. AACED will track and report the progress of this concept.
2. Meet with approximately 30 industrial firms we did not consult with in 2007.
3. Complete two tangible R&E assistance projects (at two large Ashland County firms) carried over from 2006—a utility upgrade and major capital investment, respectively.
4. Plan the 2007 Business Appreciation Week awards and recognitions for
September.
Maintain a close focus and working relationship with Mansfield Plumbing Products and Motor Coach Industries (MCI). The former announced some re-structuring plans in 2006 and AACED continues to work closely with management to facilitate plant modernization and workforce training. MCI explored the option of relocating part of its Loudonville operations out of the community. AACED will continue to work with the company to ensure that they find success and cost efficiencies in Loudonville.
Research and begin to implement cutting-edge workforce development solutions. AACED is developing closer ties with local providers like Job and Family Services and the Career Center to develop a seamless system of matching job seekers with employers (and prospective employers researching Ashland County), primarily in our industrial base.
Business Recruitment
Utilize the AACED membership in the World Economic Development Alliance (WEDA) to customize a marketing campaign to 2-3 NAICS Codes, including rubber and plastics. AACED will customize the message (including recent stories like Novatex and quality space like the Loudonville Industrial Park building) and WEDA assists in company-specific database development.
Attend 2-3 industry trade shows, including the Corporate Real Estate Network (CoreNet) Spring conference in Denver.
Assemble “task forces” to address key redevelopment sites, primarily Dalton Foundry, Hospira properties, and the former Wal-Mart plaza.
Develop strategies to place Ashland County into the forefront of the Renewable Fuels (ethanol, biodiesel, etc.) production process.
Regionalism, Entrepreneurship, and Quality of Life
Study the Fund for Our Economic Future’s Regional Competitiveness Agenda and implement appropriate initiatives in Ashland County.
Work closely with Ashland University’s College of Business & Economics to implement their vision of greater student—business community interaction. One concept that AACED believes is worth researching is the creation of a small business Revolving Loan Fund with some management oversight provided by students and faculty.
