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Work is underway on a new loop road project connecting Short Road and Commerce Drive in the West Central Ohio Industrial Center.  The project creates even better access and mobility in the industrial park at I-75 and US33.  The project also provides right of way allowing existing CSX rail service to be extended throughout the site's entire 760 acres.  This is another great example of local and state dollars working together to improve Ohio's largest certified man

WAPAKONETA — There will be plenty of talk about Wapakoneta during the next year. Rightly so, community leaders said. A statewide publication has picked the city as one of five “best hometowns” in the state.

Civic leaders learned of the award, presented by Ohio Magazine, last week. Plans are being formulated to celebrate the recognition.

“This is a fantastic honor. It’s wonderful they have picked us,” Mayor Rodney Metz said. “It truly shows we are working together. We’re a united community. We have common goals and things are coming together.”

WAPAKONETA — Fittingly a child’s voice narrates two videos showed during Saturday’s dedications of Wapakoneta schools’ two new elementary school buildings.

One video showed the story of groundbreakings held two years ago; the “story of a new future.” The other showed that the future had arrived, with photos of completed buildings and smiling children.

“Before you, you see our future,” school board member Ron Mertz said during the Wapakoneta Elementary School dedication. “This is for our children, who are our future.”

By WILLIAM LANEY, Managing Editor, Wapakoneta Daily News  -  The economic development gun is loaded with potential projects, a Wapakoneta business leader says, but site selection consultants and company executives are cautious to pull the trigger in light of current economic conditions.

By WILLIAM LANEY, Managing Editor, Wapakoneta Daily News - Starting Tuesday a new face should be greeting clients and visitors to the Wapakoneta Area Economic Development Council (WAEDC) office.  Wapakoneta native Heather Nolte replaced Erin Hollenbacher as assistant director to WAEDC Executive Director Greg Myers. WAEDC board members approved Nolte’s hiring during Wednesday’s meeting.

By WILLIAM LANEY, Managing Editor, Wapakoneta Daily News
Helping individuals and business executives with economic development strategies is a responsibility of the Wapakoneta Area Economic Development Council (WAEDC), but the private business board also can help financially.
WAEDC Executive Director Greg Myers said he also can assist entrepreneurs and business executives with new and expanding business ventures through the city’s revolving loan fund (RLF) option.

The Wapakoneta Area Economic Development Council (WAEDC) announced today the resignation of Assistant Director Erin Hollenbacher.  Hollenbacher has served as assistant director of the local economic development agency since March 2008.  She and her family will be relocating to the Columbus area.  A search for her replacement will begin immediately.

By WILLIAM LANEY, Managing Editor, Wapakoneta Daily News
A trio of tax incentive programs aimed at spurring growth and redevelopment throughout Wapakoneta now needs to be put down in black-and-white, the mayor says.

By WILLIAM LANEY, Managing Editor, Wapakoneta Daily News
For the first time, Wapakoneta and Auglaize County broke into the top 10, while Ohio maintained its Governor’s Cup Award with Site Selection magazine.
Wapakoneta and Auglaize County placed 9th in the country for micropolitans on the magazine’s list of leading cities and counties with fewer than 50,000 people for new and expanded facilities in 2008. Ohio, which has captured the title seven times overall, earned the ranking for the third straight year.

By William Laney, Managing Editor, Wapakoneta Daily News    

Wapakoneta's status as being one of the first state-certified Job Ready Sites and with continued growth in the city's Revolving Loan Fund serving as indications of progress made by the Wapakoneta Area Economic Development Council (WAEDC) this past year, two city-elected officials say they have adequate reasons for the city to continue its level of funding for the organization.