Ohio InSite: Ohio's New Site and Building Search Website
Wapakoneta's JRS Site is one of the Featured Properties on the site
The Ohio Department of Development, in cooperation with the Ohio Business Development Coalition, has introduced a new web tool to search Ohio's industrial sites and properties. The new web site is called Ohio InSite: Data that Drives Location Decisions. In addition to profiles of Ohio's sites and buildings, the site also allows the user to create custom regional demographic reports and thematic maps. Our local Job Ready Site - West Central Ohio Industrial Center, a 470-acre railed-served greenfield site - is one of the Featured Properties on the web site. This is an exciting improvement in Ohio's efforts to introduce properties to industrial end users and site consultants. Ohio InSite puts us ahead of the pack when it comes to property information and regional data. The demographic data report feature may also be useful to our companies who may need regional data from time to time.
Schlenker Developments Plans New Local Banquet/Meeting Facility
Grandview Plaza to have new 19,800 SF events center
Schlenker Developments is moving forward with plans to create a new 19,800 square foot banquet and meeting center at the former Alco property in Grandview Plaza. Phase One of the project will provide 12,900 square feet in one large hall that will seat up to 500 people. A partition wall will allow it to be divided into two 250 seat rooms. Phase Two will remodel the remaining 6,660 square feet into one to three additional rooms that will accommodate up to 475 people. These room sizes will be determined by the demand for the Phase One room. Phase Two will likely occur in 2010.
The facility will be handicap accessible, fully air conditioned, carpeted with laminate dance floor and stage area, and have ample on-site parking. A catering kitchen will be provided with all catering done from an approved list of caterers. The facility will be fully-permitted to serve beer, wine and liquor at all events.
State plans for the project have been approved and interior demolition has begun. Completion is estimated for September 1, 2009. Since the closing of the Chalet Inn complex, Wapakoneta has needed a large banquet/meeting space. This project will definitely be an asset to the community. If you have questions or want to "pencil in" a reservation, call Schlenker Developments at 419-738-8111. A copy of the facility floor plan is currently in the window at the space in Grandview Plaza.
Chamber's Community Profile Project Nears Completion
Last opportunity to place your business advertising is May 22
Our local Chamber of Commerce has contracted with Village Profile, Inc. to design and publish a new community profile booklet this year. Marsha Harris, sales representative for Village Profile, has been working in Wapakoneta for several weeks explaining the project and booking local advertisers. She has had good success with more than 25 local businesses placing ads in the booklet. This will be a high-quality, four-color publication that tells the story of Wapakoneta and its outstanding quality of life. This will be an important promotional tool used by the Chamber and WAEDC to promote Wapakoneta. New residents will receive copies. Realtors will use it for marketing to prospective home buyers. The school district will provide it to families looking at the Wapakoneta City School District. WAEDC will include it in all its marketing packets sent to industrial companies and site consultants. The 5,000 copies printed will truly become the front door to Wapakoneta. Plus, an online version will be available on the Chamber, City, WAEDC and Village Profile websites
If you have not placed your advertising in the booklet and would like to talk with Marsha, we ask that you call her today at 614-634-1566. She will be closing the ad sales portion of the project on May 22. The next step will be photographs and copy for the booklet. Completion is estimated for Fall 2009.
Dayton Development Coalition Regional Forum in AuglaizeCounty
Coalition to meet at Minster Machine on May 29th
WAEDC and our Auglaize County economic development partners became investing members in the Dayton Development Coalition in 2009. DDC is the regional economic development organization for the communities and counties in west central Ohio. The Coalition will be hosting an Auglaize County Economic Development Forum on Friday, May 29 at the Minster Machine Company. The forum will begin at 8:00 a.m. in Minster Machine's Customer Education Center, 240 W. Fifth Street, Minster, Ohio 45865.
DDC invites you, and your guests, to attend a complimentary breakfast program for an update on the region's economic development strategy. Following the forum Minster Machine will host plant tours of their new Minster Wind division.
If you are interested in attending the Regional ED Forum, please call Erin in our office at 419-738-6807 or RSVP directly to rsvp@daytonregion.com. We hope to see you there.
Federal Stimulus Investment in Youth Training
Region to receive additional funding for youth training programs
Our regional Workforce Investment Board, serving Auglaize, Hardin, Mercer and Van Wert Counties, will receive an additional $400,000 in youth training under the National Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This is a significant increase in youth training funding for our area. It will allow the program to expand from approximately 30 employees in 2008 to an estimated 140 this year. The program guidelines have also been expanded to include people up to the age of 24. Program participants can be placed in private sector jobs. The position must be job ready. Placements cannot be made in companies that are currently experiencing job layoffs. This may be an excellent opportunity to mentor a new, young employee for your company. If you are interested in learning more about the program and its implications for your company, call Tom Riepenhoff at 419-739-7225. He is the Youth Training Program Coordinator and works out of the Wapakoneta office at 801 Middle Street.
AuglaizeCounty Edition of the Business Journal
Business Journal to feature Auglaize County in October 2009
The Business Journal of West Central Ohio plans to publish a Special Report on Auglaize County in October 2009. The Journal, published by the Delphos Herald, is the region's publication focused on business news within the 13 counties of west central Ohio. Published monthly, the Journal is targeted at business decision makers - owners, executives, managers, and key professionals. The Journal is mailed, on a complimentary basis, to more than 11,000 business-only subscribers in the region.
The October issue will include a separate, 12-page insert featuring Auglaize County and its communities and businesses. The economic development offices and Chambers will be working with the Journal to develop articles and photos for the publication. If you have a new project, product, or success story that we should include, please contact our office at 419-738-6807 or gmyers@whywapakoneta.com. Also, Kathy Stemen, sales representative for the Business Journal, may be contacting you this summer to discuss advertising options. You can contact Kathy at 800-589-6950 or kstemen@delphosherald.com.
