Wood County continues to see high economic development successes and a low unemployment rate, according to the report presented Wednesday during the annual meeting of the Wood County Economic Development Commission.
The report, from WCEDC President Doug Miller, talked about the great success achieved with limited resources.
“Over the past several years, we have attracted a number of businesses to Wood County,” Miller wrote in his report. Those newer businesses include Home Depot fulfillment center in Troy Township, the CSX intermodal facility in Henry Township, the Harmon Business Park in Rossford, and the FedEx Ground Hub in Perrysburg Township.
“Scores of existing businesses choose to remain in Wood County and have or are expanding,” Miller continued. Those businesses include Phoenix Technologies, Northwood Industries, First Solar, Principle Business Enterprises, Schuetz Container, IMCO Carbide Tool, and Pilkington North America.
“As a result, unemployment hovers around an amazing 4 percent,” Miller stated in his report.
Much of the credit should go to the spirit of cooperation among elected officials, those appointed by elected officials, and community volunteers, he said.
“Feedback we receive from developers and others from outside the area remains positive and often hear that the process is Wood County runs so much better than in other places,” Miller stated.
In an effort to work with local communities to meet their needs, Wood County Economic Development Commission Executive Director Wade Gottschalk and other executive committee members often hold informal monthly breakfast or lunch meetings with entities.
“The meetings serve as a way for attendees to update others on matters being faced, projects and other general information,” Miller said in his report.
“The effect of the meetings is that not only do many of the leaders in the county regularly see others from throughout the county, they get to know them and should an issue arise, can easily and comfortably contact them to discuss the issue. This facilitates fast and efficient communication throughout the county.”
The organization sees the four pillars of economic development as its office, the port authority, water and sewer, and transportation.
“Partially due to the monthly meetings, these groups know one another and work well together, which further enhances the communication and the economic development process,” Miller wrote.
Talks are currently underway, he added, for changing the Rossford Transportation Improvement District into a county wide entity. This would allow the TID to participate in transportation projects county wide.
According to the annual report, the executive committee of the Wood County Economic Development Commission has developed a new strategic plan, identifying new projects as:
- Expand retention and expansion program to include annual meeting with all companies.
- Determine the feasibility of creating a local incubator.
- Promote WCECD through local economic development news, social media, the World Wide Web, etc.
- Work with Regional Growth Partners for strategic placement of Wood County marketing materials and information.
- Communicate with universities, trade schools, apprentice programs and schools to convey the training needs of the business community.
- Create and implement a strategy for encouraging participation by elected officials in economic development activities by communicating benefits of past successes.
- Develop a marketing plan that utilizes a variety of media and channels.
- Form a travel and tourism committee to help understand WCEDC role and support efforts.
