News & Media

Violet’s Wigwam Center Provides Columbus Event Space During COVID-19

Monday, September 21, 2020

Event planners, brides and organizers looking for event space near Columbus, Ohio for fall 2020, should look no further than the Wigwam Event Center in Violet Township. This beautiful historic property has been a go-to destination for the political elite, celebrities visiting the area and the movers and shakers of the Columbus region. Now, it is open for public use. With stunning grounds, gorgeous event space and a beautiful theater, the Wigwam can accommodate all types of events from corporate meetings to conferences, weddings, parties, recitals and even school events. Columbus event space during COVID-19 For those looking for Columbus event spac...

New Strategies for Learning and Development in an Increasingly Virtual World

Wednesday, September 09, 2020

Newly dispersed work teams are facing new challenges. During the early months of the global pandemic, more than three-quarters of organizations reported 80 percent or more of their employees were working from home, according to a global survey on workplace re-entry. While workplace mobility isn’t new, the scale of remote work has accelerated digital transformation, with rollout timelines shrinking from years to weeks. Workflows have also been upended as employees try to adopt new tools as part of their daily routines. Read full article.

Optimizing Project Outcomes Through Advanced Project Planning

Wednesday, September 09, 2020

While APP involves a modest amount of additional upfront time for planning, the investment pays significant dividends throughout the project — and at the most critical times. Detailed planning is executed in advance, enabling the project team and stakeholders to discuss project objectives, prioritize needs, and examine costs from the very outset. This relieves some of the reactive urgency surrounding these decisions, when such issues are addressed amid the thin margins associated with not only time but also the cost of business today. Using APP, facilities that have inevitable downtime related to modifications can plan more efficiently. Read full article.

Front Line: COVID-19 Spurs More Automated Manufacturing

Tuesday, September 08, 2020

The global pandemic has upended the labor market and dramatically and suddenly reversed U.S. economic expansion. COVID-19, especially, has caused U.S. manufactures to face unprecedented labor challenges. With COVID-19 and the need for social distancing, these shortages are escalating. Many factories have shuttered to protect workers and prevent COVID-19’s spread. Even before this global crisis, in 2018 Deloitte had already projected that manufacturers would face shortages of some 2.4 million workers through 2028. Read full article.

How are Uncertain Times Altering Company Location Strategies?

Tuesday, September 08, 2020

As corporate decision-makers develop their business strategies for the future, the markets they consider are rapidly changing. This dynamic trend was already in place before the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic as businesses sought to alleviate concentration risk. With the unprecedented impacts on the global economy of the current public health crisis, however, the search for alternative locations has taken on new urgency and quickly became a priority. Read full article.

First Person: Effects of the Global Pandemic on Company Supply Chains

Monday, September 07, 2020

AD: Will more companies be re-shoring or near-shoring as a result of the global pandemic? Jensen: For certain, most companies are closely examining the options available to them to avoid future supply chain interruptions. Part of the challenge of making a decision on a future sourcing direction is that this story isn’t over. As the pandemic progresses, every week, sometimes every day, brings new information to light regarding risks associated with both the supply available for companies to transact business, as well as the fluctuations in the demand associated with their specific product offerings. It is very safe to say that at present...

Infrastructure Investment as an Economic Stimulus Tool

Monday, September 07, 2020

In times of economic struggle — such as the recession that abruptly arrived with the COVID-19 pandemic — analysts and advocates promote an array of options as effective tools for stimulating the economy. One of the most frequently suggested options is infrastructure spending. Proponents of infrastructure spending during dire economic times view it as a productive job creator and essential foundation for a long-term recovery and return to sustained prosperity. Read full article.

Survey Reveals Manufacturers’ Post-Pandemic Plans

Monday, September 07, 2020

Few implications of the COVID-19 pandemic are as consequential to global manufacturers as disruptions to their supply chains. For many, this is the most consequential by far. Supply chains are always a work in progress as such market variables as transportation costs, tariffs and trade agreements force logistics managers to tweak their supply chains a little here, a lot over there and everywhere in between. That’s under normal conditions. Add a global health pandemic originating in the world’s second largest economy and the largest in industrial output, and it’s a whole new ballgame. Read full article.

Could a Post-Pandemic National Industrial Strategy Advance the Cause of Advanced Manufacturing?

Friday, September 04, 2020

As the coronavirus pandemic disrupted global supply chains, a new report released in April by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) urged the U.S. government to develop a national industrial strategy to strengthen the competitive position of advanced, traded-sector industries that are “too critical to fail.” “Even before this pandemic, China posed an unprecedented competitiveness challenge in the advanced industries that are most critical to America’s economic wellbeing and national security,” said ITIF President Robert D. Atkinson, the report’s author and a past contributor to Site Selection. Read full article.

Work from Anywhere?

Friday, September 04, 2020

Somewhere between your umpteenth Zoom meeting of the month and the latest webinar on the economic impacts of COVID-19, this thought probably crossed your mind: “How long will I be working from home?” While an exact answer to that question still eludes most companies, the effects of remote working are starting to come sharply into focus. Read full article.

How Small Businesses in the Heartland Are Coping

Thursday, September 03, 2020

The Brookings Institution hosted a webinar on June 10 titled “Mitigating the Economic Impacts of COVID-19 in Rural Areas.” Moderator Tracy Hadden Loh, a Brookings Institution Fellow, engaged three experts on rural economies in looking back at the pandemic’s effect on two small towns and across rural America, and how recovery steps are taking shape. The panelists were Lindsey Dotson, executive director of the Main Street Downtown Development Authority in Charlevoix, Michigan; Todd Wolford, executive director of Downtown Wytheville, Inc., Wytheville, Virginia; and Matt Wagner, vice president of revitalization programs at the National Main Street Center. Read full article.

Indemnification Provisions in Incentives Agreements: Best Practices and Special Public Entity Issues

Thursday, September 03, 2020

Indemnification provisions are an important part of the fine print of many contracts. These clauses generally operate to protect one party against the other party’s actions or failures to act that lead to a loss claimed by a third party (not a party to the contract). A common example is the indemnification provisions (or entire agreements) used in the rental car setting. Before you drive off the lot, the rental car company will require you indemnify (or protect) it against a third party (not you) bringing a claim due to your being in an accident. Read full article.

Site Selection 2020: The Importance of “Regional Depth” with Global Reach

Thursday, September 03, 2020

The last several years of corporate site selection have been influenced by many trends. Among these are corporate tax cuts, a red-hot industrial real estate market, the explosion of e-commerce, increasing trade protectionism, record economic growth and, in a stunning reversal, a global health pandemic and recession. It seems the ever-shifting tide of global and domestic affairs can be confusing at best and downright frightening at worst to corporate executives evaluating where to locate their next headquarters, newest manufacturing plant, or distribution center. Risk and uncertainty have never seemed higher, and without looking deeper and thinking differently, it can b...

Tech Talent & COVID-19

Thursday, September 03, 2020

Beset by the COVID-19 pandemic and its recessionary shocks, companies across the globe are paring workforces at alarming rates. In the United States alone, some 40 million workers had filed jobless claims by the end of May, with the biggest losses occurring in the leisure and hospitality, professional business services, retail trade and manufacturing sectors. Driven, however, by the expectation of long-term social distancing, the remote economy is soaring, as is the demand for technology workers, especially engineers. Read full article.

5 Effective Strategies for Employee Retention

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Effective hiring and retention practices are key to effective leadership. The reality is that managers that hire well and that are able to keep talented employees produce better results. Replacing employees is time-consuming, expensive, and disruptive. Plus, when an employee leaves, it can impact the entire team and cause a ripple effect of unhappiness or turnover. Read full article.

How to Leverage LinkedIn for Lead Generation and Sales

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

How to Leverage LinkedIn for Lead Generation and Sales

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

With 700 million users, LinkedIn provides a massive opportunity for businesses to increase sales leads and revenue. In this video, the creator and host of “The Startup Story” shares tips for leveraging LinkedIn to start conversations with cold contacts, namely: Research, learning more about the contact you’re reaching out to from their profile as well as other social media accounts Read full article.

Walnut Creek Foods Invests in New Ohio Manufacturing and Distribution Facility

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Company Name: Walnut Creek Foods Location: Millersburg Industry Sector: Food and Agribusiness Company Profile: Walnut Creek Foods has two retail stores located in Walnut Creek and Berlin, which annually serve over one million people. The company’s wholesale operations deliver in 12 states, serving over 2,000 customers. All of this is possible because of the 350 associates at Walnut Creek Foods and Cheese. Read full article.

Fall in love with Greater Cleveland’s waterfalls

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Exploring Greater Cleveland’s many waterfalls is a foolproof remedy for current pandemic-related blues. With summer days still to come and autumn rains not far off, we are entering the ideal window for “waterfalling,” though there is no bad time to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of cascading natural streams. Read full article.

Greater Cleveland Partnership tool connects businesses, entrepreneurs with resources

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

The Compass assesses needs and connects entrepreneurs and businesses to appropriate resources in the Northeast Ohio entrepreneurial ecosystem. Read full article.

JobsOhio and The Ohio State University Partner on International Business Program

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

One of the primary needs for businesses looking to invest and expand is a sizable and skilled workforce. Many companies cite the caliber of workforce as their reason for investing in Ohio. More than 300 higher education campuses across the state graduate over 170,000 students annually. Ohio is also a top 10 state in the competitive labor environment as well as leading workforce development programs. JobsOhio continually invests in initiatives to increase education and innovation in the state in order to create a workforce that’s competitively advantageous to companies. Read full article.

This Cleveland Startup is Revolutionizing Remote Special Needs Education

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many startups across the country have had to pivot and innovate just to stay afloat. For the educators at Cleveland’s Vizzle, however, the surge in demand for high-quality remote educational software has been a chance to shine. The company’s platform, which specializes in maximizing the potential of special education students, was already in place in districts across the country. But as districts look for the best ways to teach students during the pandemic, Vizzle is rising to the top. Read full article.

Prioritizing Ohio Businesses During COVID-19 Recovery

Monday, August 03, 2020

This year presented us with a lot of unexpected challenges. But as Ohioans, we don’t give up, and throughout this pandemic, we’ve demonstrated the value of our economic development network. The JobsOhio team is thankful for all you’ve done to help companies and your communities during this time. We have a long road still ahead of us, but JobsOhio believes this is the time to rebuild, improve and seize opportunities. The DeWine/Husted Administration’s pandemic response has earned Ohio positive attention on a national level. This presents us with a generational, once-in-a-lifetime chance to leverage the attention in our favor. At JobsOhio’...

Car Makers Turn on a Dime to Manufacture Healthcare Solutions

Friday, July 10, 2020

When the going gets tough, North American automotive companies don’t roll as many new vehicles off the line. They do, however, roll up their sleeves. Here we look at just a few of the pivots companies have made to address urgent COVID-19 needs and impacts. Their model behavior and speed demonstrate why North American manufacturing ingenuity continues to attract substantial investments for new vehicle models to come. Read full article.

Frontline Care, Pioneering Innovation

Friday, July 10, 2020

Rock Health — the first venture fund dedicated to digital health — is a fitting prism for viewing the current and future world of digital health technologies, and how they’re navigating their own paths through the multinational life sciences and medical device ecosystem. As the COVID-19 pandemic has unfolded, they navigated a path to immediate action — and job creation. Read full article.

Successfully Returning to the Workplace Post-COVID

Friday, July 10, 2020

With the easing of restrictions surrounding the Covid-19 outbreak, organizations are starting to bring employees back into the workplace. A successful re-entry program will ensure the safety of company personnel and the public, obviate charges of discrimination and invasion of privacy, and avoid actions that inadvertently violate federal, state, and local employment laws. Employers should set a positive tone to motivate their personnel in a difficult environment. Read full article.

COVID-19 and Site Selection in the Near and Long Term

Thursday, July 09, 2020

Companies and communities are attempting to navigate through the current crisis, but as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, how will corporate location strategy be affected in the near and long term? Recessionary Forces The level of damage to the economy will depend on the spread of the virus, the healthcare response to the virus, and the effectiveness of the government stimulus and aid programs. This was clearly exemplified in the analysis and research completed by McKinsey & Company in “Safeguarding our lives and our livelihoods: The imperative of our time.” The accompanying graphic contains the group’s projection of the recovery and what w...

Proactive Management of Incentives Deals

Thursday, July 09, 2020

If you or your clients have incentives contracts, now is the time to examine your incentive agreements to understand the potential risks if your company is unable to perform key obligations. The first step in any crisis is to determine exactly what the problem is. Review your incentive agreements to confirm with specificity your obligations. Second, closely review the language of your agreements to determine if any of your obligations can be delayed due to a “force majeure” provision, a “market conditions” provision, or a similar provision. Third, as soon as the crisis begins to abate, and perhaps sooner in certai...

2020 Gold & Silver Shovel Awards Recognize State and Local Economic Development Efforts

Wednesday, July 08, 2020

Clearly, 2020 is not taking shape the way that anyone expected it would as America watched the ball drop and rang in the new year. The coronavirus pandemic has impacted just about everything, from health to lifestyles to the state of the economy. Amid today’s gloomy headlines, it’s worth taking a look back at the economic development headlines of 2019 — the expansions and new developments that inspired our annual Shovel Awards. These honors are based on information provided by state economic development officials and the information was current at the time it was provided. It goes without saying that som...

First Person: Handling Plant Shutdowns and Re-Openings During the Pandemic

Wednesday, July 08, 2020

AD: The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused some manufacturing plants to temporarily suspend — wholly or in part — their operations because of employees suffering illness. What — and who — is involved in coordinating the suspension of operations? Vetter: To my knowledge, I don’t believe that we have seen this type of activity happening within our food and consumer products clients’ operations. In fact, what we are experiencing is a ramp up in production on their existing lines. Lines that had some, or even significant amounts of idle time in their production schedule prior to COVID-19, have now been replaced with increase...

Stick the Landing: How to Help Optimize Workplace Reentry

Wednesday, July 08, 2020

We are at a pivotal point in time, surrounded by growing uncertainty. Yet we know one thing for certain: The way we work will change following this pandemic. That includes everything from the ways we interact with one another, to the tasks we take on, and the physical environment we work in. Organizations carefully planning their safe return to the workplace will find key allies in corporate real estate experts who specialize in office location, planning, layout, and design. Read full article.

Will COVID-19 Kill Globalization? What You Need to Know

Wednesday, July 08, 2020

Recent trade battles with China, Mexico, Canada, and Europe have reduced trade flows. Now, with the outbreak of COVID-19 severely impacting international commerce, many argue that globalization will soon be dead. Globalization is not dying. Rather, it’s evolving, and existing trends are accelerating. American companies and workers would be wise to prepare for what’s ahead. Read full article.

Ohio Adapts TechCred Program to Economy Changed by Virus

Tuesday, July 07, 2020

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – With record-high unemployment rates brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, the state is modifying its TechCred program to help train Ohioans. When the TechCred program was announced in September, it only was available to people who were employed. The modified program will allow those who are not working to earn technology-focused credentials, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said during a press briefing. Read full article.

Columbus Brides Are Booking Weddings @TheWigwam

Monday, July 06, 2020

Brides throughout the Columbus, Ohio region are planning their weddings @TheWigwam. Starting June 1st, the Wigwam will be open for up to 300 people with the proper social distancing measures. This stunning private retreat is nestled in the woods in Violet Township, a short 19-minutes from downtown Columbus. Though conveniently located, the Wigwam Event Center feels like it’s a world away. This iconic historic retreat was once owned by the Wolfe family, owners of Dispatch Printing and WBNS-TV. Now, this stunning facility is open for Columbus brides looking to get married somewhere that is truly unique and private. Weddings @TheWigwam Highlights Histori...

Snowville Creamery Expands Meigs County Production Facility

Wednesday, July 01, 2020

Company Name: Snowville Creamery LLC Location: Scipio Industry Sector: Food and Agribusiness Company Profile: Founded in 2003, Snowville Creamery manufactures milk, cream, cheese, sour cream and yogurt. Snowville sources milk from small local farms’ grazing cows on their natural diet of grass and non-GMO feeds and forage, using no artificial hormones or antibiotics. The company is proud of its environmentally sound model, as their farmers practice regenerative and sustainable agriculture. Grass grazing uses less energy, protects water and builds soil, which retains carbon and reduces air pollution. Company Website: www.snowvillecreamery.com Read full article.

Column: Department of Energy driving automotive innovation

Thursday, June 25, 2020

For as long as I can remember, I had a fascination with cars and the automotive industry. My father was a service manager at a Ford Motor Company dealership. One of my first “jobs” was putting the shiny hubcaps back on a finished car with my brother for 25 cents apiece. Years later, as a staff member on Capitol Hill, I worked on automotive safety issues and eventually followed in my father’s footsteps, working for Ford. In my time at Ford, I worked on projects ranging from hydrogen cars and hybrids to autonomous vehicles, while also working a rotation on th...

9 Ways to Lead Your Team Into an Unknowable Future

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

The workplace is changed. As parts of the world begin to loosen coronavirus-related restrictions, organizations are emerging from COVID-induced hibernation. These transitions back to work are gradual. Uncertainty will remain for months as threats of renewed waves of coronavirus persist. We are anticipating a new normal — but what we need is a new now. The radical change of these times demands empathic leadership to keep teams engaged, cohesive and forward-focused. Leaders must demonstrate a spirit of purpose and optimism to reinforce the idea that an uncertain future has the potential to be a better future. Here are nine steps for leading your team into an unknowabl...

A Top TED Speaker on the Most Important Leadership Skill Right Now

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Shortly after George Floyd’s death, I contributed an article to Entrepreneur that told the story of what happened when I responded individually to 170 emails from members of my list. I had asked them how I could best show up for them during this tumultuous time. Based on how many of these folks took this opportunity not to ask for certain content, but to simply share their thoughts, I came to understand that what they most wanted was to feel heard. Read full article.

How Businesses Can Leverage the Power of TikTok

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

If you want your own business to grow and prosper as the world reopens and a new sense of normalcy settles in, getting to know TikTok is a good first step. The video-sharing platform has emerged from relative obscurity to become one of the leading social media companies in the world, and one of the most business friendly for entrepreneurs who know how to make it work. TikTok is particularly custom-made for personal-brand building, and many entrepreneurs are using it in just that way. By way of example, in a scant three and a half months, one top TikTok chef has amassed an army of more tha...

6 Phrases You Won’t Hear Successful People Say

Monday, June 22, 2020

Your thoughts and the things you say to yourself and others are more powerful than you know. These phrases define how you think, how you act and how others perceive you. What you might think is a flippant, non-committal remark could frame your entire day and career without you even realizing. Here are six phrases that will undermine your success, that you won’t catch successful people using. Read full article.

8 Signs You Have Validated Your Startup App Idea

Saturday, June 20, 2020

If you have been gearing up to launch your startup app for quite some time, chances are you have given a lot of thoughts to the viability, validation, and potential of your idea, especially when it means the difference between success and failure. Quantifying and qualifying your validation milestones will help you create a roadmap and benchmark by which you can evaluate your path while reducing your uncertainty, hesitation and doubt. Here are 8 of the most common signs indicating whether you have validated your startup app idea. Read full article.

A Guide To Investor Pitch Decks For Startup Fundraising

Saturday, June 20, 2020

Startups frequently prepare a “pitch deck” to present their company to prospective angel or venture capital investors. The pitch deck typically consists of 15-20 slides in a PowerPoint presentation and is intended to showcase the company’s products, technology, and team to the investors. Raising capital from investors is difficult and time consuming. Therefore, it’s crucial that a startup creates a great investor pitch deck by articulating a compelling and interesting story. Read full article.

Where Ohio ranks among best states for business

Friday, June 19, 2020

Ohio is one of the best states for business, according to Chief Executive magazine. The Buckeye State ranked No. 9 on the magazine's annual ranking of Best & Worst States for Business. Chief Executive praised Ohio for its "demonstrated (value) through the continuous groundbreakings and expansions," citing projects like CoverMyMeds' Columbus area expansion and Total Quality Logistics second headquarters project in Clermont. Read full article.

An Open Letter to OEDA’s Members and Ohio’s Economic Development Community

Thursday, June 18, 2020

Dear Members, Partners, and Colleagues: OEDA has been listening and learning as the issues around systemic racism have been brought to the forefront and captured the nation’s attention. It is devastating that the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd—and, sadly, the indisputable video evidence of their killings—became the catalysts for our country to collectively pay attention and admit that systemic racism exists. What is also indisputable is that the time for change is now. Read full article.

Alcorta Forging Group Plans to Establish its First U.S. Manufacturing Operation and Headquarters in Ohio

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Company Name: Alcorta Forging Group Location: Marysville Industry Sector: Automotive Company Profile: Alcorta Forging Group is a Basque (Spanish) company with over 100 years of experience in the metallurgy sector, working for the automotive industry since the early 80’s. The company is headquartered Elgoibar, Spain. Alcorta also has subsidiaries in USA, Germany, France, Czech Republic, China and South Africa. Company Website: alcortagroup.com Read full article.

First Choice Packaging Investing $1.6M, Adding New Jobs in Fremont

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Fremont- Sandusky County, Ohio – First Choice Packaging has announced plans to create at least 9 new jobs and invest approximately $1.6 million into its 1501 W. State Street facility in Fremont. The company plans to purchase a new automated thermoformer, install a new roof, and make infrastructure improvements to their 290,000 square-foot building to accommodate the new equipment. Read full article.

Forbes Under 30 Leaders Find Innovative Solution Addressing Systemic Issue Of Access To Capital For Small Businesses

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has taken a catastrophic toll on America’s small businesses. Those with small cash reserves are owed nearly $1 trillion by suppliers, and according to a recent survey by Goldman Sachs, 85% of small business owners say their personal finances have been hurt due to the crisis, while 64% say their cash reserves will last less than three months. When the government rolled out the first round of Paycheck Protection Program funding on April 3, the $349 billion in emergency relief ran out in less than two weeks, and the program was widely criticized, as much of the money went to the best-connecte...

Assembling the Right Site Selection Team

Monday, May 18, 2020

Your company has just decided to invest in a new facility expansion, and you have been chosen to lead the effort. Perhaps you have specific knowledge about a certain manufacturing process or maybe you are the most trusted individual to the CEO. Whatever landed you the assignment is irrelevant; now you must understand the CEO and the entire company are putting their collective faith in you to succeed at finding the best location for the planned expansion. Read full article.

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

Monday, May 18, 2020

For Magdalah R. Silva, joining Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network (DWEN) was a game changer right from the start. As co-founder, CEO, and president of DMS International—an information and technology services company for the Federal government and the private sector—Magdalah attended the 2019 DWEN Summit in Singapore along with other global women entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders. It was there that she connected with Dell representatives and other women who understand the role data and technology play in driving global growth. Read full article.

How Is the Pandemic Affecting Location Decisions in the Food & Beverage Industry?

Monday, May 18, 2020

I've been fortunate to have some great conversations with economic developers over the past few weeks, with many questions on the pandemic's impact on site location decisions for the food and beverage Industry. While nothing is certain, I've read and attached links to some important insights which I would like to share with those who currently or plan to target this industry. Be very aware that: Disruption of reliable demand and labor shortages have resulted in huge supply chain inefficiencies, leaving too much food in the wrong places. New facility locations that process products that heavily rely on predictable supply chain will n...

The Future of Manufacturing Site Selection is Connected

Monday, May 18, 2020

Top Site Selection Concerns for Heavy Manufacturing Companies When you think of heavy manufacturing, utilities and transportation logistics infrastructure is key for those operations. So, for example, you have operations with demands in the 400 megawatt or the 200 megawatts range. Some smaller heavy-industrial operations require 10 to 20 megawatts – which is already a big operation in terms of electricity demand. It’s not that you find a lot of locations that are ready with 400 megawatts waiting for that operation to come. It's important to find locations that can meet this type of electricity demand, and you can couple tha...

It’s Time to Participate in the 2020 U.S. Census

Friday, May 01, 2020

Residents of Violet Township! We need your help to increase our census participation numbers. Help us to ensure that Violet Township is accurately represented in the 2020 U.S. Census. We understand that there has been some confusion caused by COVID-19. However, the Census is still ongoing and important to our community. The Economic Impact is Significant The U.S. Census is conducted in the United States every 10 years. The Census aims to count the entire population of the United States. The Census asks American households certain questions such as sex, age, and race of each person in the household. These demographics hel...

10 Site Selection and Economic Development Takeaways from the COVID-19 Crisis

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Over extended and overly risky supply chains are no longer tolerable. Coronavirus is providing new and forceful momentum for the reshoring of manufacturing investment back to the U.S. from China and elsewhere. Our nation’s medical devices and biopharma sector — now dangerously concentrated in China — must be the first in line to disinvest there and reinvest back here in the States. Currently, less than 30% of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) -producing facilities are in the U.S. - while the number of Chinese facilities has more than doubled since 2010. The recent bipartisan bill introduced by Senator Blackburn (R-Tennessee) an...

COVID-19 - Suffocating the global medical supply chain, while breathing life into its future.

Thursday, April 30, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed the vulnerabilities of the United States’ reliance on imported medical supplies and equipment. Global manufacturers of these much-needed products have had capacities curtailed due to shutdowns, social distancing, and travel restrictions. At the same time more than 50 countries around the world have embargoed or restricted exports of items like personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators and other much-needed medical equipment and pharmaceutical products. COVID-19 is suffocating the global medical supplies and equipment supply chain. Supply disruption, increasing regulatory controls and a heightened demand have led to critical shortages of PPE and medical equipment in th...

Spending All Day At Your Desk? Four Exercises To Boost Productivity When Working From Home

Thursday, April 30, 2020

We knew sitting all day was not a healthy lifestyle choice, even before the coronavirus hit. Now, however, without commutes to get us walking, or the ability to stroll down office hallways to see a colleague or join a meeting, it’s even easier to spend all day in one chair, with little movement. “Spending all that time online can be grueling,” says Marie Di Virgilio, a core faculty member with Benedictine University’s Ph.D./D.B.A. program in Values-Driven Leadership, for senior executives. Read full article.

The Secret To Retail Success Post Coronavirus? Adopting A Consumer-Centric Approach

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Fashion retail was facing unprecedented upheaval long before any of us had even heard of coronavirus or could imagine a situation where all stores would be forced to close and the world would be in global lockdown. This pre-coronavirus need for change was being driven by shrinking margins and an increase in nimble new entrants to the market who were growing their market share at a rapid pace, striping away sales from large incumbent brands and retailers. For the majority of retail businesses, trying to evolve and keep pace in recent years has been a painful experience as it’s meant questionin...

American Retail Reopens—Sort Of: A State-By-State Guide To What’s Back

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

The stores of American retailing are starting to reopen—at least some of them, in some places and at some times. As the coronavirus pandemic stretches into its third month on Friday, states and businesses across the country are making fateful decisions on reopening. These acts are accompanied by copious rules and regulations on social distancing, health and safety measures, and reprogrammed shopping procedures—all of which are dependent on shoppers and store employees to both obey and embrace. Read full article.

Ohio AgriBuisiness not quite business as usual

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

On April 27, Governor Mike DeWine announced a gradual plan for reopening Ohio’s economy after six weeks of a mandatory stay-at-home order that expires on May 1. The Responsible Restart Ohio plan has three phases: On May 1, medical procedures that do not require an overnight stay can proceed On May 4, manufacturing, distribution, and construction businesses may reopen, provided they can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees On May 4, general office environments may reopen, provided they can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees On May 12, consumer, retail and services, may reopen, provided they can meet mandatory safety requirement...

April 27, 2020 State Legislative Leaders Outline Plans for Re-Opening State Ahead of Governor’s Announcement

Monday, April 27, 2020

Governor DeWine is expected to announce his plans for re-opening the state, a delay of several days compared to the initial release date of April 23. Ohio’s legislative leaders have released their plans for re-opening the state. The Ohio House of Representatives plan, Open Ohio Responsibly Framework, shows signatures from 23 state legislators on the plan’s release. The Ohio Senate’s Minority Caucus outlined their priorities for re-opening in letter to Gov. DeWine which was signed by that chamber’s Democratic leadership team. In addition, Senator Matt Huffman, a Lima Republican and next in line to be President of the Ohio Senate...

FCC Commissioners Sharply Disagree on U.S. Broadband Report

Monday, April 27, 2020

A Federal Communications Commission report Friday indicated that the U.S. is making progress on closing the digital divide, but FCC commissioners don’t agree on how much progress has been made. The 2020 Broadband Deployment Report showed that very high-speed broadband service (250 Mbps/25 Mbps) can be accessed by roughly 85 percent of citizens — a number that has gone up by 47 percent since 2017. The report attributes this and other gains to the $80 billion invested in broadband infrastructure in 2018, a significant increase in fiber-to-the-home projects in 2019 and the advent of 5G technology. Read full article.

Here’s what DeWine’s plan to reopen Ohio says, what businesses must do

Monday, April 27, 2020

COLUMBUS — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine today outlined a phased-in approach to reopening the state for business. The plan calls for some efforts to begin May 1 and others be added throughout the month. DeWine said, “We know there is a great desire to get restaurants fully open and to get hair salons and daycares open, but we must first start down the pathway of opening things up where we thought there was less risk and a more controllable risk.” Read full article.

Many Ohio businesses to reopen in May with masks required

Monday, April 27, 2020

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s first steps toward reopening the state after more than a month of strict stay-at-home orders will require masks for workers and shoppers, while giving hope for businesses eager to open their doors again and indefinitely putting off Ohioans’ return to restaurants, barbershops and gyms. The much anticipated return to normalcy will happen slowly, with the reopening of many health care offices on Friday. Retail stores will need to wait two weeks before they can open, DeWine said Monday. Read full article.

Central Ohio bike, running shops keep customers moving during pandemic

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Running stores and bicycle shops, along with their customers, are finding creative ways to cope with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic that has shuttered storefronts throughout Ohio and kept most people confined to their homes. Deemed essential businesses, stores in central Ohio that sell running shoes and bicycles are adapting to ensure social distancing and depress the spread of the coronavirus. Shops are doing as much as they can online to avoid contact between employees and customers, using videoconferencing in concert with their own software to minimize the time patrons spend in the stores. Read full article.

Small Business Survival Series: Bruce Katz

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Bruce Katz: I run a finance lab at Drexel University and work as a partner with Accelerator for America. I’ve been very focused on trying to codify these local relief funds that are emerging around the country. Grant Baskerville (Sorenson Impact Center): Bruce, if I can pick up on the excellent piece that you coauthored with Colin Higgins and Michael Saadine, you very effectively stratify the different levels of activity that happen city, state, and federal levels. We’d love your input on this. Read full article.

JobsOhio, Peoples Bank and First Federal/Home Savings Bank Partner to Provide Lending Support for Ohio Small Businesses

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, JobsOhio, Peoples Bank and First Federal/Home Savings Bank announced a partnership to support existing small business clients with maintaining operations and payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. JobsOhio has committed up to $50 million to assist Peoples Bank and recently merged First Federal Bank and Home Savings Bank – with providing lending support to companies negatively affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Read full article.

US Senate approves $484bn funding for small businesses, hospitals

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Washington, DC - The United States Senate approved legislation worth $484bn to provide funding for a small business jobs programme, hospitals overrun by the coronavirus outbreak, and a national testing impetus to help tamp down the pandemic. The Senate bill, agreed to in advance by the White House, allocates $25bn for a testing strategy that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats insisted was key to reopening the US economy. The bill calls on the Trump administration to define a strategy to provide nationwide testing and report on that plan to Congress. Read full article.

Which businesses will be the first to reopen in Ohio?

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

COLUMBUS, Ohio —Which businesses will be the first to open in Ohio? It's complicated, Gov. Mike DeWine said. The governor vaguely discussed Tuesday which businesses will be permitted to reopen in the first phase of the state's plan to jump-start the economy. Reopening the state will be a slow process with multiple phases – one that Gov. Mike DeWine hopes to begin May 1. Read full article.

OHIO WILL BEGIN REOPENING BUSINESSES IN PHASES STARTING MAY 1 AS STATES PLAN LIFTING CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Thursday that he was looking at plans to reopen businesses in the state in phases on May 1 even as the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. continues, with some states extending stay-at-home orders or forming alliances to determine the best time to reopen. President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to reopen businesses in the U.S. but has said that that will happen at the discretion of state governors. Read full article.

US Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Save Small Business Fund

Thursday, April 16, 2020

To extend a helping hand to small businesses suffering from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation – in partnership with Vistaprint and a coalition of supporting companies, foundations, and philanthropic donors – is working to provide financial relief through the “Save Small Business Fund”. The “Save Small Business Fund” is a grant-making initiative to offer $5,000 grants that provide short-term relief for employers across the United States. These one-time supplemental cash grants are for businesses that have between 3-20 employees and operate in an economically vulnerable community (you can search eligibility by zip code here). I know your busines...

Automotive Site Selection in Small and Rural Communities

Thursday, April 09, 2020

Site Selection Factors for the Automotive Industry The U.S., Mexico, Canada Agreement (USMCA), for example, which has now higher local [requirements] content. So before, the local content for automotive projects was at about 62%, and now they raised it to 75%, which means you have to manufacture much more in the U.S. For example, Germans like to ship in the engine but that is a very large part [of the car]. So, the whole supply chain is changing. And then, with all the new agreements with China, for example, the tariff war going on, back and forth, how many tariffs ar...

How Leah Pritchett Turned Her Drag Racing Hobby Into A Career

Thursday, April 09, 2020

Leah Pritchett’s love for drag racing started at a young age—thanks to her father who was a land speed racer and dreamt of racing with his family. What started as a hobby when Pritchett was eight years old later became Pritchett’s passion that she turned into a career. Now, Pritchett—who won her first career national event in 2016—has risen to the top of a male-dominated sport. But as women become more successful in the racing world, she’s optimistic that it’ll inspire others to go after new and bigger opportunities. Read full article.

Milestones and Incentives in the Site Selection Process

Thursday, April 09, 2020

The Biggest Misperception About the Incentive Process I think a lot of companies that aren't familiar with the incentive process come to us and have the misconception that they simply make some commitments, they sign a lease, shake the hand of the mayor, and receive a check. It's actually a much more complex process than that. It requires working with the municipalities for multiple years in order to show that you've met the commitments to receive the incentives that have been awarded based on the company's performance. Read full article.

Our Focus is Talent: JobsOhio Invests $1.5M in Northwest Ohio Talent Pipeline Development

Thursday, April 09, 2020

In early 2020, JobsOhio announced its 2019 results, as well as a Go Forward Strategy, which introduced an increased focus on its Talent Expansion Services and production initiative aimed at growing in-demand degrees in the state by up to 50%. In March, we made a $1.5 million investment to seed manufacturing talent production. Working with Regional Growth Partnership (RGP), JobsOhio’s economic development partner in northwest Ohio, we engaged with 30 manufacturing businesses in the region to map critical skills, identify employer needs, and assess the education landscape and capacity to fill those job requirements. With that research, RGP and JobsOhio determined that there ar...

Redevelopment of Former Coal Plant Sites

Thursday, April 09, 2020

Coal-fired power plants across the United States shut down in 2019 at the second-fastest pace on record. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), plants with a combined total of more than 15,100 megawatts ceased operating nationwide last year — enough to power 15 million homes, and second only to the number of megawatts retired during 2015. The reasons behind these closures are many: decreasing wholesale prices, competition from comparatively cheap and plentiful alternate energy sources such as natural gas, subsidized solar and wind energy, continued compliance with federal energy regulations, and public concern over coal’s effect on climat...

Research, Engineering, and Design: The Talent Cluster in a Talent-Focused World

Thursday, April 09, 2020

Where’s the talent? Ask a corporate executive or a site selection consultant the number-one factor driving location decisions and the response will be skilled labor. In Area Development’s 33rd Annual Corporate Survey and 15th Annual Consultants Survey, “availability of skilled labor” ranked number one on both surveys — not surprising while reinforcing talent-focused strategies. If talent is the number-one factor, why do so many economic development strategies focus on clusters of companies versus clusters of talent? A New Approach One benefit of starting a new regional economic development organization is the ability to consider new approaches without being tied to previous thinking. A...

What Will the City of the Future Look Like?

Thursday, April 09, 2020

The city of the future will be more walkable, connected, educated and infrastructure-laden than what currently passes for a competitive location. According to a recent survey of economists and site selection consultants, the “must-have” ingredients for the most competitive locations of the future won’t come easy or cheap, but they will be indispensable to attract growing businesses and the talent needed to make them thrive. Read full article.

LongHorn: Free meals show stake in Pickerington community during coronavirus pandemic

Monday, April 06, 2020

As belts tighten and the state is under a stay-at-home order because of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the management and staff members at LongHorn Steakhouse in Pickerington were among those extending a helping hand. From March 23 to 26, LongHorn, 1740 Hill Road N., gave away 225 hot meals to anyone who called in to pick them up between 2 and 4 p.m. The restaurant gave away another 30 meals – 6-ounce steak salads for adults and steak and broccoli or fruit for children – April 1. Read full article.

Pickerington Schools officials continue COVID-19 protocols

Monday, April 06, 2020

Following Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s March 30 order that schools remain closed until May 1 because of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, Pickerington Schools will continue to educate students using distance learning. The district has employed online-learning protocols since March 17, after Ohio’s K-12 schools initially were ordered closed for three weeks. Read full article.

Plain Township Fire Department opens substation at New Albany-Plain Local bus garage

Friday, April 03, 2020

As part of its response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the Plain Township Fire Department has opened a substation at the New Albany-Plain Local School District bus garage facility 1 mile north of the fire station. Township administrator Ben Collins said part of the pandemic-response protocol is to separate personnel so they are not all subject to an exposure. Because the township has one fire station at 9500 Johnstown Road, it required a second location for personnel, Collins said. Read full article.

Central Ohio businesses manufacture, distribute PPE for medical workers

Thursday, April 02, 2020

CANAL WINCHESTER, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — The state says hundreds of Ohio businesses have signed up to help manufacture personal protective equipment in the wake of the pandemic. "We know we have a shortage and so we're asking the manufacturers step up look at what their capacity is, see what you can do," said Governor Mike DeWine at Thursday afternoon's press conference. Read full article.

Ohio takes steps to increase access to high-speed internet

Thursday, April 02, 2020

COLUMBUS — Ohio officials are moving forward with a plan aimed at improving access to high-speed internet across the state, a push that could see renewed interest in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The new BroadbandOhio office will implement the Ohio Broadband Strategy, which the state released in 2019. The plan, in part, calls for the Ohio Department of Transportation to allow more access to state-owned rights of way to construct internet infrastructure. Read full article.

Relief available to Ohio’s small businesses

Thursday, April 02, 2020

As we all know, small businesses serve as the economic engines that drive communities across our state. Their success is Ohio’s success, and we must never fail to support them. This has become increasingly true as we continue to combat the COVID-19 crisis. Right now, as our nation faces a pandemic, our businesses hang in the balance. The current crisis has brought about no shortage of new anxieties as job creators and employees alike face unprecedented challenges. As our public health officials tackle the medical aspects of containing this virus, public finance officials are zeroing in on preserving our economy. Read full article.

DeWine: Jobs Ohio investing $2M into southeast Ohio

Wednesday, April 01, 2020

COLUMBUS — At his news conference, Gov. Mike DeWine spoke of economic aid for southeast Ohio during the coronavirus pandemic. “One of the great assets we have in Ohio is Jobs Ohio — I’ve asked them to think about how they can be value-added when this is over,” he said. “I’ve asked the board to think of ways they can help our economy.” DeWine said Jobs Ohio is announcing that it is providing a $2 million growth fund loan to Appalachian Growth Capital, or AGC. Read full article.

Support the businesses supporting Ohio’s essential agriculture

Wednesday, April 01, 2020

It has been made very clear by the DeWine Administration that Ohio agriculture is essential because of the vital importance of farmers and their service to society. But, during these challenging times, it is also important to remember those who serve Ohio’s essential farmers. There has been plenty mentioned about getting take-out to support your local favorite dining hotspots that may be feeling a real pinch right now. It is just as important to remember other parts of the service and supply chains that allow Ohio’s essential farmers to do what they do during the coronavirus measures taken by the stat...

Why You Fear Public Speaking and How to Overcome It

Wednesday, April 01, 2020

Public speaking continues to be a top fear of humanity. Whether you’re speaking to a group of 10 or 10,000, public speaking is nerve-wracking. Yet most professionals agree that public speaking is a powerful skill capable of transforming one's business or career. As a professional speaker for over eight years, I’ve had experience training small groups of executives, pitching business plans to key stakeholders and delivering keynote presentations to thousands of people around the world. The below is my best advice for removing anxiety before any presentation. Read full article.

Tourism agencies turn focus to helping Ohio businesses survive

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

CLEVELAND — The coronavirus pandemic has both local and state tourism agencies taking a break from showing Ohioans some fantastic tourist spots the state has to offer and focusing instead on business that could use your support during the shutdown. Locally, Destination Cleveland said that it is refocusing priorities and streamlining operations “due to unprecedented economic conditions.” Read full article.

Brooklyn adds city’s first full-time economic development director and city planner

Monday, March 30, 2020

BROOKLYN, Ohio -- Mayor Katie Gallagher recently hired Brooklyn’s first full-time economic development director and city planner. Formerly with the City of Independence, Jeremy Rowan, who starts today (March 30), replaces part-time economic development director Andi Udris. “Andi is in the process of starting his full-time retirement from public service,” Gallagher said. “Knowing I wanted to hire a planner, he said this is a good opportunity to get both -- somebody who knows how to do planning and economic development.” Read full article.

OEDA Launches COVID-19 Resource Center

Monday, March 30, 2020

OEDA has launched a COVID-19 Resource Center on its website. The Resource Center provides Ohio’s economic development community with resources to help practitioners best serve their business community during the COVID-19 outbreak. OEDA will do all that we can to provide factual information and helpful resources you need as leaders in those efforts. You can click HERE or go to the “Get The Latest” tab and click on the COVID-19 Resources in the list of helpful links on the far left side of the page. Read full article.

Table Talk: Restaurateur in northwest Columbus makes most of Oil & Thyme

Monday, March 30, 2020

Despite Ohio’s COVID-19 coronavirus-related ban on dining in at restaurants, new restaurateur Manal Ibrahim has been making lemonade out of lemons. She has partnered with Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub to deliver her healthful and made-from-scratch food. But her first obstacle in launching Oil & Thyme -- Healthy Sandwich Shop in northwest Columbus -- hiring employees -- no longer is a hindrance. Read full article.

Thank You for Making Ohio No. 1!

Monday, March 30, 2020

Ohio has an outstanding economic development network that goes above and beyond for communities, companies and people. By working together toward a common goal, you make a difference. Site Selection Magazine’s Governor’s Cup results are a testament to this unwavering work ethic. You helped make Ohio No. 1! As the No. 1 state for projects per capita and No. 2 for total projects overall, Ohio is the only state in the nation to place in the top three in both Governor’s Cup categories. Read full article.

Violet Township trustees ban through traffic by trucks on several roads

Monday, March 30, 2020

Citing personal- and property-safety concerns, Violet Township officials have moved to ban through traffic by commercial freight and cartage carriers from traveling on several local roadways. Under the ban, beginning April 17, no “through-traffic” will be permitted for trucks or vehicles “used to carry property or freight for commercial purposes” on several Violet Township roads. The ban states: “No vehicular truck shall traverse any restricted route unless that vehicular truck intends to pick up or discharge cargo at a residence or business located on the restricted route, or at a residence or business located on a road only accessible from the restricte...

Somewhere in Particular brewer bubbly about his new hard seltzer

Saturday, March 28, 2020

Brewer Patrick Sullivan said he is not simply hopping on a trend -- he’s making it better. The head brewer and partner of Somewhere in Particular, also know as SIP, said he has created a superlative hard seltzer, called Fun Water, that he introduced March 25 and is ready to hit the local market. “The whole goal was to make something that wasn’t artificial-tasting,” Sullivan said. “It has a good clean flavor that’s more authentic with our interpretation of flavors and superbly drinkable.” Read full article.

City approves joint economic development

Friday, March 27, 2020

An ordinance that authorizes the creation of a joint economic development agreement between the city and Jefferson Township was passed during Wednesday’s Washington Court House City Council meeting. According to City Manager Joe Denen, what this means is a small section of land in Jefferson Township, where the local McKesson facility is planned to relocate to in 2022, will be given an income tax at the same rate of the city’s income tax. Read full article.

JobsOhio Commits to Working Closely with State and Partners Through COVID-19 Pandemic

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as Governor Mike DeWine, the JobsOhio board of directors held its quarterly public board of directors meeting via live webinar on March 17, 2020. While JobsOhio reported its results of ongoing initiatives, it also addressed the current COVID-19 pandemic and how it plans to work with the state to support Ohio businesses during this time. JobsOhio President and Chief Investment Officer J.P. Nauseef thanked Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Health Director Dr. Amy Acton for their clarity and leadership for Ohio and the nation during this unprecedente...

A “Now, Next, Later” Approach for Dealing with Pandemic Challenges

Monday, May 18, 2020

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the U.S. spread in March, leading to shelter-in-place orders in most states and a rapid slowdown of the national economy, businesses have started adopting Baker Tilly’s “now, next, later” framework in dealing with the pandemic challenges: “Now” is focused on the first 30 days; “next” is focused on the following 60 days; and “later” focusing on 90 days and beyond. The “now” response reflects the immediate reality for businesses – survival. An early March 2020 poll by the National Association of Manufacturers showed 35 percent of manufacturers are facing significant interruptions in supply chain operations, though onl...

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The median income in Violet Township is $100,000.