WCOED Holds 6th Annual Dinner – Presentations

The Wyandot County Office of Economic Development 6th Annual Dinner held on Dinner PicMonday, November 10th was the organization’s most well-attended to date. Featured guests included winners of the first Wyandot County Distinguished Contribution to Economic Development Award; Kalmbach Feeds, Continental Structural Plastics, and Vaughn Industries. Also in attendance were WCOED board members, multiple local business owners and operators, and representatives from Governor Kasich’s Office, Lieutenant Governor Taylor’s Office, U.S. Senator Rob Portman’s Office, and JobsOhio. The crowd of over 100 gathered at Moreno’s Casual Dining Restaurant in the Village of Carey.

The program began with an overview of the past year WCOED efforts and accomplishments from Executive Director Greg Moon. Moon noted accomplishments such as the securing of a $9,750 AEP Ohio LEAP grant to enhance the marketability of a local development site, and the obtainment of a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration; the largest grant the WCOED has ever acquired. He also covered metrics from projects the WCOED had been integrally involved in over the last year including an attraction and an expansion project of two manufacturers. These resulted in the commitment of 90 new full-time jobs created, 585 existing jobs retained, $21.1 million in new capital investment, and $1.66 million in grant funds secured. Moon’s presentation can be accessed HERE.

The keynote address was delivered by speaker Mark Barbash. Barbash is the Executive Vice President of Strategic Investments for the Finance Fund; a mission-based non-profit focusing on providing capital for community and economic development projects throughout Ohio. His past positions include over 30 years of experience in the field of Economic Development and an appointment leading the former Ohio Department of Development. Barbash offered attendees a glimpse at the economic recovery in Ohio, and primarily focused on the top 10 practices that a successful economic development organization should be employ. Barbash’s presentation can be accessed HERE.