The Wyandot County Office of Economic Development (WCOED) was one of 16 Northwest Ohio economic development organizations to receive a $10,000 grant from AEP Ohio for completing the Community Economic Development Academy (CEDA). An awards ceremony took place last week during the Ohio Economic Development Association’s Annual Summit in Dublin, OH.
The academy, rolled out in conjunction with the Regional Growth Partnership, helped local economic development professionals and key community leaders understand the types of information required and how to respond to businesses selecting sites and buildings for new locations. It was facilitated by professional site selection and economic development consultants Rob Cornwell and Tonya Crist, owners of InSite Consulting. These individuals are engaged in the business of selecting communities for new investment and provided a unique opportunity for AEP’s partner communities to identify their competitive gaps and opportunities.
The CEDA culminated in a mock community and site visit by InSite Consulting. Participating communities were also required to develop a workable action plan to implement the key economic development priorities identified throughout the process. Many WCOED members participated in the community visit including Wyandot County Commissioner Steve Seitz, Mayor Scott Washburn and Zoning Inspector Dave Westbrook from the City of Upper Sandusky, First Citizens National Bank President Mark Johnson, and Business Development John Barnes and CEO Tim Vaughn of Vaughn Industries.
