Employers from various industries participating in today's Talent Recruitment, Retention & Engagement Workshop for Champaign/Clark County.
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![]() Submitted story MARYSVILLE - Honda associates on Tuesday celebrated the 40th anniversary of the historic start of production at Honda of America Mfg. Inc. in Marysville, in 1979, when the first 64 associates began producing the Elsinore CR 250 motorcycle, which began the rapid growth of Honda in America. After Honda became the first Japanese automaker to build products in the United States, automobile production quickly followed on Nov. 1, 1982, at the adjacent Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio. Honda now has five U.S. auto plants and in 2018, nearly two-thirds of all Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the United States were made in America. With 12 major plants in this country, Honda also produces engines and transmissions, ATVs and sideby- side vehicles, a variety of power equipment products and the HondaJet in America. Honda’s initial $35 million investment in the Marysville Motorcycle Plant has grown to more than $11 billion in Ohio, and an investment of over $21 billion in Honda’s U.S. operations. Honda now employs more than 25,000 associates at its 12 plants in America. Honda also has steadily increased its local purchasing of parts and materials with more than 600 original equipment suppliers in America and cumulative parts purchases of over $440 billion. “Honda’s success in Ohio has always been driven by the dedication and innovative spirit of our associates and this 40th anniversary milestone is a tribute to Honda associates, past and present, who have provided their energy, ideas and passion to create high-quality products for our customers,” said Mitsugu Matsukawa, president of Honda of America Mfg. “Based on the team we have in Ohio, and the opportunities ahead, I’m excited for the future of Honda in America.” In addition to the commitment to local manufacturing, Honda has invested over $1.1 billion in Honda’s U.S. R&D operations, including major centers in Ohio, California, North Carolina and Florida. This year, Honda also marked the 60th anniversary of its business in the U.S., with sales operations established in Los Angeles, California, in June 1959. Quick Facts: Honda in Ohio Since Honda began production in Ohio in 1979 … · Employment has grown to 15,000 Honda associates in Ohio. · Investment has surpassed $11 billion in its Ohio operations. · Auto production totals nearly 20 million vehicles at Honda’s three Ohio auto plants. · Engine and transmission production exceeds one million units per year. · Purchasing of parts and materials has grown to $10 billion annually. · Operations expanded to include R&D and parts procurement. · Charitable contributions top $100 million to Ohio community organizations. 40 Years of Honda manufacturing in America Honda marks its 40th anniversary of manufacturing products in America this month. Honda was the first Japanese automaker to produce products in America, beginning with motorcycles in 1979, followed by the start of automobile production in Marysville, Ohio, on Nov. 1, 1982. Over the course of four decades, Honda has steadily grown its manufacturing capabilities in the region. Honda now employs more than 25,000 associates at 12 plants in America with the capacity to produce more than one million automobiles, three million engines, 400,000 power equipment products and 330,000 powersports products each year, using domestic and globally sourced parts. In 2018, nearly two-thirds of all Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. were made in America. Honda also manufactures the HondaJet advanced light jet and GE Honda HF120 turbofan engines in America. Cumulatively, Honda has invested more than $20.2 billion in its American manufacturing capabilities, including more than $5.9 billion over the past five years. The company also works with more than 600 original equipment suppliers in America with cumulative parts purchases of nearly $400 billion over 35 years. Submitted by Honda of America Mfg. Inc.
This closure of Miami Street is anticipated to last about five weeks.
During construction on Miami Street, access to the Miami Street public parking lot and the adjacent alleyway will be maintained from West Court Street. Local and U.S. route detours will be posted. After the fifth phase, the entire project area will be resurfaced and re-striped. The entire roundabout project is expected to be completed by Nov. 6. Project updates continue to be posted to the city’s website at urbanaohio.com and on the city’s Facebook page. A project bulletin board with project information and updates is at Legacy Park in Monument Square and on the north side of Monument Square. Businesses remain open throughout the construction. Parking is affected, but there is plenty of parking in the downtown area a short walk from any destination. The city’s contractor for the Monument Square Roundabout /U.S. routes 68 and 36 upgrade is R.B. Jergens Contractors Inc. The project includes safety improvements to the existing roundabout, additional lighting, and water line replacement work. The project is funded with federal Small Cities, Safety, and Urban Resurfacing funds through the Ohio Department of Transportation. The water main replacement work is funded by a loan and a grant through the Ohio Public Works Commission. The balance of project funding is being provided by the city of Urbana Capital Improvement funds, including the Stormwater and Water funds. Info from the city of Urbana.
The total estimated construction cost to improve South High Street is $4,320,000, and approximately 90% of the total construction cost is anticipated to be paid by state and federal grants. In early 2019, a feasibility study to improve South High Street was completed at no cost to the city through the Logan-Union-Champaign Regional Planning Commission and its planning partner Springfield-Clark County Transportation Coordinating Committee. This study sought to identify improvements that would provide pedestrian and bicycle connectivity for neighborhood residents and Urbana University staff and students.
Earlier this summer, city Engineer Tyler Bumbalough, Community Development Manager Doug Crabill and Carl Brown, UU’s executive director of Campus Services, Real Estate, and Planning, gave a presentation about the South High Street project to ODOT representatives in Columbus, outlining project benefits for the overall neighborhood and for Urbana University.
Improvements for cyclists, pedestrians The presentation focused on the benefit of linking this corridor together through bicycle and pedestrian improvements. With downtown Urbana on the northern end of the corridor, Urbana University toward the middle of the corridor, and the Champaign County Community Center on the southern end of the corridor, South High Street links residents to city and county services, shopping, dining and employment. The project will reconstruct and replace existing sidewalks within the corridor and build sidewalks where none now exist on South High Street. Dedicated bike lanes will be constructed on both sides of the roadway between College Street and Lewis B. Moore Drive (state Route 55). Due to rightof- way constraints, the installation of shared lane markings or sharrows are planned from Miami Street to College Street instead of dedicated bike lanes. A stormwater system, including piping, catch basins and curbing, will be constructed along South High Street. In addition, the roadway will be resurfaced from end to end and off-street parking areas will be constructed as part of the roadway to replace existing gravel and paved parking areas along the roadway. Lastly, traffic calming measures such as curb extensions (“bulb-outs”), speed humps and traffic circles are proposed within the corridor. Construction is not anticipated until 2023. In the interim, the city will be working in cooperation with ODOT to move the project toward construction. Long-term, the city would like to study other corridors within the city, including West Light Street and Bloomfield Avenue, for similar projects. More people confident enough to start looking for jobs, expert says.By Hasan Karim, Springfield News-Sun Staff Writer
ONLY IN THE NEWS-SUN State figures showed the unemployment rates in Clark and Champaign counties went up in July as the local labor force continues to grow. The unemployment rate increased to 4.9% in Clark County, up from 4.2% in June. The increase comes as the county’s labor force has seen steady growth over recent months, according to state data released by the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services. In Champaign County, unemployment rose to 4.3%, which is up from the 3.6% reported in June. Both counties experienced a downward trend in unemployment numbers starting at the beginning of the year. However, that rate increased slightly in May and has continued to increase into July. “This is one of those cases in which the unemployment rate went up for the right reasons,”said Bill LaFayette, an economist and owner of Regionomics, a Columbus-based economics and workforce consulting firm. LaFayette said the labor force in Clark County is larger than what is usually projected for July, leading to an increase in the unemployment rate. Though unemployment tends to go up between the summer months, more people are either currently employed or looking for work compared to the same period last year, he added. Clark County’s labor force at the end of July had 64,200 people, according to data collected by the Ohio DJFS. Those numbers showed a decrease of 100 people in the county’s labor force compared to the previous month. However, there is usually a dip of around 700 people in the county’s labor force between June and July, LaFayette said, noting that a decrease of only 100 people shows that more people are confident enough to start looking for jobs. He added that those numbers do not take into account seasonal patterns that affect labor and unemployment trends. Those factors can include seasonal employment, major holidays and school schedules. Taking into account those seasonal factors would bring Clark County’s unemployment rate closer to 4.4 percent in July, compared to a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.9 percent reported in June. LaFayette said factoring in seasonal patterns also brings Clark County’s labor force for July to 64,100 people and that is actually an increase of 600 compared to June’s seasonally adjusted numbers. He said the labor force compared to this time last year is up 1.3 percent. “For Clark County, this is very good given that the population is stagnant,” LaFayette said. Clark County’s population was estimated to be 134,585 people last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Amy Donahoe, director of workforce development with the Chamber of Greater Springfield, said local companies are taking a more aggressive approach in attracting people that are not in the workforce. She said that includes raising starting wages as well as tweaking benefit packages. “We have seen record low unemployment numbers in the past year,” Donahoe said. “Employers have responded to that. They want to make sure they are attracting and retaining good talent.” Ohio’s seasonally adjusted unemployment in July was 4 percent and remained the same from June, according to the Ohio DJFS. The national rate was 3.7 percent in July, also unchanged from June. In Champaign County, the labor force decreased by 100 from June and had 20,100 people last month. The number of those reported as employed also went down by 100, according to the most recent information from the Ohio D JFS. Marcia Bailey, director of the Champaign Economic Partnership, said despite a dip in the labor force, there is not a shortage of job openings in the county, especially in manufacturing and healthcare. “There are still plenty of job opportunities here. We are still seeing pretty consistent openings,” Bailey said. She said local manufacturer Rittal has recently posted a notice that it will be conducting open interviews on Tuesday. The company is looking to hire assembly operators, machine operators, welders and paint loader/unloaders, according to the notice. Bailey said the starting hourly wages for those positions range from $13.40 to $16, according to information provided by Rittal. Contact this reporter at 937- 328-0355 or email [email protected]. COMMITTED COVERAGE The Springfield News-Sun will continue to provide unmatched coverage of jobs and the economy in Clark and Champaign counties and has covered recent stories relating to wage increases, the latest housing numbers and job growth. JOBLESS RATES - 2019 Clark County January 5.4 February 4.6 March 4.1 April 3.2 May 3.3 June 4.2 July 4.9 Champaign County January 4.5 February 3.8 March 3.4 April 2.7 May 2.9 June 3.6 July 4.3 Join us for a half-day talent forum featuring University of Cincinnati's Economics Center and national workforce expert, Ady Advantage as we uncover resources and best practices in talent attraction and retention.
Who Should Attend? Local company reps looking to obtain more tools for talent attraction and retention. What will be covered? Tools, trends and best practices in talent retention and attraction from local businesses, local and regional resource partners, and a National Consultant. Why attend? You will leave with concrete ways to improve your workforce!! Additionally, this program is approved for 5 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification through the HR Certification Institute, and through National SHRM. The event is $55 per person and includes light breakfast & lunch.
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