Agency motto: ‘Working together for success’![]() Article originally appeared in the Urbana Daily Citizen on December 21, 2015 Guests at the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce’s December Lunch and Learn program learned about the role of the new Champaign Economic Partnership (CEP). Marcia Bailey, economic development director of the CEP, explained that the organization, launched in July, is a public-private partnership authorized by the city of Urbana and the Champaign County commissioners as the county’s official economic development agency. With the motto “working together for success,” the CEP brings together private businesses, the Champaign County Community Improvement Corporation and local government subdivisions – Champaign County, city of Urbana, villages and townships – to advance economic development and create jobs for local residents. Private business drives agency Bailey said that about 75 percent of the CEP’s 18-member board consists of local business representatives. The remainder of the positions are held by local government representatives on the county, city, village and township levels. Explaining this composition, she said, “we want private industry and business driving our board and economic development.” Todd Michael, president of Michael Family Farms of Urbana, serves as CEP president; Andy Yoder, administrator of the village of North Lewisburg, as vice president; and Bill Heitman, vice president of Civista Bank in Urbana, as treasurer. The CEP is funded by two public sponsors, Champaign County and the city of Urbana, and two private business sponsors, Pioneer Electric Cooperative and Dayton Power & Light. Security National Bank supports the CEP as an in-kind sponsor. The CEP is recruiting additional private sponsors. Bailey added that the CEP also partners with the Chamber of Commerce, which provides services for existing local businesses. Projects in the works Bailey, who was economic development coordinator for the city of Urbana prior to the CEP’s formation, provided the Lunch and Learn attendees a look at the more than 20 economic development projects that the CEP is working on – and that involve at least 300 potential new jobs. These projects, identified by code names to protect confidentiality, involve businesses that have expressed interest in expanding their existing Champaign County operations or in establishing local facilities for the first time. The CEP connects these businesses with available properties and resources essential to establishing a new business or growing an existing one. To help assure manufacturers of a qualified workforce, the CEP partners with manufacturers and educational institutions to develop training programs. An example of this is a new manufacturing skills program offered at Triad Local Schools by Ohio Hi-Point Career Center for fifth grade through high school. Champaign County in a good location Bailey shared statistics that indicate that manufacturing employment has grown by 900 jobs in Champaign County over the past three years, from 2,928 in 2013 to the current 3,832. Champaign County is an attractive business location for a variety of reasons, Bailey said: -A one-and-a-half-hour flight or less from 50 percent of the U.S. population -Proximity to Interstates 70 and 75 -Grimes Field, which is classified as a Level 2 airport with a runway long enough to accommodate small corporate jets Bailey invited the Lunch and Learn guests to learn more about the CEP by visiting the organization’s new website, cepohio.com. The CEP recently held an open house attended by 75 people at its new offices, at 3 Monument Square in Urbana. The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and may be called at 937-653-7200. Information submitted by Champaign County Chamber of Commerce. ![]() Article originally appeared in the Springfield News-Sun on December 17, 2015 Champaign County now has a countywide economic development agency, the Champaign Economic Partnership. Launched on July 1, the CEP is a partnership of the Champaign County Community Improvement Corporation, local government subdivisions of Champaign County — county, City of Urbana, villages and townships — and private businesses. The CEP hosted an open house on Dec. 10 in its new offices in the Security National Bank building, at 3 Monument Square, Urbana. About 75 people attended to learn more about the role of the new agency. The CEP became Champaign County’s sole economic development agency through an agreement between Champaign County and the City of Urbana. Operating as a Community Improvement Corporation, the CEP is authorized under the Ohio Revised Code to advance the industrial, economic, commercial and civic development of Champaign County. With our motto “working together for success,” the CEP brings together private business and local government to advance local economic development and create jobs. To strongly focus the CEP on private business development and growth, our 18-member board of trustees must consist of at least 60 percent private business representatives and no more than 40 percent local government representatives. Our current board is composed 67 percent of private business representatives and 33 percent of local government representatives. Formerly the economic development coordinator for the City of Urbana, I was appointed director of economic development of the CEP with the agency’s official launch in July. Todd Michael, president of Michael Family Farms of Urbana, serves as CEP president; Andy Yoder, administrator of the Village of North Lewisburg, is vice president; and Bill Heitman, vice president of Civista Bank in Urbana, is treasurer. We are funded by our two public sponsors, Champaign County and the City of Urbana, and two private business sponsors, Pioneer Electric Cooperative and Dayton Power & Light. Security National Bank supports the CEP as an in-kind sponsor. We are recruiting additional private sponsors. This funding enables the CEP to carry out our mission to: • Promote Champaign County as the place to do business • Coordinate public and private resources to help businesses grow • Help existing businesses build capacity and retain and add jobs • Attract new business compatible with local needs • Improve business conditions and quality of life in local communities • Maintain a listing of available commercial property Businesses and others may call on the CEP for assistance when: • Their company plans to expand • They need property for commercial development • They need help developing and training a workforce • They need other assistance in expanding or establishing a business • They have a lead about a company needing a site In addition, the CEP partners with the Champaign County Manufacturers Council, which represents local manufacturing companies. The council: • Addresses mutual concerns such as workforce needs • Partners with local schools to promote manufacturing careers • Collaborates on marketing and other special projects The CEP office, at 3 Monument Square in Urbana, is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and may be called at 937-653-7200. For more information, visit the CEP website, cepohio.com. ![]() Over three dozen students enrolled in an Ohio Hi-Point Career Center satellite manufacturing program at Triad High School celebrated Manufacturing Day on Oct. 2 by touring one of the oldest operating manufacturing companies in Champaign County – Honeywell Aerospace (formerly Grimes Manufacturing/Grimes Aerospace). “Honeywell is one of the largest employers in the county, and we felt it was important to broaden community understanding of the products we manufacture here and the services we provide,” said Tom Duggan, senior director and site leader of the Honeywell Aerospace in Champaign County. “There isn’t a better way to do that than to bring community members onsite on national Manufacturing Day to see for themselves.” Founded in Urbana in 1933 by entrepreneur and inventor Warren G. Grimes, who later became known as “The Father of the Aircraft Lighting Industry,” Grimes Manufacturing made a name for itself as a leader in the aerospace lighting industry. In 1997, the company was acquired by AlliedSignal Inc., which later became Honeywell International Inc. after merging with Honeywell Inc. in 1999. “Honeywell Urbana has two plants focused on the production and repair of interior and exterior lighting for commercial and military aircraft,” Duggan said. “We also manufacturing airplane wipers and some internal displays. Primarily, our products end up on Boeing aircraft, but we have other Aerospace customers as well. “Our Russell Street facility is focused on parts fabrication such as machining, polishing and non-destructive testing. They supply materials to the Route 55 facilities and other Honeywell facilities around the globe,” he added. Field trip details The 40 students interested in a career in the manufacturing sector who took part in the Manufacturing Day event, were given a unique look into the daily operations of Honeywell Aerospace during guided tours of the company’s two Urbana facilities – 550 state Route 55 and 515 N. Russell St. Duggan said students saw 80 percent of the company’s operations on the factory floor, but students had to view some operations through windows because those particular areas required specific personal protective equipment and training. Duggan said the company hopes the tours helped “provide insight and possibly inspiration around careers in manufacturing and Aerospace. “Some of the students may one day be operators, technicians, engineers and leaders at Honeywell Urbana,” he added. Rachel Lewis, Champaign Economic Partnership administrative assistant, said local economic development officials and manufacturers have taken part in national Manufacturing Day in one way or another for the past four years. Last year, students from Urbana High School and Ohio Hi-Point toured the Bundy Baking Solutions’ Shaffer Production Facility located at 720 S. Edgewood Ave. in Urbana. Lewis said the aim of the Manufacturing Day student tours is to give students interested in a career in manufacturing an inside look into local companies while increasing community exposure for local employers. “Manufacturing Day is vitally important as it allows the community to show the future generation of workers that manufacturing is making a comeback, that manufacturing can support a strong community network, and that it can provide stable employment,” she said. “Manufacturing Day also gives an opportunity to focus on our current local employers and the wonderful employees right here in Champaign County who help to create American-made products for a variety of industries.” Participants Triad High School principal Kyle Huffman said the 40 students who participated in the Manufacturing Day tours of the Honeywell Aerospace facilities were high schoolers currently enrolled in the advanced manufacturing program, a satellite program offered to students through a joint effort between Triad and Ohio Hi-Point Career Center. The advanced manufacturing program, which includes a feeder program at Triad Middle School, replaced the district’s industrial arts program decommissioned following the 2014-2015 school year, Huffman said. “Our goal is to take our manufacturing students on tours of the various businesses in the county so that they are aware of the employment opportunities that may be available to them because of our program,” he added. “We decided to have our first tour on Oct. 2 to celebrate Manufacturing Day, and Honeywell graciously offered to allow us to tour their facilities.” As for the importance of such tours, Huffman said, “The goal is for these students to realize the employment opportunities that are available in Champaign County and make real life connections to what they are learning in the classroom.” Huffman added he hopes tours like this help the younger generation realize the local manufacturing sector consists of more than just a certain car manufacturer located in Marysville. “When we think about manufacturing jobs, most people think of Honda and don’t realize that there are other local manufacturing companies looking for skilled and dedicated workers,” he said. “Champaign County is a great community, and for those students who want to make it their home as adults, we want to help them find employment opportunities.” By Matt Sanctis, Springfield News-Sun Staff Writer
Zoning officials in Union Twp. unanimously approved a zoning change this week that could allow a local growing business to expand into Champaign County. Zoning board members approved a conditional use permit at the former DuPont Pioneer research facility to allow light manufacturing, provided Sutphen Corp. is the new tenant. Champaign County economic development officials have been pushing for the change because DuPont left the facility about a year ago, and it has been vacant since. But Sutphen has expressed interest in the site, and is in negotiations with Pioneer to lease the 25,000-square-foot facility, said Terry Howell. The change was needed in order to get the property back in use, he said. The deal still hinges on whether Sutphen can reach an agreement with Pioneer. “The facility is there,” Howell said. “We’re not going to go back and make it prairie grass.” The $1.8 million facility was built specifically for Pioneer and was zoned for a conditional use that would only allow companies that conduct research on corn and soybeans could operate at the facility, he said. Under the new permit, only Sutphen will be allowed to use the property. Officials from Sutphen could not be reached for comment. If the agreement between Sutphen and Pioneer falls through, any new user would have to request a new zoning change. Sutphen, which makes fire trucks and other firefighting equipment, has outgrown its Springfield facility and could move as many as 25 workers to the Union Twp. site, said Marcia Bailey, economic development coordinator for the Champaign Economic Partnership. No specific numbers have been discussed, but Howell said the company would likely create some new jobs in Springfield if a deal is finalized. “Sutphen wants to expand and they have more business, and they’re out of space where they are,” Howell said. Howell had sought a zoning change in December last year, but that was turned down because zoning officials in the township wanted to know who would be using the property before approving the request. At the time, that was not possible, Bailey said. DuPont continues to lease the site in the meantime. “It’s a big deal for an end user to come forward when they’re just looking because they run the risk that the community or another community knows they are looking,” Bailey said. “It was taking a lot of risk for Sutphen to come out and be a part of that, but that also shows they need to make a decision and they need to move on. It made us more aware we needed to do something to help them so that we didn’t lose them.” The deal could also benefit the Triad Local School District, which could potentially receive additional income tax dollars from the new jobs in the district, Bailey said. Howell is also seeking a long-term zoning change that would allow light manufacturing at the site for a more broad variety of companies, to prevent a similar problem in the future. Staying with the story The Springfield News-Sun has tracked the former DuPont Pioneer research site since the beginning, covering the facility’s construction and the eventual decision to leave. The newspaper will continue to provide the best coverage of jobs and the economy in the region. ![]() Local manufacturers took center stage on Tuesday at the county Community Center during a “Manufacturers Thank You Breakfast” hosted by the Champaign Economic Partnership (CEP). The event, attended by state and local officials and representatives from some of the county’s 18 manufacturing companies, was organized by the CEP to “honor and thank the employers for their dedication to Champaign County.” “Almost everybody that is represented in this room on the manufacturing side has either had growth this past year – whether it be employees, expansion or new investment in equipment – or is getting ready to,” said CEP Economic Development Director Marcia Bailey. The list of manufacturing companies in the county includes Bundy Baking Solutions, WEIDMANN, KTH, Ultra-met, The Hall Company, Rosewood Machine and Tool Company (RMT), Advanced Technology Products (ATP), Sarica Manufacturing, ORBIS Corporation, Desmond-Stephan Manufacturing, Hughey & Phillips, Parker Trutec, Rittal, Johnson Welded Products (JWP), Robert Rothschild Farm, Colepak, International Fiber Corporation and Honeywell Aerospace. Bailey remarked that even with an ever-growing list of manufacturers in the county, no one is in stiff competition with the other and, in some cases, local companies are helping one another. “The uniqueness is still there in that none of you make the same product and some of you are each other’s customer, so we want to continue that,” she said. “We want to continue the diversity that we have and bring more people here.” Proclamations Three local manufacturers were highlighted during the event for reaching anniversary milestones in 2015. Urbana Mayor Bill Bean and Champaign County Commissioners Steve Hess, Bob Corbett and Dave Faulkner jointly presented Ultra-met (50 years in business), JWP (45 years in business) and KTH (30 years in business) with “Keeping Champaign County Strong” proclamations in recognition of their “long-standing dedication and service to the community.” “We thought it was unique that three companies are celebrating anniversaries all in the same year,” Bailey said. Representatives from the three companies were also presented with pumpkins from the CEP painted by local artist Vicki Deere-Bunnell. Each pumpkin was decorated with the company’s logo and fall scenes. Also in attendance was Sandra Brasington, the western Ohio regional liaison for Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s office, who presented each manufacturer with a proclamation signed by Kasich and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor. “On behalf of the governor’s office, we want to thank you for your investment in Ohio as businesses in manufacturing,” Brasington said. “You guys are the ones making it happen, so we really want to thank each of you.” Brasington also thanked the county’s manufacturers for “changing lives” for the thousands of workers they employ. “You are making a difference,” she said. “You guys are doing a great job here in Champaign County, and we want to recognize that.” Bailey presented data showing job creation is on the rise. In 2013, Champaign County manufacturers employed 2,928 people, and by 2014, the number rose to 3,487. As of September of this year, Bailey said, the number of employees working in the county’s manufacturing sector stands at 3,832. “We’ve had over 900 jobs created in a three-year time period just here in Champaign County in manufacturing,” she said. (Pictured above: Champaign County Commissioner Steve Hess presents Lilli Ann Johnson, president of Johnson Welded Products (JWP), with a “Keeping Champaign County Strong” proclamation during Tuesday’s “Manufacturers Thank You Breakfast” hosted by the Champaign Economic Partnership (CEP) at the county Community Center in Urbana. From left are Urbana Mayor Bill Bean, Hess, Johnson and Rachel Lewis, CEP administrative assistant. ) Manufacturing firms in Champaign County have added jobs and had a greater economic impact as the economy has begun to recover, local officials said Tuesday.
Both private and government officials have worked more closely together in recent years, and are working together to address issues like workforce development, said Marcia Bailey, economic development coordinator for the Champaign Economic Partnership. Representatives from several area manufacturing firms met Tuesday morning as part of a manufacturer’s council in which local companies gather with education and government officials and discuss ways to address workforce issues. Some signs indicate those efforts are already paying off, Bailey said. Information provided by the Dayton Development Coalition shows the industry provided jobs for about 2,900 workers in 2013, and that has grown to about 3,800 jobs this year. Several manufacturers have worked together to attract younger workers, Bailey said, including hosting displays and a booth at the Champaign County Fair. Drawing younger workers is important because much of the current workforce is aging and there are now too few people in the pipeline to replace them. “It’s going to take a lot to turn it around,” Bailey said. The council also recently hosted a manufacturing day, offering tours at Honeywell sites to area high school students. Bailey also pointed to a new program developed by Trial Local Schools and the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center that started this year to teach manufacturing skills to students in the district as early as middle school. Making sure there are students interested in the field will be critical to fill vacant jobs as manufacturing becomes more advanced, she said. The industry accounted for $319 million, or about 33 percent of Champaign County’s gross regional product in 2013. That figure represents the goods and services produced in the county. By last year, manufacturing’s impact had risen to $399 million, or 36 percent of the gross regional product. In the past, the city of Urbana had provided much of the funding for economic development in the county. But several companies and government agencies recently formed the CEP, which includes funding from both private and government entities. That should benefit manufacturing firms because it will provide more resources and coordination for economic development, said Todd Michael, president of the Champaign Economic Partnership. “It’s a whole different attitude than we’ve had in the past,” Michael said. Bailey also recognized three local companies that have a long history of providing jobs in the county. Ultra-Met, which makes parts for the aerospace, defense and biomedical industries, has its 50th anniversary this year. Johnson Welded Products in Urbana, which makes parts for the heavy truck industry, has been there for 35 years. KTH Parts Industries Inc., in St. Paris, will mark 30 years as a parts supplier for Honda. http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/business/economy/signs-show-improving-housing-market-in-clark-champ/nmzTG/
By Matt Sanctis Construction firms and real estate agents see signs that the region’s housing market has improved, including higher prices and fewer foreclosures in Clark and Champaign counties. Clark County saw a roughly 11 percent increase in the number of single-family homes and condos sold in the first half of this year compared to 2014, according to area real estate experts. And the average sale price for Clark County homes hit $100,378 from January through May, an increase of about 6 percent compared to the same time last year, said Elaine Stevenson, president of the Springfield Board of Realtors. “It affects everybody,” Stevenson said. “For buyers it means the rates are still down and homes are still affordable, and for sellers it means the buyers are a little more aggressive than they have been. Along with that we see the trickle-down affect for lenders, inspectors and all of the building industry. It’s good economic news.” Falling home prices and foreclosures played a key role in the Great Recession. In Clark County, 479 homes have been sold between January and May this year, Stevenson said, up from 432 at the same time last year. In Champaign County, 156 homes have been sold through May this year, a roughly 8 percent increase from the same time last year. The average sale price for homes and condos in Champaign County has been about $117,000 so far this year, a roughly 12 percent increase compared to the same time last year, Stevenson said. Overall however, construction and total property sales remain relatively flat in Champaign County compared to last year, according to information from the Henderson Land Investment Co., which has offices in Urbana and St. Paris. A recent newsletter from the company showed all sales were down slightly compared to last year, including homes, commercial properties, farms and vacant lots. “Our sale values are higher, the number of sales is pretty comparable to last year,” said Stephen Henderson, co-owner of Henderson Land Investment. Some area construction firms have started to see more new home construction for the first time since the Great Recession, said Dan Kegly, president of the Building Industry Association of Clark County and owner of Dan Kegly Construction. “I’ve seen a pretty good uptick in construction,” Kegly said. “I’ve had a lot more phone calls this year for new homes and we have a few more contracts than I thought we would at this point. I don’t know if that’s due to the fact that we have less builders in the county now or if it’s just an overall general increase.” Stevenson also noted more of her clients are interested in building their own homes as well. “For the first time in a long time I have clients who are building,” Stevenson said. “I haven’t seen that for quite some time.” Construction had been flat since about 2008, but picked up this year, said Mark Overholser, owner of Overholser Builders. The company is now building single-family residences in the Simon Kenton Farm area off Derr Road, mostly in the $250,000 to $275,000 range. The first phase of the project includes eight homes and a second phase is expected to begin in the next few months, he said. “People have had a wait-and-see attitude and I think they’re finally figuring now is the time,” Overholser said. The time a home sits on the market is another sign the market has improved, Stevenson said. Last year, Clark County homes stayed on the market for an average of 120 days, but that figure is down to 107 days so far this year. Foreclosure rates are also down in both Clark and Champaign counties compared to 2014, according to information from CoreLogic, a firm that tracks mortgages and other information. There could be several factors contributing to higher sale prices locally and across the state, Henderson said. “People feel a little more comfortable with their jobs and employment and security, and they’re willing to take a higher risk than they were with the uncertainty in the economy,” Henderson said. “Then the number of foreclosures is less than it was and that’s taking away the depressed homes and putting better homes on the market.” In-depth coverage The Springfield News-Sun provides unmatched coverage of jobs and the economy in Clark and Champaign counties. For this story, the newspaper spoke to area real estate agents, contractors and national experts about the housing market in the region. By the numbers 432 — single family homes and condos sold January through May 2014 in Clark County 479 — single-family homes and condos sold January through May 2015 in Clark County 6.1 percent — Increase in average sale price in 2015 120 days — Average days on market in 2014 in Clark County 107 days — Average days on market in 2015 in Clark County Source: Springfield Board of Realtors http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/business/economy/manufacturing-program-to-grow-in-demand-workforce-/nmyry/
By Matt Sanctis The Ohio Hi-Point Career Center will start a new program with Triad schools to begin developing manufacturing skills as early as middle school and fill a growing demand for workers in the industry. Champaign County saw a roughly 23 percent increase in manufacturing jobs between 2011 and 2013, said Marcia Bailey, economic development director for the Champaign Economic Partnership. But employers statewide have said that a lack of skilled workers makes it tough to fill many of those positions. Nationally, more than 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will be needed over the next 10 years, but as many as 2 million may go unfilled due to the ongoing skills gap, according to a recent study from Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute. “We’ve heard loud and clear from local manufacturers that we need programs that will provide them with skilled workers,” said Debbie Wortman, Ohio Hi-Point Career Center satellite director. Beginning this fall, Ohio Hi-Point will start a three- to four-year process to implement a series of manufacturing courses at Triad middle and high schools. Ohio Hi-Point is also developing similar programs at Bellefontaine High School in Logan County and Kenton middle and high schools in Hardin County, Wortman said. An initial course at Triad Middle School will cover basic manufacturing principles. Other courses could cover topics like welding, machine operations, robotics, blueprint reading and other skills needed by local companies. The program will also allow students to try just a few courses, Wortman said, and take on more if the topics interest them. “We definitely want to always allow multiple entry and exit points,” she said about the program. About 80 students at Triad have already enrolled in the new program when classes start on Aug. 19, Superintendent Chris Piper said. Jonathan Alder Junior High School in Plain City, where Piper previously worked, also had a manufacturing program. It’s been a goal to develop something similar at Triad since he took over as superintendent, he said. Although the classes will take place at Triad, Ohio Hi-Point’s satellite programs are open to all of the career center’s students, so Urbana, Graham and other schools can participate as well, Wortman said. The initial start-up costs for the program will be absorbed through Ohio Hi-Point’s general fund. The eventual goal is to work with local manufacturing firms so every senior in the program has an opportunity for an internship, Piper said. Manufacturing has a significant economic impact in Champaign County, Bailey said. The industry employed close to 3,500 workers there in 2014, according to information compiled by the Dayton Development Coalition. Manufacturing also accounts for about 30 percent of the county’s gross regional product, or the value of goods and services produced in the county. Firms across the region often compete for the same small pool of workers who have the skills companies are looking for, said Dan Szklany, plant manager at Orbis in Urbana. The company makes a range of products, including plastic pallets and plastic reuseable packaging for the food and beverage and automotive industries. “What we end up doing is just stealing them from each other,” said Szklany of the local workforce. Logan Algren, a senior at Graham High School, was working as a temporary employee at Orbis through an Ohio Hi-Point program this week. He’ll attend the University of Advancing Technology in Arizona this fall on a scholarship, and then wants to work for the U.S. Department of Defense. But he said the experience at Orbis has been interesting and he would consider coming back eventually to manufacturing. The skills gap grew over several years as schools across the U.S. began cutting back on technical programs, Szklany said, and it will take a while to rebuild the manufacturing workforce. “We’re trying to make up for lost time is what we’re doing,” Szklany said. In-depth coverage The Springfield News-Sun provides unmatched coverage of jobs and the economy in Clark and Champaign counties. For this story, the paper spoke to area economic development officials, businesses and school leaders to explain a new training program to teach students manufacturing skills. By the Numbers 3.5 million — Estimated manufacturing jobs needed in the next 10 years 2 million — Estimated jobs expected to remain unfilled 3,487 — Manufacturing jobs in Champaign County in 2014 6 percent — Current Champaign county manufacturing workforce ages 19 to 24 Sources Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, Champaign County Economic Development http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/business/economy/champaign-county-seeks-new-partnership-for-economi/ngM2m/
The city of Urbana and Champaign County are asking the private sector to help raise money for economic development efforts in the county. As part of that, Champaign County plans to quadruple what it currently spends on economic development, County Commissioner Steve Hess said. Currently Marcia Bailey works 28 hours a week as the economic development director for the county and city. “It is a full-time business being run part-time,” Urbana Mayor Bill Bean said. Local leaders now hope to create a partnership between the county, city and private sector called the Champaign Economic Partnership, or CEP. “Economic development to me is one of the most single important issues, not only in Urbana, but Champaign County,” Bean said. Bean and Hess presented the partnership proposal on Tuesday to representatives from the banking, education, real estate, manufacturing and health care fields, and leaders from Champaign County townships and villages. Champaign County cut its budget for economic development in 2011. Hess voted against the cuts in 2011, but said he believes the county will re-dedicate $1 from every conveyance fee now used for the general fund budget back into an economic development fund. The county was spending $25,000 a year on economic development and believes the new conveyance fees will raise an additional $75,000 a year. Champaign County said it will give $50,000 to the CEP and save the other $50,000 for special projects. The city has pledged to give $50,000 as well to the partnership and hopes the private sector will match the government agencies, Bean said. The CEP is expected to be fully functioning by Jan 1. 2015, Bailey said. One of the businesses that was a catalyst for the partnership was Pioneer Electric, Bailey said. Pioneer hosted the presentation and was the business to donate to the CEP, giving $15,000. “We believe strongly in economic development,” Pioneer Electric CFO Aaron Stallings said. Pioneer benefits when any new business comes into the county, he said, because it will use the company’s power or their employees will use the electricity. The money raised by the partnership will go toward hiring staff, boosting Urbana’s web presence and recruiting businesses and employees, Bailey said. Rick Finkbine, executive vice president of Sarica Manufacturing, said his company spends a lot of time recruiting and educating employees about manufacturing jobs. He said he hopes the partnership will help with those efforts. “Manufacturing is a different industry than many people perceive it to be,” Finkbine said. “We spend a lot of time recruiting, talking to people about the new kind of manufacturing, which is much more modern and clean than they may believe.” Sarica would be interested in being part of the partnership, he said, because more companies in Urbana can benefit everyone. “We would like to shorten the supply chain. The longer the supply chain the more costly it is. The more inflexible it is. Additional business around us would benefit us on a supply chain,” Finkbine said. “Obviously it would open up opportunities for additional customers also.” http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/news/local/champaign-county-to-change-economic-development-mo/nmPB4/
By Matt Sanctis Champaign County’s economic development model could change this week under a plan that will include cooperation and funding from the county, city of Urbana, private businesses and other entities. Urbana City Council members recently approved the proposal, and the Champaign County commissioners are expected to finalize the deal Thursday. The proposal has been in the works for almost a year, and if approved, will eventually create a one-stop shop for business services. It would include offices for economic development, the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Coalition and other entities under a single roof. The new structure could take effect about 30 days after the county finalizes the agreement. The Community Improvement Corporation of Champaign County will take over control of economic development and will be called the Champaign Economic Partnership, said Steve Hess, Champaign County Commissioner. The city has provided the brunt of the funding in recent years after the economy soured. But the county and other entities will now chip in additional resources to attract and retain business, Hess said. “We felt like the county needed to step up and help with the effort more than what we were,” he said. The city will continue to provide about $50,000 per year in funding for economic development, and Champaign County will now donate an additional $50,000 annually, paid for through a portion of county conveyance fees that until recently went instead to the general fund. The Pioneer Electric Cooperative and DP&L will also spend $15,000 each to fund the entity. The commissioners raised conveyance fees, added to each county real estate sale, by $2 in 2009, with a portion being used to pay for economic development. But at the worst of the recession, that money was diverted back to the county’s general fund to hold off other cuts. “I said at the time I saw that as a temporary thing,” Hess said. “Once things loosened up a little bit financially for us I wanted to push to get it put back on.” About $1.30 from Champaign County’s $4 conveyance fee will fund its portion of the effort. Other local businesses that are interested will also be able to donate to the organization. Marcia Bailey, who previously worked for the city, would continue to lead economic development efforts locally. She would report to an 18-member board governing the Champaign Economic Partnership. That board would include local government officials, school leaders and private businesses, among others. Local officials organized the new structure based on a similar model in Shelby County, which has involved cooperation from Sidney and Shelby County for more than two decades. “We feel that’s a sustainable model,” Hess said. “It’s a wheel that’s already been invented and it’s worked pretty well in Shelby County, and I feel like it ought to work in Champaign County, too.” Shelby County’s program started in 1983, during a period of high unemployment and inflation, said Mike Dodds, executive director of the Sidney-Shelby Economic Partnership. Several area businesses at the time wanted to be more aggressive in competing for business, and the result so far has been effective, Dodds said. One of the benefits is it allows both Sidney and Shelby County to pool resources instead of competing, Dodds said. Business owners in Urbana said they are optimistic the change will benefit existing businesses as well. Pam Bowshier, who owns a small business in downtown Urbana, moved to the area 16 years ago from Florida and remembers the majority of downtown shops were vacant at that time. “Shop window after shop window was just empty,” she said. Over time that has changed, and she hopes the new coalition will enhance that growth and development — especially for tourism and attraction to the area. Bowshier’s local shop, Cosmic Charlie’s Breads and Threads, 116 Scioto St., has had a storefront downtown for the past year. As a small business owner, she was excited to hear the county, city and private enterprises were uniting in the venture, she said. The group could create more opportunities together than each could do individually. “We need everyone working together,” Bowshier said. If successful, the new model in Champaign County will benefit schools, existing businesses and local government, said Ron Salyer, CEO of Pioneer Electric. The company has been involved since efforts began to find a more effective plan to pay for economic development. “One thing we think is really neat about it is the board is made up of 60 percent private businesses, and 40 percent public entities,” Salyer said. “That way, we have a pretty nice balance between the private focus as well as the public and it gets everyone on the same page when opportunities come to the county.” Pioneer has a significant investment in electric infrastructure in the county, so attracting new businesses helps build a stronger base of customers, Salyer said. The Champaign Economic Partnership is already looking for suitable office space in Urbana that could house several agencies under one roof, Bailey said. Creating a single location for business development would allow local organizations to share resources and time, and make things easier for businesses who are interested in expanding or relocating to the area. The money the county raises from its conveyance fees could generate between $90,000 to $100,000 per year, Hess said. After the county’s initial $50,000 investment, the rest could go toward other needs like hiring an additional part-time staff member to assist Bailey, setting up a revolving loan fund or funding a separate project. The money must be spent for economic development purposes. Although it was a long process, the new organization’s board members have so far shown they are committed to making sure the new model works, Urbana Mayor Bill Bean said. “We’ve had our ups and downs with economic development in Champaign County over the years,” Bean said. “Yes, this is new; but nothing ventured, nothing gained. Right now we’ve got people interested in doing what’s right for the communities.” Staying with the story The Springfield News-Sun is committed to covering business and the economy in Clark and Champaign counties. For this story, the paper spoke to local government officials and private businesses about this year-long effort. By the numbers $50,000 — Amount Urbana and Champaign County are donating $15,000 — Donation from Pioneer Electric and DP&L $90,000 to $100,000 — Estimated amount county conveyance fees could raise for economic development 18 — Board members on the Champaign Economic Partnership |
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