Ideas shared for economic development
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Greenfield interim city manager Betty Bishop met with the Highland County Board of Commissioners Wednesday for an open discussion on economic development.
Bishop, the former mayor of Hillsboro, told commissioners she appreciated the opportunity to “sit down and work with you and see what you have in place for possible economic development.”
Commissioners referred some of Bishop’s questions to economic development director Dan Cowdrey and economic recovery coordinator Rafael Underwood.
“I know the economy has been bad for everyone,” Bishop said. “We’ve been through this once before; we came through it then and I don’t have any reason not to believe we can get through it now.”
Commissioner Gary Heaton suggested Bishop also network Ohio State University Extension Agent Rose Fisher Merkowitz and Highland County Chamber of Commerce President Katy Farber. “They can provide information on which businesses may want to expand and how we can help them,” Heaton said.
“Even though I am an interim city manager, I am going into this position as if I’m going to be there 10 years,” Bishop said. “That’s the only way to do it justice. I’m not going to let the city of Greenfield down. I am a team player and I want what’s best for Greenfield and Highland County.”
One area of concern mentioned by Heaton is for Greenfield to work to keep its rail line open. “Huhtamaki (Plastics Inc.) needs the rail line, Candle-Lite uses it, Johnson Controls used to use it,” Heaton said. “It’s important to keep it open and in good condition.”
Bishop said she planned to meet with former city manager Charley Bowman and discuss the city’s recent management history. She also asked commissioners to keep her informed of any meetings that might be beneficial.
Commissioner Tom Horst said, “Betty, you have a track record that’s second to none when it comes to getting things done.” He said commissioners would continue to work with the city of Greenfield.
Bishop then asked commissioners to “tell me what your crystal ball says about the next six months.”
“I think the next six months will be very tough,” Commissioner Shane Wilkin responded. “We’re still looking at cutting costs wherever we can. We’ve cut some already, but we have to cut more.”
“We’re still not sure that our unemployment has hit bottom in Highland County,” Horst added. The state jobless rate is approximately 10.5 percent. Highland County leads Ohio in the percentage of unemployed workers, at 15.9.
Commissioners agreed to work with Bishop and the city of Greenfield. The county commission will hold an open meeting in Greenfield at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28 at the Greenfield Library.
“I want to bring back the confidence that government is working for the people, not the people are working for the government,” Bishop said.
In other action, commissioners agreed to write a letter of support to Southern State Community College and the Highland County Chamber of Commerce for an enterprise facilitation program.
Commissioners also discussed the transfer of a life squad vehicle to the Paint Joint EMS Fire District on Jan. 1.
Commissioners approved the following resolutions, all
by 3-0 votes:
• The following budget modification (Recycling Grant 2005): from Overhead to Salary, in the amount of $51.10, and OPERS, in the amount
of $6.63, and Medicare, in the amount of $0.44, with a total of $58.17 modified from overhead.
• The authorization of the following additional appropriation (to Conceal Carry): from Unappropriated funds to Concealed Carry Law, Other Expense, in the amount of $6,094.
• The authorization of additional appropriation (from Methamphetamine Initiative Grant) from Unappropriated Funds to Sheriff’s Employee
Salaries, in the amount of $1,105.48.
• The authorization of the budget modification (Children Services Gift Fund) from Allowances to Miscellaneous, in the amount of $222.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to Common Pleas Court Computer Research from Unappropriated Funds (Xerox) to Other Expense,
in the amount of $107.76.
• The authorization of the budget modification (Policeman’s Rotary) and transfer (to Sheriff): from Policeman’s Rotary, Salary Employees, to Policeman’s Rotary, Transfers, in the amount of $5,000, and the following transfer: from Policeman’s Rotary, Transfers, to Sheriff’s Salary-Employees, in the amount of $5,000.
• The authorization of the budget modification (Prosecutor) from Commissioners Equipment to Prosecuting Attorney, Telephone Expense, in the amount of $102.10.
• The authorization of additional appropriation (Real Estate
Assessment) from Unappropriated Funds to Salary Employees, in the amount of $10,000.
• The authorization of the budget modification to the Board of Developmental Disabilities fund: from Contracts Services to Health Insurance, in the amount of $4,000.[[In-content Ad]]
Bishop, the former mayor of Hillsboro, told commissioners she appreciated the opportunity to “sit down and work with you and see what you have in place for possible economic development.”
Commissioners referred some of Bishop’s questions to economic development director Dan Cowdrey and economic recovery coordinator Rafael Underwood.
“I know the economy has been bad for everyone,” Bishop said. “We’ve been through this once before; we came through it then and I don’t have any reason not to believe we can get through it now.”
Commissioner Gary Heaton suggested Bishop also network Ohio State University Extension Agent Rose Fisher Merkowitz and Highland County Chamber of Commerce President Katy Farber. “They can provide information on which businesses may want to expand and how we can help them,” Heaton said.
“Even though I am an interim city manager, I am going into this position as if I’m going to be there 10 years,” Bishop said. “That’s the only way to do it justice. I’m not going to let the city of Greenfield down. I am a team player and I want what’s best for Greenfield and Highland County.”
One area of concern mentioned by Heaton is for Greenfield to work to keep its rail line open. “Huhtamaki (Plastics Inc.) needs the rail line, Candle-Lite uses it, Johnson Controls used to use it,” Heaton said. “It’s important to keep it open and in good condition.”
Bishop said she planned to meet with former city manager Charley Bowman and discuss the city’s recent management history. She also asked commissioners to keep her informed of any meetings that might be beneficial.
Commissioner Tom Horst said, “Betty, you have a track record that’s second to none when it comes to getting things done.” He said commissioners would continue to work with the city of Greenfield.
Bishop then asked commissioners to “tell me what your crystal ball says about the next six months.”
“I think the next six months will be very tough,” Commissioner Shane Wilkin responded. “We’re still looking at cutting costs wherever we can. We’ve cut some already, but we have to cut more.”
“We’re still not sure that our unemployment has hit bottom in Highland County,” Horst added. The state jobless rate is approximately 10.5 percent. Highland County leads Ohio in the percentage of unemployed workers, at 15.9.
Commissioners agreed to work with Bishop and the city of Greenfield. The county commission will hold an open meeting in Greenfield at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28 at the Greenfield Library.
“I want to bring back the confidence that government is working for the people, not the people are working for the government,” Bishop said.
In other action, commissioners agreed to write a letter of support to Southern State Community College and the Highland County Chamber of Commerce for an enterprise facilitation program.
Commissioners also discussed the transfer of a life squad vehicle to the Paint Joint EMS Fire District on Jan. 1.
Commissioners approved the following resolutions, all
by 3-0 votes:
• The following budget modification (Recycling Grant 2005): from Overhead to Salary, in the amount of $51.10, and OPERS, in the amount
of $6.63, and Medicare, in the amount of $0.44, with a total of $58.17 modified from overhead.
• The authorization of the following additional appropriation (to Conceal Carry): from Unappropriated funds to Concealed Carry Law, Other Expense, in the amount of $6,094.
• The authorization of additional appropriation (from Methamphetamine Initiative Grant) from Unappropriated Funds to Sheriff’s Employee
Salaries, in the amount of $1,105.48.
• The authorization of the budget modification (Children Services Gift Fund) from Allowances to Miscellaneous, in the amount of $222.
• The authorization of additional appropriation to Common Pleas Court Computer Research from Unappropriated Funds (Xerox) to Other Expense,
in the amount of $107.76.
• The authorization of the budget modification (Policeman’s Rotary) and transfer (to Sheriff): from Policeman’s Rotary, Salary Employees, to Policeman’s Rotary, Transfers, in the amount of $5,000, and the following transfer: from Policeman’s Rotary, Transfers, to Sheriff’s Salary-Employees, in the amount of $5,000.
• The authorization of the budget modification (Prosecutor) from Commissioners Equipment to Prosecuting Attorney, Telephone Expense, in the amount of $102.10.
• The authorization of additional appropriation (Real Estate
Assessment) from Unappropriated Funds to Salary Employees, in the amount of $10,000.
• The authorization of the budget modification to the Board of Developmental Disabilities fund: from Contracts Services to Health Insurance, in the amount of $4,000.[[In-content Ad]]