Ross County initiative could aid in Highland County economic development
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
An economic development initiative based out of Ross County is working on job creation and expansion that could be beneficial to the residents of Highland County.
During a meeting Wednesday with the Highland County Commissioners, Greenfield City Manager Betty Bishop introduced Chris Manegold of the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio.
Bishop said that she first got in contact with the organization when she was approached for assistance by an area business owner. As the businesses was technically located in Ross County, she said she went seeking sources over the county line.
"With knowing each other a little bit better, we can have a better
relationship and be in a better position to help one another," Bishop said.
Manegold, chief executive officer of the organization, said that his
function is to "bring people to the table" and initiate conversations and spur interest in the region. Though it is technically a Ross County organization, Manegold said that he doesn't just promote the Ross County and Chillicothe areas; rather, he looks at what manufacturers and other businesses need and where they could be located in the region. That means he looks to locate them in his base area, but also in Piketon, Jackson and Highland counties.
"I know that for financial reasons (Highland County) had to close its office of economic development earlier this year," Manegold said, and he felt that the alliance could offer some assistance to the county in that area.
Manegold said that when job opportunities increase across county lines, it is good for those neighboring counties.
"Companies don't pick a city or a county, and people don't care where it is, as long as it's a great-paying job," Manegold said. "We say that economic development doesn't stop at Paint Creek. Growth in Highland County can only be an advantage, from a regional standpoint."
Highland County Commissioners Gary Heaton, Tom Horst and Shane Wilkin said that they had not been aware of the alliance prior to the meeting but would be glad to work with them.
Heaton asked Manegold, who had spoken of extensive travels and discussions across the United States, Europe and Japan, if he had any insight as to the state of economic growth on a local, state and national level.
Manegold said that there are signs of growth in that companies are starting to hire again a little at a time, and that, "It's as much the psychology of it all. When you have DHL shut down, or Mills Pride in Pike County close, people wonder when the other shoe is going to drop. Then, when it does, they wonder if there's going to be another pair."
The alliance, he said, is focused on seeking out opportunities, but also making sure that when opportunities arise, the region is ready to respond, such as have water and sewer infrastructure in the right places, and land opportunities for sale and development.
Manegold said that it is difficult to find 500-1,000 acres of land that is out of a flood plane. Horst noted that it is difficult to attract manufacturing jobs without four-lane highways or rail lines.
"Betty has our only railroad in the county (located in Greenfield)," Horst said.
"Our workforce that we have that is out of work is going to turn into a real advantage," Manegold said, when it comes to attracting manufacturers.
Rather than looking for businesses that could employ hundreds or thousands of people, Manegold said they are looking for all types of jobs, even if that means creating less than 50 jobs per new business.
With new technology, Manegold said that companies can look into the attributes of a region or county, "and you don't even know you're getting looked at" so the area needs to make sure its best foot is forward at all times.
"I hope we're moving in the right direction," he said. "We're going to continue to keep doing what we're doing."
For more information on the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio, visit www.edaso.org.
An economic development initiative based out of Ross County is working on job creation and expansion that could be beneficial to the residents of Highland County.
During a meeting Wednesday with the Highland County Commissioners, Greenfield City Manager Betty Bishop introduced Chris Manegold of the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio.
Bishop said that she first got in contact with the organization when she was approached for assistance by an area business owner. As the businesses was technically located in Ross County, she said she went seeking sources over the county line.
"With knowing each other a little bit better, we can have a better
relationship and be in a better position to help one another," Bishop said.
Manegold, chief executive officer of the organization, said that his
function is to "bring people to the table" and initiate conversations and spur interest in the region. Though it is technically a Ross County organization, Manegold said that he doesn't just promote the Ross County and Chillicothe areas; rather, he looks at what manufacturers and other businesses need and where they could be located in the region. That means he looks to locate them in his base area, but also in Piketon, Jackson and Highland counties.
"I know that for financial reasons (Highland County) had to close its office of economic development earlier this year," Manegold said, and he felt that the alliance could offer some assistance to the county in that area.
Manegold said that when job opportunities increase across county lines, it is good for those neighboring counties.
"Companies don't pick a city or a county, and people don't care where it is, as long as it's a great-paying job," Manegold said. "We say that economic development doesn't stop at Paint Creek. Growth in Highland County can only be an advantage, from a regional standpoint."
Highland County Commissioners Gary Heaton, Tom Horst and Shane Wilkin said that they had not been aware of the alliance prior to the meeting but would be glad to work with them.
Heaton asked Manegold, who had spoken of extensive travels and discussions across the United States, Europe and Japan, if he had any insight as to the state of economic growth on a local, state and national level.
Manegold said that there are signs of growth in that companies are starting to hire again a little at a time, and that, "It's as much the psychology of it all. When you have DHL shut down, or Mills Pride in Pike County close, people wonder when the other shoe is going to drop. Then, when it does, they wonder if there's going to be another pair."
The alliance, he said, is focused on seeking out opportunities, but also making sure that when opportunities arise, the region is ready to respond, such as have water and sewer infrastructure in the right places, and land opportunities for sale and development.
Manegold said that it is difficult to find 500-1,000 acres of land that is out of a flood plane. Horst noted that it is difficult to attract manufacturing jobs without four-lane highways or rail lines.
"Betty has our only railroad in the county (located in Greenfield)," Horst said.
"Our workforce that we have that is out of work is going to turn into a real advantage," Manegold said, when it comes to attracting manufacturers.
Rather than looking for businesses that could employ hundreds or thousands of people, Manegold said they are looking for all types of jobs, even if that means creating less than 50 jobs per new business.
With new technology, Manegold said that companies can look into the attributes of a region or county, "and you don't even know you're getting looked at" so the area needs to make sure its best foot is forward at all times.
"I hope we're moving in the right direction," he said. "We're going to continue to keep doing what we're doing."
For more information on the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio, visit www.edaso.org.
[[In-content Ad]]