A Special Message from Commissioner Jeff Fix and Rick Szabrak

New economic development opportunities are happening in Fairfield County creating hundreds of new jobs, assisting local schools and benefiting the entire community. Watch the video to learn more!

Fairfield County Veterans Hall of Fame Hosts First Annual Induction Ceremony and Dinner

The Fairfield County Veterans Hall of Fame recently honored 29 local veterans during their first annual Induction Ceremony & Dinner at The Levacy Center. For this first ceremony, the inductees were those from Fairfield County who have already been inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. In the future, inductees will be selected based on nominations.

In attendance was Commissioner Dave Levacy, himself a member of the Fairfield County Veterans Hall of Fame, and guest speaker, Retired Major General U.S. Army and Director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, John C. Harris Jr. The event also included dinner and moments of remembrance for veterans who are no longer with us. 

The Veterans Hall of Fame was established to recognize Fairfield County veterans who demonstrate continued service and leadership in their local communities. Inductees are nominated by the public and selected based on their post-military contributions to civic, professional, and charitable causes. Click here to learn more. To submit a nomination for the 2026 induction, click here.

Purposefully Offering Women Empowerment Resources (P.O.W.E.R.)

Fairfield County employees convened at The Levacy Center for another inspiring P.O.W.E.R. event: When the Grit Hits the Fan; Turning Pitfalls Into PROGRESS.

Guest speaker Jennifer Seifert, Ph.D., who serves as the principal of PROGRESS Appalachia, presented a high-energy and interactive session about navigating the unexpected. She provided practical strategies and worked with the attendees on ways to reframe challenges as opportunities, lean on our networks, and build confidence.👏

On with Aunie: Veterans Day Hall of Fame

Tune in to the latest episode of On with Aunie as County Administrator Aunie Cordle speaks with Mayor Don McDaniel and Major General Lance Myer, fellow inductees to the Fairfield County Veterans Hall of Fame. They discuss what it means to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

"The Hunger Games" Food and Hygiene Drive

The Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Fairfield County Job and Family Services teamed up and turned giving back into a fun and friendly competition called "The Hunger Games" Food and Hygiene Drive. JFS collected 2,824 items and Fairfield County DD collected 1,581 items. Fairfield County Transit assisted with picking up the items from both locations. Thank you to everyone who donated and helped support local food pantries.👏

Supporting Families: The Impact of Giving Back This Season

Giving back to your local community creates a ripple effect that reaches far beyond a single good deed. When you volunteer, donate, or simply show up to support local efforts, you strengthen the very foundation of the place you call home. In Fairfield County, every act of generosity helps keep our community strong, supported, and moving forward together.

Please click here to view a list of local pantries accepting donations daily.

Celebrating Families: National Adoption Month

As we celebrate National Adoption Month, the Foster the Future Alliance continues its mission to uplift children and strengthen families by championing the power of safe, supportive foster care. The program emphasizes keeping children within their communities and schools whenever possible and promoting reunification with birth families. Through the Foster the Future Alliance, a collaboration with South Central Job & Family Services, the county is expanding its capacity to license treatment foster homes, ensuring that youth receive the specialized care they require while remaining close to their support networks.

To learn more about the program or inquire about fostering, visit: https://www.co.fairfield.oh.us/fosterthefuture/

Spread Cheer: JFS Holiday Donation Drive

The Holiday Donation Drive at Fairfield County Job and Family Services is under way! YOU can make a difference this holiday season.

Meet Colleen Cook, Human Resources Administrator

As a human resources administrator specializing in employee benefits, Colleen guides county employees through enrollments, life changes and those inevitable "What does this form mean?" moments. Her role also includes reconciling benefits invoices to ensure they match employee coverage and payroll deductions, helping maintain accuracy across the country's systems.

Colleen enjoys the chance to connect with employees and help them make decisions that can feel overwhelming. "It feels good to make something complicated a little easier," says Colleen. She also finds fulfillment in the analytical side of her job.

Her advice to anyone interested in a similar career to learn HR fundamentals, get comfortable with Excel and look for opportunities to assist with benefits tasks. "If you enjoy helping people and secretly love a good spreadsheet, this path might surprise you," says Colleen.

Meet Jon Kochis, Board Member of the Fairfield County Airport Authority

A lifelong interest in aviation inspired Jon to support the Fairfield County Airport. While working with the airport on emergency preparedness in 2014, he learned of an opening to serve on the board and was appointed by the county commissioners the following year. As a neighbor to the airport, he saw it as an opportunity to build positive connections between the facility and the surrounding community.

Jon says the most rewarding part of serving on the board is still ahead. Airport development is a long-term process, and while the past decade has focused on the early stages of a plan developed after the Election House Road realignment, he is excited for what is next and believes the airport's growth will play a key role in the county's future.

Jon wants to help show the community that the Fairfield County Airport is a valuable resource. It supports local economic development, offers a convenient option for business travel and has helped hundreds of pilots launch their aviation careers. The airport houses a historical aircraft museum that honors veterans and inspires visitors who may be discovering an interest in aviation for the first time.

To learn more about the Fairfield County Airport, click here.