The Insider
February 2024
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Annual Meeting of Investors | |
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It's not too late to register for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Investors!
Our Keynote speaker this year is K. Venkatesh Prasad who will be speaking about the US Auto Industry Transition.
Prasad serves as The Senior Vice President of Research and Chief Innovation Office (CINO) at The Center for Automotive Research. He has held a broad range of roles in Research and Development across Ford’s global Vehicle Components & Systems Engineering Organization, and most recently in Corporate Strategy. During that time, he co-founded and led Ford’s Silicon Valley Labs in Palo Alto, California.
The Annual Meeting is $35 per person and can be paid online with credit car OR paid via check and sent to the SCEDC office at 2511 Countryside Drive, Suite C, Fremont, Ohio 43420
Sponsorship opportunities are available for $500 and include a table of 8.
*Please note: If you would like to buy a sponsorship (comes with a table of 8), please email Kyleigh at communications@sanduskycountyedc.org and she will send you an invoice.
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The Student Job Fair held by the SCEDC, VSCTC and the Business Advisory Council will be held on April 26, 2024. There are a few spots remaining. If you are interested in participating, please contact Kyleigh for a registration link. | |
US 23 Corridor Roundtable Event | |
In partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of Sandusky County, the SCEDC hosted a US 23 Corridor Roundtable event that discussed the upcoming transportation study. Brian Dicken, the VP at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, led the discussion. | |
The Sandusky-Seneca County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is officially out for public comment. We are asking for input on the Action Plan portion of the CEDS and have created a survey for individuals to submit their feedback on the content of the Action Plan. The last question of the survey provides a link to the story map and an opportunity for individuals to submit any additional feedback they may have. The public comment period goes until Friday, February 23, 2024. | |
Sandusky County Attends Teacher Bootcamp Roundtable hosted by Lt. Gov. Husted | |
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Lt. Gov. Jon Husted addressed a roundtable of teachers and business leaders at Ashland University on February 1st. Teachers and business leaders offered Husted feedback about how the program had worked for them. Superintendents, teachers, business owners, and more made up the participants. Three representatives from Sandusky County attended: Beth Hannam, SCEDC Executive Director; Andy Horn, Engineering Manager at Motion Controls Robotics Inc.; and Sam Weigman, a social studies teacher at Gibsonburg High School.
Sam Weigman attended the Sandusky County Teacher Bootcamp in 2023 and has been an advocate ever since! While some students plan to go to college, Weigman said he also deals with students who are “lost.” In other words, he said, they don’t know what their future might look like. For him, the Teacher Bootcamp offered a new ability to connect those students with possible job opportunities. It became a valuable resource and helped him better understand how to help his students get a leg up, he said. Weigman said he even changed his lesson plans to relate area businesses to world history, bringing his new knowledge to the classroom.
Stories like Weigman’s were the common thread throughout the hour.
Business leaders and educators said the bootcamps helped them connect students with local opportunities, which in turn led to talent retention in each of their communities.
“If we’re going to continue to be a thriving economic state, we need to innovate, and to innovate requires talent,” Husted said. “We want to make the most of every individual.”
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Local, County, and State News | |
2024 Solar Eclipse: What to Expect | |
The 2024 solar eclipse is passing through Sandusky County. This won't happen in Ohio again until 2444. Because of this rare and spectacular event, Sandusky County could see an influx of 118,000 people. How can your business be prepared?
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Genoa Bank Ribbon Cutting | |
Genoa Bank and the Sandusky County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the Grand Opening and ribbon cutting of Genoa Banks' newest branch on January 30th.
The new branch is located at 1701 W. State Street in Fremont. The new branch was welcomed by many members of the community including Tim Shneider, NWO District Representative from the office of Senator JD Vance; Representative Gary Click, Ohio House of Representatives; Mayor Danny Sanchez, City of Fremont; the Sandusky County Commissioners - Scott Miller, Charlie Schwochow, and Russ Zimmerman.
'We are so excited to make all of the services we offer even more convenient with this location,' said Martin P. Sutter, President and CEO of GenoaBank.
Welcome to Fremont!
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The JDI Group, Inc. Expands Ownership
The JDI Group, Inc. (JDI) announces Tom Worline, PE, will be joining founder, Timothy Fry, AIA, and existing principals, as an owner of the company. Based in Maumee, Ohio, JDI opened in 2002 and provides unique architecture and engineering design solutions to solve our client’s challenges.
Read full press release
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CIFT Food Industry Services | |
CIFT (Center for Innovative Food Technology) is one of the six non-profit MEP agencies located throughout the state of Ohio. The organization is headquartered in Toledo, OH, and provides various technical services specifically designed for food and beverage manufacturers, including product development, food safety, and process engineering.
In addition to these services, CIFT also offers other programs such as subsidies for interns and market research reports. If you are a food or beverage company in need of support, you can visit their website to learn more and get in touch with them.
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Broadband, CDL Training Opportunities Available |  | |
No-cost training opportunities are available at Terra State Community College for those who have experienced job loss due to COVID-19.
In partnership with OhioMeansJobs and Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP), Terra State will offer a Broadband Construction Training program beginning March 18. Students will learn basic construction principles, safety, and other skills needed for careers in the construction and maintenance of fiber optic networks.
Additionally, Terra State in partnership with OhioMeansJobs, GLCAP, and Trainco will offer a three-week Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) course for students seeking careers in the trucking industry. The course covers rural, urban, and interstate driving; DOT regulations; shifting nine-speed and ten-speed transmissions; and more. Course times and dates will depend on the number of interested participants who apply.
“Trainings offer students a chance to learn skills for jobs that pay well and are in demand,” GLCAP Workforce Outreach Advocate Lucille Phillips said. “The courses can also help give a new start to people whose careers were affected by the pandemic.”
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects both broadband industry and truck-driving careers to experience growth through 2032. According to BLS 2022 statistics, median wages for truck drivers were $24 per hour, while telecommunications technicians and line installers respectively averaged $28.94 and $39.59 per hour.
Details are available by calling 1-800-775-9767 or visiting www.glcap.org/training.
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Small Business. Big Impact. | |
Helping Our Community's Small Businesses & Startups Learn and Grow
The Business Resource Center is a one-stop call center to guide area businesses and new business start-ups to a range of resources and continuous learning programs available to help members of our community to advance business knowledge and skills.
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SBDC - Small Business Basics Seminar
The Small Business Development Center's Small Business Basics seminar is free for anyone who wants to start, buy, or expand a small business.
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Soft Skills 2: Understanding Your Why
Monday, February 5, 2024
7:00 p.m.
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Learn the Basics of Google Ads
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
7:00 p.m.
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Introduction to Selling to the Federal Government
Friday, February 9, 2024
10:00 a.m.
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Soft Skills 3: Who's in the Workplace
Monday, February 12, 2024
7:00 p.m.
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Lender Training: New Lender Orientation
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
11:00 a.m.
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Starting or Growing a Veteran-Owned Small Business
Thursday, February 15, 2024
9:00 a.m.
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Marketing in a Digital World
Thursday, February 15, 2024
4:00 p.m.
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Marketing Basics
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
12:00 p.m.
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Soft Skills 4: Part 1 Solving Problems at the Source: How to Empower Your Team Solution-Oriented
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
7:00 p.m.
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Survey of SBA Programs & Services for Entrepreneurs
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
11:00 a.m.
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BUILDINGS AND SITES
Sandusky County is a growing business hub that is well-positioned for investment, growth, and development. Strategically located in Northwest Ohio, Sandusky County is a prime location for businesses that are looking to locate/relocate or to expand, offering companies access to a large pool of talented workforce; affordable, flexible, and attractive real estate options; strategic access via an intermodal transportation network; and excellent education options.
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BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY MAPPING
Access to data that drives the growth of your business. Search SizeUp and gain instant access to local & sector-specific data, allowing you to make informed business decisions. Explore suppliers and competition, ways to optimize your marketing, key demographics, and customers. With SizeUp you can escalate your Sandusky County business or find numerous reasons to establish one here.
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LOCAL INCENTIVES
Communities in Sandusky County have a wide range of incentives available to assist new and expanding businesses.
- Enterprise Zone Program
- Community Reinvestment Area (CRA)
- Job Retention & Creation Incentive Income Tax Credit
- Opportunity Zone Program
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STATE INCENTIVES
Grant funding and tax credits are among the most sought after incentives of new and expanding businesses. JobsOhio and the local municipalities within Sandusky County have programs in place offering these benefits to encourage business growth. These programs of varying focus are typically tied to job creation and new capital investment in fixed assets.
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SCEDC News
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