2009 Annual Report

The Ottawa County Improvement Corporation (OCIC) serves as the lead economic development agency by advancing, encouraging and promoting the industrial, economic, commercial and civic development of Ottawa County. For 2009, the focus was to stay on course with the mission of the OCIC and continue to work to create an environment where businesses can thrive and succeed, despite a slowdown in the worldwide economy. 

In the spring of 2009, Ottawa County received notification that it was awarded a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The grant will provide funds to local communities that can be used to conduct Phase I & II environmental assessments on properties proposed for future economic development activities. 

In July, the OCIC closed on the sale of the speculative industrial building in Lake Winds Industrial Park. Local manufacturing company, Northern Manufacturing, purchased the facility in Salem Township which houses a new, clean stainless steel manufacturing process. Total investment by the company was over $3 million and in 2009 the company hired an additional thirteen individuals, bringing their 2009 total employment to 105.

Also in July was the announcement of Crown Battery’s location of a research and development facility at the Lake Erie Business Park. Lake Erie Business Park and Crown Battery were also proud to showcase the installation of Ohio’s first wind cube on the rooftop of Building 460. Ohio-based Green Technologies installed the prototype wind cube, which is operational and conducting testing and collecting important wind data. Green Technologies is analyzing the data and modifications are continuously being made to the structure to maximize performance. It is the intention of Green Technologies that they find alternative materials to build the cubes out of, to lower the weight of the units, which would allow for several different types of installations (e.g., on top of buildings in urban areas).

In the fall, AdFilm/ACPO purchased 5 acres of property adjacent to their existing facility in Lake Winds Industrial Park. With the acquisition of additional acreage, the company began construction of a 25,000 square foot addition bringing the total facility size to over 100,000 square feet. The expansion was initiated to add much needed space to the existing operations, improving product flow and overall production efficiencies.

Construction of Brush Wellman’s Pebble Plant continues and will be completed in mid-2010. The company has started the hiring process for the new facility.

Fenner Dunlop’s “96-inch Solution” expansion is complete and manufacturing and production is underway at their Erie Township operation. The company has hired 37 employees to date as a result of the project, bringing total employment at the facility from 136 to 173.