Jamie N. Beier Grant, Director
Ottawa County Improvement Corporation

 

 

The last two years have proven to be challenging times on the economic development front for many areas throughout the region and the state. The world does not operate as it did five years ago, and many businesses and organizations have been forced to look at activities in a much different light. We are no longer our own islands operating independent of each other; we are a part of regional economies competing in a worldwide race to the top. 

For Ottawa County, 2010 has been a very busy year that has been focused on how we continue to adapt to a changing economic landscape, providing assistance to our clients in new, innovative ways, and preparing our community for the future. 

In 2010, the OCIC and our partners supported several local and regional companies in meeting their hiring needs. We have conducted pre-employment testing for more than 1,000 applicants to these businesses, which has resulted in more than 200 hirings in 2010 alone. Additionally, Ottawa County businesses received thousands of dollars in training funds to help advance the skills of our existing workforce, meaning businesses are investing significantly in their people and their future.

When looking at innovative services to provide to clients, OCIC has engaged in several initiatives that will move us into the future. Development of a Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) at the Elmore Turnpike interchange continues moving forward with our partners in Ottawa and Sandusky Counties. Once established, it is our hope that Ottawa and Sandusky County will have an 88 acre parcel of property that is “site ready” for future development opportunities. 

The County continues to work with the State on County-wide fiber infrastructure project, which will give businesses the infrastructure necessary to fully-engage in technological advancements within their operations. 

We continue to participate in Northwest Ohio’s Solar HUBS of Innovation project, which focuses on new business attraction to support the region’s growing solar industry, while also integrating our supply chain to leverage our regional assets.

In October, the OCIC and the Ottawa County Department of Job & Family Services rolled out new software aimed at helping job seekers improve their interviewing skills. InterviewStream is an online interactive software system that simulates live video interviewing, mock interviewing and role-play training. The software has not only assisted job seekers, it will also be used by employers, college career centers, and even our local school systems. 

And finally, one of the biggest initiatives we have been developing is our “economic gardening” program that is aimed at helping our second-stage companies move beyond start-up and early growth. The economic gardening philosophy blends right into our “growing what we have” mentality of business retention. Second-stage companies are those that have an appetite for growth but are not yet to full maturity, and are typically found in the 10-99 employees and $1-$50 million in revenue. The EG efforts will assist our companies with targeted market research, strategy and management, and new market opportunities – pulling business owners who focus “in their business” to helping them focus “on their business.”

While we know these are not the answers to all of the questions and challenges that exist, we are confident that the innovative thinking will be of value to our business community and lead us to a solid 2011.