VAN WERT, OHIO -
After nearly a decade of working together, The Van Wert Economic Development Office wants to re-evaluate its contract with the Ohio State University Extension.
The way the contract is currently written, OSU has Sarah Smith serving as Community Development Educator and Van Wert Economic Development Director. However, the city and the county would like more time to be dedicated to the Economic Director position. That's mainly because Van Wert has developed a megasite which will be ready to go a year from now, and both the mayor and commissioners would like to heavily market that land to bring business to Van Wert.
President of the Van Wert Economic Development Group Greg Berquist says the group needs to do what's best for Van Wert.
"We want to have all opportunities to work with OSU Extension, but if that doesn't work out to the county's bets interest, then I believe communities like Van Wert, the city of Delphos and the county commissioners are going to protect are interests, and make sure we have a presence that can do that kind of development on our behalf," said Berquist.
Berquist has reached out to OSU Extension to discuss the current contract, they have yet to respond.
