ALLEN COUNTY, Ohio (WLIO) - Area business leaders gathered to hear about the power of partnerships in driving sustainable regional growth.
Representatives from the Regional Growth Partnership and JobsOhio spoke at the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce's annual Forecast Breakfast about economic development. The state is divided into seven regions, and JobsOhio, a privatized nonprofit organization, is responsible for attracting and retaining businesses and industries in each region. They work closely with local economic development officials to offer assistance wherever possible.
Representatives from the Regional Growth Partnership and JobsOhio spoke at the annual Forecast Breakfast.
"Maybe there's an incentive that we need to offer the company through Jobs Ohio, maybe there's a regulatory issue that we can work with to help them through, and then they can ultimately put that capital here in Allen County. So we work with Allen Economic Development Group on incentives, really trying to quarterback that process of site selection, building selection incentives," said Chase Eikenbary, VP project manager for RGP & Jobs Ohio Network.
"Retainment and business retention and expansion calls, which are basically going out and talking to companies, understanding what's important to them. What are they trying to do? Are they needing assistance? Are they having challenges, or are things going well? And they're growing for every one of those situations; we have tools, financial and otherwise, to help them get from point A to point B," stated Dean Monske, president and CEO of Regional Growth Partnership.
Businesses looking to set up shop or expand can contact the chamber, OhioMeansJobs Allen County, AEDG, or Greater Lima Region, and they will be directed to the right resources.
