Information on positive things happening in Licking County…
As I usually do, let me start this monthly update with some thoughts on jobs. I am specifically sharing unemployment numbers and ‘workforce development’ information, which are related and most important elements in economic development.
After the predictable January surge, we are pleased to see unemployment numbers in Ohio and Licking County drop in February. In Licking County the unemployment number fell from 9.6 to 9.2-percent, with the number of unemployed people declining from 8,000 to 7,600. Licking County’s rate remains below the state average of 9.8-percent, and lower than 70 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Reports of continued local hiring should mean a continued steady decline in those numbers.
Note – Employment assistance and opportunities are available at the County operated Opportunity Links, 998 East Main Street in Newark’s Eastland Shopping Center. Check online for job information at www.ohiomeansjobs.com or www.theonestop.org
As the Licking County Economic Development Department and our partners in the community continue to tout this area as a desirable place to locate and/or expand operations, it is important we realize that ‘workforce development’ and training opportunities in our County are among our major assets. In his current blog, Rick Platt of the Newark, Heath, and Licking County Port Authority explains why the issue of training in critical and needed areas will have a lot to do with our success as a region and a nation…
The Workforce Crunch Looms
Governor John Kasich is quoted in The Dispatch this past week saying there are 80,000 "job vacancies" in Ohio.
The state's job seeker website, OhioMeansJobs.com, has over 60,000 open jobs advertised. In fact, that same website proclaims more than 1,000 open job postings within 20 miles of Newark.
Jefferson County, Ohio's economic development guy was just quoted in a Steubenville Herald Star article as saying that, despite an unemployment rate over 12%, "several employers in the county are commenting on the difficulty of finding skilled workers for jobs."
What's going on here?
Evidence is building.
Despite higher-than-anyone-wants unemployment rates, Ohio is experiencing the early throws of a workforce crunch. Despite a still-mending economy, we are on the edge of a workforce development challenge of immense proportions.
The Class of '65 turns 65 next year. I've cited this stat before in this column, but it bears repeating. An Ohio Dept. of Development stat shows that the number of Ohioans who will turn 65 in 2012 will average 114 a day. That's 500% more than the 2010 average of 19 a day.
Suffice to say there are not that many workforce-entering age birthdays being celebrated on average at that same rate. Thus, the net loss to the workforce pool is predictably large. That's a workforce crunch.
Ohio is not alone in this workforce crunch. This demographic fact is already starting to have an impact all over the country.
Employers will demand an answer and the places that provide the best answers will be the winners in economic development.
Licking County's answer is forming, but our mission is clear: no job goes unfilled.
The C-TEC Manufacturing Certification is part of the answer. C-TEC will soon graduate a class of people ready to fill manufacturer's workforce needs with a manufacturing certification in hand to prove their readiness.
The COTC new W-DIC center is another part of the answer. COTC promises companies can build their own workforce with a tailored curriculum and, even, college credit-worthy training.
Workenomics, the little-known wing of the Chamber that sees the collaboration of community economic development and workforce development efforts, is working on a campaign to expand the pool of available workers for our employers to tap and improving workforce data available for site selectors.
Other items…
This past week the Commissioners attended the annual Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day Luncheon and Awards Ceremony at the E.S. Weiant Center in Newark. The following outstanding individuals and organizations were recognized…
2011 Jane Marsh Disability Awareness Individual Award went to Connie Zeune of Pataskala.
2011 Jane Marsh Disability Awareness Business Award went to Emmanuel Church of Etna.
2011 LICCO Customer of the Year Award went to THK Manufacturing of America, Hebron Plant.
2011 Above and Beyond Service Award went to John Gutmann of Heath and the Employees of Famous Supply Company of Newark.
Congratulations!
Recently State Officials with the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (DRC) arrived here to announce the closing of the very successful Community Based Corrections Facility (CBCF), a small 60-bed/training and incarceration facility in Newark. The CBCF has been an excellent resource, for judges here and in the region, to turn around the lives of ‘first time’ non-violent offenders. The closing appears to be state budget related. We are working with the Board of the Facility, our judges, law enforcement, and others to explore options for this state run facility that will close at mid year. This facility sits on County owned land at 119 East Main Street.
A Licking County factoid…
The County Engineer is responsible for maintaining 421.67-miles of County roads this year, an increase over the 2009 total of 409.9-miles. Much of the increase is related to new County roads assigned with the completion of the new State Route 161.
A few upcoming April dates and events to make note of…
On Wednesday morning, April 6th the Licking County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a Breakfast & Roundtable Discussion’ with local leaders. There will be seven tables in this’ roundtable and interactive format’. The seven leaders, each hosting a table, will be myself, fellow Commissioner Doug Smith, County Recorder Bryan Long, County Planning Director Jerry Brems, County Auditor Mike Smith, County Coroner Dr. Robert Raker and County Engineer Tim Lollo. Breakfast is at 7:30am, the discussion from 8:30am-9:30am. The cost is $20 per person. Call the Chamber at 740-345-9757.
The evening of Thursday, April 7th the Licking County Sheep Improvement Committee will hold their annual Lamb Banquet. It begins at 6:30pm at the Highwater United Church of Christ. For details and tickets contact the OSU Extension Service at 740-760-5315, they are located at 771 East Main Street in Newark, Suite 103.
On Saturday, April 9th the Licking County Master Gardner group and the OSU Extension Service are sponsoring a ‘Master Gardner Conference’ at the Reese Center at the Newark Campus from 8:30am to 2:30pm. The cost is $8 in advance and $10 at the door. For details call 740-745-2333 or 740-344-6652.
As a conservative technique many residents are now considering ‘rain barrels’. They collect rain water and reduce runoff, downstream flooding and water pollution. Rain barrels provide a non-potable water supply for your plants and garden. If interested the Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District (LCSWCD) has excellent rain barrels for sale (finished) for $65 and (unplumbed) for $30. Licking SWCD is located at 771 East Main Street in Newark (740-670-5330).
Saturday, April 23rd at 8:00pm the local Heisey Wind Ensemble will perform their spring concert at the Reese Center on the Newark Campus. Under the direction of Dr. Russel Mikkelson the program will be “An Evening at Pops”. For details visit… www.heiseywindensemble.org
Dawes Arboretum (Route 13 south of Newark/heath) will celebrate Arbor Day on Saturday, April 30th, always a great family event! For details call 800-443-2937 or visit www.dawesarb.org
Thanks for taking time to read this March 2011 Commissioner Update.
Feel free to forward in any direction you would like and let me know the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, visit my website … TimBubb.com, where I post updates on my personal blog.
I can also be e-mailed at tbubb@lcounty.com, and my desk phone number at the Commissioner’s Office is 740-670-5118.
Best Regards…Tim Bubb
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