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
Sunday, March 27, 2011
FEBRUARY 2011 LICKING COUNTY COMMISSIONER TIM BUBB UPDATE
A few quick notes on positive things happening in Licking County…
Economic Development, as always, is a major priority for the County. I am pleased to tell you that interest from business prospects continues to be strong and unemployment in the County continues to trend downward.
Here are three examples of local success. A combination of local incentives and a State Job Creation Tax Credit has resulted in the California based company, Catalina Tempering, now planning to open their eighth U.S. plant in Utica. Catalina’s $4-million investment in our County will create 50-jobs in the next three years at the former Holophane Plant.
Similar incentives have resulted in expansion and job growth for Momentive Performance Materials in the Newark Ohio Industrial Park in Union Township. Making binders, adhesives, coatings and ink resins for mostly international sales; Momentive, with some 245 workers, is expected to add some 20-jobs locally.
In the former Diebold Plant, in the same industrial Park as above, Polymera is setting up shop to manufacturer wood and polymer composites by mid year. Initially employing 6-people, they are expected to grow to 20 by year end and 60-employees within three years.
We continue to benefit from our excellent location here in Central Ohio and from the hard work of the County Development Team and our many community partners! Indeed for us – it is all about JOBS!
Allow me to share some great news on the financial management side for Licking County Government. The County Team including the Commissioners, Treasurer and Auditor recently participated in an exhaustive re-evaluation of the County’s credit worthiness by Moody’s Investors Service. Due to a balanced budget with appropriate reserves, excellent planning, and a growing and healthy local economy; Moody’s analysts determined the County will retain its favorable Aa2 bond rating, placing it among the best managed counties in the Midwest.
In a related note and taking advantage of this favorable rate, the County within two weeks will buy back three long term facility bonds, and consolidate them in a new unified bond offering of some $6.2-million. The refinancing will save local taxpayers some 2-percentage points, which translates into a $700-thousand savings in interest payments over the remaining 14-years of the bond.
The creation of the Licking County Building Code Department was a major success in its first year 2010. The transition from Newark City was seamless and the new department paid its own way and more. Now, with a year of experience behind this new and lean operation, the Commissioners decided to reduce fees and further benefit the county.
Beginning March 1st all building permit fees will be reduced three percent, benefitting projects of all sizes. In addition, the cost of permits for residential interior alterations, residential decks and porches, and detached unfinished residential accessory structures will be reduced to a standard permit fee of $25. Residential interior alterations include interior remodeling, electrical service replacements and upgrades, and re-roofing projects where new roof sheathing is required.
Communities served by County Building Code include all the townships, along with Granville, Hebron, Kirkersville, Pataskala, Utica, Heath, Newark, Johnstown and Buckeye Lake.
Let me add a quick word on the positive work that continues at the Licking County Department of Animal Control. The end of January ‘Dog-Tag-A-Thon’ promotion, in conjunction with Tri-County Auto, was a success and resulted in 15-dog adoptions, 5-dogs reunited with their families and an increase in dog tag sales for 2011.
Another adoption event is planned for the final weekend of February. It will be a ‘Cat-A-Thon’ at Complete Petmart, 597 Hebron Road, in the Southgate Shopping Center in Heath. Anyone interested in adopting one of a number of friendly cats is invited to stop by the store during regular hours Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 25 thru 27. The only cost related to a cat adoption is for vaccinations and spay/neuter services. County staff and volunteers will man the event.
Remember to check Facebook and visit ‘Licking County Animal Shelter’. It is a great page to learn about animal adoption possibilities. It is important to note that Licking County is among the leaders in the state in helping stray animals find their way home, or finding new homes through adoption and rescue! And we couldn’t do it without the help of our volunteers and the numerous dedicated rescue groups!
Finally, any February summary of County activities must include a word or two about the recent investigations of paranormal activity at the County’s Historic Jail on South Third Street in downtown Newark.
Last fall we permitted three independent paranormal investigation groups, on different weekends, to look into reports of unexplained noises and other activity in the historic old lock-up that dates to 1889, and is now used to house the County’s Records Destruction Center.
In recent presentations they came forth with both audio and video evidence of unexplained paranormal happenings at the historic former jail. This information and a variety of ideas are part of a developing plan to work toward preservation and eventual restoration of the historic jail, and future uses such as a tourist attraction to ensure its viability in the decades ahead.
The Commissioners are committed to the preservation of this important public building and its local history. Anyone interested in serving on a task force to help “Save Our Jail” is welcome to call or e-mail and express your interest.
Thanks for taking time to read this February 2011 Commissioner Update. Feel free to forward in any direction you would like. Please advise by sending the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, feel free to 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
Economic Development, as always, is a major priority for the County. I am pleased to tell you that interest from business prospects continues to be strong and unemployment in the County continues to trend downward.
Here are three examples of local success. A combination of local incentives and a State Job Creation Tax Credit has resulted in the California based company, Catalina Tempering, now planning to open their eighth U.S. plant in Utica. Catalina’s $4-million investment in our County will create 50-jobs in the next three years at the former Holophane Plant.
Similar incentives have resulted in expansion and job growth for Momentive Performance Materials in the Newark Ohio Industrial Park in Union Township. Making binders, adhesives, coatings and ink resins for mostly international sales; Momentive, with some 245 workers, is expected to add some 20-jobs locally.
In the former Diebold Plant, in the same industrial Park as above, Polymera is setting up shop to manufacturer wood and polymer composites by mid year. Initially employing 6-people, they are expected to grow to 20 by year end and 60-employees within three years.
We continue to benefit from our excellent location here in Central Ohio and from the hard work of the County Development Team and our many community partners! Indeed for us – it is all about JOBS!
Allow me to share some great news on the financial management side for Licking County Government. The County Team including the Commissioners, Treasurer and Auditor recently participated in an exhaustive re-evaluation of the County’s credit worthiness by Moody’s Investors Service. Due to a balanced budget with appropriate reserves, excellent planning, and a growing and healthy local economy; Moody’s analysts determined the County will retain its favorable Aa2 bond rating, placing it among the best managed counties in the Midwest.
In a related note and taking advantage of this favorable rate, the County within two weeks will buy back three long term facility bonds, and consolidate them in a new unified bond offering of some $6.2-million. The refinancing will save local taxpayers some 2-percentage points, which translates into a $700-thousand savings in interest payments over the remaining 14-years of the bond.
The creation of the Licking County Building Code Department was a major success in its first year 2010. The transition from Newark City was seamless and the new department paid its own way and more. Now, with a year of experience behind this new and lean operation, the Commissioners decided to reduce fees and further benefit the county.
Beginning March 1st all building permit fees will be reduced three percent, benefitting projects of all sizes. In addition, the cost of permits for residential interior alterations, residential decks and porches, and detached unfinished residential accessory structures will be reduced to a standard permit fee of $25. Residential interior alterations include interior remodeling, electrical service replacements and upgrades, and re-roofing projects where new roof sheathing is required.
Communities served by County Building Code include all the townships, along with Granville, Hebron, Kirkersville, Pataskala, Utica, Heath, Newark, Johnstown and Buckeye Lake.
Let me add a quick word on the positive work that continues at the Licking County Department of Animal Control. The end of January ‘Dog-Tag-A-Thon’ promotion, in conjunction with Tri-County Auto, was a success and resulted in 15-dog adoptions, 5-dogs reunited with their families and an increase in dog tag sales for 2011.
Another adoption event is planned for the final weekend of February. It will be a ‘Cat-A-Thon’ at Complete Petmart, 597 Hebron Road, in the Southgate Shopping Center in Heath. Anyone interested in adopting one of a number of friendly cats is invited to stop by the store during regular hours Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 25 thru 27. The only cost related to a cat adoption is for vaccinations and spay/neuter services. County staff and volunteers will man the event.
Remember to check Facebook and visit ‘Licking County Animal Shelter’. It is a great page to learn about animal adoption possibilities. It is important to note that Licking County is among the leaders in the state in helping stray animals find their way home, or finding new homes through adoption and rescue! And we couldn’t do it without the help of our volunteers and the numerous dedicated rescue groups!
Finally, any February summary of County activities must include a word or two about the recent investigations of paranormal activity at the County’s Historic Jail on South Third Street in downtown Newark.
Last fall we permitted three independent paranormal investigation groups, on different weekends, to look into reports of unexplained noises and other activity in the historic old lock-up that dates to 1889, and is now used to house the County’s Records Destruction Center.
In recent presentations they came forth with both audio and video evidence of unexplained paranormal happenings at the historic former jail. This information and a variety of ideas are part of a developing plan to work toward preservation and eventual restoration of the historic jail, and future uses such as a tourist attraction to ensure its viability in the decades ahead.
The Commissioners are committed to the preservation of this important public building and its local history. Anyone interested in serving on a task force to help “Save Our Jail” is welcome to call or e-mail and express your interest.
Thanks for taking time to read this February 2011 Commissioner Update. Feel free to forward in any direction you would like. Please advise by sending the e-mail address of anyone who would like to be included on my Update Newsletter list.
Also, feel free to 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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