The Richland Community Development Group (RCDG) nominated two local projects for the 2013 Team North East Ohio Plus Awards. Both projects have been named as finalists. Awards will be made on Thursday, July 11 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Cleveland. Bridget McDaniel, Executive Director of RCDG, announced the finalists stating that “great things are happening in Richland County. It is nice to get some regional recognition of our innovative and collaborative efforts.”
The RCDG-led effort to save the 179th Ohio Air National Guard mission is a finalist in the category of Business Expansion and Retention. This effort, which focused on the C27J planes, resulted in the local Guard unit receiving C 130’s. It not only saved the 800 existing jobs, but also added an additional 200 jobs to the base.
This effort was spurred by the media sector of RCDG. The group marshaled over 22,000 emails in support of the local base. The media attention resulted in a large contingency of state and federal elected officials visiting the base for further information. All local media linked to the RCDG website so that emails could be sent to the appropriate congressmen and senators.
The second project nominated by the RCDG is the Workforce Development Partnerships which is developing a one-stop approach for employers and potential employees seeking skill training. This project is a finalist in the Workforce category. The cooperating entities in this unique venture include Madison Adult Education, North Central State College, Pioneer Career and Technology Center, Richland County One Stop and the Richland County Commissioners.
The goal of this partnership is to ease the acquisition of skill training by having one central point of contact. The unique collaboration was awarded a Local Government Innovation Fund grant to bring the effort to fruition.
Representatives from each project will attend the awards ceremony.
RCDG is a non-profit agency working for the betterment of the county through economic and community development efforts. The RCDG website is www.ChooseRichland.com.