Richland Community Development Group (RCDG) invited the CEO of Team Northeast Ohio (NEO) Thomas Waltermire to discuss development and growth that is happening in the Team NEO region on Tuesday at Gorman-Rupp.
Team NEO markets eighteen counties, collectively, in northeast Ohio to site selectors, real estate consultants and targeted companies across the nation and the globe to increase awareness of Northeast Ohio’s business assets.
Team NEO also helps companies receive support from JobsOhio with creating jobs and growth. Waltermire made note of the importance of community growth.
“RCDG is a funder of Team NEO and I want to make sure the people here know what we do and then I want to explain how we do it together. In the world of economic development we are completely dependent on how well we work together. Nobody can do everything all by themselves. Nobody can know everything and everybody, and know all the different assets that are in this gigantic territory,” said Waltermire.
Waltermire described how local experts can drive a community towards success.
“It is very important to have strong, effective local experts. We want to attract and market new businesses. What we do at a regional level is aggregate the resources and have an overall message on why there are good business opportunities in this entire area.
“We want to raise the image [of northeast Ohio] and get more people interested in investing here and when they do we rely on local partners to explain why Mansfield is the best place in Northeastern Ohio which is what RCDG sets itself up to do,” added Waltermire.
Northeast Ohio and Richland County offers benefits that may be rare to find throughout the country.
“We are right in the heart of the North American and we are generally a low cost of living and low cost of doing business area. That is a big change and you can always look at housing costs. We are probably 10-15 percent below the national average on cost of living. People here can make less money and have a higher quality of life because the cost of living is less,” he said.
Waltermire noted some of Richland County’s strengths, citing location, low cost of livng and “a reasonably good work force.” He also noted the existing array of manufacturing and financial services available.
He further noted, “We have a very strong story in manufacturing. We have found it is good to go with your strengths. There are a lot of people in the communication field, too. We have a huge number of industries and the challenge is to have the resources to sell the story.”
One challenge that Richland County has faced is retaining the youth of Richland County within the area. Bridget McDaniel, the executive director of RCDG, shared her enthusiasm to keep the youth here within the county but also welcoming those that are new to the area.
Waltermire shared the same opinion as McDaniel. “I wouldn’t be so rigidly hung up with holding on to people but more welcoming as a community as to why it would be attractive for younger people. This community is going to compete for people ages 30 and above. You shouldn’t be that hung up on people going away. Just see how well you’re doing at attracting them.
“Younger people want to go to a greater region, but they won’t stay there forever. There is just a whole different dynamic on where people are choosing to live,” said Waltermire.
According to Waltermire, the need for manufacturing jobs will be on the rise. According to Team NEO’s studies, they project that over the next ten years the manufacturing employment head count or people employed in manufacturing jobs will decline maybe by 10,000. However, they also anticipate a need for manufacturers to hire 50,000 people because of replacements and turnovers with retirement.
“If someone is interested in the manufacturing field, there will be jobs available,” said Waltermire.
McDaniel noted that energy costs have decreased which lends a tremendous appeal for manufacturers.
Along with developing jobs, comes the need for skilled workers in specific fields.
“We want to help, support, and encourage the people with data on what is there. There is an awakening going on with companies that they are going to have to compete for people the same way they have always competed for customers. The days are largely over where you can just post a sign and get all the skilled people that you want. More and more companies are recognizing that they have to compete in that way. Smart companies are figuring out how to be more proactive,” said Waltermire.
“RCDG is going to be making some serious effort on the work force front because that is what we have continuously heard from our businesses is that they are concerned about the supply train for workers,” said McDaniel.
Team NEO is looking to continue the growth and development of the region. “Team NEO’s emphasis is heavily outside the region. According to Waltermire, almost all other economic groups are focused on companies, individuals, and entrepreneurs that are already here. Team NEO sees their job as taking development beyond that. They work to identify companies that are growing and strive to show them that northeast Ohio is the right place for their next investment.
Waltermire described Mansfield as an area that shows potential. “There is a strong historical base of people who know how to make things well. It is a community that really cares. There are a fair amount of buildings with a good amount of space,” said Waltermire.
McDaniel added, “We’ve got excellent transportation and we have a lot of assets in this community. Within the first 10 days of this year we have had three inquiries on properties. Our local industrial base is doing well. The majority of our businesses are healthy and strong. We have had a number of significant growths. The local business community is investing in this county. They want to see it grow and they are very engaged,” said McDaniel.
And northeast Ohio is making progress. Waltermire stated, “This past year we ended up with 16 attractions/ successes that committed to do a new investment in the area that were not here before. The previous high had been 12, so it is growing,” said Waltermire.
“There is an awakening going on with companies that they are going to have to compete for people the same way they have always competed for customers. The days are largely over where you can just post a sign and get all the skilled people that you want. More and more companies are recognizing that they have to compete in that way. Smart companies are figuring out how to be more proactive,” said Tom Waltermire.
