The Richland Community Development Group (RCDG) hosted the first annual Economic Excellence Awards Tuesday evening at the Mansfield Art Center. The awards highlighted local businesses, individuals and organizations that have had a significant impact on the growth and development of the local economy.
“Richland County is a great place to live and work,” said John Brown, president of Richland Bank and chairman of the RCDG board of directors. “We believe in promoting small business and success in this region.”
Brown encouraged the crowed room of local entrepreneurs, business people, and political figures or their representatives to be ambassadors for the county. “I encourage you to support our community,” he said.
RCDG began almost five years ago, Brown said, out of a love for Richland County and the need for there to be a group to be a “champion” for the county.
“It was done by eight very forward thinking and caring individuals,” he said.
The group’s slogan, “Choose Richland,” has been publicized on billboards and other media to promote the county and people choosing to live in Richland County versus anywhere else in the world.
Bridget McDaniel, executive director of RCDG, highlighted the organizations accomplishments and goals for 2014.
“We are a very unique organization,” she said. “We take a very holistic approach to economic development recognizing that not only do we try to work with and stimulate business and attract business but we also try to improve our community in general so it’s a better place to live and people see it as a better place to live.”
McDaniel noted that 2013 was a good year for organization with the group working closely with the cities, townships and villages in the county to accomplish their goals of making Richland County a better place to live and work.
“We really try to form a team and work together,” she said.
In addition to collaborating with the people of the county, RCDG also attracts business to the area, McDaniel said.
“This last year alone we were able to work with companies for over $60 million worth of expansions in the community,” she said.
In the future, McDaniel said RCDG still wants to continue being a catalyst for business growth and expansion in the community.
“We want to try to show the world what we have all found out,” she said. “That this is a great place to live. This is a great place to raise a family.”
The evening’s keynote speaker was David Blom, president and chief executive officer of OhioHealth. With the recent partnership of OhioHealth and MedCental on March 3, 2014, Blom highlighted both hospitals commitment to excellent healthcare and community service.
“We couldn’t be happier to be here,” Blom said. “We are proud to be associated with you. We think it will be a good team.”
Customer satisfaction is the hallmark of the OhioHeatlh brand, Blom said.
“We will work hard to measure it. We will work to improve it and reach the same level of consistency across all of our campuses,” he said.
Blom noted that OhioHealth is just shy of a $3 billion company with the addition of MedCentral Mansfield and Shelby.
“In the end, my belief is that we both felt comfortable with each other and a level of trust blended with commitment took us to today,” he said.
Healthcare should be delivered close to where patients live, Blom said.
“The model we envision is a regional hub here in Mansfield,” he said. “A hub that draws patients from the surrounding communities. And whatever can’t be delivered here, then Columbus. But we want to build as much here as we possibly can.”
Blom concluded his speech with this thought, “We’re honored and privileged to be here and we understand the importance of this. We are an organization that lives values, integrity in all that we do and compassion for those that we serve and work with, excellence as we perform and the stewardship of these important community assets.”
The Richland Young Professionals (RYP) is a ‘spin-off’ group of RCDG. The group is made up of business people ages 25-45 and are interested in promoting living and working in the county to people within their age bracket.
Winners:
RYP Community Hero Award: David Ernst, Shelby. Manager of the Shelby Farmer’s Market
RYP Entrepreneurial Award: Antonelli’s Fitness Factory, Mansfield.
Business Excellence Awards:
Area Agency on Aging District 5, Ontario.
Cooper Enterprises, Shelby.
Economic Impact Awards:
Wishmaker House, Bellville.
Mansfield/Richland Convention and Visitors Bureau
Investing in our Future Awards:
Richland Young Professionals
Charles P. Hahn
Distinguished Performance Award:
Board of Directors of MedCentral Health System
