The Richland Community Development Group (RCDG) and the Village of Lexington were honored Wednesday evening at the 2014 Team Northeast Ohio Plus Awards. They were recognized for the business expansion project with Next Generation Films.
The award, presented at the Intercontinental Hotel in Cleveland, recognized the Business Expansion project with Next Generation Films, Inc in Lexington. This collaborative project of the Richland Community Development Group and the Village of Lexington brought resources to Next Generation Films, Inc. in Lexington to enable an expansion that will result in 100 new jobs and $3,000,000 in new payroll.
RCDG and Lexington worked with TeamNEO, JobsOhio, ODOT and the Ohio EPA to leverage tax credits, workforce training dollars, roadway improvements and an equipment grant that assisted this highly progressive company that is a world class manufacturer of plastic film and bags.
Village Adminisrator Aaron Wiegand accepted the award for the village. Wiegand stated, “The Village of Lexington is proud of our association with the RCDG, TeamNEO and our private business leaders. This TeamNEO Plus Award proves that state and regional leaders are taking notice of the competitive business environment we are building in Richland County.”
State Rep. Mark Romanchuk who was also in attendance at the event was very pleased at the recognition for Richland County. ”I am particularly proud of the collaborative efforts in our community pertaining to economic development. RCDG has fostered partnerships that are producing results as evidenced by this award,” noted Romanchuk.
The Team NEO Economic Development Plus Awards program recognizes organizations that have made a creative, significant contribution to the economic development of the region. It focuses on the economic development efforts throughout the 18-county region of Northeast Ohio that have helped to retain companies, create jobs and bring foreign investment to the region. This is the only event in Northeast Ohio that honors regional economic development success. Over 500 attended last night’s event including St. Rep. Mark Romanchuk who commented, “
In the Workforce Development Category, the collaborative effort between the Richland Community Development Group, The Ohio State University at Mansfield and North Central State College to increase the use of internships in local businesses was a finalist as well.
RCDG is a non-profit agency working to improve the economic vitality of the county. The RCDG website is www.ChooseRichland.com.
“This TeamNEO Plus Award proves that state and regional leaders are taking notice of the competitive business environment we are building in Richland County,” said Aaron Wiegand of Lexington.
