MANSFIELD ─ Chuck Hahn cares deeply about the development of downtown Mansfield. It’s where he grew up, lives and runs a business.
The owner of the Cleveland Financial Group said he’s supported various community organizations and projects for years, including the Renaissance Theatre/Kennedy Center Partners in Education, St. Peter’s Music Series and the Brickyard’s Final Friday concerts.
Last year, Hahn helped form an advisory group to work with the City of Mansfield on the West End Neighborhood project, aiming largely to improve the streetscape on Glessner Avenue.
He has also been a financial supporter for Richland Source since the beginning and became one of the foundation newsroom partners this year. Hahn’s financial support, like all Newsroom Partners and Richland Source memberships, goes directly to newsroom operations.
Hahn said he will keep providing financial support and encouragement to organizations involved in growth of downtown, including the Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development, Richland County Development Group and Richland Source.
He is willing to work with new organizations that could add value to downtown Mansfield, too.
“It seems like the more you give away, the more you get back. It really does,” he said.
“Our business has grown substantially over the years, and I like to think that’s because of the example that we set, along with positive things we do for our clients.”
Hahn said he tries to set an example for businesses, including other newsroom partners for Richland Source. He hopes the owners want to participate in community development when they see what he and other groups have done.
Many positive things have occurred in Mansfield over the years. Hahn said the concept of downtown Mansfield being unsafe has changed drastically with Richland Carrousel Park, Little Buckeye Children’s Museum and more businesses operating and flourishing.
However, Hahn said there is still much to do. Empty storefronts can be found in every block. Buildings with historical value are not fully occupied.
The long-time downtown resident said he hopes to see more restaurants and businesses utilize the space and more people, especially young professionals, move to the area. That is the “vibrant downtown” he is looking for in the future.
Hahn also said in the long term, he hopes Mansfield could be a place where development groups in other communities would like to visit and learn about the experiences.
Mansfield has got some momentum, he said, such as being ranked seventh in the country for significant economic projects per capita for areas under 200,000 in population. He hopes the city will keep hitting more of those types of indicators to attract the public’s attention.
To help the city move forward, Hahn said he will keep supporting the community like he always does. And he expects Richland Source, as a local news organization, to keep holding the government and the groups involved in community affairs accountable.
As a certified financial planner, Hahn said he is very transparent with the business because people look over his shoulder in every transaction.
He expects to see the same transparency in local government and organizations that handle public issues. It would convince him and other donors to support the effort in the community.
