Richland Area Chamber saw 38 ribbon cuttings in 2021; The Mansfield Federated Women’s Club; Remembering Pauline “Polly” Pearl Rhein
Pandemic can’t stop Richland County business community:
Then & Now: The Women’s Club 1928:
New 29-space, free downtown parking lot project headed to Mansfield City Council:
Pauline “Polly” Pearl Rhein:
Today – Simply gathering in person was a treat for those in attendance at the annual Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development dinner at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center last week. Simply gathering in person was a treat for those in attendance at the annual Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development dinner at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center on Wednesday night.
Jodie Perry, president and CEO of Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development, was the first to note that refreshing change after two years meeting remotely via zoom, online, swapping text messages and email.
Still, the business of Richland County business didn’t stop despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. Perry explained that since 2020, we have all certainly learned how to pivot to meet the ever-changing needs of our business community. Now, she believes our community is stronger than ever.
In fact, in the past year, the chamber conducted 38 ribbon cuttings and was involved with 26 events that a combined 2,000 people attended. The chamber has 80 new members and a total of 969 total members.
Small Business Saturday included 79 local businesses with 668 visitors supporting them. Richland County was also ranked seventh nationally for significant economic projects among areas with a population less than 200,000.
Perry also noted the assignment of the new 179th Cyber Warfare Wing at Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport. This project is expected to increase the technology talent available in Richland County, too. Beyond that, a few more expansions and a new spec building are also bubbling in the local economy.
For starters, the $16 million Edge Plastics expansion will enhance the company’s footprint at its Newman Street facility. Plans call for new equipment for automation and robots. Newman already employs 150 people and could add up to 67 new jobs. Also, Major Metals is expanding in Bellville.
The welded steel tubing company recently completed a 48,000 square-foot building to house a new tube mill that will increase efficiency and total capacity.
That expansion will create 16 new jobs. And finally Adena’s Airport West spec building should attract more business to the area as well. This 160,000 square-foot facility features 32-foot clear ceilings and 17 truck docks. Needless to say Perry’s not the only one who’s excited for where we’re heading.
Remembering Mansfield Federated Women’s Club
Next, some local history. What was once the home of Mr. & Mrs. Hedges has become the home for the Mansfield Federated Women’s Club.
For almost 90 years the Women’s Club hosted countless meetings of many different women’s groups including Tourist Club, Sappho Club, some garden clubs, Sorosis Club, Charity Club, and bridge clubs too many to count.
In 1952 a big east wing was added for larger assemblies and more food, and for the next generation it seemed as if this beating heart of women’s organizations in the area would remain strong and vital forever.
But we all age — even the building began showing the years — as the structure of society changes, and wave after wave of women’s clubs have faded from our community and passed into the past.
Free parking lot coming to downtown Mansfield
Next, a new, free parking lot with 29 spaces in downtown Mansfield could be ready for vehicles by the end of May or early June, according to city engineer Bob Bianchi.
The city has entered into a 10-year lease with First English Lutheran Church, which owns the largely unused lot on the west side of Mulberry Street along Park Avenue West.
The project, fueled by money from the Downtown Improvement Fund, will go to Mansfield City Council on March 1 for consideration.
Pauline Pearl Rhein
Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember Pauline Pearl Rhein of Lexington.
Polly proudly worked and retired from Rubbermaid. She loved going for long drives with her son Wally, visits with family (both near and far), loved to watch the ducks and to feed a wild chipmunk she named Chippy.
She was a strong, confident, spicy woman and very much loved by her family. Polly was also a proud grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother and loved her many nieces and nephews.
Polly will be especially remembered for the way she would hang up with you on the phone. She never said goodbye, she always said “Love ya, love ya always …”
Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate her life.
