MANSFIELD — Barrett Thomas likes to talk about economic “wins” when he meets with Richland County commissioners twice a year.
None were bigger in 2023 than helping to find a long-term tenant for a new 160,000 square-foot spec building near Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport, a certified victory when Hedstrom Ball, Bounce and Sport leased the huge facility in December.
“Filling that spec building was a huge project for us,” said Thomas, the economic development director for Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development. “That was a main focus for us in 2023.
“To make sure we did all the marketing, make all the connections, fill out all the (requests for information) where that fits so that we get that building filled so that we can have more successes on that site to sell the rest of the Airport West plan,” Thomas said.
Thomas was among a group of chamber officials meeting with commissioners on Tuesday, offering their biannual report on local economic development efforts.
The county pays $100,000 annually to the chamber and its Richland Community Development Group arm for work done on behalf of the county.
(Below is a PDF copy of the 2023 RCDG End of Year Economic Development Review presented to Richland County Commissioners on Tuesday.)
The Adena Corp. of Mansfield built the $9 million spec building at the corner of Airport West and Cairns road, finishing the construction in 2022.
Finding a buyer or tenant was key to future success in the area near the airport, according to Thomas.
“It was the first speculative building we’ve had built in this community in quite awhile,” Thomas said Tuesday. “And it’s big. When you walked in there and there wasn’t anything in there … it’s cavernous. It was like (the size) of an indoor football practice field.
“If that spec building, which is beautiful and brand new, if that’s not filled … it’s going to be really difficult to sell any of the rest of this land,” Thomas said.
That box was checked off when Hedstrom, based in Ashland, struck a deal to lease the site and expand its north central Ohio footprint.
In return, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a 1.3 percent, 7-year tax credit for the company, which pledged to create $2.4 million in new, annual payroll in Mansfield with the addition of 35 new employees.
“They have taken over the entire building,” Thomas said. “The last time I was in there, they still had some additional space, but that has been since filled up with additional equipment. So they’re using the entire building.”
According to the company website, Ball, Bounce and Sport is all about providing children (and adults) of all ages appropriate toys and games.
“What started with a handful of employees in a garage manufacturing toy balloons in 1913 has evolved into an ever-expanding toy offering located in Ashland, Ohio, and over 100 years of play,” according to the company website.
“Throughout our history, Hedstrom’s mission has been to give kids and families alike the opportunity to connect, engage, imagine, and share the moments that give color and shape to our lives.
“Designed to promote wellness, fun, sustainability, and joy, our products are conduits of real magic, giving generations of children of all ages new ways to make the kind of memories we never forget.
“As we look to the future, inclusive play, environmental awareness, and unplugged fun top the list of our priorities,” according to the website.
Jessica Gribben, the chamber’s economic development manager to the City of Shelby and Northern Richland County, praised Adena’s assistance in attracting a tenant.
“I don’t think we can overemphasize the partnership with the local developer in Adena and how important that was to our process because we had companies that would want to come see the building on a minute’s notice.
“They were there, they’d turn on the lights for us, they’d let us in. They had all the information and they were great, great partners in that process,” Gribben said.
What comes next in the area around the airport?
Thomas said Adena has completed drawings with three more spec buildings that could fit on the remaining 48 acres around the Airport West Road site.
“In the meantime, I’m also submitting RFIs for companies that want 30 acres. So it’s kind of that balancing act between the two — of selling directly to a company or building a spec building.
“It’s more efficient for a land use, like number of square feet per acre, if a developer can plan all of that out and get it built. So sometimes it works that way. Sometimes we sell directly to the company.
“Some companies need very specific buildings, so they just need to buy land and build exactly what they need. So we’re trying to cater to both sets of needs,” Thomas said.
He laughed when asked if new Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry (the former chamber CEO) was pushing her old organization for more “wins.”
“I think the mayor knows exactly how efficient this machine is,” Thomas said. “She’s real happy to partner with us and we’re looking for more speed and partnership out of the city.
“So it’s going to be exciting.”