SHELBY — Jessica Gribben’s work in Shelby and northern Richland County is only getting started.
Gribben was hired in 2018 as the economic development manager to the City of Shelby and northern Richland County for the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development.
Over the past few years, she’s worked to increase economic opportunities in Shelby and the northern regions of Richland County.
Members of Shelby City Council voted unanimously Monday evening to enter into a new agreement with the Shelby Community Improvement Corporation — allowing Gribben to continue serving as the city’s economic manager.
A partnership between the City of Shelby and Shelby CIC funds her position at the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development.
‘This is what we’ve needed for years,’ says Shelby mayor
Gribben’s new agreement with the City of Shelby and Shelby CIC runs until June 14, 2025.
Joe Gies, Shelby project coordinator, said both the city and Shelby CIC can agree to renew Gribben’s contract yearly for up to four more years.
Gies said she’s done a wonderful job for the city and northern Richland County since beginning her position.
“It’s been great,” he said. “She (Gribben) does a great job. She’s very personable.”
Shelby Mayor Steve Schag said Gribben brings a lot of experience to the position.
Prior to her hiring in 2018, Gribben worked at Richland Bank for 12 years. She was also a realtor with The Holden Agency for three years.
“She’s (Gribben) articulate,” Schag said. “She knows how to get to the heart of the matter.
“When she meets with business owners and company owners and those in the industry, what she has to say resonates with them,” he said. “She’s very effective in helping us keep economic development at the forefront.
“This (economic manager) is what we have needed for years, so Jessica (Gribben) is a real godsend for us.”
Fourth Ward Councilman Nathan Martin and Third Ward Councilman Eric Cutlip echoed similar sentiments during Monday evening’s City Council meeting.
PREVIOUS SHELBY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COVERAGE
In other action Monday, City Council:
— passed four ordinances proposing amendments to Sections 7, 24, 31 and 36 of the city’s charter, which will appear on the ballot for Shelby voters in November.
— postponed a vote on Ordinance No. 13-2024, which proposes extending the city’s candidate filing deadline from 75 to 90 days, until City Council’s next meeting July 15.
PREVIOUS REPORTING
— passed an ordinance approving record-keeping updates in regards to the Codified Ordinances of the City of Shelby.
— passed an ordinance amending the city’s annual appropriations.
— entered into a project modification request with Richland Engineering Limited for the Shelby streetscape project in the amount of $43,255 as an increase.
—adopted an annual revenue budget for the year 2025.
— accepted the material terms of the new National Opioid Settlements pursuant to the One Ohio Memorandum of Understanding and consistent with the terms of the March 22, 2024, new National Opioid Settlements agreement.