MANSFIELD — Tim Bowersock left his economic development job with the City of the Mansfield the same way he started.
Helping to create local jobs.
Bowersock, who officially retired last week, attended Mansfield City Council’s meeting on Wednesday to explain a pair of Community Reinvestment Area agreements on two projects near Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport.
One of the agreements is the latest step toward construction of a new $13 milllion, 150,000-square foot industrial spec building planned by Adena Corp. CEO Randy Payne on a 15.8-acre site at 1750 Airport West Parkway.
The second is with Schmidt Security Pro for the construction of a 6,000-square foot building at 241 Mansfield Industrial Parkway, increasing the company’s space by about 50 percent.
Local lawmakers, meeting in Municipal Court 1 for the first time since remodeling began in council chambers, approved both tax incentive deals for the businesses.
Mayor Jodie Perry took the opportunity to honor Bowersock, issuing a proclamation to mark the 66-year-old’s 25 years of service to the city.
“Tim has worked at the city for a very long time. Everything north of (U.S.) 30, or a lot of what’s north of 30, Tim had a hand in guiding and really building out a really great industrial park up there,” said Perry, who led the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development before taking office in January.
“So I think it’s only appropriate we honor him,” Perry said before reading the proclamation.
Bowersock, a Crestview High School graduate, was hired by then-Mayor Lydia Reid in 1998 and served during the administration of multiple mayors along the way.
“I appreciate my time working for the city and I enjoy what I do or I wouldn’t have stayed,” he said with a laugh.
Perry praised Bowersock’s work.
“Tim has been at the heart of our economic development projects for over two decades, including during some very challenging times. He knows how to ensure that we are aggressive in attracting new jobs, while protecting the best interests of the larger community,” Perry said.
“I’ve appreciated his dedication, creativity, and perseverance over his career, on behalf of the entire city council and myself,” the mayor said in announcing Nov. 6 as Tim Bowersock Appreciation Day in the city.
Perry told council her plan for replacing Bowersock will involve a contract with the Richland County Chamber & Economic Development through the Richland County Development Group.
The mayor said she would have legislation on that deal for council to consider at its next meeting.
In other action Tuesday, City Council:
— approved a $250,000 grant through the Richland County Foundation for local developer Famico Williams to renovate a property at the intersection of Mulberry and Fifth streets on the city’s north side.
— heard a proposal from Wayfinders Executive Director Miles Parsons to relocate the homeless shelter to a location at 661 Park Ave. East on the city’s east side.
— accepted a $250 donation from the Buckeye Garden Club to be used for landscape renovation as part of the Sterkel Park for All project.
— accepted a $28,178 grant from the Ohio Department of Public Safety for the Mansfield Police Department’s impaired driver enforcement program and the selective traffic enforcement program. There is no local match required.
— approved the establishment of standing committees for council now that At-large Councilwoman Shari Robertson has replaced Stephanie Zader on council. Under the plan, Robertson will chair the public affairs committee and also serve on the claims, finance/audit, airport and economic development committees.
— accepted a $13,450 grant from the Rotary Club of Mansfield to be used to be used for a Prospect Park pavilion construction project.
— accepted a $1,500 grant from Global Energy Partners LLC for be used for supplies in the city parks.
— accepted a $1,680 grant from Edge Plastics to used for youth jerseys used in the city parks and recreation flag football program.
— appropriated $375,000 from the unappropriated safety services fund into the fire capital equipment fund, based on actual and expected EMS revenue through Dec. 31, 2024.
