MANSFIELD — The Richland Area Chamber’s “Discover Richland” economic development tour brought tears to the eyes of its attendees.
One of the 10 stops on Friday’s tour included R.S. Hanline Company, a fresh produce processor and distributor based in Shelby.
“The onion department was quite an experience,” said Sonja Pluck, director of the Madison Adult Career Center. “My favorite stop on the tour was our visit to R.S. Hanline. It was fascinating to learn about their operation.
“Most people have no idea or even think about the entire production and distribution process of getting fresh, clean, ripe vegetables into grocery stores for retail and into restaurants for daily use. It was truly amazing to learn about and watch some of the process.”
Discover Richland in its second year of current format
Angie Cirone, director of the Mansfield-Richland Area Educational Foundation, said this is the second year of the Discover Richland tour in its current setup. It is usually scheduled for the first or second week of November each year.
“We used to do a two-day tour and decided last year to condense it,” she said. “It’s such a good opportunity to see what the countywide economic development initiatives are and what business expansions are happening.”
The chamber’s economic development team chooses the Discover Richland stops based on projects currently underway.
“When you look at the big picture of growing our community, our job is to try to make things happen that otherwise would be put on a shelf or never really come to fruition,” said Economic Development Manager for northern Richland County Jessica Gribben.
“Sometimes, we’re just a catalyst that keeps it moving forward.”
The chamber’s Director of Economic Development Barrett Thomas and Gribben led Friday’s tour. Leaders from each of the companies and projects also offered tours of their spaces and answered attendees’ questions.
The Discover Richland tour aims to educate professionals and community leaders on ongoing economic development projects including background information, current phases and next steps.
“Economic development involves working with businesses, governments and community partners,” Thomas said. “The magic is being able to pull people together and make it happen.”
Tour covered ten stops across Mansfield, Madison Twp., Shelby
Pluck said the tour helped her learn about future employment opportunities for Madison Adult Career Center students.
“The development of future spec buildings that could be housed with new employers is beneficial to students,” she said.
“The cleanup and restoration of existing vacant land, historic empty buildings, and The Ontario Center provide possible future employment opportunities, and recreational/social gathering venues for the Richland County community.”
About 30 people attended the Discover Richland tour which included stops at:
- Central Park to discuss the Main Street Corridor Improvement Project
- Westinghouse redevelopment with Land Bank leaders Amy Hamrick and Jeff Parton
- Innovision Automation
- R.S. Hanline and Company
- Black Fork Brewing
- Historic Downtown Shelby building revitalizations in the former Dick’s Furniture, Sutter’s Home Decorating and 65 Wall Street
- Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport spec buildings, one leased by Hedstrom Ball, Bounce and Support and a nearby 410-acre property
- The brownfield site of a former landfill poised to become a solar field
- The Ontario Center, which discussed future tenants including a boba tea vendor, China Buffet, Just In Queso, and a synthetic ice rink. Brait Capital also brought up opportunities for pickleball courts, salon suites, restaurants and childcare facilities.
Chris McDevitt, CEO of Mansfield Technologies, said a standout tour stop for him was Innovision Automation in Madison Township, which manufactures automated equipment for various industries.
“What they’re able to build in their spaces is impressive,” McDevitt said. “It’s an incredible resource to manufacturers and lots of businesses in our area, and it’s nice to know there’s local partners for that work.”
McDevitt, who previously worked for Amazon Web Services, said he appreciated the diversity of the tour stops — ranging from food processing to automation, retail spaces and spec buildings.
“It’s nice to see we’re not dependent on one industry for Richland County’s future,” he said.
“I was encouraged on the tour to see that Barrett and Jessica are clearly taking a long-term planning approach and working with partners to make those plans. When that infrastructure is already in place, you make the area much more compelling. If you don’t make those investments, then nothing will happen.”
