“The grass is always greener. Sometimes you have to go away to appreciate what you had. And we understand that,” said Bridget T. McDaniel, Executive Director of Richland Community Development Group (RCDG).
McDaniel was referring to the youth who all too often want to leave Mansfield because they do not feel connected. They don’t feel like they belong, so consequently some of them leave. RCDG is looking to connect those very people to peers, in hopes that greater appreciation and perhaps opportunity will spring from those connections. The move is just another extension of the group’s overall mission.
RCDG is, in simplest terms, an economic development initiative. It was founded in January of 2010 by a group of people who were, and still are, invested in the remediation of Richland County’s perception of their home. This interest in preserving Richland County is spurring their efforts to “improve the quality [of Richland County], attract businesses, expand local businesses, and retain businesses.” This four point approach is then executed by different volunteer sectors from the community. They also work collaboratively with groups like Team NEO (North Central Ohio), and Jobs Ohio.
The development group is a non-profit entity, so 95 percent of their funding comes from the private business sector.
Based out of Mansfield’s Chamber of Commerce on Mulberry Street, they join other organizations like Downtown Mansfield Inc,., and Richland County Regional Planning Commission in working to encourage growth in the county. These groups’ efforts seem similar, but RCDG stands apart in the fact that they collaborate with organizations and businesses all around the county, including those mentioned.
“Economic development is a very intense process and we need all the groups that we have. We work collaboratively and keep contact with everyone,” said McDaniel. Collaboration is a significant part of their efforts, which is demonstrated by the 40 member Leadership Board that meets monthly. Members of this board include, informed citizens, business leaders and young people. Young people, in particular, have become the later focus of RCDG’s efforts.
Currently under development is the networking-focused Young Professionals Organization. The effort springs from the simple desire for young professionals to find ways to get connected in the community.
“We have some interns in the community working this summer that are not from here. They’re working with some of our major manufacturers, but they don’t really have anything to do because they don’t know the community,” said McDaniel. Associates and business leaders are working with RCDG to get this program started because they believe this would be a good way in keeping young professionals in Richland County.
For more information on how to be involved in the efforts, call 419-755-7234. You can also follow RCDG on Twitter @ChooseRichland or join their Facebook group.