The Ontario Growth Association (OGA) invited Jay Allred, publisher of Richland Source, to be the guest speaker on Thursday morning at the monthly meeting. Allred provided the OGA members with the background on what Richland Source seeks to promote regarding local news. Also a the meeting, OGA President David Yaney provided members information on upcoming events and addressed the focus of OGA.
Allred addressed OGA members on what Richland Source’s mission is and how he and the staff of Richland Source plan on meeting expectations. “The idea of Richland Source formed in January 2013 when our founder, Carl Fernyak, attended a meeting and heard a number of his colleagues complaining about the negative slant in local and national media. Carl is big on culture and we both believe that a company’s culture really dictates their success. Carl wanted to start his own newspaper, but he wanted to do it differently and not run a traditional newspaper and that is where Richland Source started,” said Allred.
Allred made note of what Richland Source wants to accomplish. “We are a community newspaper with no paper because we are an online-only enterprise. Our mission is to promote and connect the citizens of Richland County with one another and the rest of the world,” said Allred. “We wanted Richland County to have a true daily community newspaper to cover the people, schools, businesses, events, and challenges of Richland County. Richland Source is about what is happening now and what we as a team and a community can do to make it happen in the future,” said Allred.
“There is no subscription fee to read Richland Source. It is supported by local advertisement through businesses. We launched on June 18 and 40 percent of our readership is mobile. On an advertising side, our click through rate is six times the national average,” said Allred.
Following Allred’s comments, Yaney highlighted special events that will take place. A Candidates Night is planned but has not been scheduled. Candidates running for mayor, city council, and school board will be able to take part in the event. The Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, October 26 from 12-5 p.m. at the Richland Mall. “We will partner with the Richland Mall again this year. We have been successful in the past and we have a real great turnout for the event,” said Yaney. “We will have trick-or-treating available. It will be indoors, too,” said Jodi Scott of the Richland Mall.
Chamber After Hours will be taking place on September 12 at Advantage Credit Union from 5-7 p.m. Prizes and food will be provided as well.
The finance report was discussed and the OGA made a donation of $50 to the Humane Society of Richland County. Yaney and Vice President, Steve McKown, made note that any requests that are made are voted through by the board. “The board votes on decisions and the board will make the ultimate final decision,” said McKown. “We are focusing on the businesses and the community,” said Yaney.
Kim Miers of the Mansfield/ Richland County Convention and Visitors Bureau highlighted some events that will be taking place. “On September 22, a 5K at Ontario High School will be taking place. It will benefit Bruce A. Waite to raise money for mesothelioma research. And the Tough Mudder will be returning on May 17 and May 18 at the Mansfield Lahm Airport,” said Miers.
“Our mission is to promote and connect the citizens of Richland County with one another and the rest of the world,” said Allred. “We wanted Richland County to have a true daily community newspaper to cover the people, schools, businesses, events, and challenges of Richland County,” stated Jay Allred.
