MANSFIELD, Ohio – After analyzing a study of growth and development goals in Richland County, Richland Community Development Group (RCDG) has developed a plan of action. They held a press conference Feb. 6 at the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce to outline the strategy.
In autumn of 2014, students from Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business put together a report that contained suggestions for sparking economic and cultural progress for Richland County.
RCDG identified five areas of strategic focus, according to RCDG President Bridget McDaniel. Each focus group will be championed by members of the community.
“We think we’ve developed a very strategic approach to how we’re going to make progress,” noted RCDG Director Bridget McDaniel.
The first group, Talent Development, will focus on high school and college completion, as well as workforce responsiveness. North Central State College President Dorey Diab represented the group at Friday’s press conference. Milliron Industries General Manager Jeff DeVito, who will also be involved, did not attend the press conference.
“Our objective is going to be, whether it’s at the high school level, or through the career center, or the associate degree level, or the baccalaureate degree level, we need to bridge that skills gap,” stated Diab.
The second area of strategic focus has been named the Business Friendly Regulatory System, championed by Richland County Commissioner Marilyn John and President of the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce Jodi Perry.
Perry summarized the group’s effort as one that aims at removing road blocks that might exist to businesses expanding or coming into the area.
“We want Richland County to be known as the most business friendly county in the state,” said Perry. “Stay tuned for more specifics from us,” she added.
The third group will focus on the county’s downtown areas, specifically downtown Mansfield. The group includes Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker, Certified Financial Planner of Cleveland Financial Charles Hahn and Richland Young Professionals (RYP) President Mike Whisler. Hahn represented the group at the press conference.
This group’s efforts will largely aim at the “Complete Streets” concept outlined in the report by the Fisher College students. There are four sub-topics included in the Complete Streets concept: two-way streets; way-finding and parking design; the entertainment district; and downtown living.
The fourth group’s focus will be neighborhood development, and will include the efforts of NECIC President Col. Mike Howard and the Richland County Land Bank. The group intends to continue the work that NECIC has done in reducing the city’s residential and commercial blight both in deconstruction and rehabilitation of properties.
The campus district is the fifth area of interest. Heading this initiative is Ohio State University at Mansfield (OSU-M) Planner & Project Manager Brian White, NCSC President Dorey Diab and Richland Bank Branch Manager Jessica Gribben.
“[The campus district] is really the gateway to education and Richland County in this region. It makes a lot of sense to have a town center along north Lexington-Springmill road,” stated White.
After the press conference, McDaniel invited a question and answer session. One question regarded the source of project funding.
John answered, “It really depends on the project as far as what funds are available. But this is going to take time, effort and money from all segments. It’s going to require public involvement, potentially public funding … It’s also going to going to require private funding. There’s already developers that are interested in helping with different elements of the plan.” John also mentioned the requirement of non-profit organizations assisting with funds.
The Fisher College report cites “a lack of collaboration between entities in the county.” When asked to explain this statement, McDaniel replied, “There’s always challenge in this world. It’s what spurs you on and keeps you going. I don’t think there will be individuals that are obstacles to our movement. I think we do have to get ideas and opinions from lots of people. We want to hear and gather better ideas.”
“I think we are good to rise to challenges. We’ve done that historically and I think we will do it again with this project,” she added.
