SHELBY – Mayor Steve Schag credits three elements for the city of Shelby’s past year of productivity: communication, collaboration and cooperation.
“Those elements have paved the way for celebration,” Schag said during his annual State of the City address during Shelby City Council on Monday.
Schag’s remarks highlighted a year of economic development in Shelby throughout the year 2017, in both the public and private sector. He also painted an optimistic picture of Shelby’s economic future.
“Today I am very pleased to report to you that the state of the city is solid and fiscally sound,” Schag began. “We find ourselves in this enviable condition because of our residents, our business sector, our community partners, our city workforce, and the people that sit around this table.”
In the private sector, the city of Shelby held ribbon-cuttings in 2017 for Family Life Counseling, The Fancy Chicken, Snap Fitness, The Hidden Hog, Discovery Dentistry, Mallory’s Treasures, The Valero 24 Store, The Diner 39 Restaurant, and a groundbreaking for the new Arby’s restaurant that officially opened in January 2018.
An unpaid intern helped establish an economic development database for the city of Shelby in 2017. Other significant achievements included a Business First roundtable breakfast and the delivery of an Economic Development Action Plan to the city by the Montrose Group.
“The Mickey Road water tower was scraped and painted, the Central Park gazebo roof was replaced, and the Mansfield Avenue paving project was completed much to the delight of the citizens of Shelby,” Schag said.
“We held a successful bid opening for a major upgrade project for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Shelby Historical Preservation Commission’s work was well rewarded with Shelby receiving Certified Local Government status, and our city went from an A- rating to an A rating with our bonding company.”
Schag also highlighted a successful spring clean-up by the Shelby City Health Department, bringing the Shelby Fire Department to full force with 12 firefighters, and negotiating a three-year contract with the Shelby FOP.
“And perhaps the biggest story of the year was that in October we broke ground for a brand-new fire station to be gifted to the city by Mr. Grant Milliron,” Schag said.
Another success story from Shelby in 2017 came from Jared and Lindsey Mawhorr’s business Lloyd Rebar being named a top-three finalist for the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year recognition. The company is currently constructing a facility on Technology Parkway.
“I spoke with a gentleman whom Jared hired on the management level; this young man moved his family to Shelby because he was attracted to Shelby’s small-town appeal, schools and great park system,” Schag said. “Also, Lloyd Rebar has committed to donating the rebar for our new fire station – it doesn’t get much better than that.”
Looking forward, Schag hopes to continue the economic renaissance in Shelby by bringing an Economic Development Coordinator back to the city. The goal is to establish Shelby as the “northern hub” of economic development in Richland County, in coordination with the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce, the mayor of Plymouth and the Shelby Community Improvement Corporation.
Schag is also working with Shelby’s Director of Utilities John Ensman to find ways to further stabilize and lower electric rates for customers, possibly in the form of solar generation and more peak shaving generation.
One major project for Shelby in 2018 is finding ways to mitigate flood damage with the assistance of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD).
“(MWCD) is working with local officials to formulate a scientifically sound plan that they feel provides the best solution to flooding in Shelby,” Schag said. “It is yet to be seen what the details of the final plan may look like or what the cost of the project may be.
“Once the final designs are completed and the financials have been determined, we will all have some important decisions to make.”
Schag also noted the city is preparing to roll out a “bold and promising” telecommunications initiative in February, with the potential to change the financial landscape of the city’s division of electricity and telecommunications.
Other notable projects for Shelby in 2018 include expanding the city-wide spring cleanup, revitalizing the educational and recreational components of the wetlands near Reservoir 3, opening the northeast entrance of the Drug Mart parking lot, and formulating a plan for the existing historic fire station.
“Let us bear in mind that we have been elected by the citizens of Shelby to conduct the business of government for their benefit and the betterment of the world around us,” Schag reminded members of Shelby City Council.
“We can do exactly that in 2018 as we continue to communicate, collaborate and cooperate with one another.”
