Progressing Together - December, 2009

This will be the final article for 2009 and I would like to recap some of the major activities that have occurred this year.  First, the Northwest Industrial Connector was fully financed via a Federal Stimulus grant prepared by the Marion County Engineer.  As you read this article, the groundbreaking has taken place and construction has begun on this important transportation and economic development project (see 11/18/09 news article – NW Connector Ground Breaking). 

Internally, 2009 represents the first full year for Denny Ferguson and I with CANDO.  In 2009 CANDO:

1. Oversaw the complete redesign of our website.
2. Updated our marketing materials such as the pocket brochure.
3. Completed, through Holbrook & Manter, an audit for fiscal year 2007 and a review for fiscal year 2008.
4. Reorganized the Marion Community Improvement Corporation.
5. Revised our accounting procedures.
6. Completed through the marketing group, the targeted industry strategy, landing page with a video.
7. Internet marketing ads on Marion were developed for various sites such as sitenet.com, business facilities.com and entrepreneur.com. 
8. Prepared a successful grant proposal from WIA (Workforce Investment Act) services in 2010.
9. In conjunction with the Marion County Regional Planning Office, provided assistance to applicant on a sucessful $1.2 million state stimulus grant application for expansion and infrastructure improvements at the Intermodal.
10. Updated information on all available industrial building and sites within Marion.

As for the business recruitment efforts, we continue to receive inquiries and work on active leads.  In 2009, we have responded to several state prospect leads and have hosted company representatives interested in locating in and touring Marion.  I remain optimistic that these efforts will produce jobs for our economy particularly when the economy begins to improve.

Lastly, the Ohio unemployment figures for October 2009 are not available at the time of my writing this article.  However, let’s continue to hope for a downward trend in unemployment.

With that, I wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to a prosperous 2010.


Craig Thompson
740-387-2267

links