Wayne Economic Development Council looks to the future
When Daryl Revoldt, the Wayne Economic Development Council (WEDC) executive committee vice-chairman, took to the podium at the Shisler Center March 24 to speak at the council’s 20th annual meeting he noted that most anniversaries tend to focus on the past.
“I’d like to focus on the future and the next decade and what we hope to attain by 2011, our 30th anniversary,” said Revoldt.
“The WEDC is a success. It has forged a terrific partnership with business and industry, agriculture, the chamber of commerce, philanthropy and government and it has produced results,” said Revoldt.
He noted the WEDC’s proven track record in retaining and attracting new businesses.
Revoldt spoke of how the organization “played significant roles in the expansions and attractions across this diverse county” during its 20-year history, including recent gains in Orrville where “virtually all of the city’s manufacturing space is filled.”
“Here at OARDC the WEDC worked to secure a $3.2 million state Jobs Ready Sites Grant and in turn helped launch the BioHio Agriculture project. Now sites for agbioscience enterprises of national significance are being readied to accept agbioscience business opportunities,” said Revoldt.
“Project after project after Wayne County project has a single common denominator – the WEDC.”
According to Revoldt, the WEDC has successfully marketed Wayne County on a national basis and helped the county gain the distinction of being named one of the nation’s top micropolitan centers five times.
“Our efforts are the envy of many communities which struggle to find common vision, leadership and commitment,” he added.
Even with the organization’s long list of accomplishments, “the race is not over here. The last 20 years are simply a prologue for the foundation of an exciting future,” said Revoldt.
He believes the WEDC is ready to take on whatever the future holds because “it has a roadmap, the personnel, the resources and a pro-business, entrepreneurial spirit.”
In the years ahead the organization will continue to seek expansion opportunities from incumbent businesses through initiatives like the BizConnects Program, build on its regional alliances with organizations such as Jump Start, Team NEO and the Ohio Department of Development and work to see the international investment benefits of the establishment of Ohio’s first EB 5 program.
“The WEDC will continue to methodically work to every advantage to expand this county’s economy,” said Revoldt, adding that the organization will focus on further development in targeted business sectors such as manufacturing, information technology and agriculture.
The WEDC will also continue its active support for innovative start up businesses.
“WEDC has already partnered with new starts quasar energy and ABS Materials. Could their innovation and entrepreneurship produce another success like Ohio’s STERIS Corp…which just two decades ago was working in tiny Mentor, Ohio with five employees and in 25 years has added 5,000 employees and a presence in 60 countries,” asked Revoldt.
“Quasar and ABS Materials prove that the fundamentals are in place and that the day is not far off when OARDC’s 250 scientists will add a major agbioscience project to this county. We simply need the opportunity,” said Revoldt.
When the entrepreneurs are ready to move forward, the Wayne County community is ready for them.
“Awaiting prospects are shovel ready sites in Wooster, Orrville and Rittman and a workforce team ready to help identify and train new employees,” said Revoldt.
“The community has proven it will do all within its power to provide a business friendly, imaginative environment in which business can thrive,” said Revoldt. “We’re ready for the next decade.”
“I’d like to focus on the future and the next decade and what we hope to attain by 2011, our 30th anniversary,” said Revoldt.
“The WEDC is a success. It has forged a terrific partnership with business and industry, agriculture, the chamber of commerce, philanthropy and government and it has produced results,” said Revoldt.
He noted the WEDC’s proven track record in retaining and attracting new businesses.
Revoldt spoke of how the organization “played significant roles in the expansions and attractions across this diverse county” during its 20-year history, including recent gains in Orrville where “virtually all of the city’s manufacturing space is filled.”
“Here at OARDC the WEDC worked to secure a $3.2 million state Jobs Ready Sites Grant and in turn helped launch the BioHio Agriculture project. Now sites for agbioscience enterprises of national significance are being readied to accept agbioscience business opportunities,” said Revoldt.
“Project after project after Wayne County project has a single common denominator – the WEDC.”
According to Revoldt, the WEDC has successfully marketed Wayne County on a national basis and helped the county gain the distinction of being named one of the nation’s top micropolitan centers five times.
“Our efforts are the envy of many communities which struggle to find common vision, leadership and commitment,” he added.
Even with the organization’s long list of accomplishments, “the race is not over here. The last 20 years are simply a prologue for the foundation of an exciting future,” said Revoldt.
He believes the WEDC is ready to take on whatever the future holds because “it has a roadmap, the personnel, the resources and a pro-business, entrepreneurial spirit.”
In the years ahead the organization will continue to seek expansion opportunities from incumbent businesses through initiatives like the BizConnects Program, build on its regional alliances with organizations such as Jump Start, Team NEO and the Ohio Department of Development and work to see the international investment benefits of the establishment of Ohio’s first EB 5 program.
“The WEDC will continue to methodically work to every advantage to expand this county’s economy,” said Revoldt, adding that the organization will focus on further development in targeted business sectors such as manufacturing, information technology and agriculture.
The WEDC will also continue its active support for innovative start up businesses.
“WEDC has already partnered with new starts quasar energy and ABS Materials. Could their innovation and entrepreneurship produce another success like Ohio’s STERIS Corp…which just two decades ago was working in tiny Mentor, Ohio with five employees and in 25 years has added 5,000 employees and a presence in 60 countries,” asked Revoldt.
“Quasar and ABS Materials prove that the fundamentals are in place and that the day is not far off when OARDC’s 250 scientists will add a major agbioscience project to this county. We simply need the opportunity,” said Revoldt.
When the entrepreneurs are ready to move forward, the Wayne County community is ready for them.
“Awaiting prospects are shovel ready sites in Wooster, Orrville and Rittman and a workforce team ready to help identify and train new employees,” said Revoldt.
“The community has proven it will do all within its power to provide a business friendly, imaginative environment in which business can thrive,” said Revoldt. “We’re ready for the next decade.”
Published: March 30, 2011
