(FINDLAY, OH, May 7, 2010) –According to the first quarter 2010 American Chamber of Commerce Research Association (ACCRA) Cost of Living Index, the City of Findlay continues to be an affordable place to live.
The Index is based on the six preceding components. Prices covering almost 60 different items are collected quarterly by chambers of commerce, economic development organizations or university applied economic centers in each participating urban area.
Compiled and published quarterly by The Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), GreaterFindlayInc. was among the 311 urban areas participating in the Index which measures regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services, excluding taxes and non-consumer expenditures, for mid-management lifestyles in participating areas.
The average for all participating places in each quarter equals 100 and each participant's index is read as a percentage of the average for all places. However, small differences should not be construed as significant—or even as indicating correctly which area is the more expensive.
Micropolitan Findlay--defined by the U-S Census Bureau as the city's home county--Hancock--registered two-tenths of one percent population growth between 2008 and '09--the best showing in northwest Ohio.
The Bureau says Micropolitan Findlay had 74,538 residents last year--the only increase among seven areas included in this week's report.
Metropolitan Toledo lost two-tenths of one percent, along with Defiance. Fremont was down three-tenths; Lima was off four-tenths.
Micropolitan Sandusky lost five-tenths and Tiffin made the worst showing, down seven-tenths of one percent.
Toledo had the largest population--more than 672,000, followed by Lima, Sandusky and Findlay.
(As reported by WFIN on 3.24.10)
(FINDLAY, Ohio, March 29, 2010)— Brand new signage was recently completed at the Tall Timbers Park at Production and Industrial Drives in Findlay. These new structures replaced previous markers that had been in place since the park was developed in 1987. The park is a composite of progressive and stable companies that are industry leaders in the surrounding community. This is an example of the firms’ commitment to reinvesting in the park, along with their longstanding commitment to support many community service organizations.
The following companies are located in the Tall Timbers Park:
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Bridgestone APM Co.
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Cascade Kenhar
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Cooper Tire Mold Operations
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Createc Corporation
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Cummins Filtration
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Filtech Inc.
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Findlay Products, Inc.
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FMT Inc.
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Findlay’s Tall Timber Distribution Center
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G.S.W. Manufacturing Inc.
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HW Management, LP
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Molten (N.Am.) Corp.
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Nissin Brake Ohio, Inc.
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Rowmark, LLC
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Sanoh America Inc.
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Superior Trim
Local partners for the project included: GreaterFindlayInc., the City of Findlay, Hancock County, Wood County Inspector, Paul Schmelzer and Van Horn Hoover, USA Lawns, Signcraft, American Electric Power, H & R Electric and the businesses and building owners of Tall Timbers. For more information about the project or GreaterFindlayInc., call 419-422-3313 or email info@greaterfindlayinc.com.
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Ohio Wins 2009 Governor’s Cup
(FINDLAY, OH, March 3, 2010)— Findlay, Ohio has been ranked tenth best micropolitan community in the U.S. for new and expanding facilities for 2009 by Site Selection magazine, the official publication of the Industrial Asset Management Council. The magazine ranked 674 of the nation’s micropolitan areas, cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people which cover at least one county. The Greater Findlay region has been placed in Site Selection’s Top 20 for 11 consecutive years, every year since ranking system was created, and has moved up from its 12th place ranking last year.
In addition, the State of Ohio claimed the 2009 Governor’s Cup with 381 projects, after claiming the 2008 Cup with 503 projects. This is Ohio’s fourth consecutive Governor’s Cup and its fifth in seven years.
“Findlay-Hancock County is proud to again be ranked as one of the top micropolitan communities in the United States, and to contribute to Ohio’s success in winning the 2009 Governor’s Cup Award,” said Ray De Winkle, GreaterFindlayInc. President and CEO. “We are grateful for the efforts of our community’s business and public sector leaders as well as our economic development partners that strive to make Greater Findlay a great place to live, work and play.”
GreaterFindlayInc. compiled and submitted several projects that met Site Selection’s qualifying criteria. Among those that qualified were the retention of 1,000 jobs at Cooper Tire & Rubber, a Whirlpool plant consolidation and Dow Chemical’s decision to expand its product line to include the manufacture of films for use in the solar energy field, an $8 million project. Additionally, TH Plastics expanded to a new location in Findlay, and Home Depot approved plans to build a new 657,600 sq. ft. warehouse and distribution center that will create 300 jobs, and is valued at $23.5 million.
“GreaterFindlayInc. has worked hard to streamline its efforts and enhance its focus on economic development throughout the region,” said John Haywood, GFI Chairman of the Board. “GreaterFindlayInc. is grateful for the work of the business partners, facilities managers, board members and regional workforce that promote the Greater Findlay community. We wouldn’t be where we are without them.”
For more information, please contact GreaterFindlayInc. at 419-422-3313 or visit www.greaterfindlayinc.com.
The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE)today announced the publication of a new study detailing the credit scores and payment behavior of ten local chambers of commerce across the United States, comparing their member businesses with other regional, state and national business averages. Produced by Cortera™, a community-driven business credit bureau, on behalf of ACCE, the study showed that chamber of commerce members possess an average credit score of 629, compared to a 557 average score for businesses at large. Such scores – the payment behavior from which they are derived -- play a significant role in attracting lines of credit and securing favorable terms from lenders and suppliers.
A complete copy of the study, which includes both the aggregate findings, as well as the individual commercial credit scores for each of the ten local chambers, is available on the ACCE and Cortera sites. The study was contracted by ACCE and performed by Cortera, which reviewed payment behavior for chamber member businesses.
"Chamber members have long been seen as responsible and reliable members of their community," said Mick Fleming, president and CEO of ACCE. "What this study indicates is that the perception is right. From a credit standpoint, chamber members on average are better businesses, and as a result they have significant advantages in obtaining the funds they need. In this economy and the tight credit environment we are experiencing, that's especially important."
“The economic health of the entire supply chain is dependent on the payment behavior of each of its stakeholders,” said Jim Swift, president and CEO of Cortera. “This study suggests that chamber members are among the most dependable participants in this ecosystem.”
About the American Chamber of Commerce Executives
Established in 1914, ACCE is the only national association serving the professional development needs of chamber professionals throughout the United States and Canada. Representing more than 7,300 individuals, ACCE enhances the knowledge, leadership skills, and management effectiveness of chamber executives and their staff through education, benefits programs, trend analysis, benchmarking, and network development. ACCE promotes the highest standards of professional excellence and integrity within the chamber profession.
Source: ACCE
Publication Date: February 22, 2010
Annual Campaign at 100%
(FINDLAY, OH, Jan. 28, 2010) – The United Way of Hancock County announced at its board meeting on Thurs., Jan. 28 that it has met its fundraising goal for 2009. Paul Kramer, campaign chair for the second year in a row, said “We have good news for Hancock County. We have reached and slightly exceeded our $2.5 million dollar goal for 2009. I am pleased to announce that the community’s fundraising efforts have resulted in raising $2,502,130 or 100.09% of goal. It has been an honor and privilege to bear witness to the hard work of the United Way staff, campaign division chairs and volunteers in the community. This has been an incredible feat for such difficult economic times.”
The funds raised are used to financially support programs that address education, health and income challenges in Hancock County. This goal is based on the estimated needs from United Way’s partner agencies and the amount believed to be available from the community.
Dave Craig, board chair, said in response, “it is apparent that the consistency in volunteer campaign leadership has certainly helped in raising these much needed funds. Thank you to Paul and his campaign team for taking on a second year as the leadership for this effort.”
Keith DuVernay, United Way CEO & President, was pleased with the success. “Having spent some time two weeks ago with nearly 200 other United Way executives, I can say that our success is phenomenal in comparison to other similar United Ways across the country. Hancock County has truly stepped and they deserve our thanks. We look forward to reporting back to them how their investment is improving lives,” he said.
This year’s final division results are as follows:
Commercial $65,340
Corporate $1,962,050
Education $59,629
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate $105,903
Health $119,592
Mercantile $37,144
Professional $29,078
Public $53,619
Retirees and Independently Employed $48,418
Rural $21,357
The funds will be distributed to programs and services through grants that are reviewed by local citizens who serve on the volunteer Community Solutions Committee during the 2010 grant cycle. Partner agencies that are eligible to apply for funding include: American Red Cross-Hancock County Chapter, Boy Scouts of America-Black Swamp Area Council, Voices for Children (CASA/GAL of Hancock County), Camp Fire USA Northwest Ohio Council, Community Action Commission, Century Health, Cancer Patient Services, Children’s Mentoring Connection, Dental Center of Northwest Ohio, Family Resource Centers, Findlay Family YMCA, Girl Scouts of Appleseed Ridge, Hope House for the Homeless, Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio, Open Arms Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Services, Salvation Army, and West Ohio Food Bank. For more information or to serve on the Community Solutions Committee, contact the United Way office at 419-423-1432.
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(FINDLAY, OH, February 3, 2010) – Findlay Mayor Pete Sehnert and GreaterFindlayInc. are pleased to announce that The Dow Chemical Company has gained final state approval for financial incentives in support of its plans to expand the product lines at its Findlay plant.
Dow obtained approval from the Ohio Tax Credit Authority on January 25 to receive a final incentive for its proposed product line expansion into the manufacture of films used in the production of solar modules. The Job Creation Tax Credit will be awarded to the company for the creation of new positions they will add as a result of the new initiative and the 63 jobs that they are retaining. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $106,163 over its seven-year term -- if a total of 20 jobs are created over the next four years -- and the company will be required to maintain operations at the project site for 10 years to maintain the credits. Dow has already been approved for approximately $300,000 in other state grants to assist with the launch of its new line.
Dow’s Findlay manufacturing site leader Brian Brown is excited about the new project and the positive impact it will have on the community. “I thank GreaterFindlayInc. for providing valuable assistance in better understanding the various financial assistance programs and supporting us in the successful application and qualification process. I also thank Mayor Sehnert for joining us in Columbus to support our project during our incentive application review with the Ohio Tax Credit Authority.”
Findlay Mayor Pete Sehnert added, “We are delighted to be able to share this good news for our city. It is great to see results from the work of our Economic Development partners.”
The new films that Dow will produce will be used in solar modules installed on rooftops of commercial and residential buildings and used by utility companies in North America and Europe. The line is expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2010.
Ray De Winkle, President and CEO of GreaterFindlayInc., stated, “This expansion has been a long time coming. GreaterFindlayInc. met with and pledged its assistance to the Dow team in December 2008; and we’ve been working with them to find the right project. We’re very pleased that they’ve discovered such a great fit. This solar initiative will be a valuable addition to our local economy and adds diversity to our region’s economic base.”
The City of Findlay and GreaterFindlayInc. recognize and appreciate the support of the economic development partners who make announcements like this possible. Support from the Ohio Department of Development, JOBsolutions of Hancock County, and the leadership of The Dow Chemical Company show the team effort that is necessary for the companies in the Findlay - Hancock County region to expand and grow.
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(FINDLAY, Ohio, January 21, 2010)—Hancock County area businesses are among the thousands of Ohio employers that shared millions in savings through the recent Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Safety Council Discount Program. Locally, over $62,578 was reinvested into the business community by those earning a “Performance Bonus” through the Hancock County Safety Council, a division of GreaterFindlayInc.’s Chamber of Commerce. This bonus is given to those Safety Council employers that reduce either frequency or severity of claims by 10-percent or more below the previous year, or that maintain both frequency and severity at zero.
The BWC’s Division of Safety and Hygiene sponsors 80 statewide safety councils which inform participants of new safety techniques, products and services, and provide a thorough knowledge of topics, including occupational safety and health, workers’ compensation and risk management education. Aside from the Performance Bonus, eligible employers participating in last year’s Safety Council Discount Program had the opportunity to earn an initial two-percent premium discount. Members of the Hancock County Safety Council earned more than $94,000 on that discount alone.
For more information about this or any other Chamber programs, contact GreaterFindlayInc. at 419-422-3313 or visit www.greaterfindlayinc.com.
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