Post-meeting release 8/10/23

Commissioners hear positive update from TSEP staff Thursday

[Tiffin, OH – Aug. 10, 2023] — The Seneca County Board of Commissioners heard a positive update from the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership team Thursday morning.
TSEP President and CEO Aaron Montz, who has been in the position for about 14 months, recapped several ongoing projects and initiatives.
Montz said renovations on the organization’s building are nearing completion and he said he is excited to launch a 24/7 visitor center with literature for local businesses.
Montz updated the commissioners on a spec building project in Eagle Rock Industrial Park.
Aldridge Electric, an electrical construction company, is set to locate in the building.
Montz said the company would not compete with any local electricians. He said they build large power poles. Montz said the company has also bought two other lots in the industrial park.
“We are easy to work with, we have low taxes and we are business-friendly,” he said of the community.
Montz outlined several other initiatives, including a joint venture with Sandusky County to create a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, several potential housing projects and work on the expansion and retention of existing businesses and recruiting new businesses.
Montz said on 46 projects that he alone is managing, there could be the potential for $200 million of investment and 350 new jobs. He said not all of the projects happen, but that things are going well.
“Things are exciting, the momentum has not let up,” Montz said.
The commissioners also heard from Operations Manager Corrina Eidt, Rural Development Coordinator Adam Gillmor, OhioMeansJobs Seneca Business Services Consultant Carol Kern and Downtown Tiffin Main Street Manager Donna Gross.
Highlights from those updates included that Gillmor is working on six active rural economic development projects, Kern looks forward to the Oct. 7 Manufacturing Showcase for local high school students and Gross reported more than 1,000 people in downtown Tiffin for the Barking Lot Party event earlier this year during the Third Thursday series.
In other action, the commissioners approved a proclamation designating August 12, as Mental Health Awareness Day. In Fostoria, various organizations are holding a free event from noon to about 9 p.m. at Market Square Park. It includes a motorcycle run, live music, food trucks, public speakers and info booths. The theme is “It’s OK to not be OK,” aiming to reduce mental health stigma. The event encourages people to seek help and offers resources for mental well-being. The initiative began from “Rachael’s Rides,” expanding to address mental health amid the pandemic’s impact. The goal is to guide individuals towards better mental health and happier lives.
In other news, County Administrator Barb Patterson announced that the county received a grant allocation of $75,612 through the Ohio-Persistent Cyber Improvement (O-PCI) for local government program.
The program is provided at no cost to the county, and the more it is used, the more value the county can receive.
According to the CyberOhio Office of Ohio, the program is being provided through both State and Federal funds, with the State covering the local match requirement. Once a county enters the persistent cyber improvement environment, county employees will be able to continue to develop skills, get updates and add new employees without incurring cost to the county.
Patterson also provided the General Fund financial update through July. Revenue is about three percent higher than expected, she said, adding that the expenses and revenue for July alone were both about $1.4 million.
In new business, the commissioners approved all new business from the meeting agenda.