Richland Area Chamber working on broadband expansion, other development projects

Area officials are hoping to secure $13 million in state funding in 2025 to begin installation of an open access "middle mile" broadband internet network running from Lima to Canton along U.S. Route 30.

During a semi-annual presentation to Richland County commissioners Thursday, officials of Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development said responses from potential service providers to a request for information have been processed, meetings have been held with the top responders and officials now are waiting for funding before sending a request for proposals to begin the work.

“That seems to be promising. It’s moving in the right direction,” said Barrett Thomas, director of economic development. “It does a lot of other things for our community.”

As an example, Thomas said a lead came from JobsOhio about an artificial intelligence data center with a requirement to be within 20 miles of some type of middle mile infrastructure.

"Being close to that kind of conductivity makes a difference,” he said. “Literally yesterday they said ‘if we’re within 20 miles then we’ll consider your site.’”

Commissioner Tony Vero said Crawford County could benefit the most because it is a rural county that has a lot of area around the U.S. 30 corridor that is underserved.

“While $13 million isn’t cheap, in the grand scheme of things in the state budget the economic development benefits and the benefit it can provide the base is pretty reasonable,” Vero said.

Officials hope the buildout for the broadband infrastructure can begin in 12 to 18 months.

Chamber assisting with several projects

Thomas also noted officials are receiving fewer leads from JobsOhio compared to previous years because projects that were “jammed in the pipeline” last year are now coming to a conclusion. He also noted local attraction leads are up with more companies reaching out with smaller-scale projects that have higher odds of success.

In one case, the chamber has helped Adena Development with a state Rural Industrial Park Loan (RIPL) for a second spec building at the Airport West Industrial Park. Officials also are working with Industrial Commercial Properties to get funding for site preparation and electrical infrastructure to develop the Ontario Commerce Park on the location of the former General Motors stamping plant.

Thomas said development officials also worked on a large project that looked promising but did not go through because the area does not have the electric utilities needed to support the size of project the company wanted in the timeframe at a cost that worked.

“Really what they want is a place to put a massive campus on and take all the resources around to fit this need as it grows over time,” he said. “We had the ability to fit the project that they spec’d out at the beginning but not for the campus that they want to grow.”

In other areas, economic development coordinator for Shelby and northern Richland County Jessica Gribben said major projects in Shelby include purchasing and improving three downtown buildings, developing a plan for the deteriorating Shaw building, filling the former IGA building and working with a manufacturer on a new business line.

She noted she is working with several developers on housing projects, calling housing a “number one” issue, and is leading the city through an update of its strategic plan from 2010.

Grants and marketing making an impact

Workforce Development Director Clint Knight told commissioners the workforce development board updated six policies to allow the board to “move at the speed of business” and received a $100,000 grant to develop a website to help guide program participants to training. Official also facilitated an $80,000 grant for the Area Agency on Aging to develop a home mental health care program, used $128,500 in federal funds to upskill local workers and received a $50,000 Microsoft Techspark grant to identify digital upskilling as priority in Richland County.

Sandy Messner, director of marketing and communications, said the BrandRichland project continues to progress with 230 shares of the video premier and 350 asset downloads while a website developed for the solar eclipse attracted visitors from over 100 countries and resulted in one of the chamber’s most successful awareness campaigns. As part of the Mansfield Rising 2.0 project, officials are working to develop a feeling of security and inclusion in the community to deal with gun violence and loneliness.

New Chamber President and Chief Operating Officer Ellen Heinz said she has been impressed with the level of community engagement and support for the chamber and development in the four months she has been in the position.

“We have a wonderful collaborative partnership here not only with our internal team but all of the partners in the community. They have a wealth of knowledge and truly have a passion and commitment to moving our community forward,” Heinz said.

One upcoming goal is to elevate the local education foundation to build on what currently is being done and to bring together contacts from federal and state agencies and other communities for new ideas.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland Area Chamber working on broadband expansion, other development projects