Latest News

3 strategies to disrupt yourself for greater success in changing times

Thursday, September 22, 2022

I knew something serious was up when South by Southwest (SXSW) was canceled in March 2020. I use design tools and process to teach people of all ages to design their lives. But for one beautiful pre-COVID-19 year, I traveled across the United States to help older people, 65 to 90+ years old, design their lives. This research was possible through a grant from The SCAN Foundation, and you can read the full report here. Read here for the full article.

3 strategies to disrupt yourself for greater success in changing times

Thursday, September 22, 2022

4 leadership trends to watch in 2023

Saturday, December 24, 2022

Recently, I walked into a medical center and was met by an annoying light flickering above the receptionist’s desk. It twitched nonstop, resulting in an intense strobe light effect in the busy waiting room. When I commented about how difficult it must be to work with it, the receptionist responded, “Management just doesn’t care.” I was tempted to stand on a chair myself and take a minute to turn the fluorescent tube off, but realized I’d probably get yelled at for doing so. And I really wanted that appointment. Read here for the complete article.

4 Tactics To Boost Your Team’s Collaboration In A Remote World

Sunday, September 18, 2022

A few years ago, running into colleagues on their way to the break room was a mundane workplace happenstance. Now, plenty of employees—and their supervisors—long for those kinds of casual meetings. Telecommuting from home is a lot more isolating than working in the office. And when people aren’t regularly interacting, collaboration decreases. Read here for the full article.

5 Reasons Your City Should Try Pop-Ups to “Try Before You Buy”

Saturday, October 22, 2022

1. ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT IMPACT Publics space improvement projects come with a lot of questions. How will the space be used by the community? Will it disrupt other ongoing uses of the space? How sustainable will its upkeep be? Surveys, studies, and research will answer some questions but nothing is better than just testing it out. Read the full article here.

A Strong Labor Market Is Even More Crucial For People Of Color

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

The labor market recovered remarkably quickly from the recession in early 2020. This rapid recovery has had greater importance for Black, Latino and many Asian workers than for white workers as they rely more on income from work—wages, salaries and self-employment income—as opposed to income from capitol like dividends and interest. Read here for the full article.

Best of Springfield winners and placers

Friday, October 21, 2022

The community submitted more than 100,000 votes in 50 categories for the 2022 Best of Springfield, brought to you by the Greater Springfield Partnership and the Springfield News-Sun. Here are the winners and second- and third-place finishers. Read the full article here.

Downtown housing directly tied to Downtown growth

Saturday, October 15, 2022

In 1964, singer Petula Clark sang about Downtown, “… We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares. So go downtown, things'll be great when you're downtown, don't wait a minute for downtown, everything's waiting for you downtown ...” Springfield realtor Dori Gaier of Coldwell Banker Heritage Realty would agree. With the Downtown Springfield housing market booming, Downtown really is the place to be. Read here for the full article.

Economic Impact and Importance of Social and Policy Issues

Sunday, October 30, 2022

The United States was founded on the idea that its elected officials are the voice of the people; however, dissatisfied with the polarized political divisiveness and the near gridlock in Congress, the people are looking towards other forms of representation — their employers. It has become increasingly common for employees to urge, if not demand, their employers stand up for them, take action, and help create change on their behalf. Many companies — motivated by their current workforce’s pleas and their desire to attract the best and brightest workforce — have accordingly prioritized aligning their social activism and corporate responsibility...

ESG: The New Metrics in Construction and Real Estate

Sunday, October 30, 2022

With engineering and construction making up more than 11 percent of global domestic product, there is a growing focus on how the building industry conducts business. What started as a movement among institutional investors and their financial partners has expanded across almost all sectors, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations now impact many real estate decisions and capital project planning. Consumer behavior is partly responsible for the change. So is the fact that investors and lenders increasingly view a company’s ESG policies as indicative of how that company is positioning itself for success in the marketplace. Read here...

Excitement is Growing for the Digital Futures Building’s Official Opening

Thursday, September 22, 2022

When the Digital Futures building officially opens to the public on September 23, the greater Cincinnati region will be one step closer to creating a world-class innovation district in Uptown Cincinnati. The highly anticipated building provides a transdisciplinary space to bring together University of Cincinnati (UC) experts for collaboration that will impact the community, region and global society. Read here for the full article.

Finding Harmony takes community collaboration up an octive

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Cast members of the ABC special Finding Harmony found more than the right note. They found comradery. They found compassion. They found community. David Brown, founder of Columbus-based Harmony Project, was excited when connections with an executive producer first led to conversations with Disney and ABC about the possibility of a TV series featuring the work of his organization - which all started prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read full article.

Forbes Selects Ohio To Host Flagship Under 30 Summit Through 2025

Wednesday, October 05, 2022

CLEVELAND, October 5, 2022 – Forbes today announced that it will hold its flagship, annual Under 30 Summit in Ohio through 2025, a move that recognizes the state’s impressive community of entrepreneurs and innovators. The Summit, presented by JobsOhio, will take place in three different Ohio cities over the next three years – starting in Cleveland in 2023, followed by Cincinnati and Columbus. The Summit will bring together young, diverse leaders across industries to collaborate, network, learn and exchange ideas. Read here for the full article.

Forget about goal setting. Try these 5 strategies instead

Friday, October 14, 2022

Goal setting is one of those things that seems like it would be fundamental to success. If you’ve read any books or articles about getting ahead in your career or life, you’ve probably come across tips on setting goals (like SMART goal setting) so that you can successfully meet them. But setting goals may not be as relevant anymore, and there may be better alternatives to managing your career–and your life. Read here for the full article.

Front Line: Taking an Expanded View of Climate Change

Sunday, October 30, 2022

Summer 2022 — a season marked by historic heat waves, widespread drought, and torrential rains — ranks among the hottest on record, according to data from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Read here for the full article.

How Springfield Entrepreneurs Are Driving Downtown Growth

Thursday, January 26, 2023

You may not expect a mid-sized city in Ohio to have a downtown full of young people on a Thursday night, or have groups of families, girlfriends and college students packing downtown restaurants and shops on the weekend. But that’s exactly what you’ll find in Springfield, Ohio. Where some downtowns are dying, Springfield is thriving. “There are 35 Springfield’s in the United States and this is the one you should know about. Thousands of jobs have been created in the past couple years due to business expansion and new companies moving into the area,” said Horton Hobbs IV, VP Economic...

ICYMI: A round-up of links to videos of webinars you might have missed

Friday, September 30, 2022

We've had a super busy start to our fall webinar line-up! More than 800 people signed up for our recent webinar offerings, on subjects from rural economic development to supporting small businesses and so much more. If you missed any of these recent webinars, you are in luck! We recorded all of them and invite you to review those videos at your convenience. Read here for the full article.

International Companies Are Manufacturing Products in Springfield, Ohio

Friday, November 04, 2022

This Manufacturing Month we recognize the U.S. and international manufacturing companies making products in Clark County, Ohio. With over 154 manufacturers, 5,276 people are employed in our manufacturing sector. “If you’re a site selector or working for a manufacturing company, Springfield, Ohio is the community you need to visit,” said Horton Hobbs IV, Vice President, Economic Development for the Greater Springfield Partnership. “From food products to auto parts and custom metalworks, Springfield has attracted some of the world’s top manufacturing companies. They are drawn to our shovel-ready sites, customer service, and the ability to reach the majority of the U.S....

Jim Lagos recognized for lifelong accomplishments, commitment to Springfield

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Jim Lagos has committed his career to local business and community development. And this year, that dedication earned him the Richard L. Kuss Lifetime Community Achievement Award from The Greater Springfield Partnership. Lagos says the award was not only meaningful because of the honor it bestowed, but also because of his personal relationship with the late Dick Kuss, who he says he saw as a role model. Read full article.

JobsOhio and the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association Celebrate Manufacturing Day

Friday, October 07, 2022

COLUMBUS, OHIO October 7, 2022 – JobsOhio, the state's private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio, is proud to join The Ohio Manufacturers' Association (OMA) in commemorating the state's significant growth in the manufacturing sector after more than a decade of shared effort. Read here for the full article.

Local healthcare options are important to meeting local residents' health needs.

Saturday, October 08, 2022

For Mercy Health – Springfield, local healthcare means faster, better care for local patients. But it also means recruiting new talent from elsewhere who become active members of the community. “We are of the community, we are in the community, and our providers are the same,” says hospital President Adam Groshans. Read here for the full article.

Manufacturing’s Last “KISS”

Sunday, October 30, 2022

If you’ve been in the business world for a while, especially in manufacturing or engineering, you’ve probably encountered the concept of “KISS” solutions. As a young employee who just joined the production floor for Lockheed Martin back in the early 1980s, I had no idea what a program manager was asking for, when he told me, “I just want the KISS solution” for a production problem. Read here for the full article.

Metal Fabrication Strong With Demand, Expansion

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

“It’s an underappreciated industry.” That’s the basic observation of Dennis Donovan, principal with Wadley Donovan Gutshaw Consulting, of Bridgewater, N.J., when he was asked about the importance of, the health of and the potential of the metal fabrication industry. Read here for the article.

New Glassdoor Filters Enable Searches On Demographic Group Ratings And Interests Like Work Life Balance

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Job seekers and employees alike expect so much more from their workplaces. Increasingly, culture, flexibility and values trump retirement plans, health benefits and expense accounts in a competitive job marketplace. Job seekers are no longer simply looking for a job. They’re looking for a professional home that feels welcoming and often finding that right fit requires more sophistication, individualized search options. Read here for the full article.

Ohio Entrepreneurs Predict What’s Next for 2023

Thursday, January 05, 2023

It’s no secret that 2022 was an incredible year for Ohio entrepreneurs across a variety of industries. As we celebrate a new year, we’re turning our attention ahead to 2023 and what it has in store for the Ohio startup scene. Read here for the complete article.

Ohio Has Grown into a Globally Recognized R&D Hub

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

U.S. INSIGHTS The Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate by another 75 basis points and projected a more aggressive path ahead as it adjusts policy to combat high inflation. FOMC officials now estimate the unemployment rate to rise to 4.4% in 2023 from its current level of 3.7%. Additionally, they estimate GDP growth to slow to 0.2% for 2022, a decrease from the 1.7% estimate provided in June. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.1% in August and 8.3% over the past year. Core CPI rose 0.6% during the month to a 6.3% annual rate, the highest level...

Ohio Named #6 Best State Business Climate by Site Selection

Friday, December 23, 2022

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 261,000 in October, and the unemployment rate rose to 3.7%. The labor force participation rate declined slightly to 62.2% during the month and remains 1.2% below its February 2020 level. Job openings increased above forecasts to 10.7M in September, up from a revised 10.3M in August. Hires declined to 6.1M during the month and quits declined to 4.1M. Weekly jobless claims unexpectedly fell to 217,000 during the week ended October 29, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week’s revised level. Continuing claims rose to 1.485M. The Federal Reserve raised its short-term borrowing...

Ohio Replaces China as the Low-Cost Center for Plastics Manufacturing

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Ohio’s energy and transportation advantages emerge as key differentiators in manufacturing comparison with China. Industry observers recognizing the advantages of Ohio’s unique location within a day’s drive of 50% of the U.S. population and more than 70% of the end-to-end plastics industry supply chain. Manufacturers waking up to the advantages of Ohio’s advanced infrastructure, highly-skilled workforce, and central location. Read full article.

Rax’s return to Clark County a step in rebirth of roast beef chain

Friday, October 21, 2022

For Rax owner Richard Donohue, the addition of the restaurant to the New Carlisle area is a return to the company’s roots and a continuation of the roast beef sandwich chain’s revitalization. Read here for the full article.

Springfield’s $2 million neighborhood street program being finalized

Saturday, January 21, 2023

City officials are finalizing identification of the street projects for 2023 at the same time they are wrapping up final work on all 11 street projects that were planned for 2022 according to Springfield City Service Director Chris Moore. Read here for the complete article.

Support systems build for growing Haitian population in Springfield

Tuesday, January 03, 2023

A surge in the number of Springfield residents from Haiti has resulted in an outpouring of language assistance and additional forms of help from the Springfield City School District and others who are trying to meet their needs. “Four years ago we didn’t have a Haitian population,” says Pamela Shay, director of federal programs for Springfield City School District. Read full article.

The 4 Biggest Difficulties Every Entrepreneur Faces

Friday, October 14, 2022

1. Cash may run out, but it's not the end of the world Cash is one of the most challenging elements of running a business. You have to ensure enough cash is coming in to keep everything and everyone up and running. Companies often go through periods of low cash flow, during which they may have to delay or cancel projects, hire less staff or even shut down entirely. Read here for the full article.

The Best of Springfield make their 2022 debut

Thursday, October 20, 2022

The annual Best of Springfield awards are meant to “shine a spotlight on local businesses” and the products and services that they offer to the community, says Chris Schutte, vice president of destination marketing and communications for The Greater Springfield Partnership. “It’s the celebration of everything local, everything great in Springfield,” Schutte says. The organization launched the contest in 2015. Read here for the full article.

Three Reasons Building A Caregiver-Friendly Culture Is Good For Business

Monday, September 19, 2022

By helping build resilient workforces and retain quality talent through personnel disruptions, caregiver-friendly workplaces are more competitive and successful. Employees are looking for employers that understand the need for work-life balance and the need for flexibility to address family issues. Employers that embrace caregiving-friendly strategies and solutions will be able to recruit and retain top-quality talent. Read here for the full article.

Updates to various public services are coming thorughout Springfield

Thursday, January 05, 2023

A groundbreaking ceremony for a new fire station on South Limestone Street marked more than the construction of a new facility, it ushered in the next era of public service for the City of Springfield. The new Springfield Fire Rescue Division station and Clark State College training facility, at 2040 S. Limestone St., is the first of four new fire stations that will be built during the next three years. The other three stations will be located on Zischler Street, South Charleston Pike, and Burt Street. But, there are more infrastructure projects on the horizon that will improve the...

Where to place your economic bets for 2023

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Ken Chenault, Chairman and Managing Director, General Catalyst and Penny Pritzker, Founder and Chairman, PSP Partners; Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce share their insights on the economic and business outlook for 2023, and share where they’re placing bets now. Read here for the full article.

Why Utilities Are Such Great Economic Development Partners

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Anyone whose eye is on international news today can easily see how all aspects of a community are impacted when energy is scarce, unreliable, or unaffordable. Yet even under optimal conditions and ideal circumstances, successful economic development organizations fully understand why utility companies are invaluable working partners. Utility companies are crucial to everyone’s success because they have a closer everyday relationship, and a greater impact, on quality of life and prosperity than any other industry. Since their success depends on selling more energy, they also have plenty of incentive to retain and attract new manufacturers as well as other...

Why You Need to Build Sustainability Into Your Business Strategy

Friday, September 23, 2022

Doing the right thing is good for business The consciousness of sustainable practices and products has risen dramatically in the last few decades. Whether it be shifting generational expectations, the climate crisis, or other motivating factors, consumers value brands that prioritize sustainability. A quick look at the numbers: When given a choice, 32% of millennials will choose a sustainable option over a non-sustainable one, and 47% of companies said sustainability had an impact on their recruiting and retention. And investors understand it, too: 90% of investors said they pay attention to how sustainable a business is. Read the...

“Friend-Shoring” To “Next-Dooring”

Sunday, October 30, 2022

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland convened on June 20, 2022, where the pair championed a new era of “friend-shoring” as a way to transform global supply chains in the post-pandemic world. In contrast to the predominant current purchasing strategy that attempts to meet quality standards at the lowest cost possible, “friend-shoring” (aka “ally-shoring”), according to Secretary Yellen, “is the idea that countries that espouse a common set of values about international trade [and] conduct in the global economy should trade and get the benefits of trade so...

Latest News

Why Ohio?