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First Person: Handling Plant Shutdowns and Re-Openings During the Pandemic

Wednesday, July 08, 2020

AD: The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused some manufacturing plants to temporarily suspend — wholly or in part — their operations because of employees suffering illness. What — and who — is involved in coordinating the suspension of operations? Vetter: To my knowledge, I don’t believe that we have seen this type of activity happening within our food and consumer products clients’ operations. In fact, what we are experiencing is a ramp up in production on their existing lines. Lines that had some, or even significant amounts of idle time in their production schedule prior to COVID-19, have now been replaced with increase...

Stick the Landing: How to Help Optimize Workplace Reentry

Tuesday, July 07, 2020

We are at a pivotal point in time, surrounded by growing uncertainty. Yet we know one thing for certain: The way we work will change following this pandemic. That includes everything from the ways we interact with one another, to the tasks we take on, and the physical environment we work in. Organizations carefully planning their safe return to the workplace will find key allies in corporate real estate experts who specialize in office location, planning, layout, and design. The workplace structure will need to be reimagined as employees cautiously return to the office and employers prioritize their safety and well-being...

OH: Coronavirus: Springfield to use $1.8M federal transit grant for operating expenses, maintenance

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

May 15--The City of Springfield, Ohio has been awarded a grant to help with public transportation costs amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The $1.8 million grant award was announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration. The grant award is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act approved by congress and signed by President Donald Trump in March. Read full article.

Coronavirus: Clark State working on reopening plan for fall

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Clark State Community College is working on a phased reopening plan to welcome back students, faculty and staff in the fall. “The safety and security of students and employees is at the forefront of everything we do,” said Clark State Community College President Jo Alice Blondin. “I remain optimistic that Clark State students, faculty and staff will be able to meet together in the fall in some face-to-face settings, with an emphasis on the safety and well-being of everyone.” Read full article.

Our Focus is Talent: JobsOhio Invests $1.5M in Northwest Ohio Talent Pipeline Development

Monday, June 22, 2020

In early 2020, JobsOhio announced its 2019 results, as well as a Go Forward Strategy, which introduced an increased focus on its Talent Expansion Services and production initiative aimed at growing in-demand degrees in the state by up to 50%. In March, we made a $1.5 million investment to seed manufacturing talent production. Working with Regional Growth Partnership (RGP), JobsOhio’s economic development partner in northwest Ohio, we engaged with 30 manufacturing businesses in the region to map critical skills, identify employer needs, and assess the education landscape and capacity to fill those job requirements. With that research, RGP and JobsOhio determined that there ar...

JobsOhio, Peoples Bank and First Federal/Home Savings Bank Partner to Provide Lending Support for Ohio Small Businesses

Friday, June 19, 2020

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, JobsOhio, Peoples Bank and First Federal/Home Savings Bank announced a partnership to support existing small business clients with maintaining operations and payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. JobsOhio has committed up to $50 million to assist Peoples Bank and recently merged First Federal Bank and Home Savings Bank – with providing lending support to companies negatively affected by the coronavirus pandemic. "JobsOhio's partnership with Peoples Bank, First Federal and Home Savings Bank will support efforts to sustain Ohio small businesses as they confront unprecedented challenges from COVID-19's impact on our economy," said J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio president and chief executive officer...

Ohio AgriBuisiness not quite business as usual

Thursday, June 18, 2020

On April 27, Governor Mike DeWine announced a gradual plan for reopening Ohio’s economy after six weeks of a mandatory stay-at-home order that expires on May 1. The Responsible Restart Ohio plan has three phases: On May 1, medical procedures that do not require an overnight stay can proceed On May 4, manufacturing, distribution, and construction businesses may reopen, provided they can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees On May 4, general office environments may reopen, provided they can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees On May 12, consumer, retail and services, may reopen, provided they can meet mandatory safety requirement...

Which businesses will be the first to reopen in Ohio?

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Which businesses will be the first to open in Ohio? It's complicated, Gov. Mike DeWine said. The governor vaguely discussed which businesses will be permitted to reopen in the first phase of the state's plan to jump-start the economy. Reopening the state will be a slow process with multiple phases – one that Gov. Mike DeWine hopes to begin May 1. Hospitals will be among the first to reopen, the governor said. While hospitals and health care offices may not have necessarily closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, many have ceased performing elective procedures. Read full article.

US Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Save Small Business Fund

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

To extend a helping hand to small businesses suffering from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation – in partnership with Vistaprint and a coalition of supporting companies, foundations, and philanthropic donors – is working to provide financial relief through the “Save Small Business Fund”. The “Save Small Business Fund” is a grant-making initiative to offer $5,000 grants that provide short-term relief for employers across the United States. These one-time supplemental cash grants are for businesses that have between 3-20 employees and operate in an economically vulnerable community (you can search eligibility by zip code here). I know your busines...

FCC Commissioners Sharply Disagree on U.S. Broadband Report

Monday, June 15, 2020

A Federal Communications Commission report Friday indicated that the U.S. is making progress on closing the digital divide, but FCC commissioners don’t agree on how much progress has been made. The 2020 Broadband Deployment Report showed that very high-speed broadband service (250 Mbps/25 Mbps) can be accessed by roughly 85 percent of citizens — a number that has gone up by 47 percent since 2017. The report attributes this and other gains to the $80 billion invested in broadband infrastructure in 2018, a significant increase in fiber-to-the-home projects in 2019 and the advent of 5G technology. Read full article.

Smart Facilities and Industrial IOT in the Era of 5G

Friday, June 12, 2020

For manufacturing and distribution facilities, the introduction of 5G — the next generation of cellular wireless — could be a game-changer down the line. Consider: 5G will hasten the rise of the smart factory/warehouse, where tracking and distribution will improve exponentially, thanks to industrial IOT sensors. Monitoring will happen continuously in real time as the 5G network takes a triple approach to improving mobility — speed (ultra-fast data rates), interactivity (ultra-low lag with no buffering), and connectivity (more capacity, devices, and data). Read full article.

A Disciplined Road Map for Industrial Site Selection

Thursday, June 11, 2020

It’s almost always good news when an industrial manufacturer needs to find a new plant site. It means business is growing, new markets are emerging, and financials are healthy. However, this is the point of time in the business cycle when decisions about next steps need to be made carefully. Unfortunately, this is when many businesses get tripped up. Plant owners and managers may agree on the need for new production lines, more distribution capacity, new automation processes, and more staff. But this is also when additional rigor is most urgently needed to analyze the best-case business scenarios for that nex...

8 Ways the Crisis Will Forever Change the Future Workforce

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

This year's public health crisis has reoriented our relationships with each other, the media, technology and the work we do. Humanity has never experienced such a swift and universal shift. Friends are hosting live parties on Instagram. Teachers are uploading lessons to YouTube for the first time. Doctors are utilizing FaceTime or Google Duo for telemedicine services with patients. Read full article.

5 Ways Restaurant Owners Can Prepare for Reopening

Tuesday, June 09, 2020

In early May, many states began loosening restrictions on business operations. In California, for example, Governor Newsom announced that bookstores, music stores, toy stores, florists and some other retailers could reopen for pickup service. While restaurants were not a part of this first wave of reopenings, if all goes well, we could see them open their doors for seating in the next few weeks. Many eateries are operating on pickup or delivery service at the moment, but in order to truly reopen, restaurant managers will need to figure out how to handle a crowd of customers in a time of continued caution and social distancing. It’s no easy task, but in anticipatio...

3 Fundamentals for Building a Resilient Supply Chain

Monday, June 08, 2020

The global health crisis has exposed widespread vulnerabilities in supply chains. Although toilet paper shortages have become the most talked-about issue, long-term demand and supply shock ripples caused by this crisis will likely be felt for much longer as production delays at impacted sites, material shortages and scarcity of logistics come to light. It’s no surprise that many companies have relied on old habits to navigate out of the crisis. But solely relying on comfortable tools like spreadsheets, emails and conference calls can add undue delay to a team’s ability to resolve issues at a time when speed is critically important. Organizations have to accept that "crisis mode" is going t...

How Is the Pandemic Affecting Location Decisions in the Food & Beverage Industry?

Friday, June 05, 2020

I've been fortunate to have some great conversations with economic developers over the past few weeks, with many questions on the pandemic's impact on site location decisions for the food and beverage Industry. While nothing is certain, I've read and attached links to some important insights which I would like to share with those who currently or plan to target this industry. Be very aware that: Disruption of reliable demand and labor shortages have resulted in huge supply chain inefficiencies, leaving too much food in the wrong places. New facility locations that process products that heavily rely on predictable supply chain will n...

Workforce Reductions, Incentives Compliance, and Adjusting to the “New Normal”

Thursday, June 04, 2020

Companies are primarily concerned with maintaining operations while also keeping their workforce’s good health a top priority. For some of our larger clients, those with a workforce of more than 1,000, it’s simply not possible to maintain operations and keep their workforce safe. As a result, these companies are temporarily halting operations and furloughing or laying off employees. Our corporate clients with fewer than 1,000 workers are able to significantly reduce their operations and implement new policies to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Examples include requiring the use of masks and maintaining a safe distance from other people within th...

Potential Shifts in the Workforce Due to COVID-19

Wednesday, June 03, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is already causing shifts in the economy and workforce. Other than the obvious loss of employment, some of which will hopefully be temporary, another significant shift in the workforce involves employees in the professional services sector and others forced to work remotely from home. Although companies allowing employees to work remotely was already a growing trend in the United States, the question will be whether this trend continues after COVID-19 is under control. And, if the trend does continue, which is likely, consideration for incentives for home-based or remote employees will also have to be considered fro...

Ensuring Business Continuity While Focusing on Accelerating Automation

Tuesday, June 02, 2020

As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, I think that the outlook is positive in the near- and long term for corporate site location projects. The current environment is teaching us that the need to ensure business continuity in the face of exceptional risks will be driving many supply chain location decisions in the future. More localized supply chains will be a way for companies to increase resilience and minimize disruptions as the probability for exceptional events of a global impact increases. This will generate increased activity from corporations seeking to re-shore, move, or establish new operations closer to their markets...

Resiliency of Supply Chains & Post-Pandemic Opportunities for FDI

Monday, June 01, 2020

Disruption of supply chains and the prospects of reshoring to the U.S. are not unique to the spread of the coronavirus and related pandemic. As is well-documented, the development of global supply chains over time has provided cost-competitiveness to many companies. However, as we have witnessed rising offshore wages and operating costs, increased lead times, a lack of consistency in product quality, and a move toward more protectionist trade policies, many of our clients have for some time been assessing these mounting global supply chain risks vis-à-vis any cost-competitiveness that they once produced. The COVID-19 disruption will accelerate these analyse...

“Future-Proofing” Corporate Location Decisions in Uncertain Times

Friday, May 29, 2020

Site selection has traditionally focused on analyzing and comparing markets based on their current — and sometimes historical — capacity to support a corporate end user’s organizational objectives. More recently, a fundamental shift is under way where clients are challenging their consultants and candidate communities to also provide assessments of future market conditions, particularly surrounding talent. This forward-looking approach mitigates risk around the final location decision and aims to ensure that the selected market will align with the company’s long-term location and people strategy. Clients are increasingly requiring a site selection analysis that solves for their future workforce needs an...

COVID-19 Will Remake How We Work and Live

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Generally speaking, everyone resists change. Especially sudden change. But Covid-19 changed all that. Friday rolled around and we were told to grab-your-stuff and go home and no one knew when we would be back. You hear people say, “When things go back to normal…” Well, will things really go back to normal? We’ve learned new techniques, new ways to do things differently when working together digitally. Perhaps we will not return to the old ways. Read full article.

Truck makers deal with the coronavirus daily, while wondering about its effects on the rest of the year

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Oh, the difference a couple years make. It wasn’t long ago when it seemed everyone was buying new heavy-duty trucks — so much so that OEMs and their suppliers had trouble keeping up with demand. Then, order boards began to open up as the market self-corrected. Now production facilities have been halted as safety precautions in an effort to stem the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Click here to read full article.

Riffle Machine Works’ Multiphase Expansion is Finally Complete

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Founded in 1980, Riffle Machine Works — a provider of machine, fabrication, warehousing and assembly of truck parts for the automotive industry — began with only three employees. However, the company grew significantly in 2001 when they received their first assembly line project from Kenworth. This resulted in a few expansions over the years, from an initial 50,000-square-foot facility to the current 300,000 square feet between 2007 and 2016. Click here to read full article.

Thank You for Making Ohio No. 1!

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Ohio has an outstanding economic development network that goes above and beyond for communities, companies and people. By working together toward a common goal, you make a difference. Site Selection Magazine’s Governor’s Cup results are a testament to this unwavering work ethic. You helped make Ohio No. 1! Click here to read full article.

City approves joint economic development

Monday, May 18, 2020

An ordinance that authorizes the creation of a joint economic development agreement between the city and Jefferson Township was passed during Wednesday’s Washington Court House City Council meeting. According to City Manager Joe Denen, what this means is a small section of land in Jefferson Township, where the local McKesson facility is planned to relocate to in 2022, will be given an income tax at the same rate of the city’s income tax. Click here to read full article.

Support Springfield Businesses During & After COVID-19

Monday, May 18, 2020

Small businesses are an important part of Springfield’s economy and they have been hit hard by COVID-19. Fortunately, it is possible to make a positive impact during and after the COVID-19 crisis by supporting local Springfield businesses. Every dollar spent at a small business supports another 50 cents in local business activity. As an added incentive, every ten jobs created at a local business, support an additional seven jobs within the community (Small Business Economic Impact Study, 2018). According to The Small Business Economic Impact Study, conducted by American Express in 2018, this impact is possible because for every dolla...

Brooklyn adds city’s first full-time economic development director and city planner

Friday, May 15, 2020

Mayor Katie Gallagher recently hired Brooklyn’s first full-time economic development director and city planner. Formerly with the City of Independence, Jeremy Rowan, who started March 30, replaces part-time economic development director Andi Udris. “Andi is in the process of starting his full-time retirement from public service,” Gallagher said. “Knowing I wanted to hire a planner, he said this is a good opportunity to get both -- somebody who knows how to do planning and economic development.” Click here to read full article.

DeWine: Jobs Ohio investing $2M into southeast Ohio

Thursday, May 14, 2020

At a news conference, Gov. Mike DeWine spoke of economic aid for southeast Ohio during the coronavirus pandemic. “One of the great assets we have in Ohio is Jobs Ohio — I’ve asked them to think about how they can be value-added when this is over,” he said. “I’ve asked the board to think of ways they can help our economy.” DeWine said Jobs Ohio is announcing that it is providing a $2 million growth fund loan to Appalachian Growth Capital, or AGC. Click here to read full article.

Ohio takes steps to increase access to high-speed internet

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Ohio officials are moving forward with a plan aimed at improving access to high-speed internet across the state, a push that could see renewed interest in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The new BroadbandOhio office will implement the Ohio Broadband Strategy, which the state released in 2019. The plan, in part, calls for the Ohio Department of Transportation to allow more access to state-owned rights of way to construct internet infrastructure. Click here to read full article.

JobsOhio Commits to Working Closely with State and Partners Through COVID-19 Pandemic

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as Governor Mike DeWine, the JobsOhio board of directors held its quarterly public board of directors meeting via live webinar on March 17, 2020. While JobsOhio reported its results of ongoing initiatives, it also addressed the current COVID-19 pandemic and how it plans to work with the state to support Ohio businesses during this time. Click here to read full article.

OEDA Launches COVID-19 Resource Center

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

OEDA has launched a COVID-19 Resource Center on its website. The Resource Center provides Ohio’s economic development community with resources to help practitioners best serve their business community during the COVID-19 outbreak. OEDA will do all that we can to provide factual information and helpful resources you need as leaders in those efforts. Click here to read full article.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Assistance: You Can Still Apply

Monday, May 11, 2020

There are still federal funds to help business owners struggling due to COVID-19. These funds are available through the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans. The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). ELIGIBLE ENTITIES: Applicants must meet the SBA requirements of a small business (500 employees or fewer) Businesses directly affected by COVID-19 Businesses that offer services directly related to the businesses in the declaration. In other words, if your business serves small businesses impacted by COVID-19 you would qualify Othe...

Tourism agencies turn focus to helping Ohio businesses survive

Monday, May 11, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has both local and state tourism agencies taking a break from showing Ohioans some fantastic tourist spots the state has to offer and focusing instead on business that could use your support during the shutdown. Locally, Destination Cleveland said that it is refocusing priorities and streamlining operations “due to unprecedented economic conditions.” Click here to read full article.

Relief available to Ohio’s small businesses

Saturday, May 09, 2020

As we all know, small businesses serve as the economic engines that drive communities across our state. Their success is Ohio’s success, and we must never fail to support them. This has become increasingly true as we continue to combat the COVID-19 crisis. Click here to read the full article.

Support The Businesses Supporting Ohio's Essential Agriculture

Friday, May 08, 2020

It has been made very clear by the DeWine Administration that Ohio agriculture is essential because of the vital importance of farmers and their service to society. But, during these challenging times, it is also important to remember those who serve Ohio’s essential farmers. There has been plenty mentioned about getting take-out to support your local favorite dining hotspots that may be feeling a real pinch right now. It is just as important to remember other parts of the service and supply chains that allow Ohio’s essential farmers to do what they do during the coronavirus measures taken by the stat...

Central Ohio businesses manufacture, distribute PPE for medical workers

Thursday, May 07, 2020

The state says hundreds of Ohio businesses have signed up to help manufacture personal protective equipment in the wake of the pandemic. "We know we have a shortage and so we're asking the manufacturers step up look at what their capacity is, see what you can do," said Governor Mike DeWine. Click here to read full article.

President Signs Two Broadband Bills

Wednesday, May 06, 2020

On March 24, President Trump signed two bills designed to enhance the availability and security of 5G and other broadband services. The first bill, the “Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act” or the “Broadband DATA Act” requires the FCC to develop rules for fixed, satellite and mobile broadband providers to create and update accurate maps of broadband coverage across the country, and to prohibit broadband providers “from selling, leasing, or otherwise disclosing for monetary consideration any personally identifiable information to any other entity other than for purposes authorized under this title.” Especially in these times when people are force...

The Rise of Everyday Entrepreneurs and Their Economic Impact on Communities

Tuesday, May 05, 2020

In cities and towns all across the United States, a quiet but growing movement of self-determined capitalism is changing the way many see their place in the modern economy. Everyday entrepreneurs have become self-sufficient, using their talents and resourcefulness to create their own commercial ventures with the help of websites. Their innovative approach is not only improving their economic prospects, but enhancing the viability of the communities they live in. As policymakers and others take a deeper interest in the future of work, the ventures of everyday entrepreneurs signal a transformation in the future of workers, who are using th...

Tips for Managing Business Finances in COVID-19 and Beyond

Monday, May 04, 2020

Financial literacy, the ability to manage cash flow and successful cash management is critical to small businesses in any economic climate. When faced with the challenges brought on by COVID-19 closures, the importance is only amplified. Fortunately, there are tools and resources businesses can use to take control of their finances now and in the future. In addition, our organization and the local SBDC is here to answer questions and to provide support and guidance. Tips for Managing Business Finances During COVID-19 The local and federal response to COVID-19 has been to create new ways to financially support small businesses. Still, no...

Workspace Optimization Measures for 2020

Monday, May 04, 2020

Maximizing space utilization has become one of the most important market trends among real estate and facility managers, according to a survey from independent research firm Verdantix. Between rising real estate costs and the introduction of solutions for easier space and occupancy data collection, organizations are realizing the cost-saving potential of optimizing their workspaces. Yet, the number-one objective for real estate management has moved from reducing costs to improving the comfort and well-being of building occupants. Click here to read full article.

Investment Follows Talent to Mid-Size Markets

Sunday, May 03, 2020

Since the industrial revolution, the labor market feedback loop has given rise to cities. It works simply: opportunities attract workers, and those workers attract companies in need of talent. Over the last few decades this feedback loop has kicked into overdrive as businesses and talent feed off each other in “superstar cities.” But instead of being fueled by manufacturing, as was the case during the industrial revolution, this trend is now driven by innovation, tech, and the service-based economy. Click here to read full article.

Mid-size Markets Competing for Business and Winning

Saturday, May 02, 2020

Navigating the vast, dynamic U.S. landscape is a challenging undertaking for business leaders. With sharp contrasts between costs, infrastructure, quality of life, demographics, taxes, and regulations, among a list of other variances, finding a home for company operations requires an extensive evaluation. As the nation’s economy has evolved over recent decades, so have the traditional markets for certain industries and sectors. In the not so distant past, we witnessed certain corners of the country being the sole focus of investors and business leaders, whether it be historical centers for everything from steel production in Pittsburgh to energy in Houston, or i...

Assembling the Right Site Selection Team

Friday, May 01, 2020

Your company has just decided to invest in a new facility expansion, and you have been chosen to lead the effort. Perhaps you have specific knowledge about a certain manufacturing process or maybe you are the most trusted individual to the CEO. Whatever landed you the assignment is irrelevant; now you must understand the CEO and the entire company are putting their collective faith in you to succeed at finding the best location for the planned expansion. Click here to read full article.

How One Major Trade Group is Tackling the Worker Shortage Crisis

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Coming off a record-setting run for economic development in Wisconsin, what is former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch planning to do for an encore? Just last week, we learned the answer. Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Wisconsin announced Nov. 12 that Kleefisch would become the organization’s official “Jobs Ambassador,” a role she intends to use to promote careers in the skilled trades. ABC is a national U.S. trade association representing the non-union construction industry. Click here to read full article.

How Undersea Cables Drive Onshore Site Decisions

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Remember those trade route maps you studied in school, with the dotted lines showing where the ships crossed oceans and came into port centuries ago? Today there are other lines meandering below those vessels that are their own indicator of commerce: the subsea cables carrying terabits of data. Some of the locations where those cables crawl ashore from the murky deep are landing their share of data centers, as the new lines increase the connectivity and therefore the attractiveness of the communities where they land. Click here to read full article.

An entrepreneur’s guide to long-term marketing strategies amid COVID-19

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

While lowering the cost to human life remains of utmost importance during the COVID-19 outbreak, the virus is also fiercely impacting businesses across the globe. In the United States 17 million people, 10% of the workforce, filed for unemployment in a three-week period, and the OECD projects world GDP growth will fall to 2.4% in 2020. Lacking the deep pockets and credit lines that more established corporations can fall back on during times of economic disruption, the startup community will surely be jarred by the rocky economic road ahead. Click here to read full article.

Resilience after recession: 4 ways to reboot the U.S. economy

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is already affecting the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans, and it’s poised to get worse before it gets better. Our primary concern is for the health and welfare of all those affected. The COVID-19 outbreak’s economic impacts also will be staggering and long-lasting. Every sector of the economy — from finance to airlines, retail to restaurants — is feeling the effects. Layoffs are happening across the United States. Jobless claims are skyrocketing. Click here to read full article.

5 Tips To Write An Email Customers Will Actually Open During A Crisis

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Customer communication during COVID-19 is critical. Important information about changes to the customer experience, policy changes, and safety tips are often best communicated to customers in email. Today people are home, and they are connected on their desktop computers, tablets and mobile devices more than ever. More than half of Americans check their personal email more than 10 times a day. Email marketing has also been linked to a high ROI, increased sales and improved customer retention. Click here to read full article.

Postponing Your Appraisal Until After Closing? New Emergency Rules Make It Possible For Certain Borrowers.

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Three federal banking regulators came together this week to announce a temporary suspension of appraisals for credit-worthy borrowers while the country prepares for the economic impact of COVID-19. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued a joint statement saying, “...the completion of appraisals and evaluations required under the agencies’ appraisal regulations may be deferred by a regulated institution for up to 120 days from the date of closing. The temporary deferrals apply to all residential and commercial real estate secured transactions, including loans for new money or refinancin...

COVID-19: What Should Employers Consider As They Adapt Their Background Screening Program?

Monday, April 27, 2020

Businesses continue to operate despite the global reach of COVID-19. And while some industries are seeing a momentary downturn in hiring, others are experiencing a seemingly insatiable need for talent. From workers supporting the supply chain to healthcare professionals on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19, the need to identify and onboard workers is more critical now than ever. Click here to read full article.

Ten Things We Need To Know About Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness

Monday, April 27, 2020

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities (CARES) Act, a $2.3 trillion relief package designed to help individuals and businesses weather the economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The headliner of the CARES Act was the creation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a new loan package designed to put $350 billion into the hands of small businesses for use in paying employee wages and other critical expenses over the coming weeks and months. As of the morning of April 15th, nearly $250 billion in cash had made its way t...

In Focus: Mitigating Risk with Aggressive Support in Economic Development

Sunday, April 26, 2020

The rapid global spread of the COVID-19 virus has left businesses frantically looking for viable solutions to protect employees and consumer health and presents tough choices for business leaders. The coronavirus has desperately affected the business community and, in particular, the supply chain. For example, here in South Carolina, the Port of Charleston is one of the leading import-export hubs in the country. The port is anticipating a container drop in March and April but, with extreme safety measures, expects normal shipments starting back in May. Click here to read full article.

What Will the City of the Future Look Like?

Sunday, April 26, 2020

The city of the future will be more walkable, connected, educated and infrastructure-laden than what currently passes for a competitive location. According to a recent survey of economists and site selection consultants, the “must-have” ingredients for the most competitive locations of the future won’t come easy or cheap, but they will be indispensable to attract growing businesses and the talent needed to make them thrive. Click here to read full article.

Why a U.S. Recession May Be Further Away Than You Think

Saturday, April 25, 2020

With all the media talk over a looming recession, is it time to start worrying about one? The answer is an emphatic “no,” says Dr. Ted C. Jones, chief economist and senior vice president for Stewart Title Guaranty Company in Houston. Citing economic indicators from real estate sectors, American industry and the larger economy, Jones told an audience of 185 people in North Port, Florida, earlier this month that virtually all major signs point to continued expansion of the U.S. economy through at least 2020. Click here to read full article.

Funding for SBA Supports Growth as We Enter A New Roaring Twenties Economic Era

Friday, March 27, 2020

President Trump’s commitment to improving the economy and the engine that drives it – small businesses – has been undeterred. And, when he approved the federal government’s fiscal year budget in late December, he secured the future of America’s small businesses and our nation’s ability to recover after disasters with funding for the U.S. Small Business Administration. Prior to this booming economic era, our small businesses were struggling and trying to survive from the Great Recession. In the true spirit of the American Dream, though, they reshaped, innovated and persevered. Their contributions have not gone unnoticed and now, with business optimism an...

Emergency Preparedness and Response: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Chinese authorities have confirmed an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in early December 2019. Currently there are hundreds of confirmed cases in China, including cases outside Wuhan City, with additional cases being identified in a growing number of countries internationally. The first case in the United States was announced on January 21, 2020. U.S. Travel is in close contact with authorities at the White House, Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Homeland Security and officials at several U.S. airports about ongoing developments and how ou...

4 Steps to Growing Your Business Now

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Q: My business stalled out in 2019. What can I do to give myself the highest likelihood of growth in 2020? -- Aden, Minneapolis The challenge of growing a business is surprisingly similar to the difficulties of losing weight. It’s something I realized after growing my first business, a fitness consultancy called Born Fitness. Each year, people set resolutions (goals, KPIs), start off strong (lots of early-year focus), get frustrated (friction from the process), plateau (return to old habits), and watch apathy set in (panic and lack of focus if goals are not met). Read full article.

Are You Meeting (and Setting) Customers' Expectations?

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Written by Jason Feifer My family and I went out for brunch recently in Miami. We ordered about $60 worth of food, and when the waiter asked what I’d like to drink, I said what I always do: “Just water, please.” “We charge 50 cents for water because we filter it five times,” the waiter said. That’s ridiculous, I replied. The waiter agreed -- in fact, he said, he’d been trying to talk the restaurant’s owner out of this policy for a while now. But the owner wouldn’t budge because he’d invested in some fancy filtration system. Read full article.

In Focus: Taking Steps to Fill Your Company’s Talent Pipeline

Monday, March 23, 2020

It’s no secret the manufacturing and construction industries are facing a shortage of workers at every level. To build a talent pipeline, manufacturing and construction companies need to embrace the challenge, dedicate resources, and invest in programs to change the future. Building a solid talent pipeline requires a multifaceted approach that addresses internal and external factors of your organization. One set of strategies is applicable to positions in management or other high-skill careers. Companies should establish programs to engage at the university and technical college levels by presenting to classes, sponsoring student competitions and organizations, developing internship programs, and recruiting o...

Cultivating Talent from Untapped Communities

Friday, March 20, 2020

The current U.S. labor market bodes well for workers: unemployment has been consistently low and demand for talent remains high. But this wreaks havoc for companies who face a talent shortage to fill vacant IT roles. In IT alone, the U.S. has an astounding 918,000 open roles. Much of this job growth stems from digital transformation. As companies digitally transform and tech roles infiltrate all industries, corporations and hiring managers need help to fill vacant positions. It’s time to seek alternative pipelines and cultivate talent from untapped communities. Read full article.

Hot Jobs: Growing Industrial Sectors

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Where are the best job opportunities, and in what sectors? The research from market analytics consultant Emsi suggests that some of the most attractive sectors in terms of decent-paying jobs are also doing fairly well in terms of job growth. Most states will welcome all the manufacturing activity they can get, for example, and many states have been seeing healthy manufacturing job growth in recent years. Auto manufacturing is in respectable shape, biopharm is healthier all the time, and there’s always a need to make more food. Some job sectors are relatively flat, but even the one that has suffered th...

Front Line: New DOT Focus on Rural Development

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

ast October U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced a new initiative focusing on transportation and related development challenges in rural areas. The new effort was called ROUTES — Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success. ROUTES will build on two successful DOT discretionary grant programs, now called BUILD and INFRA (previously known as TIGER and FASTLANE, respectively). BUILD supports varied projects. INFRA has a freight focus. Many rural communities, of course, have successfully competed for these grants. It’s DOT’s concern, however, that these individual successes don’t provide the far-reaching leverage necessary to deliver benefits across vast rural areas...

The Evolution of Facility Design

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

When looking to build a new facility or renovate an existing one, manufacturing leaders need to consider several factors for the best return on investment. In the past, operational efficiency was often the most prominent, if not the only consideration. But today, the physical characteristics of a manufacturing facility must now deliver beyond operational excellence. The building or campus’ presence must now also serve as a recruiting tool, a reinforcement of brand, a testament to the company’s mission and values — not to mention, contributing to the overall aesthetic of the community to ensure government and neighborhood support. Read full article.

What Should High-Growth Companies Look for in a Community?

Monday, March 16, 2020

I'll start off by stating the obvious…you’re reading this article because you understand the importance of selecting the optimal business location. I believe this to be true across the board, regardless of industry sector, company size, facility type (i.e. headquarters, distribution center, etc.) or other factors. But perhaps it is most important to entrepreneurs and high-growth startup companies (herein referred to collectively as entrepreneurial companies). While companies listed on the Fortune 500 list may initially come to mind when thinking about corporate site selection projects, entrepreneurial companies have increasingly begun to recognize the value of utilizing a systematic evaluation proces...

Tips for Navigating Incentives in Site Selection Process

Friday, March 13, 2020

Rose Davidson, Sr. Vice President, Business and Economic Incentives, at JLL, spoke with Area Development about navigating incentives during the site selection process, after her presentation, “Moving the Needle - How to Navigate Projects, RFPs and Offer Letters in the Right Direction,” at our Charlotte Consultants Forum. More Collaboration Expected Compared to 10 years ago, there have some notable changes to today’s site selection process. I think one of the more important changes is the incentive package. The kinds of incentives offered a company 10 or 15 years ago, or maybe even five years ago, are going to be very different tha...

2020 Vision

Thursday, March 12, 2020

The collective knowledge and capabilities of the U.S. workforce is worth an estimated $240 trillion,” wrote Joe Parilla, a fellow at Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program, in a December 2019 research note, “four times more valuable than the country’s physical capital stock and 10 times more valuable than all the urban land in the United States.” What form does that value take? One way to quantify it is by professional certifications. According to the Labor Market Information Institute’s analysis of Current Population Survey data made available by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a total of 18% of the United States civilia...

The 2020 Regional Workforce Development Rankings

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

We may one year choose to rank states’ primary workforce development programs, but not this year. That would take a panel of objective experts gauging outcomes based on copious input from program clients and many other sources. Perhaps one year. Instead, this exercise looks in general terms at states’ workforce development climates, if you will, much like the state business climate rankings we publish each November. It’s an admittedly blunt instrument, but then it isn’t promising something it can’t deliver. These rankings take a regional look at states’ commitment to workforce development relative to other states in the same region base...

How to Catch Hold of a Borderless Industry

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

What do fintechs do all day? “That’s the million-dollar question, right?” says Jackson Mueller, associate director at the Milken Institute’s Center for Financial Markets. He defines fintech as “the use of technology in the provision of financial products and services.” Among the sector’s characteristics, he says, are: The nature and pace of innovation and adoption: “Things are constantly moving at breakneck speed.” Read full article.

Light industrial is all the rage for e-commerce.

Monday, March 09, 2020

As an industrial real estate broker in one of the country’s hottest submarkets, Patrick Turner sensed opportunity when he heard a news report announcing the closure of a national-brand bakery complex near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. “A light went off in my head,” says Turner, a vice president in the Rosemont, Illinois, office of Colliers International. “When you’re talking about urban infill, you can’t just go out and find 10 acres [4 hectares] anywhere around the airport. It just doesn’t happen.” Read full article.

Springfield, Ohio’s Cultural Activities Will Blow You Away

Friday, February 28, 2020

Did you know that Springfield is home to the only Smithsonian Affiliate art museum in Ohio? It’s true - Springfield is a cultural hub, but many people don’t realize it. In fact, if you haven’t been to Springfield lately – it’s time to pay us a visit. Our downtown resurgence combined with local museums and fun activities, makes Springfield, Ohio an incredible place to live or spend the weekend. Springfield Museums Local residents can stay in town and be exposed to exhibits that will inform and capture the imagination. #1 Springfield Museum of Art Springfield is home to the only Smithsonian Affiliate art museu...

Springfield’s Transportation Assets Are Good for Business

Saturday, February 08, 2020

National corporations like Speedway, Silfex, and Topre America are expanding in Springfield, in part, because of the conveniences offered by area transportation assets. From Springfield and Clark County, businesses have immediate access to Interstate 70 and Interstate 675. With Interstates 71 and 75 in close proximity, the location provides easy access to the majority of the U.S. population in under a day. Those transporting products via rail benefit from Clark County being served by the Indiana and Ohio Railway and Norfolk Southern. In addition, two miles south of Springfield and I-70 is a regional airport that provides travel and carg...

TAC expands to food industry through a new COhatch restaurant

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

The Abilities Connection (TAC) is expanding through a “quick serve restaurant” expected to open in mid-February. Fresh Abilities, a new salad restaurant inspired by Porttion, a Columbus-based start-up that deliverers healthy prepared meals nationally, will be one of five food tenants in COhatch The Market in downtown Springfield. Someone from TAC saw the COhatch sign about a year ago and thought TAC could be part of the “community based” co-working model, James Zahora, CEO of TAC, said. Read full article.

Clark State to offer professional sales certification

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Clark State Community College will offer a new online course beginning in February. The Professional Sales Ready Certification is a seven-week, 33-hour, non-credit course, according to news release from the college. “We are excited to offer this innovative training opportunity to our region,” said Lesli Beavers, director of workforce and business solutions for Clark State. “Our new Professional Sales Ready Certification will provide a valuable advantage for in-demand positions.” Read full article.

Ohio’s Stock is Rising in the Business Community

Friday, January 17, 2020

Ohio continues to climb in several annual state business rankings Ohio has received exciting news from a host of leading business publications, reaching into the Top 10 in the country in several annual state business rankings. Most notable, of course, is Ohio’s jump in the CNBC rankings from 23 in 2011 to 10, a jump from 41 in 2011 to nine in Chief Executive’s annual CEO survey as well as a first-ever Top 10 in Area Development Magazine’s ranking. Ohio also reached No. 3 of Site Selection Magazine’s Best State Business Climate rankings, making it the top-ranked state in the Midwest. Read full article.

New owner wraps up $2M renovation at Springfield Cinema 10

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Springfield’s staple movie theater is wrapping up a $2 million renovation under its new ownership. Minnesota-based United Entertainment Corp. took the reins at Cinema 10 in 2018 and has been working to renovate the aging theater into modernity. “Almost every square inch is getting a makeover,” said UEC Vice President of Operations Steve Ross. Read full article.

Gene Therapy Finds a Fertile Home in Ohio

Monday, January 13, 2020

The midwestern state has quietly laid the groundwork for a biotech hub. Sarepta Therapeutics’s outpost in Ohio occupies a collection of offices and labs on the second floor of a large, squat structure known as “Building 4” in a business park outside of Columbus. Despite the facility’s unassuming exterior, the start of research onsite here in spring 2019 marked a milestone in Ohio’s two-decade-long march toward becoming a gene therapy hub. “We’re making a very significant commitment and investment in Columbus,” Doug Ingram, the CEO of Cambridge, Massachusetts–based Sarepta, told Columbus Business First in an article about the new division. “There is a real chanc...

1 big thing: How Ohio boosted venture capital investment

Friday, January 10, 2020

In the battle for talent and economic growth, U.S. cities are often competing with each other to become the next tech hubs and in luring new investment and jobs. In Ohio, however, venture capital investors in three cities are working together to boost the state's startup appeal. Why it matters: The Midwest is hardly a hotbed for venture capital activity, the majority of which goes to New York, Massachusetts and California. But legacy Rust Belt states see a chance to attract entrepreneurs looking for alternatives to pricey cities like San Francisco. Read full article.

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