City, county discuss combining ED offices

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert mayor-elect Jerry Mazur and the Van Wert County Board of Commissioners began a series of meetings on economic development on Tuesday with a look at the two entities’ Revolving Loan Fund programs.

Mazur and County Commissioners Thad Lichtensteiger, Todd Wolfrum, and Stan Owens met with Ohio State University Extension Program Manager Caitlin Jones, who provided on overview of the city’s Revolving Loan Program. Also attending the meeting was Gary Corcoran, who is acting as a volunteer financial adviser to Mazur.

Jones noted that the city RLF program currently has 16 outstanding loans, with another set to close in the near future. All of the loans are up to date, except one that is currently on deferment status so the owners can deal with a legal issue.

The county micro-enterprise loan program has 14 outstanding loans at the moment.

Jones noted that the city RLF program currently has a working balance of approximately $260,000. That money is available for loans of up to half the total cost of a project to businesses who plan to create jobs for low- to moderate-income workers.

Jones said job creation requirements are one employee for every $25,000 in loan funding.

The OSU Extension program manager also noted that combining the city and county RLF programs is very feasible. In fact, she noted that the state prefers just one RLF entity in a county. However, she also cautioned those at the meeting that, once combined, it could be difficult to separate the entities again, if problems arise.

The two programs were administered together for several years, but separated following the rift between the city and county over economic development.

Jones also reported on the makeup of her RLF board, which includes appointees from the city and county, representatives for the low- to moderate-income community and several representatives from local financial institutions.

Those present briefly discussed the possible makeup of a combined board, while also noting that the general composition would mirror what is already in place.

Jones said she could be part of the RLF program from now until the city’s development contract with OSU Extension expires October 28, 2016. Following that date, any involvement by her would need to be negotiated between local officials and Ohio State.

Mazur and the commissioners also discussed combining the overall city and county economic development entities, with the mayor-elect noting his preference to have all economic development entities together under one roof.

Mazur noted that the former Van Wert Municipal Court building, which was the local post office prior to that, would be a good location, since it provides plenty of space for the various ED entities, which would include Main Street Van Wert and the Van Wert Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, as well as the city and county ED offices.

Although Mazur admitted the building would need some upgrades, the fact that the city owned the building was a benefit, since no money would be needed to purchase or rent office space.

The mayor-elect said he also felt the economic development director for the combined entities should be someone from outside the community with proven development experience. Commissioner Todd Wolfrum said that, while he didn’t disagree with Mazur, he felt having a director who is a county resident could provide added incentive for that person to improve the community.

Corcoran noted that, with the county’s strong educational community, he feels it’s time to work on programs that would keep students in the community following graduation.

“Instead of preparing our young people for jobs somewhere else, we would prepare them for jobs in the community,” Corcoran said, noting that entrepreneurship programs, for instance, could help provide assistance to graduates who want to start their own business.

Mazur and the commissioners plan to continue ED discussions, with another meeting scheduled for next Thursday afternoon. More stakeholders will also be included in future discussions.