Ed talks held with CVB, Main Street VW

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert mayor-elect Jerry Mazur and the Van Wert County Board of Commissioners continued talks on combining city and county economic development agencies earlier this week.

Mazur and the commissioners met this week with representatives of the Van Wert Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and Main Street Van Wert to discuss inclusion of those agencies in the same building as city and county ED organizations, as well as the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce.

Those attending saw the benefits of combining local development entities, but also saw possible pitfalls.

“The idea of a ‘one-stop shop’ is a good one,” said Main Street Board member Dennis Cummins, adding, “It’s how we get there.”

While a location that would house all the groups has not been selected, several buildings in the downtown area are being looked at as a possible location. Buildings considered on Tuesday included the former Van Wert Municipal Court building on South Market Street and the Dave’s Quality Cleaners building on East Main Street. Both buildings have a lot of space available, although each would need an elevator installed to make them handicap accessible.

Representatives of both Main Street and the CVB felt there were positives in bringing all ED groups together at one location, with lower operating costs a possibility. However, Main Street Program Manager Adam Ries and CVB Executive Director Larry Lee both talked about the advantages of a central location on Main Street, if possible, since they both have seen advantages their organizations have experienced from being in an easy-to-find location on Main Street.

Commissioner Stan Owens stated his belief that having all ED organizations in one location would present a “united front” for economic development in the community, while making it easier to get needed information for those interested in bringing a business to the county.

Mazur also stressed his opinion that any building chosen must be suitable for the purpose intended. “It’s got to project a first-class image,” the mayor-elect noted. “The building, wherever it is, has to be first class.”

While Main Street and CVB representatives were cognizant of the advantages of being in the same location as other ED organizations, they were also a bit leery of possible political pressure being applied in future if the building was owned by either city or county government.

Several people said they preferred that an outside private group, such as The Van Wert County Foundation, own the building to minimize any possible political consequences — especially in the wake of recent squabbles between the commissioners and city government over the current ED set-up.

The commissioners and Mazur said they envisioned establishing a non-profit entity to combine city and county development agencies, but the possibility of political consequences was still a concern for Main Street and CVB representatives.

Discussion also continued on the possible makeup of a combined city-county economic development agency, with those involved noting that a seven- or nine-member board was being considered, with two city representatives, two county representatives and three or five local business people as members.

Commissioner Todd Wolfrum also stressed that Main Street and the CVB would continue be autonomous, with each having their own boards and directors.

“We felt it was a wrong-headed move to be over everybody,” Wolfrum added.

Ries wondered if the agencies would also have a representative on the newly created board, but the idea received lukewarm support from the commissioners and Mazur, who did note that ex officio membership was a possibility.

Both Wolfrum and Commissioner Thad Lichtensteiger noted that the recent resignation of County Economic Development Director Sarah Moser could be a positive in creating a new development entity. “It gives us the opportunity to create something new,” Wolfrum said, with Lichtensteiger adding, “and start fresh.”

With nothing yet finalized, more talks will be held in future to develop a plan for a combined city-county development organization.