County residents invited to join VWAED

VW independent/submitted information

The City of Van Wert and Van Wert County have filed the necessary paperwork with the state to create the Van Wert Area Economic Development (VWAED) Corporation. This innovative entity is designed to lead not just this county, but the entire region into the future of economic development, and it invites all people who live or have an economic interest in Van Wert County to be a part.

Members of an interim board were selected from a cross-section of the county to found the corporation and create its initial bylaws. In weekly meetings, these board members have devised a method to include the entire community, as well as the existing economic development entities in the process, through membership and representation on the VWAED corporate board of trustees.

The city and the county will share initial funding for the new effort equally. The city’s funding will come primarily from the hotel-motel tax, as in the past, and the county has designated a portion of conveyance fees on real estate to the effort and will supplement as needed. Private sector investment will be encouraged as well.

Anyone 18 years of age or older can become a member of the VWAED by paying a nominal $1 fee to join in the coming weeks. This fee can be paid at the mayor’s office or the county commissioners’ office or by attending an informational meeting to be held in the First Federal Lecture Hall of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 16.

By becoming a member, county residents will automatically be involved in the decision-making process of Van Wert’s economic future and have a voice in its direction. The VWAED board of trustees will consist of nine members. City government will appoint three and county government three trustees, while the remaining three trustees will be elected by the VWAED membership.

Those interested in becoming a trustee need need to be Van Wert County residents, become a VWAED member, and then get the signature of 10 other members on a petition to have their name placed on the ballot for an election that will take place in June.

The three at-large trustee positions will serve staggered terms initially, and the person receiving the most votes will serve a three-year term, the second-place person a two-year term, and the third a one-year term. There will be an annual election for the open spot each year and each election thereafter will be to fill one trustee’s position for a three-year term.

“This is an exciting time in our community,” said County Commissioner Todd Wolfrum. “The challenges for rural communities like ours going forward are unique and require something new. This is that something new and it needs maximum participation to be successful.”