Executive Pry Creates Economic Development Task Force, Hosts a Manufacturing Workforce Development Forum

Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry recently announced the reorganization of the Summit County Department of Community and Economic Development by forming an internal Economic Development Task Force.

The Economic Development Task Force is comprised of research analysts and economic development professionals within the Summit County Department of Community and Economic Development, a department that is responsible for coordinating: the distribution of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG); Community Reinvestment Area Agreements; Enterprise Zone Agreements; entrance into Foreign Trade Zone Sites; and participation in the Summit Business Partnership.

“The purpose of creating this task force is to aggressively pursue economic development opportunities that will benefit the County of Summit,” said Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry. “I believe this task force has the talent to bring additional tax dollars and job opportunities to the community.”

The Economic Development Task Force members are:
• Patrick D’Andrea, Director of Development;
• Scott Wagner, Deputy Director of Development;
• Peter Zaehringer, Economic Development Administrator; and
• Jason Haas, Research Analyst.

In addition to creating the Summit County Economic Development Task Force, Director D’Andrea recently hosted a “Manufacturing Workforce Development Forum” to discuss staffing issues within the local machining industry.

The purpose of the forum was to meet with local manufacturers to identify and discuss workforce development issues. The event also allowed officials to create strategies to enhance existing programs and possibly implement new job training opportunities, if necessary.

Representatives from the City of Akron, the Ohio Department of Development, the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services and various local manufacturing companies were in attendance.

“We will host a follow-up meeting within the next six months to determine what efforts have proven effective,” added Pry. “In the meantime, my Economic Development Task Force will be working closely with local and state economic development professionals to address the workforce needs of this very important employee base.”

Existing training opportunities in Summit County include Akron Public School’s Adult CAM Training at Garfield High School. For more information about the program, contact Brent Hendron at 330-375-2133.

Laurie Norval, currently of SC Manufacturing, will open the Akron CNC Training Center in November. Based on a successful training model used in Cleveland, the school plans to accept approximately 10-12 students in its first class. For more information, email Ms. Norval at lnorval@scmfginc.com .

Financial assistance to train both incumbent and new workers is offered by the Summit County Department of Jobs and Family Services. For more information about accessing these opportunities, please contact Jill Weingart at 330-643-7061.

Business owners, citizens and local government entities interested in meeting with the Economic Development Task Force, or participating in the follow-up “Manufacturing Workforce Development Forum”, are being asked to contact the Summit County Department of Community and Economic Development at 330-643-2552, or by clicking on www.co.summit.oh.us.