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April 18, 2003 - News Story
GMERCO Hosts Economic Development Focus at Lake Campus
Pictured are Donald E. Jakeway, President of the Toledo area Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) and former Director of the Ohio Department of Development, and Margy Poorman, Vice President of Administrative Affairs with the Regional Growth Partnership as they discuss their partnershipÕs success with GMERCO representatives.
Grand Lake Mercer County Research, Inc. (GMERCO) recently held an Economic Development Focus Group at the Lake Campus of Wright State University.
Featured speakers were Donald E. Jakeway, President of the Toledo area Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) and former Director of the Ohio Department of Development, and Margy Poorman, Vice President of Administrative Affairs with the Regional Growth Partnership.
Jakeway and Poorman discussed the value of regional economic development initiatives to attract high tech jobs to the community and how RGP works cooperatively with private companies, local communities, government organizations and national, state, and local economic development groups to capitalize on both project and marketing opportunities.
"One of an economic development group's main jobs is be a good listener and then put together the right plan your clients will need to assure their success." Jakeway also stressed staying close to these people, acting in a sure and sophisticated way in negotiations with them, thus keeping an economic development group's baseline as healthy as possible as the group also looks for new opportunities.
Jakeway told GMERCO members, "There's nothing in economic development that we at Regional Growth Partnership don't do or touch. That's what we are, and we want to try to be a resource for you, too."
Poorman handles much of the administrative tasks of the 11-county area. She especially stressed the importance of RGP's database that contains all the "intelligence" the economic development group needs to assist its clients.
"We do much of the leg work for our clients. For example, we attend trade shows, gathering information, and then bring this information back to the 11 counties in our coverage area. And we do retention and expansion calls to train other economic development representatives. Your partnership here in Mercer County can bring a lot of these same benefits to a lot of people."
The importance of hosting information and contact resources for area companies and businesses seeking overseas expansion opportunities and international trade was addressed, and the impact of regional business alliances and database capabilities working with niche markets was explored.
Since its formation more than ten years ago as a public-private partnership for area economic development, GMERCO has assisted in many area activities and programs. GMERCO's accomplishments include bringing together private and government entities, assisting in the creation of the 29 Partnership, helping the Mercer County area be recognized by the Ohio Development Association for its Red Carnation Award, and assisting in the creation of a joint annexation agreement for the area.
Future directives identified include increasing the tourism effort, continuing to emphasize and work through a global economy concept, and in general emphasizing the area's particular uniqueness which includes its broad and successful agricultural base and its high level of education, worth ethic, and teamwork skills. For more information about GMERCO contact Julie Miller, GMERCO's Executive Director at 419-586-0375 or 1-800-237-1477, extension 8375.
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