L-R: Craig Henderson, Julie Miller, Keith Faber, Bruce Childs; John Honabarger, Thomas Knapke, Doug Temple. |
LAKE CAMPUS -- Grand Lake Mercer County Research, Inc. (GMERCO), organized around a cooperative agreement with the Lake Campus of Wright State University and headquartered at the campus, has recently reorganized its efforts to support Mercer County’s successful economic position. Through a detailed strategic planning process, “VISION 2010,” GMERCO has been able to better focus its identity and activities for the future.
Says Julie Miller, GMERCO’s Executive Director, “The public/private partnership of Grand Lake Mercer County Research is committed to developing new strategies and will continue exploring critical issues and researching new technology trends. Our goal is to work closely with the private sector while striving to compliment the economic development efforts being implemented by members in our villages, townships, city, county, and state.”
As an example of working toward the successful implementation of one of GMERCO’s action plans for the coming year as part of its “VISION 2010” planning, GMERCO reports the successful acquisition of a workforce development grant it has been awarded by Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications. GMERCO has received a total of $49,000 since the program began nearly four years ago.
Verizon and GMERCO representatives on hand for the check presentation were: GMERCO Board Member Craig Henderson, GMERCO Executive Director Julie Miller, State Representative Keith Faber, Verizon Director of External Communications Bruce Childs; Verizon Director of Governmental Affairs John Honabarger, Wright State University Lake Campus Assistant Dean for Development Thomas Knapke, and GMERCO Board Member Doug Temple.
This year only eight Ohio nonprofit organizations have been awarded grants totaling $93,500 from the foundation to help train workers for new, better jobs. As one of the eight recipients who are part of “The Great Lakes Region Workforce Development Program,” GMERCO will use the grant to enhance and promote Mercer County’s workforce position, especially in the skilled machining and tooling trades. Miller, whose duties for GMERCO include providing statistical measures that will promote economic success for the county, notes that “Mercer County is part of the fourth largest region nationally for this tooling niche. This grant will help us leverage our local resources to remain a leader in this market. Our approach over the next twelve months will be to emphasize training and education, marketing, and existing resources. Successful communities build strong networks together to preserve and enhance our quality of life. The strength of our existing business base helps provide this foundation.”
Verizon’s decision for providing funding for organizations like GMERCO is based on the fact that GMERCO has developed programs that show strategic partnerships and innovative technology. GMERCO has developed strategies to strengthen the Mercer County region’s position in skilled workforce development.
Says Bruce B. Childs, Verizon Director of External Communications, who, with Verizon’s Director of Governmental Affairs John Honabarger were on hand Tuesday for the check presentation, “It is exciting for Verizon to be able to assist in the area of workforce development to communities like Celina and organizations like GMERCO. These entities go into the community and train new workers or retrain present workers. A trained workforce translates into a healthy economy. It takes a skilled trained workforce to make a healthy economy possible. In turn companies like Verizon are helped by the supplying of skilled workers for our businesses. We sometimes take the telephone for granted, but nationally, a billion and a half phone calls are made each day through Verizon’s telephone technology, and 99.99% of those go through without a hitch. This is possible because of strong workforce development and the strong engineering background and technological skills our workers receive. Education of these skilled workers is the key! In our local Verizon office, if we can hire a couple of good workers because of the training GMERCO provides, we’re happy.”
GMERCO’s other “VISION 2010” actions plans, in addition to the exploration and acquisition of grants, include:
- Research business niche industries such as agriculture and automotive
- Provide education and support for the changing workforce
- Strategic planning for communities
- Link to network of development agencies, and
- Compile and share comprehensive statistics.
For more information regarding GMERCO, contact Julie Miller at 419-586-0375 or 1-800-237-1477, extension 8375.
