Developing the Team, Strategy and Resources Needed to Win
Since 2019, the CIC has increased the number of community groups and committees it leads and/or supports from 2 to 9, including:
- Transportation Improvement District of Putnam County
- Land Reutilization Corp. of Putnam County
- Safety Council of Putnam County
- Village of Kalida and Village of Ottawa Energy Savings Improvement District
- The Workforce Partnership of Putnam County: two years of planning, secured funding, hired director.
- Grow Glandorf, Strategic Plan Committee
- GO Ottawa, Project Leader for Strategic Plan
- Housing Development and Incentives
- Childcare Expansion
Studies & Plans
The Putnam County CIC has led or helped lead 7 plans & studies
Workforce Development Alignment Strategy
Workforce Development Alignment Strategy 2018 – 2021. The Putnam County CIC and OhioMeansJobs Putnam County worked for four years examining strengths, weaknesses, training and talent needs of Putnam County. Along with representatives from 14 of the county’s largest manufacturing companies, we hosted a series of workforce summits utilizing the Montrose Group resulting in a new integrated workforce development strategy to support the existing manufacturing community. The alignment plan identified training needs, gaps, skill sets needed, and avenues to build community awareness around existing employer needs. The alignment strategy better positioned businesses and helped support companies around Putnam County.
As a result of the 2021 Workforce Alignment Strategy, we could better tell the “story of workforce” and began work to create an Industry Sector Partnership, a model recognized by the Ohio Manufacturing Association that would be tasked with carrying out these enhanced workforce strategies for Putnam County businesses.
Our partners in this strategic process included leaders from PRO-TEC Coating Company, Premier Bank, Ottawa-Glandorf Schools, Columbus Grove Local Schools, and Raise the Bar. As the Workforce Alignment Strategy was wrapping up, $300,000 was secured from Putnam County ARPA funding to launch the new Industry Sector Partnership.
- The new 501c3 was named “The Workforce Partnership of Putnam County”
- The first Director was hired in Sept. 2022.
- The WPPC serves as the official Ohio Industry Sector Partnership for Putnam County employers and is advised by an employer-led board to partner with K-12 schools, career tech, higher education and the Putnam County ESC.
- The focus is to grow an adaptive, highly skilled, local manufacturing workforce.
- The WPPC shares a suite with the Putnam County CIC, providing daily collaborative work ensuring Putnam County manufacturers and their workforce will thrive.
Putnam County Housing Analysis
The Putnam County Housing Analysis was completed in 2023 in partnership with the Center for Regional Development at BGSU to attract developers to the area.
JobsOhio Vibrant Communities Program
The CIC successfully led the planning and partners to securing a $1 million grant through the JobsOhio Vibrant Communities Program. The grant was a catalyst for the 2023 Main Street Corridor project in Ottawa and provided necessary capital funds for the revitalization of two historic buildings, The Dumont Building and The DeFord boutique hotel building on Main Street. Our partners at Regional Growth Partnership were instrumental in the success of this grant.
Ohio Dept. of Development Brownfield Remediation Program
The CIC and its partners continues to work on the Ohio Dept. of Development Brownfield Remediation Program studies and planning to clean-up and redevelop of former Philips Display Components site, 2022-present.
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 5-county regional planning team (Putnam, Hancock, Allen, Hardin, Van Wert economic development) working to create a regional plan qualifying each organization for access to Federal Economic Development Administration grants.
Village of Leipsic Comprehensive Economic Development Plan
Village of Leipsic Comprehensive Economic Development Plan worked with village to complete planning which secured $3.5 million in grants for a water line extension to the Leipsic reservoir supporting business expansion in 2018 and 2019.
Transportation Impacts Strategy
Transportation Impacts Strategy, 2016, 2020.
Tools & Resources
Build Putnam, a hyper-local career portal for Putnam County businesses and organizations.
Now used by over 200 businesses and 12 schools in Putnam County, Build Putnam is a county wide portal for employers to post jobs and connect director with job seekers and students. It was created in 2019 through a partnership of the CIC and OhioMeansJobs Putnam County. The license to create the portal was funded by a grant from Putnam County Commissioners.
