Build Capacity
Developing the Team, Strategy and Resources Needed to Win
Since 2018, the CIC has increased the number of active 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 Study and Development Strategies
- Childcare Expansion
Studies & Plans
The Putnam County CIC has led or helped lead 7 plans and studies:
Workforce Development Alignment Strategy 2019 – 2021. The Putnam County CIC and OhioMeansJobs Putnam County worked together to examine strengths, weaknesses, training and talent needs in the 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 29-page integrated workforce development alignment strategy to support existing businesses. The alignment plan identifies workforce training needs, workforce gaps, skill sets needed, and avenues to build community awareness around existing employer needs. The alignment strategy better positions businesses and helps the CIC and OMG support companies around Putnam County.
As a result of the Workforce Alignment Strategy, we could better tell the “story of workforce” and began creating an entity that would be tasked with carrying out enhanced workforce strategies for Putnam County businesses. This resulted in creating The Workforce Partnership of Putnam County.
The CIC and OhioMeansJobs-Putnam County used 2019-2022 to examine workforce strengths and gaps in the manufacturing sector and plan for a new workforce entity to help align education and employer needs in Putnam County. The goal was to skill-up talent and reskill workers for local jobs. Partners in this planning included PRO-TEC Coating Company, Premier Bank, Ottawa-Glandorf Schools, Columbus Grove Local Schools, and Raise the Bar. Together, we secured $300,000 from Putnam County Commissioners to launch The Workforce Partnership and hire the first Director for the new entity in 2022.The WPPC serves as the Ohio Industry Sector Partnership for Putnam County employers and is advised by a volunteer board of directors partnering with K-12 schools, career tech, Putnam County ESC, and higher education 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 completed in 2023 in partnership with the Center for Regional Development at BGSU to attract new housing developers.
Jobs Ohio Vibrant Communities Program successfully led planning, securing a $1 million JobsOhio Vibrant Communities grant as a catalyst for the Main Street Corridor project in Ottawa, 2023. The grant was part of the capital stack for the revitalization of two historic buildings, The Dumont and The DeFord buildings on Main Street.
Ohio Dept. of Development Brownfield Remediation Program studies and planning on clean-up and redevelopment of former Philips Display Components site, 2022-present.
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 5-county regional planning team (Putnam, Hancock, Allen, Hardin, Van Wert economic development organizations) working to create a regional priorities plan qualifying each organization for access to Federal Economic Development Administration grants, 2024.
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, 2016, 2020.
Tools & Resources
Build Putnam, a hyper-local career web portal for Putnam County businesses and organizations.
The portal is active in all 12 schools and used by over 180 businesses, featuring local careers and advantages of living in Putnam County. It was created in 2019 through a partnership of the CIC and OhioMeansJobs Putnam County to create the content for the site purchased through a license funded by the county.
