Area agencies bolstering economic development Emily Johnson, Staff Reporter | Posted: Monday, September 2, 2013 3:00 amWhether it's trying to find one, or trying to improve one, jobs are a common concern among many people, and with the current economic climate, obtaining the ideal job or expanding one's business seems like an unfeasible feat.And yet, it doesn't necessarily have to be that way. In Richland County alone, there are several agencies designed to assist people in this process.So, to all those who are concerned about future job prospects, or to those who are curious about Richland County resources, here's a guide to the different area agencies that are dedicated to the economic growth and development of Richland County.Braintree Business Development CenterBraintree is Richland County's technology business incubation and entrepreneurial hub that assists individual businesses, while helping foster a climate of innovation in the area by hosting a variety of programs, events, and services.This facility works with start-up technology-oriented businesses and provides several services that are intended to increase businesses' chances of being successful. These services include office, laboratory, or manufacturing space, access to business resources such as fax, copier, internet, loading dock, warehouse space, courier, and notary services.Additionally, provides an intensive counseling and mentoring program. For businesses that require outside funding, Braintree offers the Tech Sprout Grant Program, the Appleseed Microfinance Loan Program, and access to regional public and private investment funds.CEO and Director of Business Assistance: Bob CohenAddress: 201 E Fifth Street, Mansfield, OH 44902Phone: 419-525-1614Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: www.braintreepartners.orgDowntown Mansfield, Inc.Downtown Mansfield, Inc.(DMI) is a nonprofit organization seeking to stimulate economic development in the downtown area and to improve the appearance of the city, thereby promoting community interest in the various opportunities that Mansfield has to offer.Over the past five years DMI has been instrumental in placing and assisting many businesses in the downtown.Two Cousins Pizza, for example, expanded its business model, and with DMI's assistance, determined its second site should be located in the downtown. The addition of this business has added three jobs and filled a leakage recognized by a 2006 study completed on behalf of Richland County, OSU extension, and DMI.Similarly, Spirit Ohio Sports Academy has recently moved to the city of Mansfield. DMI assisted this energetic business in finding the proper space closer to the Central Business District, creating 36 new jobs in the city and bringing hundreds of families through the downtown daily, creating more exposure.Since 2001, DMI grants have totaled approximately $66,000 and resulted in nearly $765,000 in improvements in the downtown area.Director: Jennifer Gerberick KimeCo-Director: Jamie Lustig ThompsonAddress: 101 1/2 North Main Street, Mansfield, Ohio 44902Phone: 419-522-0099Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: www.downtownmansfield.comNorth Central Ohio Service Corps of Retired ExecutivesNorth Central Ohio Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) provides services to entrepreneurs who hope to make their small businesses successful.SCORE volunteers serve as "Counselors to America's Small Business." With their real-world experience in the small business sector, these professionals are equipped to help small businesses prosper. Counselors are experts in areas such as accounting, finance, marketing, management and business plan preparation.More than 40 SCORE volunteers provide guidance and counseling to entrepreneurs in five counties in the North Central Ohio area.Chapter Chair: Robert DonaldsonAddress: 55 North Mulberry St., Mansfield, OH 44902Phone: 419-522-3211 Ext. 226Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: www.ncoscore.orgThe Northeast Ohio Trade & Economic ConsortiumThe Northeast Ohio Trade & Economic Consortium (NEOTEC) is a multicounty regional economic development partnership. Its scope covers the Northeast Ohio region, with the goal of attracting capital investment and jobs to this area.Specific to Richland County, NEOTEC helps with different business support programs that are more efficiently managed at the regional level. NEOTEC is the Grantee of Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) #181, in which Richland County is home to the largest single site of 2,068 acres at Mansfield Lahm Airport.The organization also provides assistance to companies that are new to export or want to expand export activity. Its Global Trade Group provides in-depth counseling in the form of an "executive in residence" program. NEOTEC is the administrator of the Northeast Ohio Logistics Network, which connects transportation logistics to economic development on a regional level, of which Richland County is a participant.President and CEO: Ronald W. DeBarrAddress: P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242-0001Phone: 330-672-4080Toll-free: 800-793-0912Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: www.neotec.orgRichland Area Chamber of CommerceThe Richland Area Chamber serves as a primary voice for businesses in Richland County at the local, state, and federal levels. With its 5 staff members, 30 board members, and several volunteers, this organization aims at strengthening the region's business climate by supporting programs that enhance small businesses, professional leadership, education and workforce development.To ensure the success for businesses, members of the Chamber are involved in promoting/opposing policies and legislation. The Chamber also advocates the value of a well-educated workforce; thus, the organization has been involved in numerous levy campaigns to help maintain the well-being of school systems.The Chamber works to provide quality services that help its members gain a competitive advantage. For instance, the organization arranges opportunities for its members to meet with legislators and key political officials to communicate about local and federal issues.Many Richland County agencies were formed with the help of the Chamber, including the Downtown Mansfield, Inc., the Mansfield-Richland County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Mansfield-Richland Incubator (Braintree), the Chamber Education Foundation, among several others. It was also instrumental in helping establish the Mansfield Lahm Industrial Park.President: Kevin NestorAddress: 55 North Mulberry St., Mansfield, OH 44902Phone: 419-522-3211Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: www.mrachamber.comRichland Community Development GroupThe Richland Community Development Group (RCDG) is a non-profit 501 c3 organization funded mostly by private sector donations, focused solely on improving the economic vitality of RichlandCounty.RCDG takes a four pronged approach to improving th economy, which includes, attracting new businesses, retaining existing business, expanding current businesses, and improving the quality of place.In an effort to attract businesses to the area, RCDG follows up on leads, hosts businesses for tours, and provides in-depth data on all aspects of the community. To date, RCDG has hosted four potential new companies interested in the county.Retaining existing businesses is another goal shared by RCDG members, thus they have visited over 234 existing businesses to 'take the pulse' of the economy. These visits provide insight into community and company issues that RCDG can utilize to determine how to offer assistance.Knowing that 80 percent of job growth in a community comes from existing employers, RCDG works closely with any company that has the possibility of expanding. For example, RCDG assisted Next Generation Films, Inc. in acquiring workforce and tax credits worth $265,497 that will enable them to invest $15,750,000 in expansion, which will result in 100 new jobs.RCDG realizes that the look and feel of the community is a significant factor in the attraction and retention of businesses; therefore, RCDG raised over $130,000 in private funds to assist with improving the community's quality of place.Executive Director: Bridget McDanielAddress: 55 North Mulberry St., Mansfield, OH 44902Phone: 419-755-7234Website: www.chooserichland.comSmall Business Development CenterThe Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at North Central State College works with entrepreneurs involved in all industries at all stages of business growth. This center serves nine Ohio counties, including Richland, by providing free, informative counseling, training, and seminars that are meant to help both start-up and existing businesses.With the staff's business background, SBDC is enabled to help people develop business plans and work through the business thought process; for instance, what kind of vendors license they need, what kind of corporation they should form, or pointing them in the direction of a financial or legal advisor.Some of the local success stories include Terrilynn Brown's shop, A Mystical Moment in Time; Will andLinda Anderson's restaurant, Belly Busters BBQ; and Sue Logsdon's boutique, U Be Dazzled.Director: Todd TilbergAddress: 175 Mansfield Avenue, Shelby, OH 44875Phone: 419-755-9011Website: www.sbdc6.com Full article http://www.richlandsource.com/news/article_21d96978-05bb-11e3-b845-10604b9f7e7e.html