The Ohio State University at Mansfield freshman, Austin Mabe, and Associate Professor Dr. Terri Bucci met with OSU Extension educator Judy Villard-Overocker, Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker, Economic Development Director Tim Bowersock, and Richland County Commissioner Tim Wert in mid-February to discuss a proposal called the Mansfield Community Growth Project.This project was developed by Mabe, Raheem Washington, Haley Barhart, and Bucci of OSU-Mansfield."We are working with partners like Braintree, the business incubator, and we want to essentially do a similar idea to what they offer, but with a focus on youth. We realize that in the Mansfield community there is a very low percentage of students and youth staying in the community and we want to try to change that," said Mabe.The project was conceptualized during a course that the students took at OSU-Mansfield called "STEMpowerment," which is basically a "learning community," Mabe said. Students involved in the class want to address community needs and provide assistance where necessary."I honestly believe that Mansfield is geographically in a good location to thrive; it's between Columbus and Cleveland, two big cities in Ohio," he added.Mabe said that he and his group would like to see what opportunities are available to attract businesses to the area, as well as what can be done to increase awareness of what Mansfield already has to offer.Theaker suggested that he get in contact with Richland Community Development Group (RCDG) and the Richland Young Professionals. "To me it looks like there's a catalyst for getting your age group involved, along with the young professionals," the mayor said.OSU-Mansfield Associate Professor Terri Bucci proposed that the project could serve as a feeder group for the Richland Young Professionals. Bowersock concurred.Mabe noted that Braintree Business Development Center offers a program called “Caffeinated Ideas,” which is an opportunity for local entrepreneurs and inventors to present their business and product ideas to professionals from various industries in an informal setting. "We want to bring that to OSU to see if people have ideas for potential businesses and how we can make them possible," said Mabe.Referring to the students involved in the project, Bucci said, "One of the advantages of this group is that it's interdisciplinary; not all of them are business students. There are students from different fields of study talking about what they want in Mansfield that would benefit the community."She added that through this proposal, "One of the end gains would be a service learning course, which would help provide connections among OSU students, Mansfield businesses, and community developers."The project group is eying OSU CARES (Community Access to Resources and Educational Services), a seed grant opportunity of up to $25,000, to help fund their project. However, Bucci noted that the money needed for the project is not yet determined because it's still in a preliminary phase.Theaker encouraged Mabe and Bucci to research what "hot button" aspects would persuade the youth to stay in the area. "Think realistically and what would be obtainable," he said.Bowersock also suggested that they contact businesses to find out what was key to their success, and to connect with Downtown Mansfield, Inc. as well as other economic developers, including those in the private sector.