450 Representatives from all over Ohio attended Economic Development 411 in the Ohio Union at Ohio State University including 14 representatives from Bellefontaine City and Logan County on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016.
A half-day summit of elected and appointed officials, civic leaders and business leaders featured thought-provoking speakers and breakout sessions focused on challenges and opportunities that affect economic development. Those who attended heard many speakers from Columbus 2020, as well as keynote speakers Cindi Marsiglio, US Manufacturing VP from Walmart and Alec Ross, Author and Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Johns Hopkins University
- Cindi Marsiglio, Vice President, U.S. Manufacturing, Walmart sppoke about Walmart's commitment to help boost job creation and U.S. manufacturing through buying an additional $250 billion in products that support American jobs by 2023.
- Alec Ross, Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Johns Hopkins University and author of the New York Times bestseller, “The Industries of the Future,” provided an expert’s point of view on topics ranging from the strategic uses of social media in business and government, to driving innovation through large organizations, to cybercrime and cyber security. He pulls from his firsthand experience implementing strategies at the State Department to present actionable insight on current issues slated to disrupt the future.
Attendees also had option to attend their choice of 2 of the 5 breakout sessions.
Those sessions included:
- Track 1-The Economic Development Strategic Plan: Meet Your Communities Needs for Economic Prosperity.
- Track 2-Infrastrucutre Fuels Growth: Rethinking Funding Solutions.
- Track 3-Collaboration: Why It's Important to Economic Development
- Track 4-Economic Development 101: What Elected Officials Need to Know.
- Track 5-Taxes and Incentives: How Communities Can Encourage Development.
It was a very informative and eye opening experience for many. There is a possibility of great things right around the corner for Ohio and Logan County. We have to have an action plan, do our research, market our county, prepare our youth and set goals. Prepared communities WIN.
Columbus 2020 will offer another opportunity next year the 1st Friday in December. Be watching the Logan County Chamber website for details.
If you would like more information about Columbus 2020 the website is http://columbusregion.com/Columbus2020.aspx or contact Paul Benedetti at the Logan County Chamber 937-599-5121.