A Decade of Collaboration, Revitalization, and Economic Progress in Champaign County
According to Toni Overholser, DDC Director of Projects, “This is a joint award shared between the CEP and the City of Urbana; they have collaborated to significantly increase the number of business visits in Urbana and Champaign County.” She noted that CEP has been a “valuable partner, convening resources to support business growth…and providing solutions for businesses facing workforce or other business challenges.”
This recognition highlights not only recent momentum but also ten years of CEP-led economic growth, public–private collaboration, and strategic investment benefiting residents, employers, and the region. A Decade of Projects That Strengthened the County Over the last ten years, CEP has supported a broad range of high-impact projects spanning manufacturing, healthcare, retail, housing, historic preservation, and commercial redevelopment. These projects represent millions in capital investment and support hundreds of local jobs. Major developments CEP has contributed to include: • Weidmann Expansion • KTH Parts Industries – Two Expansions • Ultra Met – Two Expansions • Orbis Expansion • Phoenix Ag Warehouse • ColePak Expansion • Q3 Property Renovation • Legacy Place (North School, South School, and Douglas Building transfer/renovation) • The Willman Building Redevelopment • 1300 Building (US 68 & SR 55) • Aldi • Memorial Health Building • Sutphen • Cobblestone Hotel • Navistar Building • Urbana Daily Digital One recent standout, noted by the DDC, is the Willman Lofts and 211 Co-Working Space, a catalytic redevelopment made possible by a wide network of partners. “This project was made possible by the collaborative efforts of Sellman Enterprises LLC, The 211 Coworking, JobsOhio, the Dayton Development Coalition, the City of Urbana, the Champaign Economic Partnership, Champaign County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau and Ohio Department of Development,” Overholser said. “The CEP was an important partner, helping to guide efforts and coordinate support for this project.” Developer Perspective: CEP’s Role in Making Projects Possible Local developer Jamon Sellman, owner of Sellman Insurance Group and the driving force behind the Willman Building redevelopment, credits CEP as a crucial part of bringing the project to life. Sellman shared that CEP “brought the Vibrant Communities Grant to my attention, then helped tremendously through the application process.” CEP’s involvement extended beyond guidance: “They took so much off my plate, helping with the application and countless follow-through opportunities.” He emphasized that CEP’s support allowed him to stay focused on the broader demands of the project: “The application process was lengthy, and CEP took most of the burden. That allowed me to stay focused on the other tasks necessary to keep a successful project moving forward.” From a developer’s standpoint, Sellman described CEP’s value in two words: “Knowledge and follow-through. These were crucial in making my project happen. Thank you, CEP.” Leadership Across Key Community Organizations Beyond project facilitation, CEP plays a leadership role in numerous county-wide and regional groups that shape workforce, infrastructure, tourism, transportation, and community strategy. CEP leads or participates in: • Manufacturers HR Council • Champaign County Community Collaborative • Local Ag Council • Business Advisory Council • Ohio Gas Access Partnership (OGAP) – Board Member • Champaign County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau • Logan-Union-Champaign Planning Commission • Regional Transportation Council • Champaign Health Improvement Plan • Community Health Assessment Steering/Leadership Committee • Main Street Urbana / Heritage Ohio – Board Member These collaborations ensure that Champaign County remains connected, competitive, and supported at every level, from local entrepreneurs to global manufacturers. Regional Partners Acknowledging CEP’s Impact The DDC expressed strong appreciation for CEP’s contributions. Overholser shared, “We appreciate all that the CEP and the City of Urbana do to support economic and revitalization efforts in the region, and we are excited to recognize their outstanding efforts.” CEP’s influence is evident in the breadth and longevity of its partnerships. The organization works hand-in-hand with major employers, healthcare systems, manufacturers, and service providers including KTH, Weidmann, Memorial Health, JRS Group, Pioneer Electric, RITTAL, Bundy Baking Solutions, International Motors, Mercy Health Urbana Hospital, FastLane, Community Health & Wellness Partners, Tramec/Johnson Welded Products, VECTREN, and Parker TruTec. Equally critical are CEP’s collaborations with the region’s financial institutions, whose support makes local projects possible. CEP partners closely with The First Central National Bank, The Peoples Savings Bank, Park National Bank, and F&M Bank, ensuring that businesses and developers have access to the capital, resources, and guidance needed to bring transformative projects to life. Together, these partnerships form a robust, interconnected network, one that CEP actively nurtures to keep Champaign County competitive, resilient, and positioned for sustainable growth. Continuing the Mission For ten years, CEP has been one of Champaign County’s most impactful and unifying forces by connecting people, accelerating projects, and strengthening the local economy. The Business Outreach Champion Award reflects not just a successful year, but a decade built on collaboration, relationship-building, and strategic vision.
One obstacle especially for small or mid-sized companies is simply having the resources to start the process. For those looking for answers, check out FASTLANE. As part of the West Central Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), FASTLANE is a great resource for those looking to take the next step for their company. Located within the University of Dayton Research Institute, the staff are experts at helping manufacturers get up to speed quickly, finding the right solution for their business. The CEP is proud of their continued partnership with FASTLANE. They have been a large supporter of the Manufacturing HR council, helping our local manufacturers with work force development. Check them out at https://fastlane-mep.org/.
For more information, please contact the Champaign Economic Partnership by September 30, 2022, via phone at 937-653-7200 or email at [email protected].
Weidmann works with them to accommodate their current school schedules and have the capability to offer any shift options needed. Weidmann Electric Technology’s HR Assistant, Jessica Engi said, “Their interviews are what set them apart. They interviewed really well.”
Students like Dawson, who have an interest in entering the workforce after graduation, can apply to become a full-time employee with Weidmann. They also work with students to allow them to work part-time while attending college, which is what Gavin hopes to do. After graduation he will be attending Ashland University majoring in Business Administration and Manufacturing Management. Jessica encourages local students to know they have options after graduation. “Whether a student enters a career path or completes a college education, we want them to know we have opportunities that range from entry-level, to technical careers.” Click here to read more.
When recruiting for jobs that require specialized skills, employers compete for a limited pool of qualified candidates. Ohio’s Registered Apprenticeship program, available locally through OhioMeansJobs Champaign County (OMJCC), helps employers overcome this challenge and build their skilled workforce from within.
“It’s probably the best way to supply employers a pipeline of reliable, skilled employees,” says Andrea Mitchell, business services representative of OMJCC. Through the Registered Apprenticeship program employers provide proven, valued employees the opportunity to learn new skills through structured on-the-job training that meets industry standards, aligned with technical instruction from an approved school – all while getting paid. “Apprentices earn a livable wage as they learn,” Mitchell says. The Rittal North America facility in Urbana currently has three employees enrolled in the apprenticeship program, with a fourth possibly beginning in early 2021, says Dan Yohey, quality engineer and manager of apprenticeships at Rittal. Rittal has one industrial engineering apprentice, David Vanderveen, an assembler with the company for six years, and two maintenance technician apprentices, Billy Warren and Malik Tanksley, who have been at Rittal for less than two years. Vanderveen started his apprenticeship in late February 2020, and Warren and Tanksley, in late May 2020. All three are enrolled in 8,000-hour/four-year programs at Clark State Community College, with which Rittal has previously partnered with for internships. The length of apprenticeships varies by industry and occupation. The apprentices are completing on-the-job training under the supervision of mentors, who are among 10 Rittal engineers, managers and senior technicians who completed mentorship training developed for Rittal by Clark State. The Registered Apprenticeship program is employer-driven. This means, says Mitchell, that employers:
After developing its apprenticeship training program, in partnership with Clark State and OMJCC, Rittal took the plan to the Greater Ohio Workforce Development Board, Inc. (GOWBI) for approval and certification. As the apprenticeship sponsor, GOWBI conducts audits and other administrative services on behalf of Rittal. In addition to benefitting the company and apprentices, Yohey says, “The apprenticeship program sends a message to the rest of the workforce in the plant that, based on the success of these individuals, that we’re walking the walk and offering career advancement opportunities at Rittal—not just longevity. It boosts morale.” The apprenticeships also benefit the mentors, Frost says. Serving as mentors “is their next progression on that ladder of moving up…. You invest the time and money to send them through the training, and it says, ‘We trust you, and you’re on your way up.’” Apprenticeships increase employee retention rates, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. And they reduce the time invested in recruiting skilled employees – in competition with other employers – and orienting them to the culture, products and processes of a new workplace. “It’s a lot easier to develop your skilled workforce rather than competing with other companies and bringing them in from the outside,” Yohey said. “It’s pretty competitive right now. The need for technicians and engineers, it’s pretty cutthroat.” Frost adds, “When we onboard a new engineer, we look at from six to 12 weeks before they bring any value, just because they’re trying to learn what we do. When we bring up somebody from in the company, the learning curve is so much less, and we can get right to the technical aspects of their training. They’re instantly bringing some value.” To learn more about the Registered Apprenticeship program, call OhioMeansJobs Champaign County at 937-484-1581. OMJCC is available to provide employers presentations – onsite or virtually – about the Registered Apprenticeship program and other OMJCC workforce training services.
The building has been vacant for over 10 years.
“We’re going to see new work, new life, new employees in this building,” said Champaign Economic Partnership Director Marcia Bailey. Securing the building and cleaning up the site took the team effort of private and public partnerships like the City of Urbana, the Champaign Economic Partnership and True Inspection Services, LLC, a full-service commercial inspection, engineering and construction management company. TIS is now the owner of 12.6 of the 20 acre site, including the building. TIS Executive Vice President Joe Timm said three tenants will move into the building after its restoration – TIS, Community Health and Wellness Partners out of Logan County and The Door Shop, which is a commercial door company. Project partners hope that after the work is completed, other investors will be drawn to build on space behind the building and part of the site’s acreage on the other side of the bike path. The JMC project piggybacks off of the ongoing development of the FC Legacy Place senior living project that will transform the former North and South elementary schools and the Douglas Inn into affordable senior housing. “We’re kind of looking at this as the anchor client or anchor site for helping redevelop this whole neighborhood,” Timm said. Construction bids for the project will go out soon, and the businesses are expected to move in by fall 2021. |
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CEP Office Location:
1512 South US Highway 68, Bay 14, Urbana, Ohio 43078 Mailing Address: PO Box 268, Urbana Ohio 43078 937-653-7200 |
All drone photography courtesy of Jassen Dobyns of UAVisions LLC. Additional photography courtesy of Dave Millner of the Champaign Camera Group.
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