Business briefs: NECIC tour, Firelands Electric annual meeting, Ohio automakers, BWC grant

State officials visit NECIC

The North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC) hosted Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge, State Rep. Marilyn John, Ohio Association of Food Banks Executive Director Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, and Ainsley Lightcap, Ohio CAN project manager with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, for a comprehensive tour of their various locations on June 28. The visit was led by Deanna West-Torrence, CEO of NECIC, and Walt Bonham, NECIC & Richland Gro-Op (RGO) consultant.

The Ohio CAN Project's mission is to provide food to those in need, specifically sourcing from historically underrepresented regional producers. The Richland Gro-Op (RGO) is a cooperative of urban and rural farmers in Richland County that grow and sell vegetables year-round to local restaurants, institutions and consumers.

During the tour, guests had the opportunity to witness the expansion of NECIC's food work, starting with the NECIC Urban Farm and continuing to other locations, including GrowFourth, Idea Works Entrepreneurs Kitchen and the newly established NECIC Richland Correctional Institution (RiCI) agriculture site.

The North End Local Foods Initiative and Richland Gro-Op has been instrumental in contributing to the local economy by creating employment opportunities and supporting local farmers and food entrepreneurs.

For more information about NECIC and the North End Local Foods Initiative, please visit necic-ohio.org.

Firelands Electric Cooperative hosts 85th annual meeting

ASHLAND — Over 350 members and guests attended Firelands Electric Cooperative’s annual meeting event on June 24 at the Ashland University Myers Convocation Center.

During the event, members learned that Dan Schloemer of Willard and Tom Lucha of North Fairfield were re-elected to represent Districts 1 and 3 on the co-op’s board of trustees. Both districts are in portions of southern Huron County. It was also announced that Kevin Reidy of Ashland had been elected to represent District 6, which is in portions of Ashland and Richland counties.

As part of his yearly update, Firelands’ Board of Trustees President Schloemer reported that, while down slightly from the prior year, margins — used to maintain the distribution system and minimize outages — were strong in 2022. He said this will allow the board to approve the return of $1 million in capital credits to its members in 2023. These credits will be paid to those located on the distribution system in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Schloemer also recognized the cooperative’s Operation Roundup program, which awarded more than $40,000 to 12 community organizations in four counties this past year. Operation Roundup receives its funding from Firelands Electric members who volunteer to have their bills "rounded up" to the next whole dollar each month. This money is then distributed through charitable grants to local organizations and individuals to help meet special needs.

In his address, Schloemer advised how the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) summer reliability assessment forecasts for 2023 state that no less than two-thirds of the U.S., including most everyone living west of the Mississippi River, could experience power outages.

General Manager Dan McNaull said Firelands Electric has a long-range construction plan through the year 2045 to strengthen the cooperative’s local distribution system to address increased load capacity and accommodate growth. This plan will put an emphasis on upgrading main tie lines between substations to permit rerouting power for maintenance work and during outages.

Cooperative members who joined Firelands Electric to celebrate its 85th annual meeting were entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of seven bill credits totaling $300. Randomly selected winners include: Herbert Houser of Ashland, Randy Kemp of Jeromesville, Edward May of Lucas and Stanley Wertz of Mansfield who each received a $25 bill credit; Steve Englet of Ashland and Ronald Kestner of Ashland who each received a $50 bill credit; and Thomas Thieme of Loudonville who won a $100 bill credit.

New report shows international automakers boosting manufacturing jobs and investments across Ohio

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Autos Drive America and the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) have released their 2023 Economic Impact Report, highlighting the continued commitment and contributions international automakers and nameplate dealers are making across Ohio. Investments from BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota have cultivated economic growth and job creation for communities throughout the state.

Key findings from the 2023 EIR include:

• International automakers, dealers and suppliers have generated 157,401 jobs in Ohio, paying $11.4 billion in total employee compensation.

• International automakers invested $15.4 billion in Ohio’s auto industry, up from $15 billion in 2021.

• International automakers in Ohio produced 416,379 vehicles, accounting for 50% of production in the state.

• International automakers in Ohio manufactured nine models that were exported to 42 countries and territories around the globe.

• International automakers are committed to electrification with Honda making two major investments in Ohio, including $700 million to re-tool several of its facilities for production of electric vehicles and $3.5 billion alongside LG Energy Solutions to establish a battery plant.

Ohio's full report can be found at autosdriveamerica.org.

BWC’s transitional work program increases grant money for employers

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) is increasing the grants employers can use to help get injured workers back to work as soon and as safely as possible.

Transitional Work Grants (TWG) are based on the employer’s number of employees and now range from $3,700 to $8,200.

The increase in reimbursement is based on the new rate for functional job analysis, which is an essential tool employers use for their TWG plans. Effective July 1, the reimbursement rate increased from $200 to $350 per job analysis.

Employers are still being reimbursed at 100% up to their approved grant maximum, and they may re-apply for a new grant every five years.

To learn more, visit Transitional Work Programs on BWC’s website or email questions to TWSupport@bwc.state.oh.us.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: NECIC hosts farm tour, Firelands Electric annual meeting, BWC grant