Chamber, FEDC emphasize collaboration

FOSTORIA — While heads of the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation and the Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce acknowledged the achievements of 2024 on Thursday morning, they heralded the need to carry forward with partnership in mind."Stronger Together: Building Momentum for Progress" was the theme of the FEDC/chamber annual meeting in Legacy Hall at Fostoria Junior/Senior High School."The momentum we've built is just the beginning," FEDC Project Administrator Sarah Stephens Krupp said. "By continuing to collaborate, innovate and invest in our future, we are positioning Fostoria for lasting success. So, this morning, I encourage all of you not to just celebrate how far we've come but also to recommit ourselves to the work ahead because when we stand together, when we build momentum together, there is no limit to what we can do."FEDC President Renee Smith said the Fostoria Learning Center continues to play a key role in providing individuals with knowledge and opportunities and city and area employers with well-prepared workers. While noting that the learning center, which Smith heads up, served 3,924 individuals last year — up 18% from the previous year while offering 57 courses, it expanded its partnership with Fremont's Vanguard Sentinel Career and Technology Center by providing 5,000 square feet for Vanguard to develop new classroom and lab space that will primarily benefit Fostoria Junior/Senior High School students.The learning center also made security and equipment upgrades through state funding, started a "Fostoria is Hiring" campaign in the wake of manufacturing layoffs in Findlay and continued its Educator Bootcamp and Make-It Day programs with Fostoria City Schools.Smith noted that industries in Fostoria made more than $123 million in capital improvements in 2024, which retained 2,035 jobs and created 148 new ones. Highlights included Charter Steel putting $121 million toward five new machines and new construction; POET investing more than $14 million in upgrades, including the construction of a carbon dioxide processing building; Carolina Nonwovens opening a $4.1 million facility that will soon be adding a third shift of workers; the Mennel Milling Company obtaining the former Larson Manufacturing building to eventually house the Mennel Milling Company Transport and Automation Controls; and Custom Glass Solutions investing $2.25 million to expand capacity and introduce new product lines.Smith said JobsOhio Small Business grants in Fostoria have amounted to $225,000 and spurred more than $6.7 in capital investments, adding that more than $7 million in grant funding arrived in Fostoria and Seneca County in 2024.Key in addressing the housing shortage in Fostoria and Seneca County, Stephens Krupp said, was a $2.75 million Welcome Home Ohio Grant that will go toward the construction of five homes in Fostoria and five in Tiffin."These grants ... highlight the undeniable power of strategic partnerships and collaboration," she said. "When we work together, we build momentum for a stronger, more connected community — one where businesses, residents and organizations thrive."Stephens Krupp said that in response to transportation being an issue for many in the community, FEDC is partnering with North Central Area Transit in launching a dedicated workforce transportation route in 2025."The goal for this initiative is to provide reliable community options for employees while helping businesses fill critical roles," she said. "We're working with interested employers and NCAT to finalize the details on how the route will operate and how employers can offset costs."But we're not stopping there. We're also working with First Call for Help (Fostoria) to connect job-seekers with Fostoria businesses, ensuring that people looking for work can find opportunities right here in Fostoria. And, by breaking down barriers and creating solutions, we're strengthening our workforce and setting the stage for long-term growth." Smith recognized the deaths in 2024 of Rick Norton, Bill Reineke Sr., Frank Kinn and Gene Schalk, whose "leadership, foresight and unwavering commitment" played large roles in Fostoria's business development.On the chamber side, a year off was taken from the LAUNCH Fostoria small business competition to start the Ignite 419 small-business summit to supply entrepreneurs with resources and networking opportunities while encouraging innovation. LAUNCH Fostoria will return this summer, with it and Ignite 419 being conducted in alternating years.New businesses opening in the past year were In the Axe, Jac and Do's Fostoria, Bou'jee on a Budget, Center Street Antiques, the Freshest Fades barber shop and a Mom N Pop Tattoo Shop. Ribbon cuttings were conducted for the opening of Bou'jee on a Budget, Fostoria's new recycling center at Foundation Park and New Housing Ohio, which offers transitional housing for individuals facing mental-health challenges. Other ribbon cuttings recognized the five-year anniversary of The UrbanWoody Brewery and The HoneyBee Winery and the 35th anniversary of Dr. Steven Lehmann's Lehmann Chiropractic Sports Injury Center.Altogether, the chamber finished 2024 with 190 members, including 18 new members. It maintained a 90% retention. Its golf outing included a record 30 teams, while the Farmers' and Artisans' Markets averaged 25 vendors per event and the Holiday Sip and Shop brought in 50 vendors and 550 shoppers."Our success this year is a testament to the dedication, passion and cooperation of our businesses, organizations and community members," Chamber Director Jocelyn Reinhart said. "But we're not stopping here. As we move into 2025, we are focused on expanding opportunities, strengthening our business community and ensuring our members receive the best possible support."