By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com

The overwhelming message from Thursday’s annual Business and Industry Forecast Breakfast hosted by the Bucyrus Chamber of Commerce was that not only is change on the horizon, it is already here in more ways than one.

The Chamber’s new executive director, Tyler Jacobs, opened up the breakfast by reminding those in attendance to “embrace change to maintain momentum.” He then revealed the Chamber’s new logo and rebranding by unfurling a banner.

“Bridging Business and Community” is the vision expressed along with a likeness of the Friendship Bridge at Aumiller Park. Jacobs added that an online trip to the Chamber’s website, www.bucyrusohio.com, would also reveal a new look as well.

As has been the custom at the breakfast for several years, Jim Spreng of Spreng Capital Management was the final speaker. Spreng began his remarks with an answer to a question often posed to him when he is scheduled to prognosticate on the economy’s future.

“I don’t know,” Spreng quipped. “It depends on what the Tweet of the day is.”

Spreng briefly mentioned several items on President Donald Trump’s agenda and the changes he promised. Referring to the Obama presidency, Spreng said, “So much of what was done was not done legislatively, but by executive order. Guess what – that’s a two-edged sword.”

Spreng noted that perhaps more than ever the immediate future could be best described as one of uncertainty.

“How’s that all going to play out? I don’t know. There’s going to be a lot of turmoil here,” Spreng said. He encouraged local businesses to keep plugging and stay the course.

Dick Hulsmeyer, owner of American Shoe Services in Bucyrus and vice president of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, would like to do just that.

“For my business, we’ve been very fortunate with growth the last quite a few years now. It could be just our small business, the niche that we have,” Hulsmeyer said. “The factories that we work with have been busy, the independents have been busy. My outlook has been good for the last few years now.”

The following is a synopsis from those who spoke at Thursday’s Chamber Forecast Breakfast at the Trillium Event Center.

Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser
Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser couldn’t resist a little fun during his turn on the podium.

The mayor got more than a few laughs when he referred to lengthy debate and recent legislation about downtown sidewalks when he said, “This event can be held on the sidewalks of Bucyrus next year.”

On a more serious note, Reser said 2017 would bring sewer work and construction on Southern Avenue and Plymouth Street as well as an ODOT project on Ohio 19 in town.

Reser said the Schines Art Park would be opened June 30 and praised the efforts of Service/Safety Director Jeff Wagner and Bucyrus Police Chief David Koepke to keep the June downtown car show continuing.

Reser said, “Our philosophy of government is we work for you.”

Pat Hord – Hord Family Farms and Crawford Works
Pat Hord spoke just briefly about Hord Family Farms before using his time with the microphone to discuss the Crawford Works endeavor.

Hord noted that his son Phillip is the fifth generation of the Hord family to be involved in the local agricultural business that is now over 100 years old. He also stated the company will look to add feed milling and processing capabilities to their operations.

Hord quoted Doug Leuthold of Advanced Fiber Technology regarding his involvement with Crawford Works: “Crawford Works is the most satisfying investment in my business in my career.”

The Crawford Works organization works with those employed or underemployed who are seeking employment and career improvement – from resume` writing to educational opportunities, employment opportunities and mentoring.

Crawford Works currently has a partnership with 22 core employers and another 22 community partners.

Hord cited the work of Executive Director Robin Hildebrand and David Williamson on the project.

Superintendent Kevin Kimmel – Bucyrus City Schools
Kimmel touched on several ongoing initiatives within the school district including the school board’s work on retooling the district’s strategic plan – Relentless Pursuit of Excellence.

Kimmel said the pre-school in the district has expanded from three sections to seven and now has 100 students enrolled. He also discussed two 21st Century After School Programs in operation in the district.

“Having that extended school day is a tremendous help,” said Kimmel.

Kimmel also touched on leadership programs such as Leader In Me, calling it “character education.”

“Employers expect schools to train students to be good workers,” Kimmel said.

Finally, the superintendent mentioned Career Exploration programming at the middle school level and the district’s commitment to its College Credit Plus program.

Brad Murtiff – President and CEO of First Federal Community Bank
Murtiff began his remarks by saying, as with most businesses, 2016 was a year of change. He cited his succession of longtime bank president and CEO, Phil Gerber, who retired.

Murtiff said the bank would stay on the path of continuity of local management and commitment to the community.

“The bank itself has seen tremendous growth the last several years, thanks mostly to the tremendous staff,” Murtiff said. “This year is really about uncertainty and what’s coming down the pike as far as regulatory issues.”

Murtiff emphasized the bank’s myriad of mortgage lending products and expansion beyond Crawford County.

Gary Frankhouse – Crawford County Partnership
Saying he was energized by what he had heard from the podium before he got the microphone, Frankhouse disembarked from his planned remarks.

He defined The Partnership as a community effort to make a change.

Reflecting on the collaboration between Crawford County communities and various entities, Frankhouse said, “There’s a synergy here I really like.”

Frankhouse went over The Parternship’s upcoming schedule of opportunities including the Supervisor Boot Camp which begins March 22, the Annual State of the Vision event at Pickwick Place on April 18, and Leadercast on May 5 at Grace Point in Galion.

Saving his best news for last, Frankhouse briefly explained the exhaustive process recently entailed by the Ohio Crossroads Industrial Park in Bucyrus. The facility was among 336 such sites across the state to apply for certification through Jobs Ohio and the Development Services Agency.

Frankhouse told the assembly of business and community leaders that it had been announced the day before that Crossroads was one of just five sites of the 336 to be certified thus far.

Speaking of U.S. 30, Frankhouse added, “It’s a wonderful resource we’ve got to capitalize on.”

Mark Russell – President and CEO of Ohio Mutual Insurance Group
Russell’s presentation came by way of a video. He called 2016 a “great first year” for him “on so many fronts.”

Russell said good weather had been a great aid in a financially successful year, noting Ohio Mutual had garnered $14 million in net operations.

Russell did describe several challenges facing Ohio Mutual and the insurance industry in general in 2017. First among those are the lines of both personal auto and commercial auto coverage which are unprofitable for the industry as a whole.

He added that Ohio Mutual would soon be introducing a new auto product.

Talent acquisition is yet another challenge as is keeping up with technology and maintaining vigilance over cybersecurity.

Russell closed by saying how pleased he was with the community’s response to the Hullabaloo for the House that OMIG introduced in 2016 as a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House. He said the 2017 Hullabaloo for the House is scheduled for Oct. 12 at Pickwick Place.

Jerry Morasko – President and CEO of Avita Health System
“We have a lot of new faces in Bucyrus to improve the healthcare,” Morasko said.

Among those is an orthopedic surgeon who will have a full-time presence in Bucyrus.

Morasko stated Avita had purchased five houses near the Bucyrus Community Hospital campus and is tearing them down to make room for a new physical therapy center. Avita also hopes to move its cath lab from a Level 1 facility to Level 2.

Noting the recent opening of Avita’s third hospital in North Central Ohio in Ontario, Morasko said, “It makes us stronger. It gives us a bigger footprint.”

In other news from Thursday’s breakfast, Board of Directors Vice President Sue Logsdon said that the First Friday events in downtown Bucyrus would return on June 2, July 7 and Aug. 4.