By Kimberly Gasuras
The Crawford Partnership for Education and Economic Development has been reorganized to reflect several recent changes.
An open house and ribbon-cutting celebration was held Thursday afternoon at the partnership’s newly renovated building, located at 117 E. Mansfield St., Bucyrus.
“We have realigned our purpose, vision and values to reflect the changes we have made,” said Hannah Jacobs, communications director for the partnership.
The partnership is a catalyst for change in Crawford County with a goal to make the county a place where people seek to live and work.
“The partnership is the center of the bridge between the vision plan and the economic development arm is Grow Crawford,” Jacobs said.
The 20/20 Vision and beyond includes business success and job availability, workforce preparation and education, public safety and drug abuse, quality of life and leadership development and is led by Erin Stine, community development director.
Executive and Economic Director Gary Frankhouse, said Grow Crawford employs a countywide approach to retain jobs, offer development and training to retain the current workforce and to attract new business and industry to Crawford County.
The Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce now is located in the building and is focused on retaining and attracting new businesses to Bucyrus.
“We want the same things for our community as the partnership so it makes sense for us to be located in a central location,” said the Chamber’s executive director, Tyler Jacobs.
In the lower level of the building, Crawford Works has set up shop.
“We work with job seekers to help remove the barriers to employment they are facing such as transportation issues, child care and the need for a GED,” said Robin Hildebrand, director of the program.
The goal of the program is to eliminate poverty through employment in the community.