By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com

The mood at Tuesday’s Economic Development Update and Business Forecast Breakfast in Galion was definitely upbeat with the consistently expressed theme that things are changing. More importantly, the change in the community is for the better.

“I really do feel a change in the community,” Gary Frankhouse Jr. told those at the breakfast put on by the Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce at Grace Point Church. “It is inspiring.”

The chamber’s executive director, Joe Kleinknecht, said the challenge is to keep up the momentum he feels has swung in favor of business growth.

“I think to continue doing what we’re doing. I think the 20/20 Vision is making a big difference. We’re identifying issues within the county which includes Galion and Bucyrus and we’re trying to address those issues. It’s going to be slowly but surely, but I think we’ll get it done in time,” Kleinknecht said. “I think all the new construction, the new restaurants opening up – I just think it’s a well overdue thing. I really encourage the people of Galion to support these new businesses. Not drive by them to go to another location, but get out and support those people and welcome them to the community. I think we’ve got some really good things going on here.”

The emphasis to continue down the path recently undertaken by the business, education and development communities was echoed by many of the speakers at the annual chamber breakfast.

Galion mayor – Tom O’Leary
The Galion mayor outlined some of the accomplishments of 2016 before looking at what is ahead in 2017. O’Leary said approximately 9,000 people made their way to the new Splash Park at East Park in half a season and expectations are that more than 10,000 will visit the facility this year.

The mayor called the completed Portland Way South reconstruction a generational project, meaning that no one in the room would likely be living the next time the thoroughfare requires such an extensive rebuild. O’Leary added the city was also involved in many other projects that weren’t quite as noticeable such as improvements in sewer and water utilities.

O’Leary praised the coalescing of a development team which has played a crucial role in business investment in the city, most of it from outside sources. He added that he expects the growth in local business opportunities to continue to grow.

O’Leary said a sewer-based project on Portland Way North would be six to eight weeks in length, and finished by saying the biggest challenge ahead is the need to keep pulling the community together.

President of United Bank – Don Stone
“Our focus is clearly Crawford County and Marion County,” United Bank President Don Stone said, noting that about 99 percent of the bank’s business came from those communities.

Stone said the banking business was continually being inundated with advances in technology, but that in turn has resulted in other challenges such as cybersecurity.

Stone pointed out that 2015 was a growth year for the bank, and that 2016 was even better. “We were successful because we had new growth.”

Stone is hopeful that regulatory costs and pressures in the banking industry will experience some relief from the new administration in Washington. He also noted one of the challenges is working with Millennials who do most of their banking online and actually getting them to come in the bank “once in a while.”

Superintendent of Galion City Schools – Jim Grubbs
Grubbs began his remarks by saying that “lots and lots of things” are happening in the Galion City School District. Most notably, he said, was a change in the culture.

“Leader In Me – what a change it has made,” Grubbs said. In the Middle School he pointed to the “Gateway to Technology” programming.

At Galion High School, the superintendent said that more College Credit Plus classes are being offered on campus and the district goal is that within two years students will be able to attain an associate’s degree by the time they graduate from high school.

Grubbs cited the work of the district staff. “It doesn’t happen without a lot of great people leading the buildings.”

The Crawford County Partnership for Education and Economic Development – Gary Frankhouse Jr.
“Our vision,” Frankhouse said of The Partnership,” is to make Crawford County a place people seek to live.”

Towards that end, Frankhouse encouraged the focus to be on the 30-something age group in an effort to keep, as well as attract, young families to the area.

He pointed to the development of Community Reinvestment Areas and Tax Increment Financing which was instrumental in getting the necessary infrastructure for the newly opened Galion Sleep Inn and Suites.

Frankhouse challenged those in attendance to find ways to be actively involved with Crawford: 20/20 Vision.

In closing, Frankhouse briefly discussed the proposed Event and Wellness Center. The USDA provided a grant last November to develop plans for a seven-acre area north of Galion near the Sleep Inn and the US 30/Ohio 598 interchange. Frankhouse called the project a “game changer,” but cautioned there was much work to be done to get it beyond the planning stages. He said further information on it would be released April 18 at Crawford: 20/20 Vision’s annual State of the Vision to be held at Pickwick Place.

Avita Health System – President and CEO Jerry Morakso
Morasko outlined the health system’s completion of its new hospital in Ontario and bringing in several sub-specialists to the system which includes Galion and Bucyrus as well as other parts of Richland County.

Morasko said the recently purchased property in Crestline that included Geyer Foods is being remodeled. Its central location to the three hospital campuses make it ideal as a distribution center.

Morasko looked ahead at potential challenges for the health system, noting likely changes coming out of Washington in regards to healthcare as well as the need to continue to recruit more sub-specialists for the local health system.

Galion Sleep Inn and Suites – General Manager Eric Pittman
Pittman cited the work of the chamber in assisting the new hotel calling Kleinknecht and Miranda Jones “awesome.” “We couldn’t have done it without them,” Pittman said.

Pittman discussed many of the hotel’s amenities, including a 15-passenger van to shuttle guests to attractions.

“Mid-Ohio is going to be huge for us,” Pittman predicted. “If we need to get another van, we’ll get another van.”

Pittman was also effusive in his praise for the staff at Sleep Inn.

“The staff is awesome,” Pittman said. “I do have an A team.”

The hotel will soon have a public open house.

Longstreth Memorials – Sean Longstreth
Longstreth noted that his business has been in his family for more than five generations since being started by his great-great grandfather in 1868. He said it is the oldest continuously-run family business in Galion.

Longstreth has offices in Mansfield, Bucyrus and Mt. Gilead in addition to Galion. The long-time maker of monuments and burial vaults has more recently expanded into caskets. The business has 23 employees and services 40 funeral homes in the area.

Longstreth is making the monument for the Crawford County Veterans Hall of Fame that will be erected at the Crawford County Courthouse grounds.

The company is also moving into a new facility on Portland Way North that will include a public observation area.