The Williams County Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO) continues to work on plans to bring their annual Manufacturing Expo to the Ramada Inn in Holiday City on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, from 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. This year’s event has been opened to counties adjacent to Williams County, and for the first time will also include manufacturers in nearby in Indiana and Michigan and any other business within a 50 mile radius.
As told in a flyer about the expo, the purpose of the event is to increase brand recognition, promote/launch products and services, and to reinforce business connections within the region. It will provide business representatives in manufacturing to display their products and information about their business. Expo 2011 Committee Member Steve Raymond explained that, “The expo is about an industrial awareness: to let everyone see what each manufacturer produces. Many companies purchase from outside of the tri-state area and sometimes overseas because they are not aware that the products are made nearby. Supply chain and trucking expenses can play a major role in the costs of a product. This event is to connect one manufacturer to another.”
There is no cost to manufacturers to display their products or to attend the event. Last year’s event was a success with 20 – 25 manufacturers. So far this year, 45 have signed, and they hope for 50 businesses.
Coordinator Diamond Zimmerman has been busy in the last few months speaking at meetings and events to spread the news this year’s expo. The expo will showcase the region. The tri-state area is rich in resources such as ample access to water, land, and transportation as the Turnpike runs through the area. Several large cities are also within a few hours driving distance. Also, this area has a workforce who is seeking jobs. Many schools in the area have received a grade of Excellent by the state. Williams County is a Manufacturing Certified county, and WEDCO is available to offer support to businesses.
Students are also encouraged to attend the event. Business members will be there and available to be interviewed by youth as to what futures they can have by being employed in a manufacturing setting. WEDCO’s Steve Raymond explained at an earlier meeting of the Montpelier Chamber of Commerce that many are unaware of jobs available in the field, and this will increase their knowledge of the skills they will need to enter the job force. Manufacturing jobs are increasingly more technical and some of this technology will be appealing to younger people who will be entering the field.
WEDCO will conduct their annual meeting and a luncheon prior to the event from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Current officers will be recognized for their hard work, and new officers will be elected. Business representatives and leaders who are interested in becoming members of WEDCO are also invited to attend. There will be a $25 charge, and those wishing to participate will need to RSVP the office by February 28 by calling 419-636-8727.
TV 26 will be present and filming at the event. Registrations are still being accepted through February 28. Those wishing to do so may contact Diamond Zimmerman at 419-636-8727, or email the office at economic@wedco.info. She can also be reached by fax at 419-636-5589. The address for the event is: Ramada Inn, 13508 State Route 15, Montpelier, Ohio, and is located just south of the turnpike in Holiday City.