GOALS AND BENCHMARKS … WEDCO Executive Assistant Jaclyn Herman and Executive Director Ashley Epling shared WEDCO’s activity goals and social media benchmarks, with the number of corporate activities and website visits expected to directly correlate with the state of the economy. (PHOTO BY ANNA WOZNIAK / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
The Williams County Economic Corporation met on Tuesday, June 4th, at 8 a.m. Present were Mari Ivan, Craig Grieser, Jason Rockey, Pam Clark, Beth Rediger, Carrie Schlade, Derek Schultz, Tracey Carter, Dawn Fitzcharles, Robert Day, Chad Ordway, Duane Thiel, Richard Shatzer, Anthony Burnett, Ben Fiser, Eric Brown, Kent Liechty, John Waterson, Jaclyn Herman, and Ashley Epling.
An update was then given around the table, where it was shared that Montpelier has acquired new plots and is preparing for Bean Days, Pioneer has been hard at work preparing for their 175th while promoting construction, and Edgerton continues to work along schedule on their projects and brownfield remediation project, while Stryker is finishing sidewalk repairs and just completed a waterline project, also while preparing for Stryker Heritage Days as well as currently seeking funding for updates to their water towers, and welcoming another small business.
Bryan City Mayor Carrie Schlade shared that Bryan’s inclusive park was opened last week, an AmTrack Groundbreaking will be happening June 14th, and June 15th will see a Jubilee Parade, with fireworks and a day in the park happening the following week
Mayor Schlade shared that the city is looking to have fun things going on for citizens all summer. Edon’s accessible park edition has been doing great, and Woodville Gardens has just undergone an expansion.
Holiday City is working on their water tower, and the county-wide chip seal project, which will see 32 miles of road redone, has started this week.
It was then shared that Friday June 7th at 9 a.m. will see a meeting held in honor of the county’s 200th at the courthouse.
Benchmarks from WEDCO’s website and social media were pulled, which included comparisons to other businesses.
The minutes from their January and March meetings were then approved after some time was given for their review by way of motions.
The financial statements through April 30, 2024 were approved as presented before conversation changed to insurance.
An insurance assessment was given, with Executive Director Ashley Epling sharing the updates that should arise as a result.
Security questions were inquired into, and discussion was held on contacting insurance companies regarding those specifications.
Conversation then turned to banking, with Herman sharing that the current bank is Huntington. It was shared how fees and interest are aligning to show that there is a loss of around $20 a month through Huntington and was recommended to move most of their money into a higher interest-bearing account to help make the loss back.
Huntington did not get their account information back in time, but the other banks that did were considered and discussed.
Mayor Schlade and Edgerton Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles shared some concerns they had with the available cash for bills and contractual agreements between banking organizations.
It was decided that more correspondence with the banks is needed, after which the findings will be sent to the executive committee before being presented at the next meeting.
They then entered into executive session at 8:42 a.m., set to meet again on July 30, 2024 at 8 a.m.
