The Medina County Economic Development office reported robust activity through the first three quarters of the year, with staff saying companies committed roughly $300 million in new capital investment countywide, nearly 390 anticipated new jobs and about $14 million in new annual payroll.

Bethany Dentler, the county’s director of economic development, told commissioners the county’s manufacturing partnerships and workforce development programs are expanding, including the formalization of a manufacturing-sector partnership that is raising private and state matching funds and discussions about apprenticeship pilots based on an Austrian apprenticeship model. She said the county’s pre-apprenticeship program recorded a record number of completions in June and that the county’s career-coach and online assessment tool (YouScience) are being expanded in local school districts.

On specific actions, commissioners approved a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) agreement and a CRA compensation agreement with Energy Asset Group for a project in Sharon Township; staff said Sharon Township and the relevant school board had reviewed and approved the compensation agreement before it came to the commissioners. Economic development staff also reported on loans and revolving fund activity: staff said a previously approved $120,000 loan to VCS Salon and Spa has closed and that the office is preparing a $500,000 application to the Ohio Department of Development to support a Foundry Social build-out.

Medina County Land Bank activity: Dentler reported the land bank recently acquired a forfeited residential property in the city of Medina and is preparing it for sale; she said the land bank also finalized awards for Welcome Home Ohio projects with Habitat for Humanity and was named lead entity for building-demolition/site-revitalization grants with roughly $230,000 set aside for county use in the current round.

Why it matters: The investments, workforce initiatives and loan activity affect local employment, housing rehabilitation and long-term development capacity.

Public events: Dentler noted the county’s Made in Medina County event and a sold-out county business awards gathering scheduled for Oct. 23.