Wayne County Economic Development Council
Why Choose Wayne County? Call Us Toll Free at 888-WAYNEOH
 

Strong Incentives
Tax credits, abatements, grants, low-cost financing Foreign Trade Zone and more.

Business-Friendly Climate
Effective community and government partnerships locally and throughout Northeast Ohio.

Access to Markets
Central location with great ground, rail, water and air accessibility.

High Quality of Life
Small town hospitality and country living with big city opportunities.

Leading Ag-Bioscience Infrastructure
Premier research facilities and infrastructure.

Low Cost of Doing Business
Energy, labor and occupancy costs among the nation’s most affordable.

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The Organization

Formed in 1991, the Wayne Economic Development Council (WEDC) is a private organization dedicated to the economic development of Northeast Ohio. It was formed to serve as the lead economic development organization for Wayne County out of a need to provide a central economic development office representing all of Wayne County, including its municipalities.  

The role of the WEDC is to stimulate new investment and job growth through business expansion and attraction initiatives. The WEDC's Strategic Economic Development Plan & Wayne County's Comprehensive Plan were jointly created in 1997.  Both plans complement each other, suggesting areas of growth; rate of growth; locations for development and the type of industries that would complement existing industries (clustered growth).

The plan also created three-mile growth/jurisdiction areas from the existing city limits of Orrville, Rittman, and Wooster. The land use map promoted the idea of rural land preservation by offering industrial sites at or near already available infrastructure. The WEDC endorses and promotes the ideals of the Wayne County Comprehensive Plan.


A non-profit organization, the WEDC receives its funding from investors who understand the need for a quality economic development program in Wayne County. Funding sources include the business community (60 percent); county government (20 percent); municipalities and villages (15 percent); and grants, contracts, and other sources (5 percent).

The WEDC serves communities (including Wayne County), companies and consultants in the economic development process. The organization does not offer direct assistance with retail/commercial development. It directs such inquiries to local chambers of commerce or the community of interest. 

The WEDC promotes and endorses quality growth issues, but does not see its role as proponents and/or opponents to candidates and/or ballot issues. Rather, the WEDC will provide forums and other public awareness activities in an effort to better inform the public regarding issues, allowing the individuals to make learned choices.


2009 Directors and Officers 

The Wayne Economic Development Council Board of Directors includes 33 members representing county government (county commissioner); local government (mayors of Orrville, Wooster and Rittman); chambers of commerce (Orrville, Rittman, and Wooster); public utilities; large, medium, and small manufacturing; agriculture; legal/professional; finance; and education.

The board is charged with the vision to lead Wayne County in "an organized, planned, and orderly growth process based upon a cooperative effort between public and private sectors." 

The WEDC Board of Directors meets monthly and acts as a catalyst to coordinate and integrate the activities of governmental, educational, and community organizations for the purpose of industrial recruitment and industrial retention and expansion.


Term Ending 2010 
1. Susan Baker - Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston 
2. John Crum - Seaman Corp. 
3. Kathie Hovespian - National City Bank 
4. Lud Huck - Wayne County Comm. Foundation 
5. Chris Schmid - Individual 
6. Steve Shapiro - Individual 
7. John McGurk - Buckeye Container 
8. Al Yeagley - JM Smucker Co.

Term Ending 2011
1. Gene Gottfried - FirstMerit Bank
2. Mark McGrath - Luk
3. Fred Myers - Woodlyn Acres Farm
4. Don Noble II - United Titanium
5. Mike Kramer - Ohio Legacy Bank
6. Rod Steiger - Dunlap Memorial Hospital 
7. Greg Long - Long, Cook & Samsa

Terms Ending 2009 
1. Bob Ellis - Individual
2. Bill Jacobs - Wooster Brush 
3. Steve Schmid - Smith Dairy 
4. Bala Venkataraman - Magni Power 
5. David Wheeler - American Electric Power 
6. John Campbell - Campbell Construction 
7. Steve Slack - OARDC 
8. Daryl Revoldt - Technigraphics

Permanent Members 
1. City of Orrville - Dave Handwerk 
2. City of Rittman - Larry Boggs 
3. City of Wooster - Bob Breneman 
4. Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce - Jenni Reusser 
5. Rittman Area Chamber of Commerce - Bill Robertson 
6. Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce - Jeff Griffin
7. Wayne County Commissioner - Ann Obrecht
8. Wayne County Planning Dept. - Betsy Sparr 
9. Wayne Farm Bureau - John Fitzpatrick 
10. Office Orrville Industrial Development - Mike Hedberg 
11. Main Street Wooster - Sandra Hull 
12. Wayne County Schools Career Center - Lynn Moomaw 

Executive Committee 
1. Bob Ellis, Chairperson
2. Sue Baker, Immediate Past Chair
3. Mike Kramer, Treasurer 
4. Rod Crider, President 
5. Steve Shapiro, At-Large Member
6. Mike Hedberg, At-Large Member 
7. Chris Schmid, At-Large Member 
8. John Campbell, At-Large Member
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377 W. Liberty St. Wooster, OH 44691 Phone (local) 330.264.2411 Toll- free 888-WAYNEOH e-mail: info@waynecountyedc.com
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