FREDERICKTOWN — Those gathered at the annual meeting of the Fredericktown Community Development Foundation made it clear that even though the national and state economies are struggling, new ideas, and moves toward the future are happening in Fredericktown.
Representatives from Braintree in Mansfield told those gathered for the meeting about the many services offered to businesses by Braintree. In a large building in Mansfield, 25 companies are able to learn from each other and take advantage of collaborational services offered by Braintree, a nonprofit business incubator.
Bob Cohen, director of business at Braintree, said the companies using the Braintree facility in Mansfield is a diverse group, ranging from a company that produces medical devices to a recording studio.
Bob Mason, director of incubators at Braintree, said drawing on the experiences of others in the incubator means start-up businesses gain valuable knowledge. The incubator approach also has financial advantages.
“The whole object of the incubator is to help offset the costs,” Mason said.
The Northern Ohio IT Alliance was formed as part of Braintree to provide opportunities for IT professionals to network and interact. NOITA, as it is known, covers several Ohio counties, including Knox. This is a TechStart program which Mason said offers valuable services to its members at no cost or only nominal fees.
While Braintree helps businesses get off the ground by providing support, low-cost rent and business services in Mansfield, the ultimate goal is to keep those businesses in the Ohio counties where they start.
“People can move in from outlying areas to Braintree, and then back to outlying areas,” said Mason.
He explained that location is crucial to the success of start-up businesses, and so is climate. Mason said climate includes not only the weather, but also the social climate — whether or not a location is a nice place to live, with cultural opportunities and a welcoming atmosphere. Business climate is also critical, meaning does a location have the transportation and infrastructure in place that make doing business possible.
The coaching and mentoring offered by TechStart, as well as the other low-cost and free services offered by Braintree, are supported by The Ohio State University, the Ohio Department of Development, the U.S. Small Business Association, the Richland County Commissioners and the Ashland Area Council for Economic Development.
After Braintree’s presentation, Knox County Commissioner Bob Wise spoke to the foundation on behalf of the commissioners.
“We like your decision-making and plans to move ahead,” Wise told the group.
He used the proposed Ohio 95 improvements as an example of how seriously the FCDF takes progress. Wise pledged the commissioners’ full support of the project, and of the fundraising efforts under way with Congressman Zack Space’s office.
Wise said that combining the efforts with an effort to obtain money from Washington for access to the industrial park in Mount Vernon would make it a more appealing project for the entire county.
“It may carry more weight in Washington that way,” said FCDF member Terry Divelbiss in agreement. Divelbiss also chairs the Knox County Area Development Foundation.
“We do have a few people turning their heads, because we’re not going away,” said Wise. “We have you people to thank for that.”
Wise urged the members of the foundation to return their letters in support of the Ohio 95 project to the commissioners as soon as possible so they can be forwarded to Space and Sen. George Voinovich.
School Board member Lori Ackerman Bechtel said there will be a town hall meeting next month to determine the best use of the back part of the high school.
Alan Kintner of the Bicentennial Committee told the group a DVD will probably be made incorporating the images of the year-long celebration, which could provide an interesting look at the village to prospective businesses.
It was also announced at the meeting that the Farmers Market started last year in Fredericktown will resume in the spring. It will again be held on Wednesday evening.
Speaking on behalf of the marketing committee, Mark Bombardier said the committee has been discussing placing signage at the intersection of routes 95 and 13 to promote the many events happening in the village throughout the year.
John Walsh said the blue- grass festival was extremely successful during last year’s bicentennial celebration, and will be held again this year, combined with the car show on Aug. 16.
Earl Bechtel, who took over officially Thursday as president of the foundation from outgoing president Mark Blanchard, said organizers of a bicycle race have inquired whether the village can accommodate 2,500 cyclists stopping for rest and food during a race later this year. Bechtel said a group such as the church association could be placed in charge of selling food and drinks to the large crowd who would be stopping in Community Park.
The other officers elected by the group for 2008 are Don Divelbiss, vice president; Bombardier, secretary; and Blanchard, treasurer.