A victory lap was taken for a record-setting year, in the annual celebratory breakfast of Ross County economic development.
Tammy Eallonardo, director of “Greater Chillicothe and Ross County Development,” led Wednesday’s breakfast gathering and said that great things are happening. She said the event is more celebratory, and less of a forecast like the Chamber’s annual event at the beginning of the year.
Since it’s hard for me to keep all the names and initialisms straight, Eallonardo explained to me that Greater Chillicothe and Ross County Development (GCRCD) is the name for the 2017 joining of forces of the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio (EDASO) and Ross County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC).
The leaders of several organizations that factor in Ross County economic development spoke, after Eallonardo:
Melody Young, director of the Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau, unveiled the new logo her organization will start using in 2024.
Chillicothe mayor Luke Feeney also spoke, as well as Dwight Garrett, Chair of the Ross County Commissioners.
And, Katy Farber, vice president of OhioSE, explains her organization’s accomplishments in promoting development in their part of the JobsOhio Network, the economic development agency of the state.
The Joint Economic Development Initiative of Southern Ohio (JEDISO) was highlighted, as the organization that channels grants from Fluor BWXT, the contractor for decommission and demolition of the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.
Eallonardo pointed out a $130,000 kick-start grant from Fluor BWXT to help turn the canal warehouse at Main and Mulberry into Preservation Hall.
Find more in the article on the Scioto Post, including a video interview.
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for the Scioto Post and iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact Kevin Coleman or the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom.