Commissioners discuss Enterprise Zone Agreement

COSHOCTON – The annual enterprising zone meeting took place on Wednesday, March 20 during the commissioners biweekly meeting to discuss the Enterprise Zone Agreement between Coshocton and Annin Flagmakers. Present at the meeting were the mayor, a representative from the Career Center, a representative from Coshocton City Schools, the treasurer, representatives from Annin, and guests.

Christine Sycks, county auditor, welcomed everyone to the meeting and gave the opening remarks. Mike Manning of Annin then took over the meeting, explaining the agreement between Coshocton and Annin. In 2004, the county, city, and Annin entered into an agreement dealing with a 50,000 expansion of their warehouse project. According to the agreement, Annin agreed to create 25 new jobs in 36 months. In 2012, the new jobs created was less than anticipated with 156 new full-time employees, four short of their target 160. Manning explained that the number has fluctuated over the last five years mainly because the work at Annin is seasonal. In 2012, Annin employed temp jobs from January through May, their busiest season. As of Dec. 31, 2012, in addition to the 156 new full-time employees, Annin has employed 62 temp employees.

“We’re glad to be here in Coshocton and we are a growing factory,” said Rick Merrell, representative from Annin. “Our management looks at Coshocton as a very important factory. Hopefully, we’ll continue to grow in Coshocton.”

Merrell also reported that currently, there are 134 temps employed at Annin, which is higher than last year’s numbers. Annin is looking to hire five more temps next month. More jobs are coming soon, reported Merrell, because Annin will begin producing golf course flags in Coshocton within the next couple of months. Annin also has a new factory in Pennsylvania, buying out Flag Zone.

The commissioners agreed to continue the enterprise agreement between Coshocton and Annin.

After the meeting, Jason Wilson, Director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, spoke to the commissioners about the budget in the state for Appalachia country.

“It’s great to be back in Coshocton,” Wilson said. “This is a great community. You can feel it. This is the kind of communities Ohio should have.”

Wilson reported that at the federal level, Ohio has been positioned as the can-do state for Appalachia and their mission is to improve the lives of Ohioans living in Appalachia. Ohio is currently the number one project Appalachia state out of 13 in the nation. Airport work has been done in Jefferson County, and broadband has been set up in Carroll and Washington Counties with more than 24,000 homes being connected.

Wilson also reported that oil and gas are doing well in Ohio.

“Oil and gas is growing leaps and bounds all over the place,” said Wilson. “Counties in Ohio are seeing an increase of business revenue due to oil and gas. We are sitting on the best opportunity of our lifetime right now.”

Also at the meeting, the commissioners approved the following:

–          A motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting

–          A motion to award the bid for 2013 Culvert Pipe to Pipelines, Inc., 16363 St. Clair Ave., East Liverpool, Ohio as they were the low bidder with a bid of $39,638.80 and recommended by Fred Wachtel, County Engineer

–          A motion to sign a letter of support for the Muskingum Valley Health Centers’ application to the US Department of Health and Human Services/Health Resources and Services Administration for funding to open a new community health center site within Coshocton

–          A motion to approve the following Then and Now Certificates which have been certified by the county auditor. See link: Then and Now

–          Receive the dog warden’s report for the week ending March 18 with eight dogs picked up by the warden, 12 dogs brought in as strays, seven dogs destroyed, three citations issued, 19 calls handled, 11 dog licenses sold, four late fees paid, five dogs sold, three dogs redeemed, three dogs per owner surrendered, $50 in boarding fees collected for a total of $430 in fees collected.

–          A motion to sign a letter of support for the Village of West Lafayette’s grant application for a Critical Infrastructure Grant to install approximately 4,000 feet of water line from the village’s current distribution to the Lafayette Meadows complex east of the village.

Category: Government