RSS | Print | Comments | Tell a Friend | Larger Text | Smaller Text | Bookmark and Share

Local News

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Kentucky group tells how it's done
By JOY BROWN

STAFF WRITER

Effective communication and setting egos aside are two economic development necessities, according to the director of a regional group in Kentucky where competing interests and fleeing corporations forced officials to change their ways.

Jim Purgerson, Ashland Alliance president, relayed his insight to the economic development task force via teleconference Monday, and offered suggestions for the task force to consider.

The task force asked for his input because Ashland, Ky. and its surrounding area managed to successfully navigate economic development challenges similar to what Findlay and Hancock County are facing.

The Ashland Alliance oversees economic development in Ashland, located along the border with West Virginia, and in Boyd and Greenup counties. Ashland's population is about 22,000, Purgerson said. The region totals about 85,000 residents.

By the late 1990s, the region was struggling with fractured economic development efforts, Purgerson said, with warring factions wanting all the power.

"There was a great deal of parochialism going on. There was a great deal of dysfunction at the time," Purgerson said.

What really spurred changes, he said, was the pullout of some larger companies, particularly Ashland Inc., a petroleum company that was headquartered there.

The company's relocation of white collar jobs to the northern part of the state in 1998 "was a huge wakeup call to the community," Purgerson said. "It was somewhat anticipated, but when it actually happened it was like, 'Oh my gosh, what do we do? The sky is falling.'"

What leaders did, particularly business leaders, was restructure economic development in the community and become the primary fund supporters. They utilized economic development experts from state government to offer fresh perspectives, conduct a rough analysis of the situation and help draw up a basic strategic plan.

"The basic consensus was, 'All of you need to work together,'" Purgerson said. "There was too much infighting going on and some of it wasn't even serious," he said, noting high school athletic rivalries even created communication barriers.

In 1999, Ashland's chamber of commerce was merged with the economic development office. Three-year start-up funds were collected to help launch the effort, with the realization that "at least $400,000" was needed "to do it right," said Purgerson.

Today, 90 percent of the organization's funding comes from the private sector and the rest from government. Its board, with 40 members, is intentionally large to allow for more "buy-ins," said Purgerson.

Any businesses wanting to locate within the region contact the economic development office, which also administers senior citizens programs such as Meals on Wheels.

The group is not alone, however. Other economic development entities exist, and Purgerson works closely with them.

For instance, the city has its own economic development department which focuses on luring retail and filling vacant building space.

A group called Fivco encompasses five counties and concentrates on agriculture-related assistance such as U.S. Department of Agriculture grants and revolving loan funds, he said.

Purgerson, who was hired when the Alliance formed, said he has good working relationships with all the groups, which is key.

"A lot of it (success) depends on personalities, and how well they get along, and good communication," Purgerson said. "They have to try to be a team player and let people know they're not trying to build an empire.

"I would recommend that whatever you do, you might suggest that the various executives of various key groups get together once a quarter or once a month to talk about issues. Keep everybody in the loop," Purgerson said.

"Communication and personality mix can make or break you. The more open you are, the more truly you have that team, and that's going to result in positive results and views in the community about your organization," Purgerson said.

Brown: 419-427-8496,

Send an e-mail to Joy Brown


Subscribe to The Courier.
Comment on This Story
NOTE: Comment moderation has been enabled. If you see a comment that violates our Electronic User Agreement, please e-mail webmaster@thecourier.com. Thank you. If you are having problems viewing this Web page, please contact our Internet Department to help us diagnose and correct the problem. We may contact you for more information. Thanks in advance.
Your e-mail address will not be displayed on this website or shared with anyone. It is used by our online editor for contacting purposes.
Comments are moderated by The Courier according to its Electronic User Agreement within one business day. Comments that slander others or include language that violates the agreement will be rejected. All comments that impart opinion and information are welcome.
   NEWS VIDEO

Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
   SPECIAL SECTIONS
Summer Coupons
   WEEKEND
USA Weekend

ANDERSON COOPER: Five years after Hurricane Katrina, the CNN reporter returns to New Orleans as the Gulf Coast faces even newer challenges.


Roses are red...

SOLUTIONS, NOT PROBLEMS: The University of Findlay plays host to competitive sailor who is a quadruple amputee.

ALSO IN WEEKEND: Area events,
prep boys and girls soccer and a trip to Niagra Falls.

   STAY IN TOUCH
The Courier on Facebook
   VIRTUAL VILLAGE
TisaWee Farm

Far Flung Guest Book

Virtual Village
   PHOTO GALLERY
Randy's Seen

IMAGE BLOG: Go behind the scenes with Courier photographer Randy Roberts.


You can purchase photographs from The Courier through our easy-to-use online system. Get prints, mousepads, T-shirts and more!

   LOCAL NEWS
  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
SICK OF THE WHINERS wrote in article "31 charged in Hardin drug probe":
DRUG BUST
“ Kenton has alot more drugs than Findlay!!! To those of you who don't like Hancock county, LEAVE! Everytime law enforcement in... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 11:19:09 AM
The Layman wrote in article "Parole denied in murder case":
Out of control
“ I'm sorry but there are way too many personal attacks allowed on this forum. You invalidate your point when you stray from the f... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 11:08:44 AM
j wrote in article "Many winners named as Hancock Fair opens":
Good but little expensive
“ The fair was interesting, but at $5 for the more popular rides on the expensive side, same with the food, many people commented... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:37:10 AM
JM wrote in article "McComb couple is serious about fair competition":
Very nice!
“ What a lovely article. Will have to check out their goods at the fair. ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:21:42 AM
Ed wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Dirt bag...
“ A head shot would have put an end to the both dirt bag's chance of getting more money. NATE: could it be that you have some fir... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:53:26 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
Denial
“ To Tony and TL Every good citizen, parent and public official advocates the eradication of drugs from our communities; you are n... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:08:20 AM
Penny Musgrave wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Benton Ridge Shooting
“ Although I am all for catching the criminal, I don't condone what was done to this guy. They converged on him like gangbusters b... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:43:07 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Parole denied in murder case":
Unqualified reassurance
“ To Tony - here is another example of your inability to see situations as they really are. It is obvious that you are so self in... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:42:45 AM
JP wrote in article "Pigskin Picks":
Wood Shed???
“ "Bubba," why would a Tiger take a Polar Bear to the wood shed? Wouldn't it be more likely that: Tigers knock Polar Bears into a... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:16:48 AM
poor victim!!!!! wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Nate
“ Nate your a moron and obviously do not know a thing about use of force. Also most taser cartridges carried have a 15 ft to 35 f... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:15:05 AM
  U.S. Headlines
  World News
  Ohio News
Gary Reese - Faith Investment Services
News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.