Business Journal July 2014

2012 BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. All rights reserved.
Butler Manufacturing
is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc.

You might be surprised to discover the virtually unlimited design
possibilities of a Butler
building system. As your local Butler Builder
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needs and your budget.
More design
f lexibility for
your building.
Contact us at 419-238-9567
or visit us on the web
www.AlexanderBebout.com
2012 BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Butler Manufacturing

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More design
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More design flexibility for your building.
Alexander & Bebout, Inc.
Engineering Design Construction
10098 Lincoln Highway, Van Wert, Ohio
419-238-9567

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More design
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2012 BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Butler Manufacturing is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc.
,
wood, brick, stone, or glass. You can also choose froma wide variety
More design
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your building.
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www. busi nessj rnl . com
BusinessJournal
OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO
THE
July 2014
The Regions Business Publication
INSIDE
Defiance County ................. P2
Citizens National Bank
Named Top Performer .......... P4
By the Numbers ...................... P6
Robinson Warehouse
Expands ................................. P11
Much More!
See CLEAN POWER, page 3
Clean Power Plan to reduce
emissions by 30 percent
els by 30 percent by the year 2030.
Ultimately, the new standards will
strive toprovide greater protection
for public health, move the United
States toward a cleaner environment
and fight climate change while sup-
plying Americans with reliable and
affordable power.
Climate change, fueled by carbon
pollution, supercharges risks to our
health, our economy, and our way
of life. EPA is delivering on a vital
piece of President Obamas Climate
Action Plan by proposing a Clean
Power Plan that will cut harmful car-
bon pollution from our largest source
power plants, said EPA Adminis-
trator Gina McCarthy. By leverag-
ing cleaner energy sources and cut-
ting energy waste, this plan will clean
the air we breathe while helping slow
BY STEPHANIE GROVES
Business Journal Staff Writer
sgroves@delphosherald.com
The United States Environmen-
tal Protection Agencys (EPA) Clean
Power Plan proposes to cut carbon
pollution from existing power plants,
which produce 38 percent of the
greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.
The EPAs plan is a regulatory ap-
proach to protect public health, spur
innovation, and create jobs under the
Presidents Climate Action Plan.
According to the EPA, the propos-
al to limit carbon pollution from pow-
er plants will provide the framework
for new standards reducing 2005 lev-
American Electric Powers coal-burning Gavin
Power Plant in Cheshire, Ohio. (Photograph cour-
tesy of Peggy Davis)
2 TheBusinessJournal July 2014
Defiance County profile
BY ED GEBERT
Business Journal writer
egebert@timesbulletin.com
DEFIANCE Defiance, in north-
western Ohio, is situated along the
newly-constructed U.S. 24, nearly in
the middle between Toledo, Ohio and
Fort Wayne, Indiana. Each city is just
a 45-minute drive away. There are four
Defiance County interchanges along the
route which opens access to the markets
of Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Colum-
bus, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis. Just
to the north of the county is the Ohio
Turnpike, just 20 miles from the city of
Defiance.
In addition, the county features rail
service by CSX Railroad, Defiance &
Western Railway, the City of Defiance,
and the villages of Napoleon and Hicks-
ville. The county is served by 11 truck
lines, and the Port of Toledo is less than
50 miles away, on Lake Erie.
The Defiance County Memorial Air-
port features a 4,200-foot PLASI lighted
runway with instrument approach with
facilities for corporate and private air-
craft. Less than a one-hour drive away
are Toledo Express and Fort Wayne In-
ternational Airport.
Defiance County has always been
a major transportation area with more
than 1,000 miles of quality paved roads
covering the almost 412 square miles in
the county.
The largest cities and villages in-
cludes Defiance, the county seat with
a population of 16,494. The Villages
of Hicksville (3,581), Sherwood (827),
Ney (354). Total population in the coun-
ty was reported in the 2010 census at
39,037 and is projected to surpass 40,000
by the year 2030. Currently, almost 94
percent of the population is classified as
white and 8.2 percent is Hispanic. Popu-
lation density is 95 persons per square
mile. Median annual household income
in the county is $45,079. A total of 87.5
percent of the households are living in
the same house as the previous year. Of
all occupied homes in the county, 20
percent are rented and the average com-
mute time for Defiance County workers
is 19.1 minutes.
Major employers include AP Tool,
Defiance City Schools, Defiance Clinic,
Defiance College, Defiance Metal Prod-
ucts Co., Defiance Regional Medical
Center, General Motors Company, Johns
Manville Corp., Meijer Inc., and Parker
Hannifin Corp. Nearly 31 percent of the
employers are involved in manufactur-
ing, 20.8 percent are involved in edu-
cational, health and social services, and
11.3 percent are in retail trade.
The unemployment rate in the county
is 4.9 percent as of April 2014. That is
the 60th highest rate of Ohios 88 coun-
ties. The cost of living index in Defiance
County is low at 80.2, compared to
the national average of 100.
Defiance County is served by two
major hospitals: Defiance Regional
Medical Center, and Mercy Hospital of
Defiance. The newly-remodeled Com-
munity Memorial Hospital provides
medical care in Hicksville. In educa-
tion, Defiance College is a private, lib-
eral arts intuition for both graduate and
undergraduate degrees, Northwest State
Community College, 10 miles from
Defiance provides customized techni-
cal training programs for business, and
the Four County Center serves youth
and adults across northwest Ohio. Four
County also provides trained individuals
for the workforce.
Agriculture is also a driving force in
Defiance County. With 1,150 farms in
the county, total cash receipts are $103.9
million. The average farm size is 203
acres.
Notable locations in Defiance
County: Camp Lacota , Derges Or-
chard, Hickory Hills Golf Course, Don
Mar Farms, Defiance County Sanitary
Landfill, Appel Farm, Visser Dairy, M
and M Medivan Ambulance, Trimed
Emergency Medical Services, Medcorp
Emergency Medical Services, General
Motors Powertrain Fire Brigade, Defi-
ance County Childrens Home, Defiance
County Home, Big Lake, Ladd Lake,
Little Lake, Oxbow Lake, Defiance Res-
ervoir, Kohart Lake, Stevens Pond, and
Independence Reservoir.
The county allows businesses to
utilize state and local incentives in-
cluding an Enterprize Zone Program,
Community Reinvestment Area, Tax
Increment Financing, Infrastructure Re-
volving Loan Program, Business Devel-
opment Fund Revolving Loan, Job Cre-
ation Incentive Program, Training Cost
Assistance, a Job Creation Incentive
Program and Land For Jobs Program in
Hicksville, and Job Creation Retention
and Investment Program for Sherwood.
Incentives and loan from the State of
Ohio are also available for certain busi-
nesses.
NEW MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
DESIGNED TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS!
The Business Journal of West Central Ohio
available online.
www.businessjrnl.com
BusinessJournal
OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO
available
online
COMBINE YOUR
PRINT ADVERTISING
WITH ON-LINE STRATEGIES
AND SAVE $
FOR INFORMATION CALL
1-800-589-6950 Ext. 131
Defiance County Courthouse
Cynthia Yahna will be
happy to help you with
all your advertising
needs.
July 2014 TheBusinessJournal 3
3200 No. Main St. Findlay, Oh
Built for 4 units, Clear Span, now used as one
4, 272, Sq. Ft. Built in 1973 by Nick Petti
1.2 ac. lot, 22 paved parking spaces, room for more
327 (+/-) frontage on Main 5 elec. meters
1.5 mi. off I-75, exit 161
CALL FOR APPT. TO INSPECT
TERMS: $5,000. down, day of auction, with
balance in full on or betore Sept. 12, 2014.
There are no Buyer Contingencies added, have
your fnancing ready so you can bid
CONFIDENTLY! Motivated seller!
Come prepared to BID AND BUY!
Selling subject to Seller confrmation.
Sellers: Terry & Rande Baker
Baker Photography
Auctioneer Phil Cole, C.A.I.
419-424-0597 419- 348-4555
PHIL COLE REAL ESTATE & AUCTION LLC.
STRIP ON NORTH MAIN, FINDLAY
(the town that hasnt felt the crunch like most others)
at PUBLIC AUCTION
THURS. AUG. 14 @ 6 pm
Information Submitted
NEW BREMEN -
Bill Wente, President
of First National Bank,
recently announced the
addition of Alex Monni-
er as a commercial loan
officer for the bank.
Monnier is a graduate
of Minster High School
in Minster, Ohio. He at-
tended Columbus State
Community College
and Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio
where he received a Bachelor of Science de-
gree in business administration and business
forensics. In May of this year he received
his Master of Business Administration
degree from Franklin University. He has
worked ten years in the banking industry in
the Columbus and Dayton markets where he
has held various positions including person-
al banker, assistant branch manager, branch
manager, and loan officer. His experience,
commitment to serving customers, and
community pride all fit with the mission of
First National Bank, said Wente.
Monnier currently resides in the Village
of Minster with his wife Lindsay. He plans
to take a very active role in the communities
he will serve. In his spare time, Monnier en-
joys golf, bowling, and spending time with
his family.
Monniers main responsibility with the
bank will be calling on commercial custom-
ers in New Bremen and the surrounding
communities. He feels the key to success in
the financial services industry is to provide
products and services that his customers
want and then follow it up with good service
and support.
(First National Bank is a community-
oriented bank with offices in Sidney, Botkins,
Wapakoneta, New Knoxville, and New Bre-
men. They are committed to serving the fi-
nancial needs of the residents and businesses
in the markets they serve. The bank has op-
erated in this area since 1934 as a federally
charted financial institution. To contact Alex
Monnier or to learn more about First National
Bank and the services they provide, please call
(419) 629-2761 or visit their website at www.
firstnbank.com.)
Alex Monnier
climate change so we can leave a safe and
healthy future for our kids. We dont have
to choose between a healthy economy and
a healthy environment our action will
sharpen Americas competitive edge, spur
innovation, and create jobs.
According to whitehouse.gov, these
standards represent a commonsense pro-
posal that will have huge benefits for all
Americans. In fact, for every dollar of in-
vestment spurred by this proposal, there
is roughly seven dollars worth of health
benefits in return.
One example of the net benefits is
healthcare related and states the proposal
will generate 48 to 84 billion dollars
of net benefits in 2030. A big share of
those net benefits come from lives saved
and quality of life improved, asthma at-
tacks avoided and fewer days of missed
school or work. Specific 2030 benefits
include up to:
150,000 fewer asthma attacks
3,700 less cases of bronchitis in chil-
dren
180,000 fewer days of school missed
310,000 fewer lost work days
6,600 less premature deaths
3,300 fewer heart attacks
1,700 avoided hospital emergency
room visits
Ohios power plants produce more
carbon dioxide than power plants in all
but four other states.
In this action, the EPA is proposing
emission guidelines for states to follow in
developing plans to address greenhouse
gas emissions from existing fossil fuel-
fired electric generating units (EGU).
Specifically, the EPA is proposing state-
specific rate-based goals for carbon di-
oxide emissions from the power sector,
as well as guidelines for states to follow
in developing plans to achieve the state-
specific goals.
Columbus Public Health Departments
Section Chief of the Division of Environ-
mental Health Luke Jacobs said he looks
forward to the improved health outcomes
related to carbon reductions.
I think its clear that climate change
and public health have an effect on one
another and certainly we feel that reduc-
ing carbon emissions will lead to a health-
ier community, he said.
The EPA and other proponents es-
timate tens of thousands of jobs will be
created by the proposed standards in-
cluding machinists to manufacture en-
ergy-efficient appliances, construction
workers to build efficient homes and
buildings or weatherize existing ones,
service providers to do energy audits and
install efficient technologies, and en-
gineers and programmers to design and
improve building energy management
systems.
Midwest Director of the Union of Con-
cerned Scientists Steve Frenkel said the
EPAs proposal creates opportunities for
states to move towards renewable energy
and energy efficiency, which are critical
to the reduction of carbon pollution.
Unfortunately, Ohio has become the
first state in the nation to roll back its
clean-energy standards when the legisla-
ture passed a bill Senate Bill 310
freezing these standards for two years,
Frenkel added. This is a bad decision
thats sending Ohio in the wrong direc-
tion.
Lawmakers approved the freeze to
study the benefits of the state stan-
dards, which supporters say are creating
jobs and clean-energy investments in the
state.
Clean power
(Continued from Page 1)
of West Central Ohio
Volume 23, No. 7
Contributing Writers
Jeffrey Gitomer
The Business Journal is mailed to the top
business leaders in the 13-county region
of West Central Ohio. Although information
is gathered from sources considered to be
reliable, the accuracy and completeness
of the information cannot be guaranteed.
Information expressed in The Business
Journal does not constitute a solicitation for
the purchase or sale of any products.
Copyright, The Business Journal of West
Central Ohio, 2006, All rights reserved.
Reproduction or use, without written permission
of editorial, photographic or other graphic con-
tent in any manner is prohibited. The Business
Journal is published monthly at 405 N. Main
St., Delphos, OH 45833
Contact Us
Cynthia Yahna 419-695-0015 ext. 129
cyahna @ delphosherald.com
Peter W. Ricker 419-695-0015 ext. 130
pwricker@delphosherald.com
Toll free 800-589-6950
Mail 405 N. Main St., Delphos, OH 45833-1598
For information concerning news,
advertising and subscription e-mail us at:
bizjrnl@delphosherald.com
THE
Business
Journal
Distributed in 13 counties...
ALLEN, AUGLAIZE, DEFIANCE, HANCOCK, HARDIN, HENRY. LOGAN,
MERCER, PAULDING, PUTNAM, SHELBY, VAN WERT, WOOD
First National Bank adds Alex
Monnier as commercial loan officer
Citizens National Bank named a Top Performer
ICBAs Community Bank rankings recognize industry fundamentals and efficiency
BLUFFTON - ICBA Independent Bank-
er, the award-winning magazine of the In-
dependent Community Bankers of America
(ICBA) and the nations number-one source
for community banking news, recognized
Citizens National Bank, Bluffton, OH, as an
ICBA Top Performer in its June issue. This
recognition is based on Citizens National
Banks 2013 year-end earnings and opera-
tional efficiencies.
Whether its a small community bank
serving a rural area or a large community
bank serving a metro and suburban area,
youll find they operate with the same focus
by always putting their customers and com-
munities first, said Chris Lorence, ICBA
executive vice president and chief market-
ing officer. Citizens National Bank knows
their local market and they thrive because
of that expertise. We commend Citizens
National Bank for its ongoing dedication,
enthusiasm and devotion to the banking in-
dustry.
As part of its annual recognition of
high-performing ICBA member institu-
tions, ICBA Independent Banker pulled
year-end FDIC data to identify the com-
munity banks with the highest perfor-
mance metricsthose with best return on
average asset ratios and the best return on
average equity ratiosin six asset-size
categories. The rankings separately recog-
nize top-performing Subchapter C corpo-
ration banks and Subchapter S corporation
banks.
We are pleased to be recognized as an
ICBA Top Performer, said Mike Romey,
President/CEO of Citizens National Bank.
As active members of our communities,
we credit our loyal local customers and ded-
icated employees for our success. We look
forward to serving the unique needs of our
markets and helping them grow and prosper
in the years to come.
To see the ICBA Top Performers list-
ings, read the article The Best of the Best
on ICBA Independent Bankers website at
www.independentbanker.org.
(The Independent Community Bankers
of America, the nations voice for more
than 6,500 community banks of all sizes
and charter types, is dedicated exclusively
to representing the interests of the commu-
nity banking industry and its membership
through effective advocacy, best-in-class
education and high-quality products and
services. For more information, visit www.
icba.org.)
Shook Touchstone awarded
Greenville City Schools project
LIMA Shook Touchstone is pleased to
announce they have been awarded the new
Greenville City Schools K-8 building proj-
ect by the Ohio School Facilities Construc-
tion Commission (OFCC). A groundbreak-
ing ceremony was held on May 27 for the
new $44 million K-8 facility. The 225,956
square foot academic facilities will provide
a new elementary/middle school to house
grades K-8.
Greenville City Schools is partnering
with the OFCC on their new K-8 project,
with architect firm Garmann/Miller & Asso-
ciates overseeing the project in conjunction
with the school district. Shook Touchstone
will lead the K-8 project as the construction
manager at risk, providing full service con-
struction management services and over-
sight to the school district and OFCC.
The school district is replacing four
buildings with significant history, with one
state-of-the-art K-8 educational facility.
The new facilities will feature the latest in
technical advances in building materials and
support LEED (Leadership in Energy & En-
vironmental Design) which is the US Green
Building Councils green building certifica-
tion program that recognizes best-in-class
building strategies and practices.
(Shook Touchstone is a Limited Liability
Corporation comprised of Shook Construc-
tion Company and Touchstone CPM, each
headquartered in Dayton and Lima, Ohio.
The collaboration of these two organiza-
tions brings 97 years of Construction Man-
agement experience working directly with
the OFCC and providing construction man-
agement services to a wealth of Ohios ur-
ban and rural school districts. For more in-
formation, please visit www.touchstonecpm.
com.)
UNOH students go on western Caribbean cruise
LIMA - Thirteen University of North-
western Ohio Travel and Tourism students
and two faculty members left June 23 for
a four-day Western Caribbean Cruise. The
Carnival Ecstasy left Miami, Florida on the
afternoon of June 23 with port stops at Key
West, Florida, and Cozumel, Mexico includ-
ing a full day at sea. The cruise will returned
to port in Miami, Florida on the morning of
June 27.
The cruise, which was included in the
curriculum for students pursuing an Associ-
ates Degree in Travel and Hotel Manage-
ment, is designed to prepare the students
to serve future clients who wish to book a
cruise with them upon graduation. Being
able to experience a cruise first-hand gives
students a certain level of skill about what
their clients will be looking for when book-
ing a cruise.
Following completion of their associ-
ates degree, students can then opt to con-
tinue and obtain a Baccalaureate degree at
the University of Northwestern Ohio in Spe-
cialized Studies.
Serving the Corporate
and Personal Community
for Over 30 Years.
Living the Rotary motto:
Service above self
Life Home Auto Business Income
Hukill Hazlett
Harrington Agency, Inc.
Insurance Since 1838
513-793-1190 FAX: 513-793-5730 Cell: 513-479-1193
Direct Line: 513-619-4621
Email: jbirckhead@hhhinsurance
www.hhhinsurance.com
Jane Birckhead, CPCU
Executive Vice President
Trustee - Stepping Stones Center
Life Home Auto Business Income
Hukill Hazlett
Harrington Agency, Inc.
Insurance Since 1838
513-793-1190
FAX: 513-795-5730 Cell: 513-479-1193
Direct Line: 513-619-4621
Email: jbirckhead@hhhinsurance.com
www.hhhinsurance.com
Serving the Corporate
and Personal Community
For Over 30 Years
Living the Rotary motto:
Service above self
Full Payroll Service:
Direct Depositing Check Printing Tax Depositing
Quarterly Payroll Reports Year End Reconciliation W2s & 1099s
Eric M. Macwhinney, President
207 N. Main St. Delphos
419-227-9040 419-695-9040
www.psi-payroll.com
The Business
Journal
Distributed in 13 counties
Allen, Auglaize, Defiance,
Hancock, Hardin, Henry.
Logan, Mercer, Paulding,
Putnam, Shelby, Van Wert
and Wood
Are Baby Boomers doomed to irrelevance in the workplace?
BY STEVE KAYSER
Boomers may want to recall one of the
poets they grew up reading, Dylan Thomas,
and his most famous poem, named for its
first line, Do not go gentle into that good
night, a desperate appeal to resist the trap-
pings of old age.
As they retire, baby boomers need to
stay true to their reputation for grand state-
ments, and to mobilize their skill set in the
business world, says media expert Steve
Kayser, author of The Greatest Words
Youve Never Heard, (www.stevekayser.
com).
In fact, many older Americans may
have little choice but to adapt their mindset
and survive longer in their careers if they
want to maintain something resembling
their current lifestyle during retirement.
Kayser lists a few trends that may incen-
tivize aging workers to clock in for a few
more years:
The number of Americans 55 and
older will almost double between now
and 2030 from 60 million today to 107.6
million, according to the United States
Census Bureau. That will likely strain pub-
lic safety nets such as Social Security and
Medicare.
American life expectancy is at an all-
time high, and death rates are at an all-time
low, which means some people will outlive
their retirement savings.
The global economic crisis has wiped
out or severely affected millions of middle-
and senior-aged peoples life savings.
But with an increasingly competitive
pool of professionals whose skill sets need
to be regularly updated, how can boomers
stay in the game?
Kayser quotes Alvin Toffler: The illit-
erate of the 21st century will not be those
who cannot read and write, but those who
cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.
He discusses his method for how older
workers can maintain their value by stay-
ing R-E-L-E-V-A-N-T.
What it means to learn, unlearn and
relearn. The ever-shifting sands of technol-
ogy pose a special challenge to older work-
ers. Younger professionals not only grew up
working and entertaining themselves with
screens, they also learned to adapt to tech-
nological leaps. A program you learn today
may not be relevant in a few years, so keep
an open and flexible mind.
Being R-E-L-E-V-A-N-T Take this
mnemonic device to heart: Risk, Experi-
ment, Listen and Learn, Engage, Value,
Attitude of gratitude, No to negativity, and
Time. This is an ongoing, evolving note to
keep in your mind no matter your profes-
sional situation, Kayser says. Ive been
around a lot of charismatic and effervescent
folks in their 70s and 80s who are still suc-
cessful and growing, both on a personal and
business level. The acronym encompasses
the ideas that seem to promote a proactive
life.
Answer the question, What resonates
with you? This is a deceptively deep ques-
tion when you apply it to your lifes trajec-
tory. If life hasnt turned out to be what you
expected it would 30 years ago, then its
time to recalibrate how you see yourself, es-
pecially if thats as a perpetual pre-retiree. If
youre not sure of how you see yourself in
todays setting, start with what the spiritual
writer Joseph Campbell called the moving
power of your life, which can be sensed
by the things that resonate within you. The
things that resonate within you, such as an
unusual book, may just be the compass you
need to find your way.
(Steve Kayser is an award-winning writ-
er, editor, publisher, former radio host and
founder of Kayser Media. He has had the
great fortune to interview and collaborate
with some of the best minds in the busi-
ness world, and his eclectic approach to
public relations and marketing has been
widely documented. He recently published
The Greatest Words Youve Never Heart,
(www.stevekayser.com).)
Media expert shares tips for aging workers
Vistage. Not a group of Yes Men
Imagine a room full of experienced CEOs all
focusing on your companys challenges,
and not a yes-person among them.
Be our guest on Tuesday, July 22.
vistage.com/toledosuccess
Ag Credit named one of Ohios Best Employers
FOSTORIA Ag Credit,
ACA, was recently named #8 in
the Small/Medium Company cat-
egory of 2014 Best Employers in
Ohio. The annual list of the Best
Employers in Ohio was created
by the Ohio SHRM State Council
and Best Companies Group.
This statewide survey and awards pro-
gram is designed to identify, recognize
and honor the best places of employment
in Ohio, benefiting the states economy, its
workforce and businesses. The 2014 Best
Employers in Ohio list is made up of 40
companies.
Companies from across the state entered
the two-part survey process to determine the
Best Employers in Ohio. The first part con-
sisted of evaluating each nominated com-
panys workplace policies, practices, phi-
losophy, systems and demographics. This
part of the process was worth approximately
25% of the total evaluation. The second part
consisted of an employee survey to measure
the employee experience. This part of the
process was worth approximately 75% of
the total evaluation. The combined scores
determined the top companies and the final
ranking. Best Companies Group managed
the overall registration and survey process
in Ohio and also analyzed the data and used
their expertise to determine the final rank-
ing.
Ag Credit, ACA, is a mem-
ber-owned agricultural lending
cooperative serving the needs of
farmers, agribusiness, homeown-
ers and buyers with over 100 staff
members. As part of the nation-
wide Farm Credit System created
by Congress in 1916, Ag Credit
provides a dependable source of
funding for agriculturally related
enterprises. At Ag Credit/Country Mort-
gages, employees are on a first-name basis,

AIP offers a full range of
services
Warehousing Distribution
Transportation Pick and Pack
Freight Management
Transloading

300 Industrial Dr
Wapakoneta, OH 45895
419.738.9211
We're more than
]ust
Buildings and
Trucks.
www.aiplogistics.com
See AG CREDIT, page 7
By the Numbers
Permissive sales tax collections is one way of judging the relative health of a countys
economy. This bar graph compares 13 counties from 2007 (Column B) which predates the
Great Recession, 2009 (Column C) at the height of the downturn, and 2012 (Column D)
when the U.S. economy was said to be in full recovery.
Only Hancock County showed an increase in collections from the 2007 to 2009 time
periods but that also corresponded to an increase in the local tax rate. While all 13 counties
reported more tax revenue when comparing 2007 to 2012, indicating that reported county
sales had recovered from the recession, more than half saw increases greater than 20 percent.
Logan (21.6%), Hardin (21.8%), Auglaize (22.4%), Van Wert (24.6%), Putnam (30.4%),
and Paulding (33.5%) counties all saw significant gains in permissive sales tax collections
from 2007 to 2012. However, Hancock County led the pack by more than doubling its tax
revenue. Some of this increase was due to an increase in the tax rate in 2010.
Permissive sales tax collections through 2012
Unemployment Comparison for May
Statistics provided by Secretary of State Jon revealed 7,820 new entities filed to do busi-
ness in Ohio in May. These numbers are down compared to May of 2013, in which 8,229
new entities filed with the Secretary of State. The Secretary of States office has assisted
with 41,594 new business filings to date in 2014 (January-May). This is a slight increase
from the same time period last year, in which there were 40,733 new business filings.
During the previous two years, 2012 and 2013, the state saw a record-setting number
of new businesses file with 88,068 and 89,735 new companies filing to do business in
Ohio respectively. Growth in online business filings has been steady and available online
services continue to be expanded. Since the programs launch in October 2013, 9,569 new
companies have filed online. (Figures provided by the Secretary of States office.)
New Business Starts - May 2014
May May May
2014 2013 2009
Allen 5.2 7.7 11.4
Auglaize 3.6 5.1 11.2
Defiance 4.9 6.9 16.1
Hancock 4.0 5.7 10.2
Hardin 5.2 7.3 12.1
Henry 5.1 7.3 14.2
Logan 4.4 6.4 11.3
Mercer 3.0 4.3 9.0
Paulding 4.6 6.5 14.1
Putnam 4.1 5.8 10.5
Shelby 4.4 6.0 13.1
Van Wert 4.6 6.7 15.2
Wood 4.9 7.0 12.0
May reflected the continued falling of
unemployment rates in the region. Even
though the federal jobless rate remained un-
changed in the month at 6.3 percent, Ohios
percentage fell two-tenths of a point from 5.7
percent to 5.5 percent.
Locally, Mercer County continued its run as
the most-employed area by reporting a 3.0 per-
cent unemployment rate according to the Ohio
Department of Job and Family Services and the
Bureau of Labor Market Information. Hardin
and Allen counties were the highest at 5.2 per-
cent while Henry was close at 5.1 percent.
All 13 counties in the Business Journal
coverage area have shown significant drops
in their jobless rates when compared to the
both one and five years ago (see chart). How-
ever, in many cases the depth of the drop has
been spurred on not only by additional jobs
but also because of shrinking workforces.
In Van Wert County, the drop of the unem-
ployment rate from May 2009 (15.2%) to
May 2014 (4.6%) has been steep. However,
although there are now 1,900 fewer unem-
ployed people in the county, the workforce
total has also fallen, from 16,400 in 2009 to
13,000 in 2014.
Those drops in total reported employable
persons was mirrored around the region: Al-
May unemployment
rates dip again
len County from 52,200 to 45,400; Auglaize
County from 26,700 to 24,500; Wood County
from 68,000 to 63,300; and Defiance County
from 21,800 to 17,800. Even Mercer County,
which has remained one of the most fully em-
ployed parts of Ohio over the past few years,
has seen a decrease in the total workforce
from 25,400 to 24,000. These falls could be
a result of people moving from the area, the
termination of unemployment benefits, or the
cessation of a search for work. In the latter
two cases, those persons may still be living in
the county but are no longer counted for the
purpose of the unemployment calculations.
available online
Three tips for practicing mindfulness
in a multitasking workplace
BY DR. ROMIE MUCHTAQ
Google, eBay, Intel and General Mills
offer classes on it. So do Harvard Business
School, Ross School of Business and Cla-
remont Graduate University, among other
campuses. Mindfulness is not just a corpo-
rate trend, but a proven method for success.
Mindfulness being focused and fully
present in the here and now is good for in-
dividuals and good for a businesss bottom
line.
How can people practice it in a work-
place where multitasking is the norm, and
concerns for future profits can add to work-
place stress?
Even if a company doesnt make it part
of the culture, employees and managers can
substitute their multitasking habits with
mindfulness in order to reduce stress and in-
crease productivity, says Dr. Romie Mush-
taq, www.BrainBodyBeauty.com, a neurolo-
gist with expertise in Mind-Body medicine
and Mindful Living.
The result that you and your colleagues
will notice is that youre sharper, more ef-
ficient and more creative.
Dr. Romie says the physiological ben-
efits of clearing away distractions and liv-
ing in the moment have been documented in
many scientific and medical studies.
Practicing mindfulness, whether its
simply taking deep breaths, or actually medi-
tating or doing yoga, has been shown to alter
the structure and function of the brain, which
is what allows us to learn, acquire new abili-
ties, and improve memory, she says. Ad-
vances in neuroimaging techniques have
taught us how these mindfulness-based tech-
niques affect neuroplasticity.
Multitasking, on the other hand, de-
presses the brains memory and analytical
functions, and it reduces blood flow to the
part of the right temporal lobe, which con-
tributes to our creative thinking. In todays
marketplace, creativity is key for innovation,
sustainability and leadership.
Romie offers these tips for practicing
mindfulness in a multitasking business:
Focus on a single task for an allotted
amount of time. You might say, For 15 min-
utes, Im going to read through my emails,
and then for one hour, Im going to make my
phone calls, Dr. Romie says.
If your job comes with constant interrup-
tions that demand your attention, take sever-
al deep breaths and then prioritize them. Re-
sist the urge to answer the phone every time
it rings unless its your boss. If someone
asks you to drop what youre doing to help
with a problem, its OK to tell them, Ill be
finished with what Im doing in 10 minutes,
then Im all yours.
When you get stuck in a task, change
your physical environment to stimulate your
senses. Sometimes we bounce from one task
to another because we just dont have the
words to begin writing that strategic plan, or
were staring at a problem and have no ideas
for solutions.
Thats the time to get up, take a walk
outside and look at the flowers and the birds
change what youre seeing, Dr. Romie
says. Or turn on some relaxing music that
makes you feel happy.
Offering your senses pleasant and dif-
ferent stimulation rewires your brain for
relaxation, and reduces the effects of stress
hormones, which helps to unfreeze your cre-
ativity center.
Delegate! We often have little control
over the external stresses in our life, particu-
larly on the job. How can you not multitask
when five people want five different things
from you at the same time?
Have compassion for yourself, and
reach out for help, Dr. Romie says. If you
can assign a task to somebody else whos ca-
pable of handling it, do so. If you need to ask
a colleague to help you out, ask!
This will not only allow you to focus on
the tasks that most need your attention, it
will reduce your stress.
And who knows? The colleague youre
asking for help may want to feel appreciated
and part of your team!
While it is possible to practice mindful-
ness in a hectic workplace, Dr. Romie says
she encourages business leaders to make it
part of the company culture. Stress-related
illnesses are the number one cause of missed
employee workdays.
Offering mindfulness training and yoga
classes or giving people time and a place to
meditate is an excellent investment, she
says. Your companys performance will im-
prove, youll see a reduction in stress-related
illnesses and youll be a more successful
businessperson.
(Dr. Romie Muchtaq is a mind-body med-
icine physician and neurologist. She did her
medical education and training at the Medi-
cal University of South Carolina, Univer-
sity of Pittsburgh Medical Center and
University of Michigan, where she won
numerous teaching and research awards.
She brings to healing both her exper-
tise of traditional Western medical training
and Eastern modalities of mindfulness. She
is currently a corporate health consultant
and professional health and wellness life
coach at the Center for Natural and Integra-
tive Medicine in Orlando, Florida. She is
also an international professional speaker,
addressing corporate audiences, health and
wellness conferences and non-profit orga-
nizations. Her website is www.BrainBody-
Beauty.com.)
Neurologist shares the science behind effectiveness
Business Journal of WC Ohio

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Ag Credit
(Continued from Page 5)
Tuttle Services announces new president/CEO
INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL ROOFING
CottermanRoofng.com
Minster, Dayton & Columbus
(800) 713-3190
LIMA Tuttle Services, Inc. announces
executive leadership transitions and the
promotion of Paul S. Crow from President
of Tuttle Construction to President/CEO of
Tuttle Services.
Clyde Rauch, former President/CEO,
will remain as Chairman of the Board for
Tuttle Services.
Crow will lead the parent company,
Tuttle Services and the two subsidiary
companies, Tuttle Construction and Touch-
stone CPM, into the future and continue the
organizations unmatched passion of build-
ing excellence and client satisfaction. Crow
will draw upon his 30 years of construction
industry experience to further strengthen
the longstanding Built on Quality pro-
fessional standards Tuttle Construction
and Touchstone CPM is known for in the
industry.
I look forward to guiding Tuttle Ser-
vices through this ever changing environ-
ment and continue to expand our target
market business base, partnership oppor-
tunities and continuing the Tuttle legacy,
commented Crow.
Crow joined the Tuttle organization in
1995 as Director of Design/Build Services
with seven years of experience as an Esti-
mator and four years experience as a Proj-
ect Engineer. In August 2000, Paul became
the Vice President of Tuttle Services, Inc.
Ten years later, he was appointed President
of Tuttle Construction.
In addition to his new role, Crow is
actively involved with The Associated
General Contractors (AGC) of America
and was the 2013 AGC of Ohio President.
Crow is active in a number of civic orga-
nizations and a past board member for the
Allen County Council on Aging, Good-
will Industries, ArtSpace/Lima and Board
Member Business Advisory Committee for
Shawnee Local Schools. He is also a mem-
ber of the Lima Rotary Club.
Crow is a Lima native and graduated
from Perry High School and Apollo Career
Center. He pursued higher education by at-
tending Bowling Green State University
where he earned a Bachelor of Science de-
gree in Construction Technology.
(Since its origin in 1928, Tuttle has
built a strong reputation throughout the
region by consistently exceeding cus-
tomers expectations. Tuttle offers a wide
range of construction services for the
industrial, institutional and commercial
markets. Construction Management ser-
vices are also provided through Tuttle
Services subsidiary, Touchstone CPM.
Operating on a philosophy based on
professional ethics and high standards,
Tuttle is driven to provide successful proj-
ects that include value-added intangibles,
which foster long-term relationships. For
more information, please visit www.tut-
tlenet.com.)
937.498.2381 www.ferguson-construction.com
Building our Region
for over 90 Years
i ndustri al
i nsti tuti onal
heal thcare
commerci al
speci al proj ects
I look forward to guiding Tuttle Services through this
ever changing environment and continue to expand our
target market business base, partnership opportunities
and continuing the Tuttle legacy.
Paul S. Crow
President/CEO of Tuttle Services
Miller Precision
Mfg. Industries, Inc.
131 Progressive Dr. P.O. Box 489
Ottoville, Ohio 45876
CNC Precision Machining Small & Large Production Runs
Fixtures Special Machinery & Tooling
Secondary Machine Operations
Phone 419-453-3251 FAX 419-453-3030
www.millerprecision.com
BY JACK DALY
If youre the CEO of a company, the re-
alization that much of what you do can be
copied by your competitors may be distress-
ing, but veteran sales manager, consultant
and business speaker Jack Daly says not so
fast.
Sure your competition copy what they
can, but there are two things they cant: your
people and your culture, says Daly, author
of Hyper Sales Growth, (www.jackdaly.
net).
I specialize in corporate coaching and
sales, the latter of which really counts on the
talent and sustained motivation of the sales
force. Even your best salesperson needs that
extra shot from time to time, and the best
way to ensure a driven team is to create a
culture that fosters the results you want.
Some companies are outpacing their
competition because of their culture, includ-
ing Southwest Airlines, Zappos and the Vir-
gin Group, says Daly, who offers these tips
for growing a business culture that inspires
loyalty, engagement and the high perfor-
mance those qualities produce.
Start new hires on a Friday and with
a big welcome. Many managers think new
employees should start on Monday the
day when their new co-workers are fac-
ing a long to-do list for the week. Consider
starting them on Friday, when the office is
a bit looser. Also how about throwing the
new hire a welcoming party? Many offices
hold going away parties for departing em-
ployees, but it makes more sense to put this
enthusiasm toward the person with whom
youre making a commitment, rather than
the person whos no longer working for you.
Recognize accomplishments by putting
it in writing handwriting. Typing emails
and instant messaging is clearly much more
convenient, which is why an employee who
deserves special attention will recognize the
extra effort behind a hand-written note. A
letter has that personal touch; the receiver
knows that the manager or CEO has taken
some time and effort to create a special
communication just for him or her.
Provide lunch for free. One of my
clients started with just 10 employees, and
each day one would bring in lunch for ev-
eryone, Daly says. As the company grew
to several hundred employees, the CEO
found that free lunches were so beneficial,
the company now hires a caterer to main-
tain the boost in culture it provides. While
many may cringe at the expense, employee
appreciation outweighs the cost, Dalys cli-
ent says, and it keeps people engaged with-
in the office, rather than having employees
leave for lunch.
Flatten the privilege structure. Its not
a good idea to create anything resembling a
class system, including special parking for
upper management. I was
the No.1 salesmen at one
company, but I always pre-
ferred to park with the oth-
ers, Daly says. Id come
in at 5 a.m. and noticed that
those with reserved parking
arrived significantly later
than those who parked in
unreserved spots. Parking
should be on a first-come,
first-serve basis. Upper
management shouldnt feel
too entitled or privileged
above other employees.
(Jack Daly, (www.jackdaly.net), author
of Hyper Sales Growth, is an expert in
sales and sales management, inspiring audi-
ences to take action in customer loyalty and
personal motivation through explosive key-
note and general session presentations. He
draws upon more than 20 years of business
experience, with several successful stints as
the CEO of fast-growing companies. Daly
has a bachelors degree in accounting and
an MBA. He was a captain in U.S. Army and
is an accomplished author, with audio and
DVD programs.)
Four tricks for creating a winning corporate culture
CEO & Sales guru says the right culture fosters engagement, loyalty & productivity
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I specialize in corporate
coaching and sales, the latter
of which really counts on
the talent and sustained
motivation of the sales
force. Even your best
salesperson needs that
extra shot from time to
time, and the best way to
ensure a driven team is to
create a culture that fosters
the results you want.
Jack Daly,
sales manager, consultant
and business speaker
The Business
Journal
Distributed in 13
counties...
ALLEN, AUGLAIZE,
DEFIANCE,
HANCOCK,
HARDIN, HENRY.
LOGAN, MERCER,
PAULDING,
PUTNAM, SHELBY,
VAN WERT, WOOD
The hard side of training, and
the soft side of learning
The hard side of training, and
the soft side of learning.
When a new sales representa-
tive is hired, a company provides
what is known as orientation and
ramp up. Once those elements are
complete, the company believes the
salesperson can go out and begin
earning money.
First, its a heavy dose of prod-
uct training. The company and their
trainers will spend days, sometimes
weeks, on what it is, how it
works, how its used, and a
myriad of other semi-useful facts.
Overlooked of course is how the
customer profits from it, and what the custom-
ers motive to buy it is. Hello!
Im about to give you a major AHA! for all
product training. Forever. Trainers and training
departments will scoff at this because it will
mean a huge reduction in what they do and how
they do it.
MAJOR CLUE: All product training should
be given at a customers place of business. This
is where your product is actually used. This is
where a salesperson can gain real-world infor-
mation about practical application, about flaws
and service needs, and about merits and features
that are most valuable to the actual user.
If enough time is spent at the customers
place, salespeople will also uncover why the
product was purchased, how the product was
purchased, and the value the product has. Its
also likely, salespeople will dispel the single
most erroneous aspect of sales: the customer
only buys price.
REALITY: The customer only buys price
is an excuse propagated by weak and lazy sales-
people.
BIGGER REALITY: If companies like Hal-
liburton are able to sell hammers to the govern-
ment for $6,000, somehow you should be able
to get your price if you are within a few points
or dollars of your competition.
BIGGEST REALITY: The reason salespeo-
ple deal with price is because they have no idea
about the buying motives and actual product
use. Reason? Product training took place in the
corporate classroom, where I maintain it is just
south of useless.
So much for hard (product) skills.
Now its time for the harder part the soft
skills the selling skills.
Soft skills can be taught one of three ways:
1. In-house training. Company trainers that
may also include best salespeople, and outside
courseware trained in-house.
2. Outside training. Should be presented by
someone who can sell an off-the-shelf solution
with the intention that the salesperson will learn
general sales, or a system of selling, or a cus-
tomized sales process where specific aspects of
the product and customer are taught.
3. Voice of customer training. Voice of the
customer training is when an existing customer
tells their story of use of product (what their
history is), why they bought it, what their ex-
perience has been, how they felt about it after
purchase, and why they would recommend it.
PERSONAL NOTE: For the
past 20 years, I have built my rep-
utation on utilizing my expertise
combined with voice of customer. I
consider the training department vi-
tally important, because they are the
glue and history of the companys
success. These elements, if com-
bined correctly, can make any sales-
person or sales team THE dominant
player(s) in their market without
respect to price.
The reason that soft skills, or
selling skills, are the most impor-
tant, yet most perplexing, aspect of
sales success is because they must be
accepted by the salesperson as valid, believable,
and transferable before they can be successfully
deployed. The salesperson must say to his or
herself, I agree with this. I think I can do this.
Im willing to put this into practice.
Most important, the salesperson must do it
his or her way, in his or her style, using his or
her personality. That way the entire execution of
the selling process is transferred to the customer
as both authentic and believable.
If youre a salesperson, and hungry for
greater success, its important that you improve
your soft skills to a point where they are equal to
or greater than your product knowledge.
Please understand Im not talking about
learning some old-world, find-the pain, manipu-
lative sales process. In todays selling, making
a sales pitch and closing the sale are pretty
much over.
The biggest soft skill challenges in todays
sales process are finding the decision maker,
creating harmony, engaging, proving value,
transferring an emotional message, and earning
the sale.
SALES REALITY: The hard skills (prod-
uct) can be pounded in by a training department,
but the soft skills have to be accepted as valid by
the salesperson.
Ive just given you a thirty thousand foot
perspective on the new science of selling. Its
what I know to be true because I have executed
it myself and created my own success with it.
Some of you will accept it. Some will not.
JEFFREY REALITY: Im sitting in a Star-
bucks at the Marriot Marquis in New York City.
New York City is where most of my selling
skills were acquired and polished.
Im smiling, reminiscing, and calling to
mind not just the soft skill sales success, but
also the immortal words sung by Frank Sinatra,
If I can make it there, Ill make it anywhere.
So can you. Come to New York City, make a
few sales, and find out for yourself.
Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of The Sales Bible,
Customer Satisfaction is Worthless Customer Loyalty is
Priceless, The Little Red Book of Selling, The Little Red
Book of Sales Answers, The Little Black Book of Connec-
tions, The Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude, The Little
Green Book of Getting Your Way, The Little Platinum
Book of Cha-Ching, The Little Teal Book of Trust, The
Little Book of Leadership, and Social BOOM! His web-
site, www.gitomer.com, will lead you to more information
about training and seminars, or email him personally at
salesman@gitomer.com.
Jeffrey Gitomer
COLUMBUS - The Occupational Safety
& Health Administration sponsored the Na-
tional Safety Stand-Down to prevent falls in
construction from June 2 6. STEADY U
Ohio, the states falls prevention initiative,
and the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensa-
tion supported the national event, recogniz-
ing that the construction workforce is aging.
Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in
the construction industry, and many of these
deaths are preventable. In Ohio, 22 people,
on average, die from construction-related
falls each year, and more are injured. In older
workers, these injuries can be devastating.
With Ohios aging workforce, it is more
important than ever to prevent falls and inju-
ries on job sites. Roofs and ladders are particularly risky for older workers, said Bonnie
K. Burman, Sc.D., director of the Ohio Department of Aging, which leads the STEADY
U initiative. Just as we all need training to keep up with changes in technology to better
do our jobs, we need training to adjust to our changing senses and balance as we grow
older to prevent injuries from falls.
The construction workforce in the state and nation is aging due to a number of fac-
tors, including a shortage of qualified workers in some sectors, economic factors that
make workers choose to stay employed longer, and technology that has made once de-
manding tasks easier and safer. While much of falls prevention in construction focuses
on falls from heights (such as from a ladder or scaffold), older workers are more likely
to be hospitalized for slipping and tripping accidents.
Slips, trips and falls are the leading cause of lost time injuries in construction and
account for 33% of all lost-time injuries, said BWC Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer.
Providing workers with the right accommodations and equipment, and assuring that
they have the knowledge and training to use them properly, will help prevent future falls
on construction sites.
A Safety Stand-Down was a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to em-
ployees about safety. STEADY U and BWC encouraged Ohio construction companies
and contractors to identify risk areas for falls, particularly those involving their older
employees, and then improve the environment to prevent future falls. OSHA provides
resources to help companies conduct a safety stand-down at www.osha.gov/Stop-
FallsStandDown/.
With BWC as a partner, STEADY U Ohio offers resources for all types of businesses
to create fall-free zones, including a tip sheet, hazard checklist and sample falls pre-
vention policies and incident reporting forms. Visit www.steadyu.ohio.gov and follow
SteadyUOhio on Facebook and Twitter for more tips and ideas.
(About STEADY U Ohio Falls are an epidemic among our elders and are the num-
ber one cause of injuries leading to ER visits, hospital stays and deaths in Ohioans age
65-plus. STEADY U Ohio is a comprehensive falls prevention initiative led by Governor
John Kasich and the Ohio Department of Aging, and supported by Ohio government and
state business partners to strengthen existing falls prevention activities, identify oppor-
tunities for new initiatives and coordinate a statewide educational campaign to bring
falls prevention to the forefront of planning for individuals, families, health care pro-
viders, business and community leaders and all Ohioans. Visit www.steadyu.ohio.gov.)
Partnership aims to prevent
falls in construction during
National Safety Stand-Down
Industry adopting a steady approach to
preventing injuries for an aging workforce
Robinson Warehouse expands
to Fletcher, Ohio facility
FLETCHER Robinson Investments
LTD., owner of Robinson Warehouse,
Wright Distribution Centers Inc., Logan
Express LLC, and Robinson Building So-
lutions, has purchased the 297,940 SF fa-
cility located at 6990 U.S. Route 36 East in
Fletcher, Ohio. They have filled 80,000 SF
and are ready to fill an additional 120,000
SF. Robinson Investments began in 1998
and has various facilities located in Colum-
bus, Marysville, Lima and Van Wert. This
Fletcher facility will be their most south-
ern location and will be approximately one
hour from their corporate headquarters in
Bellefontaine, Ohio.
Robinson Warehouse provides the facil-
ities and labor to supply a wide variety of
logistic functions such as; purchasing and
procurement, packaging, transportation,
warehousing, and reverse logistics. Robin-
son stated, We have the best pricing struc-
ture that does it faster, better and cheaper
than our competitors. Our seasoned in
house management team consists of 140
talented people in the warehousing, logis-
tics and construction industry. For more
information call 937.593.1849.
Tim Echemann of Industrial Property
Brokers represented the buyer, Robin-
son Investments LTD. Echemann said,
The Robinson ever-expanding company
needed more space. This facility provided
them with the space they needed now and
enough for their future growth plans. The
ESFR Sprinkler system, heavy power and
21 docks will be a perfect fit for the Robin-
son diversified company and their multiple
tenants.
This facility was most recently the
former home of Systemax, which had
previously acquired Midwest Micro
and Infotel in this location in 1997. Sys-
temax was founded in 1949 as Global
Equipment Company and has grown into
a fortune 1000 company and
has acquired companies such
as Tiger Direct, Comp USA
and Circuit City along the
way. They are headquarters
in Port Washington, New
York and are the leading re-
tailer for brand name and pri-
vate label electronic products
and serve any one from the
individual consumer to small
business, large corporations,
government organizations,
and value added resellers.
Systemax employs over
5,000 people across the United States and
EMEA.
(Industrial Property Brokers is a pre-
mier full service real estate company of-
fering sales, leasing, investment analysis,
tenant representation, and property man-
agement throughout Western Ohio and
Eastern Indiana. The company is located at
213 N. Ohio Ave., Sidney, Ohio. For more
information visit www.industrialproperty.
biz or call 937-492-4423.)
Shown is the building recently purchased by Robinson Warehouse in Fletcher, Ohio.
With facilities already in Columbus, Marysville, Lima, and Van Wert, the new site will
represent the southernmost building in the company. (Photo submitted)
937.492.4423
. . . Global Approach
Local Resources
www.industrialproperty.biz
Commercial & Industrial
Solutions for Over 30 Years.
Recent transactions in Mexico, California,
North Dakota and Tennessee
Sidney Offce
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Sidney, Ohio 45365
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419.222.1109
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We bring electricity to life.
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COLUMBUS New research released
today by Connect Ohio shows that 86.73%
of Ohio households have access to fixed
broadband at 25 Mbps download/1.5 Mbps
upload speeds across the state, a 25 percent-
age point increase compared to two and a
half years ago. Connect Ohio is a subsidiary
of Connected Nation which does mapping
research and policy in 10 states compris-
ing over 36% of nations landmass. Ohios
availability of 86.73% availability at 25
Mbps compares to the national average of
other Connected Nation states at 78.6%
availability. Ohio broadband availability
at 768 Kbps download/200 Kbps upload is
now at 98.79%, not including mobile wire-
less service.
A 25 percentage point increase in 25
Mbps speeds is evidence of Ohios provid-
ers investing in increased capacity, said
Stu Johnson, executive director of Connect
Ohio. However it also demonstrates that
the investment is concentrated in enhancing
existing infrastructure as the percentage of
Ohioans with less than 768 Kbps availabil-
ity remains unchanged.
Much progress has been made to in-
crease broadband accessibility across Ohio.
I commend all of the broadband stakehold-
ers who continue to work together to ad-
dress this issue, said Senator Joe Uecker,
chairman of the Ohio broadband and tech-
nology caucus. However, accessibility is-
sues still exist, particularly in Appalachia;
stakeholders must continue to focus their
efforts on this area to promote economic
development and educational opportunities
in the region.
Among the findings of the new broad-
band availability research:
90% of Ohios households now have
access to broadband service of at least 10
Mbps download/1.5 Mbps upload; this is an
increase of over 16 percentage points from
October 2011.
83.73% of Ohios households now
have access to broadband service of at least
50 Mbps download/1.5 Mbps upload; an
increase of 22 percentage points from Oc-
tober 2011.
86.73% of Ohios households now
have access to broadband service of at least
25 Mbps download/1.5 Mbps upload; this
is an increase of 25 percentage points from
October 2011.
Since October 2013, Ohio access
to broadband service at 25 Mbps down-
load/1.5 Mbps upload has increased almost
3 percentage points.
8.03% of Ohio households now
have access to broadband availability at
100 Mbps download/1.5 Mbps upload, an
increase of 7 percentage points since Octo-
ber 2011.
This is the ninth comprehensive broad-
band availability data release from Connect
Ohio through the State Broadband Initia-
tive (SBI). Connect Ohio is a subsidiary
of Connected Nation, which does mapping
research and policy in 10 states comprising
over 36% of the nations landmass.
Connect Ohios website is home to an
innovative broadband mapping tool called
My ConnectView offering unmatched
views of Ohios technology landscape.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to
use the interactive map to find area provid-
ers and help validate the data. To report that
broadband is not available in a given area,
consumers can fill out a broadband inquiry.
Connect Ohios research was conducted
as part of the SBI grant program for Ohio,
funded by the NTIA. The data were gath-
ered in accordance with the requirements
of the NTIA. The process begins by con-
tacting all known providers in the state and
providing information about the broadband
mapping project. Information on broadband
service areas is collected from each pro-
vider through voluntary participation and is
subject to confidentiality protections. Con-
nected Nation strives to maintain a flexible
mapping process to collect data from pro-
viders in a variety of formats based on pro-
viders technical capabilities and resources.
(About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio,
a division of Connected Nation, is a lead-
ing technology organization committed to
bringing affordable high-speed Internet
and broadband-enabled resources to all
Ohioans. Connect Ohio effectively raises
the awareness of the value of broadband
and works to improve technology access,
adoption, and use through its programs.
Connect Ohio is a nonprofit, technology-
neutral public-private partnership.)
Broadband availability increases across Ohio
VOLVO AND GMC TRUCK
SALES
SERVICE
LEASING
800- 354- 7946
I-75 & SR 65, Lima
www.ssvolvo.com
Check us
out
online:

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2012 BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. All rights reserved.

is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc.

building system. As your local Butler Builder

is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc.

building system. As your local Butler Builder

is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc.

building system. As your local Butler Builder

is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc.

building system. As your local Butler Builder

building system. As your local Butler Builder

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