Second phase of ED summit begins Wed.

Van Wert independent

A group of local economic development stakeholders gathered Wednesday to begin the second phase of an ED Stakeholders Summit.

Wednesday’s meeting featured several breakout groups, with 30 people attending the first session, 16 the second and eight for the third and final session. A total of 18 then attended a dinner Wednesday evening summarizing the day’s discussion.

According to Van Wert County Economic Development Director Sarah Smith, the common theme for the discussions was the need for a unified economic development program in the county to satisfy local ED plans.

Smith said those attending would like to see local development organizations run like a business, with focus on the areas of sales and marketing, infrastructure and capital programs, workforce education and organizational leadership in each of four targeted areas: manufacturing, visitor-driven, agriculture and solo worker.

Smith noted that today’s session, which will run from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Van Wert Elks Lodge, will delve deeper into funding and organizational questions — who does what and how will it be funded.