Stakeholders Summit follow-up planned

VW independent/submitted information

The second phase of a Stakeholders Summit event held at Wassenberg Art Center back in April is coming next week.

Van Wert County Economic Development Director Sarah Smith said that the two-day session, planned for Wednesday and Thursday, June 24-25, will include breakout sessions the first day and an all-day final “planning powwow” on Thursday.

Breakout sessions Wednesday are planned with economic development players (including manufacturers) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with a session from 2-4 p.m. focused on visitors to the area, while solo workers, entrepreneurs and representatives of ag-related fields will get together from 4-6 on Wednesday.

A summary report of the individual breakout sessions will be held from 6:30-8 Wednesday evening, including school and workforce development representatives, and will include a casual dinner.

On Thursday, local development stakeholders will get together to build a plan for Van Wert County. The group will identify resources and priorities during the all-day session, which will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We all understand the vital role our collaboration and unified effort has played for Van Wert,” Smith said. “Let’s continue the trend and move forward together.”