First Posted: 3/26/2015
DELPHOS — The Delphos Area Economic Growth Partnership recently appointed a new director, a move she says is “the start of kind of forming a plan for Delphos.”
Sue Gerker, named Monday as the partnership’s director, said a plan for the city has never been in the forefront.
Though the community has a Community Improvement Corporation, Chamber of Commerce and other leaders, the partnership, formed about six months ago, is a way of uniting all the different community groups, Gerker said.
“Among the city’s best assets are the community leaders dedicated to making Delphos a great place to work and live,” Gerker said in a statement. “A group of individuals united several months ago because of their belief in the city, and the result is the Delphos Area Economic Growth Partnership.”
Gerker is a Delphos native who has been working in Van Wert as the project manager at the Van Wert County Economic Development office.
The creation of an economic growth partnership shows “people outside looking at the community that we’re committed,” she said. “It helps us put our best foot forward.”
The city has assets, like hard working people, to appeal to businesses, Gerker said.
“We just have the work ethic of small town families that work hard,” she said.
The partnership “will work with all entities to ensure current employers have what they need to prosper as well as prepare for future development,” according to a statement from Gerker.
Cindy Metzger, a founder of the partnership, said there is “incredible momentum” in the city.
“I am confident that Sue will be able to hit the ground running, including working with stakeholders in all sectors of the planning and economic development community,” according to a statement from Metzger. “Sue has the kind of experience, knowledge, skills and abilities we need to help grow the Delphos area.”
Gerker is “humbled” to be asked to direct the group, she said in a statement.
“Together we will work to bring some success stories to our area,” she said.
