Lydia Mihalik, the Ohio Department of Development director, shared her optimism about Ohio’s economic growth during the 40th annual meeting of the Putnam County Community Improvement Corp. on Thursday night in Ottawa.
OTTAWA — The Putnam County Community Improvement Corporation marked 40 years of growth by celebrating Thursday afternoon in one of the county’s latest projects.
The CIC hosted its 40th annual meeting, starting at the the Dumont Building, where the Ottawa Brewing Company celebrated its grand opening Thursday. The evening began with a social hour offering drinks and snacks for the attendees. The brewery was one of many accomplishments the PCCIC celebrated in their meeting.
Lydia Mihalik, Ohio Department of Development Director and former mayor of Findlay, served as the keynote speaker and delivered a reassuring and influential message to the audience about Ohio’s growth and potential for the future.
Mihalik mentioned big companies such as Intel and Amazon and how they have greatly influenced parts of the state. She said this has been possible for Northwest Ohio, but the cards weren’t in place during those times. In 2024 and beyond, things are different.
“We’re fixing that. Working with our partners in the general assembly through the All-Ohio Future Fund, we are investing more than $750 million to support communities for one-time infrastructure needs,” Mihalik said.
She continued to share with the audience how hopeful and confident she is of Ohio.
“Ohio has more opportunities today than it has ever had before. More businesses are coming here, more things are being made here, and more people are seeing the unlimited potential that our state has to offer,” she said. “The future is looking incredibly bright.”
Following Mihalik, the Amy Sealts, the director of the CIC, shared the word that best described the past year with the audience: Relentless.
“The relentless undying perseverance to keep going and keep up the pace is really important,” Sealts said.
Sealts explained what the PCCIC had done over the last year, highlighting the success of downtown Ottawa while reiterating its importance to the community. For the future, she touched on many goals and projects, both long-term and short-term that the CIC will work on, such as cleaning up the former Phillips building, revitalizing up to 29 properties, launching the good funds’ grant program and partnering with Ohio Northern University to bring new training and education to the county.
The meeting concluded with the PCCIC awarding a handful of businesses on their success over the past year.
Reach Cade Higgins at 567-242-0351
