Business briefs: Discover Richland, Avita, Rotunda Scientific Technologies, Firelands

USA TODAY NETWORK
·5 min read

Discover Richland economic development tour set for Nov. 3

Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development is inviting participants to join its "Discover Richland - Economic Development Tour 2023" from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Designed for leaders in every industry, this tour will immerse participants in the details of ongoing projects, providing insights into their history, current status and future plans. Participants will also be able to visit recently expanded businesses in the community.

Tour highlights include: Main Street Corridor Improvement Project; Westinghouse Redevelopment; West End Neighborhood Improvement Plan; Lloyd Rebar; Shelby Economic Development Plan; Black Fork Brewing (lunch and beer tasting); North Central State College - Intel and Industry Partnerships; Ontario Commerce Park; Valley View Farms - Bellville housing project; and the YMCA of North Central Ohio indoor/outdoor sports complex.

The tour will commence and conclude at the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, 55 N. Mulberry St., Mansfield. Registration is $125, which includes lunch and transportation.

For registration and inquiries, contact Angie Cirone at 419-522-3211 or acirone@richlandareachamber.com. More information can also be found on the Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development website.

Avita earns accreditation for bariatric weight-loss program

GALION — Dr. Thomas Smith, metabolic and bariatric surgery director at Avita Health System, has announced that the Avita Center for Bariatric Surgery at Galion Hospital has been accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), a joint Quality Program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

MBSAQIP-accredited centers offer preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for patients with obesity.

Thomas Smith, DO, with the certification of accreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).
Thomas Smith, DO, with the certification of accreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

Dr. Smith has performed more than 1,000 weight loss surgeries during his career and is fellowship-trained on robotic-assisted surgical techniques that may reduce pain, scarring, and often result in shorter recovery times. As of Sept. 1, he is joined by bariatric surgeon Dr. Justin Eagleston.

To earn MBSAQIP Accreditation, the Avita Center for Bariatric Surgery met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure and patient care pathways, ensuring its ability to support patients with obesity. The center also participates in a national data registry that yields semiannual reports on the quality of its surgical outcomes and identifying opportunities for quality improvement.

After applying for MBSAQIP Accreditation, the Avita Center for Bariatric Surgery had to undergo an extensive site visit by an experienced bariatric surgeon who reviews the center's structure, processes and clinical outcomes data.

Mansfield company wins federal contract

WASHINGTON, D. C. — Rotunda Scientific Technologies of Mansfield recently won a federal contract award for $48,148 from the Department of Defense Defense Logistics Agency, Portsmouth, Virginia. The contract is for a TLD card storage system. TLD cards are used to measure ionizing radiation.

Co-op members and state legislators tour Ohio coal-fired power plant

NEW LONDON — Firelands Electric Cooperative recently had the opportunity to show its members and several prominent political figures how and where their electric power is generated.

On Wednesday, Sept. 13, 27 cooperative members and guests traveled to the Cardinal Power Plant, along the Ohio River in Brilliant, Ohio. Following an introductory presentation and Q&A session, attendees participated in a guided tour of the plant. State Rep. Marilyn John and State Rep. Melanie Miller, along with Ashland Mayor Matt Miller, joined co-op members as they toured the innovative power plant facility, including technology to reduce carbon emissions.

John represents District 76, which includes Richland County. Miller, who serves District 67, represents Ashland County and portions of Medina County.

Firelands General Manager Dan McNaull, left, stands with Cardinal plant manager Bethany Schunn and Ohio elected leaders Matt Miller, Melanie Miller, and Marilyn John while touring the Cardinal power plant with members of the Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives.
Firelands General Manager Dan McNaull, left, stands with Cardinal plant manager Bethany Schunn and Ohio elected leaders Matt Miller, Melanie Miller, and Marilyn John while touring the Cardinal power plant with members of the Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives.

Owned by Buckeye Power, which is the generation and transmission cooperative for Ohio’s 24 distribution cooperatives, the Cardinal Power Plant has three coal-fired generating units with the capacity to produce 1,800 megawatts of electricity. It's considered one of the cleanest of its kind in the world. This coal-fired plant provides power to 1 million people across the Buckeye State, employs more than 300 people, and is a major economic force in the region.

Firelands Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility serving more than 9,200 homes and businesses in rural areas of Ashland, Huron, Lorain and Richland counties.

Ohio clean energy jobs grew 4.6% in 2022

COLUMBUS — Clean energy businesses in Ohio added more than 5,000 workers in 2022, now employing 114,395 Ohioans. That’s according to a new analysis of employment data released by the national, nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs) and Evergreen Climate Innovations.

The energy efficiency sector continued to lead clean energy in total jobs in 2022 in Ohio with more than 76,400 workers. The fastest growing sector in 2022 in Ohio was clean transportation with 13% growth, adding more than 2,573 new jobs for a total of 22,431 workers.

TechCred results announced for July

COLUMBUS — Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who serves as director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, has announced the results of the July round of TechCred, in which 430 employers were approved for funding, providing the opportunity for Ohioans to earn 4,961 tech-focused credentials.

The program helps businesses address their workforce needs by upskilling current and prospective employees. Businesses of all sizes, from any industry, are eligible for up to $30,000 per round and up to $180,000 per year. Some of the top industries awarded during this round include manufacturing, construction and transportation and warehousing services.

The current, and 22nd application period, for Ohio employers opened Sept. 1 and will close at 3 p.m. on Sept. 29.

Mansfield News Journal

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Discover Richland, Avita accreditation, federal contract, Firelands