Business briefs: TechSpark, Women In Industry exhibit, Gorman-Rupp contract, free backpack

Mansfield News Journal
·3 min read

RCDG selected as part of Microsoft’s national TechSpark program

Richland Community Development Group (RCDG) will be working with Microsoft TechSpark to foster inclusive economic opportunity, job creation and innovation in Richland County.

Technology is reshaping how people work, yet many do not have the digital skills needed to succeed in the changing workforce. Richland Community Development Group and the Mansfield-Richland Area Educational Foundation (Chamber Foundation) will develop and deliver solutions to close the digital skills gap for young people and adults.

This effort will be supported by a Microsoft grant to fund a TechSpark community engagement fellow, who will spearhead local efforts, working with local partners to provide inclusive digital skilling. This fellowship represents the first time TechSpark has worked in Ohio.

Chamber Foundation Director Angie Cirone will serve as the TechSpark Community Engagement Fellow.

Earlier this year, Microsoft announced the expansion of its TechSpark program to tackle digital inclusion in four focus areas: digital access, digital skills, computer science education, and digital transformation with local based organizations. Since its inception in 2017, TechSpark has helped its eight communities secure more than $125 million in community funding, skill 55,000 people, and create 3,300 jobs.

NC Ohio Industrial Museum plans exhibit honoring Women in Industry

The North Central Ohio Industrial Museum is embarking on the creation of a Women in Industry exhibit to honor local women who have been pioneers in manufacturing success for the region.

Local manufacturers are being asked to provide black and white or color images that depict the importance of women in industry, along with names, dates, title, and captions (limit 75 words) in order to highlight the variety of their roles, jobs performed and community service over the last 125 years.

The museum is also seeking help in raising $9,700 to help design and build the exhibit. With each nominee there will be a $200 fee unless a benefactor steps forward. Museum officials hope to complete this project in time for the Champions of Industry dinner on Aug. 31.

Email your Women in Industry nominee information and photos to Jerry Miller at Contact@ncoim.org or to NCOIM, 100 Reformatory Road, Mansfield, OH 44905 by Aug. 15.

For more information, contact Miller at 419-521-8107.

Gorman-Rupp wins federal contract

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Gorman-Rupp Company of Mansfield has won a federal contract award for $592,669 from the Defense Logistics Agency, Warren, Michigan, for pump unit hydraulic.

TCC and Wireless Zone to donate backpacks with school supplies on Sunday

FISHERS, Indiana — Round Room LLC, the nation’s largest Verizon authorized retailer, announces its TCC and Wireless Zone retailers will be donating 120,000 backpacks with school supplies through the 11th annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway. Since 2013, the School Rocks Backpack Giveaway has provided more than 1.3 million backpacks to children across the U.S. ahead of the upcoming academic year.

Verizon retailer Wireless Zone stores across the nation – including Mansfield – will be handing out backpacks full of school supplies starting at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Verizon retailer Wireless Zone stores across the nation – including Mansfield – will be handing out backpacks full of school supplies starting at 1 p.m. Sunday.

At 1 p.m. Sunday while supplies last, more than 1,000 TCC and Wireless Zone stores nationwide are inviting local families to their locations to pick up a backpack filled with pencils, paper, a pencil box, folders, a ruler and glue. One backpack per child present will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis at each participating TCC and Wireless Zone store. Any leftover backpacks at School Rocks Backpack Giveaway events will be donated to local schools of each store’s choice.

Three Wireless Zone locations in Mansfield, at 625 Lexington Ave., 1048 Ashland Road, and 1206 Park Avenue West, are among the Ohio stores participating in the giveaway.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: RCDG TechSpark, Industrial Museum exhibit, Gorman-Rupp contract & more