'A good cheerleader for Ravenna.' City extends contract with development chief

After four years as Ravenna's economic development director, Ravenna has given Dennis West a contract that is expected to keep him in Portage County through 2026.

Ravenna City Council recently approved the three-year pact with West that will pay him $95,000 in 2024, and $100,000 annually in 2025 and 2026.

Ravenna Township, which pays $15,000 toward his salary, also agreed to the deal.

West said he is working on some plans to market downtown, as well as the state Route 59 corridor in Ravenna Township through a Joint Economic Development District, plans that can't be easily wrapped up in one year.

Mayor Frank Seman said the city is moving toward longer-term contracts for independent contractors like West. The city also recently extended a three-year contract to Heather Richcowski, who handles human resources for the city. The agreements have "escape clauses," allowing the city or the worker to end the agreement if they decide to part ways, Seman said.

"Dennis has provided very good service to us," he said.

West said he is working on a marketing package to focus on business retention downtown, as well as areas the district is lacking, such as restaurants. After the marketing plan is created, he said, it will be presented to building owners.

"We want to make it a more connected and vibrant downtown," he said.

Seman credits West for bringing big projects to town, including LG Chem, which is constructing two buildings in the Chestnut Commerce Center off North Chestnut Street, a 148,400-square-foot ABS compounding building, and a 60,350-square-foot ABS Technical Center. The business is expected to open its doors in February.

West set up several incentives to bring the company to town, including job creation tax credits, and is now working on Tax Increment Financing to reimburse the city for infrastructure improvements in the Chestnut Commerce Center where the factories are being built.

Seman said West also works with smaller companies such as SpringSeal, which was recently offered a tax abatement for an expansion. He worked with Rootstown to enact a JEDD, and now is working with Ravenna Township to renegotiate the city's JEDD with that township.

"He has a lot of contacts from his previous work," he said, adding that West uses those contacts to expand the city's possibilities. "He's a good cheerleader for Ravenna."

Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ravenna extends contract of development chief Dennis West