Redistricting in Ohio will shift Guernsey County to Rep. Don Jones in 2023
State Representative Don Jones visited the Cambridge-Guernsey County Community Improvement Corporation meeting Friday to introduce himself to local leaders in advance of assuming representation of the county in 2023.
Redistricting efforts in Ohio have Guernsey County switching from representation by Adam Holmes to Jones (R-Freeport) next year.
"I'm not a politician. I hate that term," said Jones. "My goal is to get things done. Check things off the list. Let's move and let's accomplish getting projects done, fixing problems for people and making life better.
"I think we have to work together to find opportunities and create opportunities for our communities," added Jones.
He is serving in his second two-year term as representative for the 95th District and will appear on the ballot in the May primary election seeking re-election.
Jones currently represents Carroll, Harrison, western Belmont, Noble and the north and east portions of Washington County.
After redistricting, Jones will represent Harrison, Guernsey, Noble, five townships in Belmont and the northern portion of Washington County from New Matamoras to Beverly including Marietta.
Jones said many of the items discussed by CIC Executive Director Norm Blanchard during his recap of 2021 are also on his radar.
"Workforce development is a problem everyplace," said Jones, an agriculture teacher for 23 years prior to being elected to the Ohio House of Representatives. "Being an educator, I think it starts with our schools. We have to do a better job working with our schools."
Jones wants to mandate, and find money to pay, career counselors for every school.
"We need to help our young people realize what opportunities exist," he said.
The representative also knows about small businesses such as those in Guernsey County and hard work.
Jones is co-owner with his twin brother of D&J Sales and Service on Cadiz Road east of Guernsey County selling farm equipment. The siblings started the business 32 years ago along with their parents.
Jones, his wife and two daughters also own an ice shop in Piedmont that they bought earlier this year and he is a part-time farmer.
"I want to start building those relationships and you will see me around," he said. "I'm transparent and there are not a lot of secrets with me. I want to be accessible."
Prior to introducing Jones, Blanchard recapped several projects that came before the CIC board during 2021, as part of his year-end director's report.
Topics included the Ohio Governor's Cup, D.O. Hall Business Center, Harper-Hutchison building, Dunkin Donuts site preparation in Cambridge, workforce issues and business and retention/expansion visits to LMI Custom Mixing and ACI Systems.
Blanchard said both LMI Custom Mixing and ACI Systems in Cambridge are looking to expand locally to meet storage needs.
"These are strong companies that are doing well," he said.
The county's investment for Ohio's Governor's Cup submission includes the AEP service center at the Interstate 77/Cadiz Road interchange, $20 million; Cambridge Packaging Warehouse, $1.5 million; Colgate Investment (Phase II), $17 million; and BiCon office complex, $12 million; for a total of $50.5 million.
The Governor's Cup by Site Selection magazine ranks economic and business attraction rankings for states. Ohio was ranked #1 in 2020.
Blanchard also provided quick updates regarding projects by Ridge Tool, Ohio Bridge, Colgate-Palmolive and the local broadband initiative.
Individuals in attendance commented on broadband work being done by Spectrum in rural Guernsey County, Suddenlink in Byesville and future efforts by Ohio Gig to bring fiber in the ground to every home in the county.
The CIC established a selection committee led by Ron Gombeda of the Guernsey County Community Development Corporation for officer candidates to be elected at the January meeting.
A brief update regarding the $1.6 billion Guernsey Power Plant was provided, stating 850 craftsmen are currently working on site and 70% are from the local area. The plant is generating $350 million in labor income.
Blanchard also gave a brief budget report, advising members the CIC is 8% below the projected budget for this time in 2021. The budget for 2021 is $186,070, the lowest since 2012.
"We are doing well, and I'm kind of proud of that," he said. "This will be the first time in some time that we will come out ahead and not have to dip into the reserves."
The CIC meeting in January will reportedly include a presentation regarding how various governments and organizations, such as the CIC, CDC, CIA, Port Authority, city, county, village and townships, collaborate for economic development.
The CIC will next meet on 8 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 7, in the County Administration Building at 627 Wheeling Ave. in downtown Cambridge. For more information contact the CIC office at 740-432-1881 or visit cgccic.org.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Redistricting in Ohio will shift Guernsey County to Rep. Don Jones in 2023
