Salem SOD Center Updates Projects, Honors Leaders
SALEM, Ohio – The Salem Area Sustainable Opportunity Development Center Inc. says it opened 40 new economic development projects, closed six successful projects and continued work on 16 other initiatives in 2015.
Meanwhile, the SOD helped create 28 jobs and retain 26 others within the city during 2015. The numbers were released by the nonprofit agency in its annual report.
Among the projects started were several proposed expansions at manufacturing companies it did not identify, site visits from prospective employers to the region, and a host of small-business startups.
Projects that the center helped complete are a new Holiday Inn, the private purchase of a home improvement company, and the private purchase of a coffee shop. In addition, the SOD helped in the expansion of a local printing company, according to the update provided by the agency.
Work is also underway to prepare eight acres of industrial land for development, the result of a $75,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant awarded to the agency in 2014.
Another ARC grant of $100,000 earmarked for sewer improvements along Snyder Road was approved in 2015, the center reports. Funding is expected this year, and the sewer project would open up 30 acres of new industrial development and help retain 850 jobs.
The Sustainable Opportunity Development Center Inc. also updated its strategic plan at its annual meeting, reports Michael L. Mancuso, executive director. Among initiatives are marketing efforts to inform business about the SOD center, workforce development programs and developing shovel-ready sites for industry, he says.
The organization elected new members to the SOD board of directors. Shawna L’Italien, an attorney with Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell, was elected president; George W. Morris, III, president of Morris Financial Group, was elected vice president; Todd Olsen, president of BOC Water Hydraulics was chosen secretary/treasurer.
The organization’s past president, Howard Rohleder, was recognized at the meeting for his years of service, and Jock Buta was named past president emeritus.
Pictured: Howard Rohleder accepts a plaque from Michael L. Mancuso honoring his years of service to the nonprofit agency.
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