WILMINGTON — Amazon potentially will start a trial program in high-tech at Southern State Community College (SSCC).
The prospect was mentioned in an update report to Clinton County commissioners by Clinton County Business and Economic Development Director Bret Dixon.
High-tech education through Amazon is already done informally at participants’ homes, Dixon said.
He suggested to Amazon development officials that the education be more formalized, and be placed within the setting of community colleges or trade schools.
They like the idea, Dixon said.
Southern State has been chosen as one institution for a trial run, and another larger Ohio school, yet to be determined, would serve as a second site for the program.
“They believe there are jobs out there that pay significantly greater than what we have available today, based on jobs they put out in the marketplace or vendors put out in the marketplace,” said Dixon.
Amazon officials from the company’s corporate offices in Seattle anticipate making a presentation on the project, perhaps in May, according to Dixon.
The economic development director reported he had spoken in Boston with Alkermes corporate officials, where the Wilmington expansion plan was discussed and Ohio Gov. John Kasich called and congratulated company officials.
Dixon said he talked to them about their workforce and told them they’re doing well in that respect. Alkermes probably has the best track record in the local area within private industry on employee retention, he said.
Also on the radar screen, said Dixon, is how can this region support the pharmaceutical manufacturing workforce needs of Alkermes in Wilmington?
A third item in his report was only touched upon.
“I’ve been talking to somebody that has some interest in the [Wilmington] air park in some capacity,” he said.
Dixon added, “This is very interesting; that’s all I’d really like to say about it at this point.”
Companies, when considering among sites to locate, often want to be anonymous.
Dixon also spoke about the budding medical marijuana business in Ohio. And on a separate matter, he mentioned the prospect he may take part in a trade mission to Cuba.
With Dixon’s update concluded, Clinton County Commissioner Brenda K. Woods emphasized the importance of visiting existing businesses in the community. She also asked how JobsOhio works for Clinton County.
JobsOhio is a private, nonprofit corporation that’s meant to lead Ohio’s job-creation efforts. With the stated goal of revitalizing the state’s economy and creating jobs, Kasich worked with the Ohio General Assembly to create the framework for JobsOhio. The legislation was signed into law in February 2011.
As the meeting wrapped up, a verbal exchange between Clinton County Commissioner Kerry R. Steed and Dixon was marked by conflict.
The conversation revolved around Steed saying he has asked Dixon more than once for contact information for the CEOs of companies Dixon has worked with on development projects. Steed said he wanted to thank the CEOs for expanding and growing the community.
Steed said Dixon has “refused” to provide the information, “which is actually considered insubordination.”
Dixon said the way he took Steed’s emails on the topic was the commissioner wanted contact information for every deal Dixon was working on “so you [Steed] can insert yourself in those for whatever reason.”
At one point, Steed told Dixon “you work for the 42,000 people in the county.”
Dixon replied he does not think he has an issue with the 42,000 people.
“I have an issue with you,” the economic development director said to the commissioner.
In another Wednesday appointment with the commissioners, Clinton County Sheriff Ralph Fizer Jr. and Col. Brian Prickett discussed a need for an appropriation of funds to enhance the county’s wireless 9-1-1 system. The improvement will involve a software system that will provide dispatchers with pre-arrival instructions to help them advise callers prior to the arrival of emergency medical technicians.
And Clinton County Job and Family Services’ (JFS) administrators informed commissioners of an unexpectedly big increase of more than $100,000 in the cost allocation plan.
The increase reportedly is due to the depreciation cost going up largely due to renovations of county-owned buildings (though not the JFS facility), and increased costs overall.
Clinton County JFS Director Kathi Spirk told commissioners she isn’t sure the service agency can cover the upsurge.
A future commissioners meeting is planned with Maximus Inc., the company that the county hires to create the cost allocation plan.
Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768.
