Todays Spotlight on Business

Did you know Fostoria’s Affordable Pond and Well Service provides:

• Sales and Service On Most Brands Of Water Softeners and Backwashing Filters
• Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Systems
• Pond Water Treatment Systems
• Aquatic Herbicides, Algaecides and  Microbial Treatments
• Fountains and Bottom Aerators
• Pond Filter Change/System Check Package Deals
• Well Pumps and Pressure Tanks
• Small Plumbing and Residential Handy Work

Call or visit them today!

Phone: 419-701-7133

Steve@wellandpond.com

2011 Business Roundtable

State Representative Robert Sprague (R) speaks as fellow Representatives Rex Damschroder (left) and Randy Gardner wait to address a group of Fostoria professional at the 2011 Business Roundtable Friday morning. The event, hosted by the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation and Roppe Corporation invited local business leaders to address and ask questions about legislative issues and how public policy affects their ability to do business within the community.

Topics included state-wide employment issues, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Transportation and Safety, and future roadway and infrastructure improvements.

FEDC would like to thank our Representatives for coming to Fostoria and being part of the Business Roundtable ~ Very good discussion. Our hope is that by sharing these areas of concern, we can collectively work to improve Ohio programs and services, which in turn will serve as a catalyst for new capital investments and job growth in our great State.

*photo compliments of Allison Wingate (Review Times)

Jones Road Railroad Grade Separation Ribbon Cutting

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District Two cordially invites you to attend a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the Jones Road Railroad Grade Separation project, scheduled for Wednesday, November 15, 2011 at 10:30am at Jones Road, just north of Main Street.

A ceremony will be held to mark the opening of the Jones Road overpass.  The ribbon cutting represents years of planning and a dedicated partnership between ODOT, the City of Fostoria and Seneca county. The newly built bridge over the CSX line will allow truck and passenger traffic to move efficiently through one of the busiest industrial areas in the City of Fostoria.

This project eliminates the at-grade intersection and allows both rail and roadway traffic to flow consistently and safely.  Please join us as we celebrate this historical day for the City of Fostoria and Northwest Ohio.

Jones Road Grade Separation Project

With the overpass is 98.9% complete, watch for upcoming information on the ceremonial Ribbon Cutting and grand opening of the roadway.

Finishing touches were postponed slightly due to heavy rains however our office anticipates the opening will take place around November 11.

Our office will provide additional details once we get the go-ahead from the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Fostoria Mentoring Program Appreciations

Fostoria Mentoring Program Appreciations

The Fostoria Mentoring Program and the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation would like to thank the following organizations and businesses for all of their support.  These businesses allow weekly release time for their employees to meet with Fostoria City School students to guide them both educationally and socially.  We appreciate their participation in promoting the success of the FMP: 

First Federal Bank, First Ohio Credit Union,

Fostoria City Schools, ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital, Fostoria Review Times, Geary Family YMCA, Good Shepherd Home, Kaubish Public Library, KeyBank, Keystone Foods, Kiwanis,

Melody Road / Rodan and Fields Dermatologists,

Mennel Milling, Roppe Corporation, Seneca Millwork, Inc.,

University of Findlay, and Whitta Construction.

The Fostoria Mentoring Program would also like to thank the Fostoria McDonald’s for hosting our fundraiser on October 13^th along with all the patrons who made purchases and the mentors who gave their time to make the night a success!  We also thank the following for their contributions to this fundraiser:  Great Scot, K-Mart, Save-A-Lot, and the BGSU Visual Communications and Technology Department.  We could not continue this worthwhile program without the generosity of these businesses and support of the Fostoria community.  Thank you!

For more information on the Fostoria Mentoring Program, including how to become a mentor, please call the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation office at 419-435-7789. 

FEDC Mentoring Program Fund Raiser

Please join FEDC in supporting the Fostoria Mentoring Program at McDonald’s on October 13, 2011.

Mentoring program coordinator, Toni Lucadello spent a great deal of time lining up mentor participants and arranging the event with area McDonald’s benefit coordinator Mary Hinkelman.

Fifteen mentors have volunteered to serve you and will work in 1 hour shifts to accommodate the extra patronage.

The fund raiser will be held at the Fostoria McDonald’s on Countyline Street, October 13 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM.

(All proceeds will be used to support the Mentoring Program)

Kaubisch Memorial Public Library

Frequently Asked Questions About Upcoming Levy

What are the details?

• The library is proposing a 1.5 mill continuing levy to support the day-to-day operations of the library.
• If approved, the levy will generate approximately $248,750 annually.
• This is the first time in its 119 year history that the library has asked for a local operating levy.
• All registered voters residing within the city of Fostoria can vote on this issue.

What is the need?

• As demand for library services has increased, state funding has significantly decreased.
• Funding from the state accounts for 88% of the library’s annual revenue. Since 2007 the library lost 24% of its funding from the state.
• Further reductions are expected in the coming years.

What will the levy cost?

• The owner of a $50,000 home will pay $1.91 per month.
• The owner of a $100,000 home will pay $3.83 per month.
• For the cost of a gallon of gas or one DVD rental a month you can continue to use and enjoy all the services offered by the library.

How has the library responded to budget cuts?

• Despite decreased state funding, the library has worked to maintain a balanced budget and operate within anticipated revenue.
• Reduced open hours: from 64 hours per week to 49, including closing on Fridays.
• Reduced staff: from 20 to 15, many employees are part-time.
• Staff members are working fewer hours with reduced benefits.
• The book budget has been reduced 30%.
• The magazine and newspaper budget has been slashed 50%.
• Contracts with outside vendors have been renegotiated to lower costs.
• Staff members have assumed extra duties.
• Volunteers shelve our books.

How will the funds be used?

• As levy revenue becomes available in 2012 the library will be able to partially restore Friday hours with additional hours restored as funds become available.
• Restore purchasing levels of bestsellers, DVD’s and other popular materials.
• Continue technology upgrades.
• Additional funding will provide some much-needed financial stability for the library.

What other benefits will the levy provide?

• The library will be able to join SEO, a consortium of 77 library systems across the state, enabling the library to offer access to additional services:

*     Downloadable eBooks, audio books, audio music, and videos.

*     A huge collection of CDs, DVDs, and videos.

*     More than 5.9 million books and library materials through interlibrary loan.

• Although a grant from the State Library will cover 75% of the initial cost to migrate to SEO, passage of the levy will be necessary to cover costs after migration.

What will happen if the levy does not pass?

• Further reductions in hours of operation, book purchases, and other services would be necessary in order to balance the budget.
• The library will forfeit the 75% grant opportunity to join SEO and match services that are currently offered by other area libraries.

How can I help the library with the levy?

• The library cannot use tax payer funds or staff resources to support the tax issue.  Donations may be sent to:

Kaubisch Library Levy Committee

P.O. Box 854

Fostoria, OH 44830

For more information: Please contact Dee Conine, Director at 419-435-2813 or via email at ddconine@aol.com

Remember to Vote on November 8th

Groudbreaking for the Fostoria Rail Park

Rail is a big part of our Fostoria heritage.

For many, Rail fanning (watching the trains roll by) is a way to re-live a part of history.

A diamond in the rough: Fostoria is one of the greatest places to watch trains as a steady stream of 90 to 120 trains traverses the city on any given day.

Train enthusiasts will park on either side of Columbus Avenue waiting for CSX and Norfolk-Southern engines to roar through the community.

With a steady rhythm of rail cars, listening to their scanners and viewing the action never seems to grow old.

Sometimes, it’s a social gathering, friends with lawn chairs and cookouts. Other times, railfanning is a solitary activity.

Besides admiring the speed, the sounds and seeing the different cargo loads, rail fans of all ages watch trains to “perfect” their model layouts, designing them to scale according to a particular era or company.

We are extremely excited.

How wonderful for Fostoria to have received the grant award from the Ohio Department of Transportation; the funding supported a Brownfield Redevelopment Project and provided a functional land use opportunity – transforming an abandoned and underutilized site into one that will be of value and productiveness.

A tribute to our rail heritage, this sites viewing platform will accommodate thousands of tourists who come to our community annually to watch and photograph the passing trains.

The City Recognizes the process has been lengthy and challenging.

Paperwork, contracting, EPA permitting, demolition and clean up… the list goes on.

I would personally like to thank the following / those who were instrumental in planning and providing assistance to bring this project to life:

• Hancock Regional Planning Commission
• Ohio Department of Transportation
• The rail roads – CSX and Norfolk Southern and the Ohio Rail Commission
• Burgess & Niple, the engineering firm from Columbus Ohio who worked with the City on the design aspect of the project from the beginning.
• The demolition contractors hired by the City of Fostoria to raze the abandoned pork processing building and clean up the debris.
• Fostoria Rail Preservation Society members for being strong advocates of the project. FRPS supplied ODOT with survey results measuring the draw for railfanning in the community; they also served as ambassadors answering questions about the project and promoting the benefits that were sure to follow.
• And a special thanks to our rail fans for making Fostoria a destination in your train viewing experience.

Thank you all!

Joan Reinhard, Executive Director – FEDC

Project Chalk

Many thanks to volunteers for making Project Chalk a success!

Five Fifth Third employees led Judy Clem stenciled volunteer recruitment messages at seven sites.

Next year, 30 sites ?!?!?

In Toledo, 21 bank employees are stenciling today at 59 sites.

The Read for Literacy Project is looking for additional volunteers; if interested, please call:

Jim Funk, Director – Read For Literacy @ (419) 242-7323