Canton Inc. Magazine Spring 2013 issue

CantonINC

CantonINC STARK COUNTY, OHIO

Eight area businesses that have survived change — some for more than a century PAGE 41

ENERGIZING THE REGION

Small businesses find a need and fill it PAGE 47

GOOD FOR BUSINESS

Energy building Ground being broken on oil and gas projects — with Canton, Stark at the heart of it all PAGE 26

MAY 2013

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Business and Industry

Careers

Innovative Technology

Connected Knowledge That’s The Akron Experience.

The Akron Experience connects the knowledge and exceptional resources of The University of Akron with community and business partners to find new ways to solve difficult challenges and put each University of Akron student on a pathway of success.

uakron.edu/get-connected

Vital Research

Get Connected. Join us at The University of Akron.

CantonINC Canton Inc. is an economic development publication produced through a collaboration of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and The Repository.

CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Dennis P. Saunier President & CEO dennys@cantonchamber.org (330) 456-7253 Steven J. Katz Senior Vice President katzcrcc@cantonchamber.org (330) 458-2062 Jessica A. Bennett Director of Marketing & Events jessb@cantonchamber.org (330) 458-2071 Denise A. Burton Director of Sales & Membership deniseb@cantonchamber.org (330) 458-2067 Kathy D. Irwin Director of Accounting kathyd@cantonchamber.org (330) 456-7253 David C. Kaminski Director of Energy & Public Affairs davidk@cantonchamber.org (330) 458-2059 Michael P. Gill Director of Canton Development Partnership mikeg@cantonchamber.org (330) 458-2090 John R. Kiste Executive Director of Canton/Stark County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau johnk@visitcantonstark.com (330) 458-2080 Joanne K. Murray Director of Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival joannem@cantonchamber.org (330) 458-2050 Eric Smer Director of ystark!

(330) 458-2302 erics@cantonchamber.org Fran Wells Director of Leadership Stark County franw@leadershipstarkcounty.org (330) 458-2094

CONTENTS 8 10 15 17 24

CEO Message Local attractions Economics Neighborhoods Site selections

26 31 33 38 41

Energy City info Manufacturing Transportation Deep roots

47 Small business 52 Growing in Stark 57 Health care 62 Education

Pam & Jim Griffith Alexis de Tocqueville Society members

GIVE. ADVOCATE.

VOLUNTEER. 66 70 72

™

Food Area resources Development resources

74

LIVE UNITED

Final look

Want to make a difference? Find out how.

VISIT WWW.UWSTARK.ORG

CantonINC REPOSITORY/ GATEHOUSE OHIO MEDIA Christopher T.White Publisher chris.white@cantonrep.com 330-580-8428 James A. Porter General Manager jim.porter@cantonrep.com 330-580-8444 Therese D. Hayt Executive Editor teri.hayt@cantonrep.com 330-580-8310 Scott Brown Managing Editor scott.brown@cantonrep.com 330-580-8343 Maureen Ater Director of Marketing maureen.ater@cantonrep.com 330-580-8451 Patrick Mackie Business Development patrick.mackie@cantonrep.com 330-580-8430 Robert McCune Presentation Editor robert.mccune@cantonrep.com 330-580-8337 Kevin Whitlock Chief Photographer kevin.whitlock@indeonline.com 330-775-1139 CONTRIBUTORS Stan Myers, Scott Heckel, Julie Botos, Michael S. Balash, Bob Rossiter

Executive Committee, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors Chairman of the Board: Karen M. Brenneman, Hall, Kistler & Company LLP; Sr.Vice Chairman: Philip D. Fracassa, The Timken Company;Vice Chairman: Brian Belden, The Belden Brick Company;Vice Chairman: John A. Murphy, Jr., Day Ketterer Ltd.;Vice Chairman: William C. Shivers, Huntington Bank;Treasurer: D.William Allen, Pro Football Hall of Fame; Immediate Past Chairman: Rick L. Haines, AultCare; President & CEO: Dennis P. Saunier, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce; Corporate Secretary: Steven J. Katz, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

CantonINC is published by GateHouse Ohio Media. 500 Market Ave. S, Canton, OH 44702; 330-580-8300. CantonINC is protected by federal copyright law, which gives CantonINC exclusive rights to reproduce or authorize reproduction of its materials.

AD INDEX 2 Innis Maggiore 3 University of Akron 4 Pro Football Hall of Fame 4 Eckinger Construction Company 5 United Way of Greater Stark County 6 Propel Marketing 7 Julz by Alan Rodriguez 9 Chesapeake Energy 12 Stark Business Journal 13 The M. Conley Company 14 NEO Medical University 14 Integrity Technical Services, Inc 16 Mercy Medical Center 19 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival 20 Canton Palace Theatre 20 Standard Plumbing & Heating Co. 21 Hammontree & Associates, Limited 21 DNS Insurance, Inc. 22 ARTS in Stark 24 Beaver Excavating Company 25 Canton Stark County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau 25 Day Ketterer LTD., Attorneys at Law 28 Young Truck Sales Inc. 29 NAI Spring 29 Stark County District Library 31 Selinsky FORCE 31 Canton Charge 32 The Huntington National Bank

35 Dominion 36 WKSU 36 DeHoff Realtors 37 Aultman Hospital 39 The Employment Source 40 Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce 43 Premier Bank & Trust 43 Eckinger Construction Company 45 The Furbay Electric Supply Co. 46 Canton Development Partnership 49 Malone University 50 Building Industry Association of Stark County 50 Utica 2014 51 The Repository 53 Renkert Building 54 The Workshops, Inc. 55 CSE Federal Credit Union 56 Leadership Stark County & ystark!

60 Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce 60 Eckinger Construction Company 61 Kent State University at Stark 64 Stark State College 65 Aultcare 68 Community One Credit Union 69 Peoples Services, Inc. 71 Canton Sign Co. 71 University of Mount Union 73 The University Center 73 DeHoff Development 75 Grabowski & Co. 76 Midwest Industrial Supply, Inc.

For information about how to advertise in this publication, please call Patrick Mackie, business development manager, at 330-580-8430 or email patrick.mackie@cantonrep.com.

• Certified Bench Jeweler on Staff • Complete Jewelry Repairs & Restoration • Pearl & Bead Restringing • Hand & Machine Engraving • Complete Watch Repairs, Batteries, Crystals, Bands • Expert Appraisals 220 Market Ave. N, Canton Tues.-Fri. 9:30-5:30, Sat. 9:30-3:00

330.455.5555 www.julzbyalan.com

CEO MESSAGE CantonINC

DESTINATION FOR STARK COUNTY BUSINESSES e are excited to unveil the second issue of Canton Inc., continuing our mission of showcasing Canton/Stark County as a prime destination for your business.

Once again, we’ve included feature stories about our area companies and the people who work every day make them prosper. You’ll meet CEOs of area manufacturers and discover small businesses run by forwardthinking entrepreneurs. Inside are steadfast and growing companies, alongside newer businesses working in emerging industries.

Again, we are featuring oil and gas developments in the region on our cover, with Canton, the Utica Capital, at the center of it all. In our first issue, we told you that exploration into the region’s shale deposits could be a game changer. Now, just a year later, we believe that there has never been more truth to that statement.

You’ll be charmed by our neighborhoods — not to mention our high home purchasing power and low cost of living. We host world-class attractions and events, and our cultural access is immense and growing. And with six outstanding colleges and universities here, you’ll see that we’re up to the immense challenge of providing talented employees and trained workers for innovative companies.

A community is defined by its people. As you read through the coming pages, you’ll see that the people of

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

W

8

DENNIS SAUNIER AND CHRIS WHITE Canton are hardworking, innovative and welcoming.

Both of us came to this community from other parts of the country.

But while Canton isn’t our “hometown,” after years of watching the Hall of Fame City and surrounding communities grow and evolve, we are each proud to call Canton/Stark County home. We hope this issue helps you see what we see: Canton is a wonderful place to live and work.

Dennis P. Saunier President & CEO Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

Chris White Publisher The Repository & GateHouse Ohio Media

FUELING AMERICA’S FUTURE ®

COMMITTED TO OHIO’S PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES Ohio’s bountiful shale resources are creating an influx of new jobs, and Chesapeake Energy Corporation is filling those jobs with Ohioans. From drilling to staffing our regional field offices, we’re committed to hiring local employees, contractors and vendors. Last year, Chesapeake helped energize Ohio’s economy by investing approximately $3.3 billion in the state. At a time when Ohio is leading our nation’s economic recovery, Chesapeake is proud to be a part of the American dream in Ohio. chk.com | NYSE: CHK

ATTRACTIONS CantonINC

W

elcome

to Stark County

Home to both national attractions and tucked-away treasures, Stark County abounds with options to suit every taste. From the well-known Pro Football Hall of Fame to the thriving downtown arts district to the amazing parks and recreation — these pages hold just a sampling of all Stark County has to offer.

BY JOAN PORTER

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

CANTON CHARGE

10

With a few detours, the original Huntsville (Alabama) Flight team landed in Canton in 2011 when it was bought by the Cleveland Cavaliers and renamed the Canton Charge.The NBA D-League basketball team calls the Canton Memorial Civic Center its home arena. Not only do the players perform on the court, but they are also active throughout the community.Visit the Canton Charge website at www.nba.com/dleague/canton to buy tickets, check their schedule, learn more about the players and shop at the team shop.

CantonINC ATTRACTIONS

CANTON ARTS DISTRICT

CULTURAL CENTER FOR THE ARTS When it comes to the arts, Canton has it all. Enjoy your favorite arts all within one building — the Cultural Center for the Arts.

Here, you will find performances by the Canton Ballet, Canton Symphony,Voices of Canton, Inc. and the Players Guild Theatre. And let’s not forget the Canton Museum of Art, with its permanent collection and changing exhibits.This place is an art lover’s dream come true! To learn more about each of these organizations and their shows, visit www.artsinstark.com and click on “Cultural Center.”

Canton Ballet photo courtesy of Studio 7

CANTON PALACE THEATRE Built in 1926, the Canton Palace Theatre is a fine example of a community effort that has restored the theater to its original glory. Settle into a comfortable seat and savor the ambiance of a Spanish courtyard on a midsummer night as the clouds float across the sky.While you wait for your show to begin, listen to the strains of the theater’s original Kilgen pipe organ. This multi-purpose entertainment venue is busy throughout the year with professional productions, ballets and films.

Visit www.cantonpalacetheatre.org for more information.

FAWCETT STADIUM Resting in the shadow of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Fawcett Stadium was named the best place to watch high school football in 2002 by The Sporting News. For more than 20 years, Fawcett Stadium has hosted the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s state football finals, but that era is drawing to a close, at least temporarily.The 2014 and 2015 state finals will be played at Ohio State. No decision has been reached as to where the championship games will be played after 2015.

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

The outdoor murals, painted trash cans and recycled sculptures welcome visitors to Downtown Canton’s Arts District, an eclectic mix of studios, galleries, theaters and restaurants. From photography to paintings, ornaments to pottery and jewelry to wearables — if it’s art, you will find it here. Food, music and movie festivals are held in the arts district throughout the year. On the first Friday of each month, venture downtown to enjoy an evening of art, live music and street performers. Visit www.cantonartsdistrict.com for more information.

11

ATTRACTIONS CantonINC

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton is an awaiting paradise for sports fans. Check out the busts and informational kiosks of the 267 NFL players who have been inducted into the HOF since it opened in 1963. From the Super Bowl gallery and treasured artifacts to the museum store and interactive game areas, it’s all football all the time at the Hall of Fame.The $27 million “Future 50” expansion and renovation project — the largest in the Hall’s history — is under way, with a grand opening scheduled for August 2013 to coincide with the Hall of Fame’s 50th anniversary.Visit www.profootballhof.com for more information.

GOLF COURSES With over 20 golf courses scattered throughout the countryside, there is little wonder why Stark County is considered Ohio’s Golf Capital. Each course has its own atmosphere depending on its location and design.That atmosphere can range from back-to-nature to private retreat and everything in between. Rolling hills, tree-lined fairways, water hazards, sand traps — it’s all there. Stark County’s golf courses offer nine, 18, 27 and 36 holes. Some have clubhouses, pro shops, snack bars, swimming pools, picnic shelters and banquet facilities. Many offer sets of tees making them senior- and lady-friendly while still providing a challenge to the more advanced golfer. With such a variety of terrains, designs and levels of difficulty, there is a golf course for every player in Stark County. For a look at Stark County’s golf courses, go to www.visitcantonstark.com/golf.

CantonINC ATTRACTIONS

SHOPPING IN STARK From shopping centers to indoor malls, from specialty food stores to multi-service grocery stores, from consignment shops to department stores, and from boutiques to flea markets, Stark County has it all when it comes to shopping.

Serving as the anchor to the Belden Village retail area, Westfield Belden Village, with its shops and eateries, has attracted shoppers from Stark County and neighboring communities for over 40 years. Just up the road is The Strip, a shopping center that includes a supermarket, home improvement store, clothing stores, a discount department store, a movie theater and an assortment of great places to eat.Travel a little north of Canton to Hartville for a different shopping experience at the Hartville MarketPlace, where you will find 110 shops indoors and 12 acres of flea market and antique space outdoors.

Here, you can buy home décor, antiques, collectibles, clothing, tools, pet supplies, meats, cheeses, fresh produce and much more. For more information about shopping in Stark County, visit www.visitcantonstark.com/shopping.

CANTON CLASSIC CAR MUSEUM It’s clearly the cars that attract visitors to the Canton Classic Car Museum.These antique beauties span the first 70 years of the 20th century and include cars made

by Marmon, Pierce-Arrow, Packard and Cadillac. And there is even a Holmes built in Canton. But don’t let the name of the museum fool you.There is much more to this museum than cars.Think vintage toys, vintage advertising, political campaign memorabilia, items from the long-gone Meyers Lake Amusement Park and reminders of Canton’s past. For more information, visit www.cantonclassiccar.org.

Still got a hunger for history? Don’t miss the William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum and the National First Ladies’ Library in Canton, the Hoover Historical Center in North Canton and the Ohio Society of Military History in Massillon.

www.mconley.com

Over

100

years Janitorial Supplies & Equipment Packaging Materials & Equipment Food Service Packaging & Supplies Equipment Rentals & Service

The M. Conley Company 1312 Fourth St. Se Canton, Oh 44707 800.686.6001 [phone] 330.588.2572 [fax]

ATTRACTIONS CantonINC

GATEWAY TO AMISH COUNTRY Take a day or two to travel the winding roads through Stark County’s southwestern tip into Ohio’s Amish country, where neatly kept farms scatter the rolling countryside and friendly businesses fill the small towns along the scenic byways.There, you will find shops packed with handcrafted Amish furniture, quilts, fabrics, food and gifts; restaurants that tempt diners with the aromas of down-home cooking; and wineries that entice visitors with tours and samplings of local wines. Museums and working farms provide visitors with insights into the daily lives of the Amish. If you are making this an overnight, there are plenty of inns and B&B’s to welcome travelers for a restful night’s sleep in the peaceful countryside.

STARK PARKS

CUYAHOGA VALLEY SCENIC RAILROAD

If getting close to nature is what you like, then spend some time in any of the 7,000 acres that make up the 13 parks belonging to Stark Parks.The park system throughout Stark County offers walking, bicycling and equestrian trails along with a variety of events, activities and educational programs at its centers. Boating, fishing, geocaching, letterboxing, questing and orienteering are all part of the park experience. More information may be found at www.starkparks.com.

All aboard for a scenic round trip through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and into Stark County.Travel the historical rails that first transported coal from south of Canton to the growing industries in Cleveland. Chug your way through the ever-changing terrain along the route that carried goods to and from merchants, farmers and factories for over 100 years.Take your seat on the train for scenic excursions, wine and beer tastings, brunches and lunches, children’s programs, and murder mysteries. From April through the fall, one-way tickets are available for bicyclists on the Ohio-Erie Canal Towpath Trail. For more information, event and excursion schedules, and to purchase tickets, visit www.cvsr.com.

CantonINC ECONOMICS

STARK COUNTY

ECONOMICS INCOME AND COST OF LIVING

MAJOR INDUSTRIES

MAJOR EMPLOYERS

Education, health care and social assistance:

Median household income:

24.5% 18.3% 11.6%

Affinity Medical Center Alliance Community Hospital Aultman Hospital Canton City Schools Diebold, Inc. Fishers Foods Freshmark Inc. GE Capital Mercy Medical Center Nationwide Insurance Nickles Bakery Republic Engineered Products Shearer’s Foods Stark County Government Stark State College The Timken Company

Manufacturing:

Median home value:

$128,000

Retail trade:

Median rent:

Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, food service:

$622/MO.

9.1%

Cost of living:

Professional, scientific, management:

14% LOWER

8.6%

than U.S. average Unemployment rate: (1.4% lower than national average)

MAJOR OCCUPATIONS

6.7%

HOUSEHOLDS Canton population Stark County population Median resident age Age 17 and under

Management, business, science and arts:

72,919 374,868 40.6 23.4%

Age 18 to 24

8.7%

Age 25 to 44

24%

Age 45 to 64

28.2%

Age 65 and over

15.8%

EDUCATION High School grad or higher:

88.5% 20.7% 6.8%

Bachelor’s degree:

Graduate or professional degree:

31% 25.3% 19.2% 16.7% Sales and office:

Service:

Production, transportation and material moving:

PARKS & TRAILS Stark County Parks include

7,000 80+ 38 acres of land,

miles of walking/bicycling trails and

miles of equestrian trails, in addition to the parks maintained by cities and townships

WEATHER Average January low:

33 82 degrees

WORKFORCE Total workforce: 191,456 Average commute: 21 minutes

Average July high:

degrees

SOURCES: U.S. Census Bureau, Ohio Department of Development, NOAA and the National Weather Service, United States Department of Labor (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

$44,999

15

Building for the Future

Emergency Department Renovation & Expansion Project MERCY MEDICAL CENTER: Quality, Accessible and Affordable Care AWARD WINNING CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE

Emergency Chest Pain Center

Mercy Heart Center

NATION’S FIRST Accredited Chest Pain Center

50 Top Cardiovascular - Truven Health Analytics 2013 Report

Mercy Cancer Center

(Only Stark County Hospital. Mercy’s 6th Year!)

U.S. News Best Hospitals - 2012 - 13 Cardiology - U.S. News & World Report

Outstanding Achievement Award Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons

Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) - Platinum Performance Achievement Award Action Registry® - American Heart Association

Mercy Stroke Center

Mission Lifeline Gold Award - American Heart Association

Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) Stroke - Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

Emergency Services/Trauma Center Level II Trauma Center

cantonmercy.org

Mercy Rehabilitation Services Accredited by CARF - Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission

facebook.com/cantonmercy

BuildingForTheFuture CantonInc 13 indd 1

5/2/13 8:39 AM

HOUSE & HOME

BY JESS BENNETT

place where your business will flourish must also be a place where your people will flourish. Canton and the Stark County region enjoy one of the most affordable housing markets in the nation, from new, up-and-coming neighborhoods near activities for families and singles, to grand dame historic allotments, resplendent with architectural flourishes and wooded lawns.

Urban style apartments are on the rise in downtown areas, while quaint, charming starter

A

homes dot neighborhoods in every corner of the county.Canton’s a cornucopia of realty options at every price range.

The median home cost in Stark County is $128,000, and the median rent is $622 per month.

With a cost of living 15 percent lower than the national average, hassle-free commutes, and neighborhoods packed with history and amenities, Canton is the perfect destination for your business and the people who make it happen.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

LIVING IN STARK COUNTY:

17

NEIGHBORHOODS CantonINC

ALLIANCE

McKINLEY MONUMENT

Located in the eastern part of Stark County, Alliance is the official home of the Ohio State Flower — the scarlet carnation. Alliance celebrates with an annual Carnation Festival, packed with 10 days of events that bring thousands of visitors to the Carnation City. Alliance is also the home to Glamorgan Castle, Haines House, and The University of Mount Union.

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

CANAL FULTON

18

Canal Fulton is conveniently located in northwest Stark County. This old canal town is home to a historic district boasting more than 100 sites listed on the National Historic Register. Climb aboard the St. Helena III, an authentic reproduction of a horse-drawn canal boat. Travel along an original section of the Ohio and Erie Canal by bike, hike or canoe on the Towpath Trail. Quaint shops and restaurants are abundant in this picturesque village.

CANTON Canton is experiencing an exciting downtown renaissance, with a vast array of art galleries, studios, restaurants and attractions flourishing in a beautifully manicured downtown corridor. The city offers more than 50 unique neighborhoods, including gorgeous historic allotments as well as urban style living in the center city. The Hall of Fame City is home to national attractions including the Pro Football Hall of Fame, First Ladies National Historic Site, McKinley Presidential Library, Museum and Monument.

CantonINC NEIGHBORHOODS

CLEARVIEW GOLF COURSE The arts are everywhere with the Canton Symphony, Canton Ballet, Players Guild Theatre and Canton Art Museum, just to name a few, and the Canton Arts District comes alive on First Fridays when thousands turn out for the arts and culture extravaganza.

The Canton Memorial Civic Center also brings the area national music acts, trade shows, sports events, and more. Canton is full of history and heroes, and is the site of the founding of professional football.

This year, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival will celebrate 50 years of honoring the legends of professional football by conducting the world-renowned festival celebrating the annual enshrinement of football players, coaches and contributors into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Enshrinement Festival activities, attended by nearly 700,000 people, annually produce an economic impact of over $31 million for the Canton/Stark County area and $56 million for the State of Ohio.

EAST CANTON East Canton is located five miles east of Canton along Route 30, and is home to Clearview Golf Course, a site on the National Register of Historic Places. The course was built in 1946 by William Powell, who encountered racial discrimination on the golf course.

After returning home from World War II, he decided to build his own place to play, where people of all colors would be welcomed.

LAKE TOWNSHIP, HARTVILLE, GREENTOWN AND UNIONTOWN Nestled in the northern corner of Stark County is Lake Township, which consists of Hartville, Greentown, Uniontown, Aultman and Cairo. These charming villages are brimming with unique shops, restaurants, boutiques, art galleries and B&Bs. Family entertainment includes miniature golf, swimming, parks, trails and three scenic golf courses.

Enjoy wine tasting, homemade pies, and a farm market. It is the splendor of simple pleasures that Lake Township has to offer.

CantonINC

Looking for a unique, historic venue for your next business meeting, team building or other corporate event?

From a meeting for 15 to a meeting for 1500, the Canton Palace Theatre has you covered!

Offering: a built-in 55ft projection screen HD LCD Projector WiFi and all the atmosphere you could ever want!

For more information call 330-454-8172.

605 Market Ave., Canton, Ohio 44702 cantonpalacetheatre.org info @cantonpalacetheatre.org

JACKSON TOWNSHIP Stark County’s first choice for installation and service of commercial and industrial HVAC systems, piping and plumbing, and full-service boiler and chiller work.

For design-build work, installation or service,

Jackson Township is the county’s retail center. Westfield Belden Village Mall and The Strip shopping areas comprise more than 140 restaurants and an everexpanding retail and commercial center.

The park system consists of eight parks and approximately 300 acres. There are five private country clubs and more than 30 public links in the area. Jackson Township is the home to Stark State College and Kent State University at Stark, the largest regional KSU campus.

contact us at 330.453.9191 www.standardpandh.com

EXCELLENCE IS STANDARD Standard Plumbing & Heating has worked on nearly every Stark County landmark and institution.

Standard Plumbing and Heating 435 Walnut Ave., SE, Canton, Ohio 44702

LOUISVILLE A 10-minute drive northeast of Canton will bring you to the lovely community of Louisville. Known as “Constitution Town USA,” Louisville hosts a week of activities during September that center around our nation’s constitution. Featured during this festive time are a queen’s pageant, balloon lift-off, fireworks and parade. Louisville offers five city parks where all types of recreational activities can be enjoyed.

FIVE OAKS

MASSILLON Massillon, known for its epic sports tradition, retains the flavor of its past as it enjoys economic resurgence. The Massillon Museum displays art and a chronology of the community, including this summer’s Snap! In the Photobooth with Warhol and Friends. The castle-like Five Oaks Mansion anchors historic Fourth Street, a neighborhood known for architectural gems that span a century of design excellence. And the Legends of Massillon provides 27 holes of first-rate public golfing. In addition, wooded hiking and biking trails intersect in the community.

MINERVA Nestled in the Appalachian foothills on the historic Lincoln Highway, the Village of Minerva offers a unique, relaxing smalltown atmosphere. A rich history including the Lost French Gold Legend and original brick sections of the Lincoln Highway await you. You’ll cherish downtown Minerva, with its brick streets, quaint shops, cheese makers, the Haas Museum and murals. Challenging golf courses, parks and trails, and great family and fine dining are also available.

NEIGHBORHOODS CantonINC

NORTH CANTON The original home of the Hoover Vacuum Cleaner offers an excellent environment for family and for entertainment. The beautifully kept parks offer walking paths, picnicking, skateboarding or swimming in a magnificent public pool. New allotments and longtime housing staples alike about in North Canton.

Spend an evening of culture at the Playhouse, visit the Hoover Historical Center, or indulge in some great food any night of the week, and you will understand the big entertainment value of a small town.

NAVARRE, BREWSTER AND WILMOT

NORTH CANTON MAIN STREET FESTIVAL

Deemed the “Gateway to Ohio’s Amish Country,” the southwest tip of Stark County offers gently rolling farmlands dotted with these quiet villages. Navarre is the home of Nickles Bread, and Brewster boasts the headquarters of both Brewster Dairy and Shearer’s potato chips. Wilmot is home to the Amish Door Restaurant & Village and the Wilderness Center, consisting of 1,700 acres of land, streams and prairies. Though these villages may be small, over half a million people visit this area a year.

CantonINC NEIGHBORHOODS

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS IN NORTHEAST OHIO 24 25 61 41 60 34 60 60 60 60 28 30 58 23

miles miles miles miles miles miles miles miles miles miles miles miles miles miles

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

Akron Art Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Akron Zoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cleveland Browns Stadium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Brecksville . . . . . .

Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland . . . . . . . .

Hale Farm and Village, Peninsula . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Playhouse Square, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Progressive Field (home to Cleveland Indians) . .

Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . .

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, Akron . . . . . . . . . .

Trumpet in the Land, New Philadelphia . . . . . . . .

University Circle Museums, Cleveland . . . . . . . . .

Warther Museum, Dover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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ENERGY CantonINC

INDUSTRIAL LAND AND BUSINESS PARKS AKCAN INDUSTRIAL PARK Location: North Canton, Ohio Acres available: 15 Highway access: I-77 Zoning: Light industrial Rail access: No Development contact: Dan DeHoff, DeHoff Realty, (330) 499-8153

ALLIANCE COMMERCE PARK Location: Alliance, Ohio Acres available: 75 Highway access: U.S. Route 62 Zoning: Light/heavy industrial Rail access: Yes Development contact: Jim Stout, Coastal Pet Products, (330) 821-2218

CANTON CENTURY PARK Location: Canton, Ohio Acres available: 65 Highway access: I-77 Zoning: Heavy Commercial Rail access: No Development contact: Bryce Custer, (330) 966-8800

EASTRIDGE COMMERCE PARK Location: Canton, Ohio Acres available: 85 Highway access: U.S. Route 62 Zoning: Light industrial Rail access: No Development contact: Bob DeHoff, DeHoff Development, (330) 499-8153

ELM RIDGE INDUSTRIAL PARK Location: Canal Fulton, Ohio Acres available: 25 Highway access: state Route 21 and I-77 Zoning: Light industrial Rail access: No Development contact: Ken Schalmo or Fred E. Etheridge, Schalmo Properties Inc., (330) 854-4591

FORD PROPERTY Location: Canton, Ohio Acres available: 70 Highway access: U.S. Route 30

Zoning: Heavy industrial Rail access: Yes Development contact: Fonda Williams, City of Canton, (330) 489-3258

HARTVILLE INDUSTRIAL PARK Location: Hartville, Ohio Acres available: 13 Highway access: state Routes 43 and 619 Zoning: Light industrial Rail access: Some potential Development contact: Mayor's office,Village of Hartville, (330) 877-9222

MASSILLON REPUBLIC Location: Massillon, Ohio Acres available: 300 Highway access: Route 21 and Route 30 Zoning: Heavy Industrial Rail access: Yes Development contact: Steve DePetrios, Bear Management (330) 493-3377

MILLER I Location: Massillon, Ohio Acres available: 120 Highway access: state Route 21 and U.S. Route 30 Zoning: Heavy Industrial Rail access: Yes Development contact: Bob Sanderson, Massillon Development Foundation and Miller Family Trust, (330) 833-3148

MILLS BUSINESS PARK Location: Canton, Ohio Acres available: 25 Highway access: I-77 Zoning: Light Industrial Rail access: No Development contact: Dan DeHoff, Canton Commerce LLC, (330) 499-8153

NAVARRE PROSPECT PARK Location: Navarre, Ohio Acres available: 300 Highway access: U.S. Route 30 Zoning: Light Industrial Rail access: Yes Development contact: Perry Township, (330) 833-2141

NOVA EAST Location: Massillon, Ohio Acres available: 25 Highway access: U.S. Route 30 Zoning: Light Industrial Rail access: No Development contact: Jon Calazza, Beaver Excavating, (330) 966-8800

PORT JACKSON Location: North Canton, Ohio Acres available: 9 Highway access: I-77 Zoning: Light Industrial Rail access: No Development contact: Lisa Gould, AkronCanton Airport, (330) 668-4000 Looking for more information, or for details about industrial buildings and service sector properties? Contact Steven J. Katz, senior vice president, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce at 330-458-2062.

CantonINC ENERGY

COVERSTORY:

ENERGY

BUILDING Canton, Stark County front, center for Utica Shale boom hough early in its development, the Utica shale in Northeast Ohio is being seen as one of the richest sources of shale oil, gas and natural gas liquids in the United States.

T

Canton and Stark County named itself the Utica Capital, and with good reason. It is not because the Canton area is where the most wells are being drilled. In fact, relatively few are here. Most of the wells are being drilled in rural counties to the east and southeast of Canton. However, Canton has become the business headquarters for most of the Utica activity.

Canton’s role in Utica exploration started with Chesapeake Energy’s choice of Canton in 2010 as its Ohio headquarters. Chesapeake’s workforce in the Utica has grown to 590 Ohioans. To further develop its Ohio operations, Chesapeake is building a corporate campus on nearly 300 acres in

Louisville, Ohio, about two miles east of Canton. It will feature an 86,000-square-foot office tower, a 55,000-square-foot receiving and maintenance building and a 6,000-square-foot repair shop.

In addition to being the home for Chesapeake, Canton and Stark County have become the Utica address for several engineering and professional services firms that are designing well pads, roads, pipelines and other infrastructure.

Then there are the billions of dollars in projects that are under construction in a phase of shale development known as midstream. Midstream is a network of pipelines and processing plants that deliver the hydrocarbon product from the wells to the marketplace, as well as the series of processing plants that purify the wellhead resource by dividing it into its component products. In the Utica, those products include methane, butane, ethane, propane and pentane.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

BY DAVID KAMINSKI

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Stark County’s trusted source for Building & Remodeling Use our members for your next project!

Contact us for a list of members

330-494-5700 biastark.com

Access Midstream, which has its Ohio headquarters in North Canton, Ohio, is part of a three-way partnership that is building a system of pipelines and processing plants in the northern Utica valued at $900 million when the project was announced in early 2012. The partners of Access Midstream are Momentum M3 Midstream and EV Energy Partners.

One of the processing plants being built by this partnership is in Kensington, southern Columbiana County. It is scheduled to go on line in the second quarter of 2013.

Frank Tsuru, president of Momentum M3, told a Crain’s Cleveland Business shale summit audience this year that the buildout was on a “very aggressive” schedule, but he praised the state of Ohio and the local governments for their cooperation. He also said, “We have had a great experience with the workforce in Ohio. It is a highly capable and willing workforce.”

Another major midstream project, announced in late 2012, is valued at $1.5 billion. It is called Blue Racer, and it is a joint venture between Caiman Energy II, with Utica offices in Uniontown, about 15 minutes north of downtown Canton on Interstate 77, and Dominion, parent of Dominion East Ohio Gas, which has a significant presence in Canton and throughout Stark County.

Brent Breon, vice president of business development for Caiman, says that for every $1 invested in Utica exploration, 15 to 35 cents is invested in midstream infrastructure. So as the exploration and production companies like Chesapeake Energy continue to develop wells — with development costs ranging from $6 million to $10 million per well — midstream investments will continue throughout the Utica.

And these are only two of many midstream projects under construction in the Utica.

To dramatize the need for the midstream buildout, one only needs to compare the number of horizontal wells drilled so far in the Utica to the number of those wells that are actually producing. At the end of firstquarter 2013, there were 588 wells granted permits by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and 282 drilled, but only 81 in production.

“In order for Utica to reach its fullest potential, processing capabilities need to catch up to drilling. While we have more than 50 wells in production, that number would double if not for processing constraints,” said Keith Fuller, senior director of corporate development and government affairs at Chesapeake Energy in Canton.

“The anticipation is that by the end of this year, more pipeline will exist and processing plants will come on to allow for a significant increase in production. If processing develops as scheduled, the forecasted potential of the Utica will start to take shape for us and our partner landowners,” Fuller said.

Meanwhile, the indirect economic effects of the Utica exploration and midstream buildout are being felt in numerous ways. One example would be the construction of new hotels to temporarily accommodate the Utica workforce that is coming into Ohio. To pick an example: At one interchange in southern Canton, along Interstate 77, where little more than a truck stop existed for several years, the truck stop has been closed. It is being replaced by a Pilot Flying J center, and at that same intersection, at the same time, three new hotel projects have been announced.

As if this weren’t enough reason to become interested in Canton and Stark County as an energy center, there are the research and development centers into alternative energy that operate here.

LG Fuel Cell Systems operates a research center on the campus of Stark State College in suburban Canton that is prototyping a megawatt-size fuel cell system that could power a subdivision or a shopping center.

Near the Akron-Canton Airport, the Timken Co. has developed a wind energy simulation laboratory to conduct field tests on the bearings and seals that Timken manufactures for the wind energy business.

ENERGY CantonINC

HOW HORIZONTAL DRILLING WORKS Hydraulic fracturing, combined with horizontal drilling, is a process in which water, sand and chemicals are injected into the earth at high pressure to release trapped gas. Horizontal wells have the ability to reach a much wider area of rock and the natural gas that is trapped within the shale formation.

Seismic exploration

RECORDING TRUCK The vibration data is picked up by a seismic recording truck.

3

Seismic exploration is used to help the drilling companies locate and accurately drill. This is now the most prevalent geophysical technique used in the search for hydrocarbons. Seismology refers to the search for deposits of crude oil, natural gas and minerals by the recording, processing, and interpretation of artificially induced shock waves in the earth.

nes pho Geo

VIBRATION TRUCK The source of the vibration is a large vehicle carrying special equipment designed to create a large impact or series of vibrations.

1

SHOCKWAVES The seismic waves move through the earth's crust and interacts differently with various types of underground formations.

2

Horizontal well drilling Horizontal wells start like a conventional gas well. The well 1is drilled vertically to the desired

Water is pumped in 6,000 to 9,000 psi

depth. Depths of 6,000 to 8,000 feet are required to reach the gas deposits in the Utica Shale formation in eastern Ohio.

PIP E

GAS RETURN

2

At various depths, multiple lengths of steel casing are cemented into place to prevent any fluids used in drilling and fracturing from contaminating aquifers and other geologic zones.

Thousands of fractures are created

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

3

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Pumped in sand holds the cracks open

FRAC FLUID

After drilling vertically to the depth that reaches slightly ■ Fracturing process uses multiple steps to extract natural gas and above the shale, a special drill oil, within a shale rock formation thousands of feet beneath the tool (mud motor) is installed, this earth’s surface. tool allows drilling companies to gradually turn the wellbore percent water and sand (or other horizontally-and push into the granulated material) and shale, sometimes as much as approximately one percent 5,000 feet. chemicals. The fracturing requires between three million Explosives are lowered into and five million gallons of water the bottom of the well. When per well and 5,000 to 6,700 the explosives are detonated, gallons of chemicals are used per holes are blasted through pipe, well. cement, and shale. Small fractures are created in the After capturing gas from the targeted area of the shale. well, drilling companies recover portions of the fracturing Next, a fluid mixture of sand, fluid, which is treated and/or water and chemicals is recycled for future drilling injected into the newly created projects. The well is prepared for fractures at high pressure. The production. Energy companies ■ A mix of water, sand and mixture is necessary to create return to monitor and maintain chemicals is injected in the fissures in the shale through the site. cracks. The sand is used to keep which the gas can escape. The fractures open. fracking mixture is typically 99

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CONTACT INFO ALLIANCE Mayor: Alan C. Andreani / Alliance Area Chamber: www.AllianceOhioChamber.org / Alliance Area Development Foundation: www.AllianceADF.com / City of Alliance: www.CityofAlliance.com CANAL FULTON

Mayor: Richard Harbaugh / City of Alliance: www.CityofCanalFulton-oh.gov / Canal Fulton Chamber: www.DiscoverCanal Fulton.com

CANTON Mayor: William J. Healy II / City of Canton: www.Canton Ohio.gov / Canton Regional Chamber: www.CantonChamber.org

Selinsky Force offers unsurpassed customer service and wide-ranging capabilities in industrial construction, plant maintenance, refractory, rigging and hauling, equipment rental and pulverizer services.

With our diverse portfolio we can service all of your Industrial, Construction and Oil & Gas needs.

JACKSON TWP. Board of Trustees President: James N.Walters / Jackson Township: www.jacksontwp .com / Jackson/Belden Chamber: ww.JBCC.org

LAKE TWP. Board of Trustees President: John Arnold / Lake Township: www.laketwpstarkco.com / Lake Township Chamber: www.lake chamber.com / Lake Township Development Foundation: www.LTDF. org

LOUISVILLE Mayor: Patricia Fallot / City of Louisville: www.Louisville Ohio.com / Louisville Area Chamber: www. LouisvilleOHChamber.com MASSILLON Mayor: Kathy Catazaro-Perry / City of Massillon: www.MassillonOhio.com / Massillon Area Chamber: www.MassillonOH Chamber.com / Massillon Development Foundation: www.MassillonDevelopment.com

MINERVA

Mayor: James Waller / Village of Minerva: www.ci.minerva.oh.us / Minerva Chamber: www.Minerva Chamber.org

NORTH CANTON Mayor: David J. Held / City of North Canton: www.NorthCantonOhio.com / North Canton Area Chamber of Commerce: www.NorthCanton Chamber.org PLAIN TWP.

Board of Trustees President: Scott Haws / Plain Township: www.PlainTownship.com / Plain Township Chamber: www.PlainTownship.com

4244 Mt. Pleasant St. NW, Suite 100, North Canton, OH 44720 for more information call - 330-477-4527

www.selinskyforce.com

CantonINC MANUFACTURING

SPSI

TAPPING INTO

SKILL

BY JOAN PORTER

anufacturing companies require skilled workers to be successful and business leaders recognize that. In northeast Ohio, there is a vast pool of both currently skilled workers and those eager to learn a skill. Our two featured companies have tapped into that pool to build and grow their businesses. One, Miller Welding of Tuscarawas Township, acknowledges the importance of its employees to build machinery and offer the best customer service possible. The other, SPSI of Hartville, offers a program for apprentice welders and pipe fitters, two trades in demand not only for SPSI but also for an area experiencing growth in the oil and gas industry.

M

SPSI Putting Ohio back to work is SPSI’s focus.

And they obviously have been effective at doing just that.

In the last two years, this world-class piping systems company has grown its workforce from about 150 people to 230 and has expanded its sales from $20 million to $45 million.

What has helped is the company’s nationally accredited two-year internal apprentice program in welding and pipe fitting. The program is part of the company’s plan to have 80 to 90 percent of their employees be local hires.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

MANUFACTURING

33

MANUFACTURING CantonINC

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

MILLER WELDMASTER

34

While many of its employees are local, much of SPSI’s business extends beyond Northeast Ohio to other states, Canada and even India where power generation and petrochemical industries need the process, power and nuclear piping systems made by SPSI. Further growth is anticipated with the oil and gas boom as existing refineries are upgraded or new ones built. The company’s location in Hartville, its top quality products and excellent customer service as well as its highly trained workforce give SPSI a clear advantage as the energy business continues to develop in Ohio.

ABOUT SPSI President: Thomas Bach Location: 1160 Sunnyside St., Hartville Product or services: Specialized fab-

ricator of process, power and nuclear piping systems used primarily in the domestic and international power generation and petrochemical industries.

Number of employees: 230 Years in Stark County: 30 Website: www.scottprocess.com

THOMAS BACH Title: President Years at company: 32 with CIC Group, Inc., parent company of SPIS Years as president: 3 About Stark: BACH “Stark County is a great area — good transportation, great people with a great work ethic, great colleges. Because we are in the energy business, the refineries, power plants and oil and gas industries in the surrounding area make Stark County a great location or us.”

MILLER WELDMASTER A single fabric welding machine built in the garage of his home set Alvin L. Miller on the road to building a business.

That machine proved to be so successful that a few years later his wife and son joined him in the garage, building and servicing fabric welding machines for customers in the United States.

Today, Alvin’s son, Scott Miller, is the owner and CEO of Miller Weldmaster. The company employs 85 people and services 100 nations across the globe.

Over half of its sales are outside the U.S., where the company has 20 international distributors scattered throughout numerous countries and regions. Wherever a machine is sold, Miller Weldmaster provides one-stop service from application and installation to customer service and support.

Although the company has faced international competition over the years, Miller said, “... we have prevailed. Our people adapt and listen to our customers by offering products and services our industry is asking for.

Our customers are the reason for our existence, but our people are the reason for our success. If you take care of your people, your people will take care of the customer, and the customer will take care of the company.”

It is that kind of thinking that makes Weldmaster a successful company and helped earn Miller the Ohio Chapter’s 2012 TiE International Entrepreneur Award. The award recognizes the contributions of an international entrepreneur to the local economy.

From that very first welding machine built in the garage, the company has grown to manufacture 10 standard product lines of welding equipment and offers custom engineered automation converting solutions.

Miller Weldmaster’s customers fabricate tarps, tents, environmental and farm products, inflatable boats, pool and pond liners, canopies and awnings, military and construction products, billboards and many other products.

ABOUT MILLER WELDMASTER Owner and CEO: Scott Miller Location: 4220 Alabama Ave., Tuscarawas Township Product or services: Heat welding and converting machinery for thermoplastic industrial fabrics Number of employees: 85 Years in Stark County: 30 Website: www.weldmaster.com

SCOTT MILLER Title: Owner and CEO Years at Company: 27 Years as CEO: 13 About Stark: “We have been very fortunate to be located in Stark County, where I believe true entrepreneurial spirit continues to exist. I see this from the MILLER drive, focus and passion of our people at Miller Weldmaster who continually strive to be the first choice globally of all industrial fabric welding equipment solutions.”

It’s ABOUT living your BEST LIFE right here in STARK COUNTY

About Living your best life

Stark County

aboutstark.com 330.580.8352

OTHER AREA MANUFACTURERS

KOCH KNIGHT President: Michael Graeff Location: 5385 Orchard View Dr., SE, East Canton Product or service: Leader in acid proof systems for large industrial customers. Also sells ceramic and plastic packing for pollution control equipment.

Number of employees: 78 in Canton Years in Stark County: 16 Website: www.kochknight.com

HYDRODEC NORTH AMERICA CEO: Ian Smale; General Manager, Global Operations: David Robertson Location: 2021 Steinway Blvd., SE, Canton Product or service: Hydrodec collects, manages, and processes used transformer oil up to 2,000 ppm PCB content. Hydrodec manufactures high quality SuperFine transformer oil and base oil for a range of lubricant applications.

Number of employees: 28 in Canton Years in Stark County: 5 Website: www.hydrodec.com

MORGAN ENGINEERING SYSTEMS, INC. President and CEO: Mark L. Fedor Location: 1049 South Mahoning Ave., Alliance Product or service: Material handling equipment for the metals and mining industry.

Primary products are electric overhead traveling cranes and industrial automation/robotics integration including all Level 1 and Level 2 hardware and software development for all metals and mining equipment.

Number of employees: 110 full- and part-time Years in Stark County: 142 Website: www.morganengineering.com

RTI ALLOYS CEO: Dawne Hickton of RTI International Metals Location: 1935 Warner Rd. SE, Canton Product or service: Produces titanium ingots and sends them to RTI Niles to forge into smaller shapes and roll out into plates and sheets to be sold to other companies for use in aerospace, industrial and other applications for customers around the world.

Number of employees: 70 Years in Stark County: 16 Website: www.rtiintl.com

TRANSPORTATION CantonINC

TRANSPORTATION

GETTING YOU THERE

BY DAVID KAMINSKI

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

N

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eed to fly for business?

Need to rely on trucking for business? How about rail access for business? You can get where you want to go, and get it where it needs to be, from Canton and Stark County.

Beginning with air travel for business, the Akron Canton Regional Airport, now featuring service from Southwest Airlines, served 1.86 million total passengers in 2012. It also had the 15th lowest average airfare of any airport in the country. In addition to Southwest, CAK is served by AirTran, Delta, US Airways and United Express.

Destination cities from Akron-Canton are Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., in the Northeast, Charlotte, Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa and Fort Myers in the Southeast, Detroit and Chicago in the Great Lakes region, and Denver in the West.

Like many business sectors, air travel has been boosted by the exploration of the Utica Shale.

“There is no doubt that Utica shale energy creation is propelling business at the Akron-Canton Airport,” said President and CEO Rick McQueen.

“Corporate and commercial traffic increases as new companies move into the area. Wealth is created, generating new local air trips. Plus, with the addition of Southwest Airlines at CAK,

our future is very bright indeed.”

The convergence of Interstate 77 and U.S. Route 30 in Canton, as well as the proximity to east-west Interstate 76 and the Ohio Turnpike, make Canton a robust center for motor carriers and warehousing logistics companies. Here is a look at just three companies that operate from the Canton-Stark County crossroads.

Peoples Services is a transportation, warehousing and product handling company that began 99 years ago in nearby Massillon and now is headquartered in Canton.

“We’re committed to this area,” said Doug Sibila, president and CEO, and third-generation leader of this family company.

CantonINC TRANSPORTATION

In addition to Ohio, it has facilities in Virginia and West Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee. These facilities constitute more than 4.5 million square feet of public and contract warehousing space.

Peoples services are truck transportation and logistics, warehouse management, transloading, specialized bulk packaging, handling of chemicals, order fulfillment, and polymer milling and blending.

It is particularly adept at handling, packaging and warehousing hazardous materials.

“We’re the largest ‘hazmat’ space provider in Northeast Ohio,” Sibila said.

Stark County also is home to Kenan Advantage Group, the largest tank truck hauler in North America. KAG operates 100 terminals and 100 satellite

locations. Its primary business is fuel delivery, but it also transports specialty products from chemicals to food-grade products, as well as industrial gases.

“For over 20 years, we have been strategically headquartered right here, in Stark County. I use the word ‘strategic’ because that is exactly how we feel about our location in Stark County,” said Dennis Nash, CEO and cofounder of Kenan Advantage Group. “We have the ability to recruit talented young professionals from exceptional local colleges while also attracting veteran leadership from the community that exemplify tremendous values and work ethic.”

The company has formed a new division, KAG Energy Resources, to meet the needs of the oil and gas exploration industry in the Utica shale.

Though it has served the Canton market for a number of years from a facility in Cleveland, Old Dominion Freight Lines responded to growing business in Canton by building a 70door distribution center at the Mills Business Park in Canton. It is in its second year of operation.

“The Canton Service Center is a vital part of Old Dominion’s nationwide network. The LEEDcertified facility is conveniently located near Interstate 77 and services a wide range of customers in the region, including Canton’s strong base of manufacturing and retail companies.

We look forward to being part of the Canton community for years to come,” said Don Benner, manager of Old Dominion’s Canton Service Center.

And finally, if you need to move goods in and out of Canton

and Stark County by rail, there is Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway, headquartered in Brewster in southwest Stark County. The regional railroad’s 80 miles of track in Stark County provides connections to Norfolk Southern, CN and CSK rail systems. It moves about 21,000 carloads of freight in and out of Stark County every year.

W&LE is positioned to serve the shale gas and oil exploration in Ohio and Pennsylvania, particularly the midstream phase.

"We always have been focused on midstream buildout" in the Marcellus and Utica, said Jonathan Chastek, assistant vice president of business development. This would involve transportation of pipe for pipelines and the tanks and other equipment required for midstream processing.

A F F I L I A T E D PA R T N E R

OHIO GRATINGS, INC.

MEETING THE CHALLENGE

BY JOAN RENNER

Area businesses have adapted to all sorts of challenges: DLH Industries’ main customer moved production overseas in the 1970s. M. Conley started out as a general store, but lost customers to big

chains. Gregory Industries lost its means of production when a fire destroyed its galvanizing line. Here are eight area businesses that have survived change, some for more than a century.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

LONG-TIME BUSINESSES

41

DEEP ROOTS CantonINC

OHIO GRATINGS, INC. “Make it right and ship when promised,” has been a winning formula for Ohio Gratings Inc. Founded in 1970 by father-and-son team Harold and David Bartley, the company started out as a distributor for Blaw-Knox.

Owned and run by David Bartley’s sons, CEO John Bartley and Chairman David Bartley II, the company now manufactures and sells its own aluminum and steel gratings, occupies 312,000 square feet in Perry Township, and employs more than 300 people, said David Bartley II. The gratings, which are used in fencing, sunscreens, pallet racks, walkways and other applications, are sold nationwide and abroad, said Bartley.

Ohio Gratings also offers “press-lock” grating, a thinner grating with variable spacing in either direction.

Employees still participate in the company’s profit-sharing cash bonus plan, set up by Harold Bartley.

“To have employees working for us for 40-plus years, 35-plus years in today’s environment, that is so rare,” said Bartley.

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

ABOUT OHIO GRATINGS, INC.

42

CEO: John Bartley Location: 5299 Southway St. SW, Perry Township Number of employees: More than 300 Years in Stark County: 43 Website: www.ohiogratings.com/index1.asp

DAVID BARTLEY II Position: Chairman, Ohio Gratings Years with Ohio Gratings: 25 full-time.

(David Bartley II started cleaning offices part-time at age 16. His brother, CEO John Bartley, started developing inventory-costing computer programs at age 12.)

Years as chairman: Eight “We’re very close to all of our suppliers, all the raw material we need is very local, and close by, and there are wonderful people to draw from for employment.” David Bartley II, chairman, Ohio Gratings Inc.

JOHN SAXON, DLH INDUSTRIES

DLH INDUSTRIES In 38 years, DLH Industries has grown from one employee and an injection molding machine to a company with more than 500 employees in Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee.

The private company designs and produces plastic air and fluid handling assemblies, largely for the automotive industry. The company produces its own injection molds and assembly fixtures, enabling them to put prototypes in clients’ hands quickly.

DLH has employees on-site at automotive companies full-time, so they can respond to clients’ needs, from design of a product to its final installation. This year, DLH was named GM global supplier of the year for the sixth year in a row.

DLH saw double-digit growth as a percentage of sales between 2011 and 2012.

In fact, DLH Industries is looking for skilled employees in mechanical and plastic engineering to join its workforce, said John Saxon, chairman and chief executive officer: “We are always looking to attract engineering talent.”

ABOUT DLH INDUSTRIES CEO: John Saxon, Chairman and CEO Location: 2422 Leo Ave. SW, Perry Township Product or service: Designs and produces plastic air and fluid handling assemblies, for automotive and other industries.

Number of employees: More than 500

Years in Stark County: 38 Website: www.dlh-inc.com

JOHN SAXON Title: Chairman and CEO Years at DLH: 9.5 years (hired in as President and COO) Years as CEO: Five years “We have excellent resources in this area.

We have Stark State, we have Akron U close by and we have a long history and tradition of plastic and specifically automotive production in this area … traditionally we’ve had a very loyal work force.”

THE TIMKEN COMPANY In recent years The Timken Company has invested more than $500 million at its Stark County steel facilities to improve productivity, expand product range and increase capacity.

In addition, Timken expects to open a new $42 million office at the company’s Jackson Township global technology center. Roughly 500 employees in Timken’s Bearings and Power Transmission group will join colleagues already at the center.

The company, once synonymous with tapered roller bearings, has diversified into industries such as wind energy, power transmission, and mining.

Diversification has paid off: Net income for 2012 rose nine percent over 2011.

THE TIMKEN COMPANY

ABOUT THE TIMKEN COMPANY CEO: James W. Griffith, President and CEO Location: 1835 Dueber Ave. SW, Canton Product or service: Tapered roller bearings, steel alloys, gear boxes, components for wind energy, mining, and power transmission industries.

Number of employees: Roughly 20,000 worldwide; 4,425 in Stark County Years in Stark County: 112 Website: www.timken.com

JAMES W. GRIFFITH Title: President and CEO Years at Timken: 29 years Years as CEO: 11 years “The story of 2012 actually began many years ago for The Timken Company.With the strategic, fundamental changes made over the past decade, we have molded a GRIFFITH stronger, more resilient company. Even as 2012 tested so many, our results for the year demonstrate that our strategy is serving us well.We continue to focus on long-term value creation for our customers and our shareholders by evolving in key markets, diversifying our business portfolio and leveraging our core strengths. In the end, performance counts.�

DEEP ROOTS CantonINC

MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP Canton is home to one of Marathon Petroleum Company’s seven refineries, and its closest to the Utica Shale.

The Canton facility has added a permanent truck rack that can handle 12,000 barrels of oil per day, and is expandable to 24,000 barrels.

Marathon is designing an addition to the plant to process crude from the Utica Shale, said Ohio Division Refining Manager Brad McKain.

Marathon expects to have capacity for 25,000 barrels of Utica product per day by the end of 2014.

McKain said the refinery will largely be substituting Utica crude for other products, rather than increasing overall capacity dramatically.

Marathon Petroleum also plans to deliver crude by truck and barge to the Marathon plant in Catlettsburg, Kentucky.

Marathon has representatives working with the Stark State College Oil and Gas Advisory Council to identify and address the need for skills in the oil industry.

“We want to make sure we are a processor of choice for the producers,” said McKain.

ABOUT MARATHON PETROLEUM CEO: Gary R. Heminger Location: 2801 23rd St. SW, Canton Product or service: A wide range of crude oils. Gasoline, diesel, asphalt, heavy fuel oil, propane, and sulfur. Crude distillation, catalytic cracking, catalytic polymerization, hydrotreating, reforming, alkylation, and sulfur recovery.

MARATHON PETROLEUM

“I am hopeful that this energy boom that the whole country is seeing, particularly the Utica Shale, will be a longterm positive for BELDEN this area and will help us get back to where we like to be as a business community.”

GREGORY INDUSTRIES Number of employees: 360, and 300 additional contract employees Years in Stark County: 81 (Local refinery built in 1931, was acquired by Ashland Inc. in 1948 when Ashland merged with Allied Oil company; Ashland Inc. formed joint venture with Marathon in 2005, which dissolved in 2008; in 2011, Marathon Petroleum separated from Marathon Oil.) Website: www.marathon petroleum.com

BRAD McKAIN Title: Ohio Refining Division Manager Years at Marathon: 29 years Years as manager: McKain started at the Canton refinery in Jan. 2013.

“I think we’re well-positioned to take advantage of the new opportunities. It’s what we do, it’s right here in our backyard … There’s a lot of prospects and opportunities to take advantage of, and we’re really excited to be a part of it.”

BELDEN BRICK Belden Brick President and CEO Robert Belden said he is optimistic, despite a slow year.

Growth in 2012 was roughly half the 3 percent experienced in 2011. The 128-yearold company has had to adjust, running one plant only six months of the year and letting certain kilns lie dormant at two other plants.

Belden Brick is adjusting to

changing demand. It recently purchased a thin-brick panel system to make brick veneer. It is also experimenting with industrial options, such as bricks for aluminum smelters.

The company is interviewing potential partners to help exploit the mineral and gas rights the company holds on or near the Utica Shale.

Eventually, Belden said, his company might be able to supply all of its energy needs through such a partnership.

ABOUT BELDEN BRICK

A factory fire in the 1980s opened up opportunities for Gregory Industries.

T. Raymond Gregory moved the steel products producer from Brooklyn to Canton in 1957. He wanted to be closer to a customer base of steel producers and manufacturers, said Gregory’s grandson, Matt Gregory, vice president of operations.

The company began galvanizing, in a small way, in the 1980s. A narrow galvanizing line enabled the company to produce galvanized fence posts.

CEO: Robert Belden Location: 700 Tuscarawas St.W, Canton Product or service: Makes and distributes bricks, with a 250 million standard brick equivalent capacity.

Has administrative offices in Canton, and six plants in nearby Tuscarawas County. Operates six plants through its out-of-state subsidiary, Redland Brick, and has two distributorships.

Founded (as Diebold Fire Brick Company) in 1885.

Number of employees: Roughly 700 — 450 in Stark County area.

Years in Stark County: 128 Website: www.beldenbrick.com

ROBERT BELDEN Title: President and CEO Years with Belden Brick: 30 Years as CEO: Five

GREGORY INDUSTRIES

CantonINC DEEP ROOTS

Then, the fire occurred, destroying the galvanizing line. When Gregory Industries rebuilt in another location, it added wider galvanizing lines, expanding its product offerings.

Today, Gregory Industries uses a continuous galvanizing process to produce guardrails, cable barriers and fencing; they sell and service steel throughout North America. Gregory Industries employs roughly 150 people at its two plants, in Canton and Canton Township. “It’s a great place to do business,” said Gregory.

ABOUT GREGORY INDUSTRIES CEO: Steve Gregory Location: 4100 13th St. SW, Canton Product or service: Continuous galvanized and roll-formed steel products, such as guardrails, cable barriers, and fencing products.

Founded in 1957 in Stark County. (It is rooted in a Brooklyn, NY steel company founded in 1896.)

Number of employees: Roughly 150

M. CONLEY CEO BOB STEWART III Years in Stark County: 56 Website: www.gregorycorp.com

M. CONLEY CO. M. Conley Co. has adjusted to the times for more than 100 years.

“We actually started as a general store, back in the 1890s,” said CEO Bob Stewart III.

As chain stores began to sprout up, M. Conley Co. decided to specialize in paper and packaging products, said Stewart, a member of the company’s fourth generation.

“We actually service three markets: Janitorial, paper, packaging supplies,” Stewart said.

The last category ranges from mail packaging to food service packaging.

M. Conley doesn’t just supply, but works with companies to meet their needs, whether it’s installing a product, or retrofitting machinery to the customer’s specifications.

M. Conley has an office in North Carolina and operates in several other southern states, largely to serve the plants of Canton-based Timken Co. “People have tried to entice us to move to different industrial parks outside of the area, but this is our home,” Stewart said.

ABOUT M. CONLEY CEO: Bob Stewart III Location: 1312 Fourth St. SE Product or service: Provides paper, packaging and janitorial supplies.

Number of employees: Roughly 100 Years in Stark County: At least 103 (M. Conley incorporated in 1910; it existed as a general store some years before that.)

Website: www.mconley.com

H-P PRODUCTS H-P Products was founded in 1945 to make gas conversion burners for coal furnaces in households. Today, the company makes engineered tube bends for the automotive, construction and agricultural industries at two Louisville plants.

Residential central vacuum systems, including brand names such as Dirt Devil® and VACUFLO®, are produced at the company’s Jackson township plant.

Roughly 35 to 40 percent of new homes in North America have these systems installed, according to Amy Wesely, H-P Products marketing manager.

Employment at the three plants and corporate headquarters totals 375 people, said Wesely.

ABOUT H-P PRODUCTS COO: Allen Green, President and Chief Operating Officer Location: 512 W. Gorgas St., Louisville Product or service: Makes engineered tube bends and residential central vacuum systems.

Number of employees: 375 Years in Stark County: 68 Website: www.h-pproducts.com

CantonINC SMALL BUSINESS

SMALL BUSINESSES

FINDING, FILLING

A NEED

BY JOAN RENNER

hether it’s suppressing dust, cutting red tape for big companies or servicing small industries, one transformer at a time, Stark County’s small businesses keep profitable by finding a need and filling it.

One thing leads to another.

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MIDWEST INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY

MIDWEST INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY Midwest is also developing soil-stabilization processes for unpaved roads, and the substrate of paved roads, that can address problems as varied as washout, frost heave, and industrial traffic.

The company is in the process of commercializing this product, said company president Steven Vitale.

“We look at this as something that is truly game-changing, not only for the industry, but for Midwest,” he said.

ABOUT MIDWEST INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CEO: Bob Vitale Location: 1101 Third St. SE Canton Product or service: Environmentallyfriendly dust control, soil stabilization and de-icing.

Number of employees: 67 Years in Stark County: 38

CONTINUED ON PAGE 48

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

In 1975, Bob Vitale started Midwest Industrial Supply, selling de-icing and anti-icing agents to utility companies.

Noticing that clients needed an environmentally-friendly dust suppression agent, he developed Soil-Sement, a polymer emulsion that broke down into harmless components.

Today, Soil-Sement is Midwest’s main products, certified by environmental agencies in the United States and Canada.

The family-owned company sells its products through distributors abroad; it both distributes and directly implements the product in North America. It serves coal, oil, gas and industrial concerns, to name a few.

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SMALL BUSINESS CantonINC

BOB VITALE Title: CEO Years as CEO: Bob Vitale founded the company 38 years ago.

About Stark County: “Stark County has a very favorable business climate; starting with the support of the Chamber of Commerce, the Stark Development Board, and we love the access to the highway and rail systems, north, south, east, and west; it’s very easy to get our raw materials in and ship our finished products out. It’s a very good area to attract capable and talented people.”

HILSCHERCLARKE

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

Hilscher-Clarke and its four subsidiaries provide electrical contracting services, mainly in Ohio, but also in other states and countries to meet the needs of its Stark County clients.

Electrical construction is the company’s core service, but the company is flexible. During the 2008 economic downturn, the company turned to the expertise of its older employees, offering specialty services other companies were phasing out.

CEO Ronald Becker said the company is seeing a significant amount of business from suppliers to companies exploring the Utica Shale.

“I really think that the lion’s share of the work is 18 to 24 months away,” said Becker.

Hilscher-Clarke is on the lookout for new electrical engineers and

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YOUNG TRUCK SALES

HILSCHERCLARKE designers to help make their client’s most challenging requests reality.

“The message has always been, ‘We’ll figure out a way to get it done for you,” said Becker.

ABOUT HILSCHERCLARKE CEO: Ronald Becker Location: 519 Fourth St. NW Service: Provides electrical contracting services both as Hilscher-Clarke and as subsidiaries State Electrical Engineering Company, LLC, Advanced Electrical Testing, LLC, ET Electrical Company, LLC, and CTC Technologies, LLC Number of employees: About 300 Years in Stark County: 112:Two electrical contracting companies formed independently in 1901; the two merged in 1912.The company was bought and renamed by employees Walt Hilscher and Roy Clarke in 1926.

Website: www.hilscher-clarke.com

RONALD BECKER Title: Chairman and CEO Years at Hilscher-Clarke: 28 Years as CEO: 10 years About Stark County:“Stark County has the complete package: Job opportunities for a densely talented and trained workforce that has a good work ethic, five major colleges BECKER and universities that support the training needs of our local businesses and industries. ...There are many business professionals, economic development groups, and local governments that work well together behind the scenes to help retain/expand existing businesses all the while helping to attract businesses to Stark County.”

YOUNG TRUCK SALES Young Truck Sales is one of four businesses with roots in Young White Truck Sales, which started in 1954 as a dealer for White Motor Co. Today, the family-owned company has four offshoots: Young Volvo, Young Truck Sales, Young Leasing, and JayMac Body & Frame. Open seven days a week, the businesses sell and lease new Volvo, Freightliner and Isuzu trucks, sell used trucks, rehab and repair heavy duty trailers, trucks and recreational vehicles, and sell parts in a three-state area.

The company is now run by thirdgenerations cousins Craig Young, president, and Robert Young, vicepresident.

The company is adding 16 service bays to the 10 already at its Volvo franchise, as well as expanding and improving the franchise’s parts operations, said Craig Young. The new bays will be compressed- and liquid-natural gas certified — a service the Utica Shale boom makes potentially profitable.

“I really see it in the next five years growing to about a quarter or a third of the truck market in our area,” Young said.

ABOUT YOUNG TRUCK SALES President and Dealer Principal: Craig Young Location: 4970 Southway St. SW (Young Truck Sales); 2230 Shepler Church SW (Young Volvo and Young Leasing); 1801 Ivydale SW (JayMac Body & Frame); 3406 Navarre YOUNG Rd. SW (Young Trailer Rehab and Repair) Products and services: Sells and leases trucks, repairs trucks, trailers and recreational vehicles, and sells parts.

Number of employees: 114 Years in Stark County: 59 Website: www.youngtrucks.com

CONTRACTOR CONNECTION, INC. Maria Maculaitis started her business in 2000 to act as a purchasing agent, helping large companies get around red tape to buy items ranging from bullhorns to trucks.

Today, she says, Contractor Connection, Inc. is a $2 million-a-year business that helps companies with purchasing, equal opportunity employment, construction work, appliance installation, industrial cleaning, and property maintenance.

Maculaitis has a knack for creating win-win situations. For example, she takes in chips and logs from area tree firms eager to get rid of them. Then she sells the wood chips by the truckload as boiler fuel.

Through this, she met Scott Brenner, owner of Arbortech Tree Care.

“She stalked me for wood chips,” said Brenner.

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Brenner and Maculaitis are partners in “Endors Arborist and Rope Supply.” They plan to open a website — www.endorstreegear.com — by May 18, and a physical store later this year.

ABOUTCONTRACTOR CONNECTION “The best contractors in Stark County belong to the Building Industry Association for many reasons…Integrity, Credibility, Education, Training, Networking. When you use a BIA Member on your new home or remodeling project you’re insuring that your home is built by industry leaders dedicated to safe, affordable housing built to the highest standards. Call us for a list of members.

330.499.5700 biastark.com

President and founder: Maria Maculaitis Location: 400 Schroyer Ave. NW Service: Purchasing, industrial cleaning, construction work, appliance installation, property maintenance, and equal opportunity employment.

Number of employees: Five Years in Stark County: 13 Website: www.ContractorConnectionInc.com

TRANSFORMER ASSOCIATES Transformer Associates collects and analyzes insulating fluid for transformers.

“We test that oil, similar to when you go to a doctor, they test your blood,” said Rodney Herndon, president and CEO of the Canton-based company.

Herndon’s employees can diagnose faults that may be occurring in the transformer from the pattern of gases present in the oil.

Transformer Associates can repair leaks, treat the oil to remove unsafe gas and contaminants, do some transformer repairs, and advise clients.

Herndon has built up to testing “in the thousands” of transformers, mostly owned by smaller businesses. He estimate 95 percent of his client base is outside of Ohio, many in the Chicago, New York and Alabama areas.

“I’m from this area, and my employees are from this area, so for now we’re going to stay put,” Herndon said.

TRANSFORMER ASSOCIATES CEO: Rodney Herndon Location: 831 Market Ave. N., Canton Service: Collects, analyzes and treats transformer insulating fluid.

Number of employees: About 6 Website: http://transformerassociates.com

GROWING IN STARK CantonINC

CANTON MAYOR WILLIAM J. HEALY II WITH VXI GLOBAL SOLUTIONS CO-FOUNDER DAVID ZHOU

GROWING BUSINESSES

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

A GOOD PLACE TO

52

EXPAND

BY JOAN RENNER

tark County is a great place to grow up, especially for some businesses. Growing area businesses say the county is a good place to locate and expand. They cite a skilled labor pool with a good work ethic, helpful public officials, and community fixtures such as schools, hospitals, and business development boards for why they remain in the area.

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VXI GLOBAL SOLUTIONS VXI Global Solutions opened its Canton facility in August 2011 with 500 employees offering telephone sales and technical support.

Today, it has roughly 1,200 employees in Canton, and expects to end the year with roughly 1,500 employees at the downtown site, said Greg Ouimet, regional vice president.

CantonINC GROWING IN STARK

The Los Angeles-based company offers international call center services, including sales, customer service and technical support, in several languages.

In Canton, VXI Global Solutions hires people with specific technical and computer skills, as well as sales and customer service experience.

With growth come challenges. VXI has ironed out parking issues and has designated a smoking lounge in the back of the building.

Ouimet said the company was “very pleased” with the Canton operation, particularly the cooperation between the company and city government.

“That’s one of the reasons we’ve continued with the growth that we’ve had. It’s one of our best performing sites,” he said.

ABOUT VXI GLOBAL SOLUTIONS CEO: Eva Wang Location: 401 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton Product or service: Full-service call center

ALTERCARE, NORTH CANTON operation providing international sales, technical support and customer service in several languages. It also has an array of business services, ranging from data entry to lead generation and development software for call center needs.

Number of employees: Roughly 1,200 in Stark County. Globally,VXI Global Solutions employs roughly 10,000 people worldwide.

Website: www.vxi.com

THE RENKERT BUILDING 306 Market Ave., N. Canton, OH 44702

330.452.9406

ALTERCARE OF OHIO INC. Forty years ago, Gerald and Sue Schroer bought their first rehabilitation and skilled nursing facility in Westerville, Ohio.

Today, Altercare Inc. owns 17 facilities in Ohio and one in Michigan, and is part of the Schroer Group, a Stark County-based

Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Canton with ample parking and reasonable rates to meet your office needs. Call Becka Kasapis at 330.452.9406

GROWING IN STARK CantonINC

enterprise that includes Avalon Foods, run by Andrew Schroer, and Absolute Health Services, run by Andrew’s brother Jerry Schroer Jr. Altercare’s clients are mostly 65 and older. Ninety percent of clients return home after rehabilitation, said Altercare President Greg Colaner.

The company is investing $1.5 million to enhance the dementia care and rehabilitation services in its Millersburg facility. It is also adding a 17-bed transitional care unit to its Lancaster facility, for short rehabilitation stays after acute events.

Altercare of Ohio is looking for opportunities to add existing, stand-alone rehabilitative facilities with capacity for 80 to 100 residents, Colaner said.

ABOUT ALTERCARE OF OHIO, INC. About Altercare of Ohio Inc. President: Greg Colaner Address: P.O. Box 2289, 330 E. Maple St. North Canton Employs: 2,300 Product or service: Runs 18 rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities in Ohio and Michigan.

Number of employees: 2,300 Years in Stark County: 40 Website: www.altercareonline.com

GREG COLANER President, Altercare of Ohio How long at company: 26 years How long in current position in company: Has been either President or Chief Operating Officer for seven years.

Stark County “has very strong high schools, great secondary education, and very forwardthinking hospital administrators …. We’re a big fan of the schools, employees and the hospitals here in Stark County.”

AGILE NETWORK BUILDERS When the Ohio Department of Public Safety needed to update its communications system, Agile Network Builders saw an opportunity.

The Canton–based company is building a network that links private and public towers and fiber, increasing capacity and reducing costs for the state. When completed, the network will allow Agile Network Builders to reach up to three million address points with quicklyinstalled, easily expanded wireless access.

The network is already operating in Canton, Cleveland, Columbus, and Carroll County.

The company is now expanding into Harrison and Jefferson counties as it focuses on businesses drawn to the booming Utica Shale region.

“All of those businesses need connectivity,” said Chief Executive Officer Robert Brick.

Chief Technical Officer Kyle Quillen expects the statewide project to be complete in roughly 24 months.

“We have a pretty impressive customer list already,” he said.

CantonINC GROWING IN STARK

Since January 2010, the company has expanded from three — founders Quillen, Brick, and Mark Dowd — to 15 people today.

ABOUT AGILE NETWORKS CEO: Robert Brick Location: 213 Market Ave. NW, Canton Service: Telecommunications and broadband service Number of employees: 15 Years in Stark County: Two-and-a-half (by May 2013, it will be two years, five BRICK months.)

Website: www.agilenetworkbuilders.com

EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIANS

From six physicians and an administrative assistant in Massillon, Emergency Medicine Physicians has grown to about 1,200 employees, including roughly 800 clinicians.

Formed in 1992, EMP provides emergency medicine services in 14 states, but, unlike most similar groups, each of their physicians has equal ownership in the company.

“We’re one of the largest physician groups in the country,” said CEO Dr. Dominic Bagnoli, one of EMP’s founders.

EMP takes care of back-office logistics for its physicians, allowing physicians to concentrate on their practice. EMP’s range of services include medical billing, a thirdparty collection company, a medical malpractice insurance company, telemedicine (providing medical services over the Internet), and training and education of physicians.

Bagnoli noted that EMP is well-positioned as the country turns its attention to lowering health care costs, providing better outcomes, and offering better patient experience.

“I think we’re going to grow rapidly,” he said.

ABOUT EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIANS CEO: Dr. Dominic Bagnoli Location: 4535 Dressler Rd. NW Service: A physicians group with Emergency Medicine Physicians in 14 states; Services include medical billing, third-party collections, medical malpractice insurance, telemedicine.

Number of employees: 1,200 Years in Stark County: 21 Website: www.emp.com

DR. DOMINIC BAGNOLI Title: CEO Years at EMP: 21 Years as CEO: 8 “The work ethic, the culture of the people, the commitment to the organization, I think it’s hard to find in other parts of the country ….

When ... the employees come BAGNOLI every day knowing they’re helping, it gives them purpose to their job, and I think that’s why we’ve been so successful.”

CantonINC HEALTH CARE

AFFINITY MEDICAL CENTER

HEALTH CARE

BUSYYEAROF

CARING

BY JOAN RENNER

S

AULTMAN HOSPITAL

will be offered soon to residents. Read on to find out what Affinity Medical Center, Alliance Community Hospital, Mercy Medical Center, and Aultman Hospital have in store for this coming year.

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

tark County’s four hospitals have had a busy year. Two new emergency departments, a dedicated observation unit, and a palliative care program are only some of the choices that are available or

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HEALTH CARE CantonINC

ALLIANCE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

AFFINITY MEDICAL CENTER

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Affinity Medical Center of Massillon expanded its pain management department to meet growing need, and relocated it from the hospital’s main campus to Jackson Township in March 2012.

The hospital also celebrated the first anniversary of its dedicated orthopedic and spine center. Affinity has seen a nearly 12 percent increase in orthopedic cases in the past year, said Susan Koosh, vice president of marketing and community relations.

In July, the hospital plans to open its new, 24-room emergency department, a 50-percent expansion. It plans to open a third cardiac catheterization lab later this year.

Catheterization lab procedures have increased more than 50 percent in the last year, Koosh said.

Affinity continues to offer women’s services (excluding birth delivery), occupational health and in-patient senior mental health. It is one of 12 teaching facilities affiliated with the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.

ABOUT AFFINITY MEDICAL CENTER Location: 875 Eighth St. NE, Massillon Years in Stark County: 103 CEO: Ron Bierman What makes it special: Affinity Medical Center is Stark County’s only for-profit hospital, with access to a network of 135 hospitals leased, operated or owned by Tennessee-based Community Health Systems.

Licensed beds: 266 Number of employees: 779 Satellites: Seven physician offices, a pain management center, and a therapy facility in Stark County; an additional therapy facility/fitness center in Orrville.

Accepts: All major insurance programs.

Affinity works with out-of-network patients through its Affinity Access program.

Website: www.affinitymedicalcenter.com

RON BIERMAN Title: CEO Years at Affinity: 5 Years as CEO: more than 20, at various hospitals “The healthcare industry continues to evolve, as do the medical and surgical needs BIERMAN of the patients we care for. Affinity Medical Center is dedicated to providing safe, high quality, compassion-

ate care while taking a proactive approach to bringing technology and services to our local community that best meet their needs.The residents of Stark County are fortunate to have access to exceptional physicians, hospitals and healthcare services as a whole.We are honored to care for those who put their trust in us.”

ALLIANCE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL Alliance Community Hospital recently added palliative care for patients facing terminal or chronic conditions. The team of doctors and nurses — the hospital hopes to add a chaplain this year — helps patients and their families make educated choices about treatment before a crisis forces them to act.

This is one of the last steps to becoming a designated Planetree hospital, said Samantha Phillips, the hospital’s public relations specialist. The hospital has been affiliated with Planetree’s patient-centered philosophy since 2002, and hopes to become a full member next year.

In other developments, the hospital’s orthopedic and sports medicine affiliate opened a new, expanded and handicap-friendly office last year.

CantonINC HEALTH CARE

ABOUT ALLIANCE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL Location: 200 East State St., Alliance Years operating in Stark County: 113 CEO: Stan Jonas What makes it special: Alliance is Ohio’s only Planetree-affiliated hospital.

Planetree is a patient-oriented philosophy Licensed beds: 204 (includes 68 skilled nursing beds in affiliated nursing home and 10 beds in the center for rehabilitation) Number of employees: About 1,000 Accepts: All major insurance plans, will treat out-of-network patients Website: www.achosp.org

STAN JONAS Title: CEO Years at ACH: 16 Years as CEO: 16 “We are blessed with a very talented and dedicated medical community; it is a community that cares about those who are less fortunate JONAS and encourages and assists those in need, and personally it is a great place to work and share lifelong friendships.”

MERCY MEDICAL CENTER

AULTMAN HOSPITAL

Aultman Hospital recently opened a 16-bed observation unit for evaluation and expedited testing of shortterm patients.

The hospital has opened a new training center, and Aultman College opened its own anatomy and physiology labs for the college’s nursing students.

Doctors now enter orders and prescriptions directly into the computer system instead of writing them out.

The new system has reduced transcription errors by 90 percent.

Aultman has begun planning and fundraising for a new cancer center.

The hospital has also begun an $18 million upgrade to its infrastructure, to ensure patient safety.

Aultman remains committed to the hospital’s Vision 2020 program, aimed at improving Stark County’s health by 2020.

Aultman educates up to 20,000 people a year with its Wellness On Wheels van, gives out free bike helmets to Stark County first graders, and performs roughly 300 to 400 free cancer screenings a year on its cancer screening day.

ABOUT AULTMAN HOSPITAL Location: 2600 6th St. SW, Canton Years in Stark County: 121 Aultman Health Foundation CEO: Ed Roth

What makes it special: Aultman Hospital is Stark County’s oldest and largest hospital — and the only one that vertically integrates an insurance provider, a hospital and colleges of nursing and radiology.

Licensed beds: 808 Number of employees: About 5,000 (includes hospital, colleges, insurance provider) Satellites: 18 facilities in three counties Accepts: AultCare insurance plans. NonAultCare patients can be admitted through Aultman’s “Yes,You Can” program.

Website: www.aultman.org

ED ROTH Title: CEO, Aultman Health Foundation “The people (of Stark County) are very committed to this community. ... It’s a very caring community.When you do things like trying to ROTH raise money for an initiative … we at Aultman are always amazed at how they really step up to a cause, and make it happen.”

MERCY MEDICAL CENTER

Mercy Medical Center is beginning an Emergency Department expansion and renovation.

The Catholic hospital, owned by the Sisters of Charity Health System, plans to more than double the square footage of its current department, going from 33 beds to 48, and adding a dedicated X-ray facility and a new triage area with five treatment spaces.

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

Alliance Community features an acute care center, a nursing home, and an assisted living center in Alliance, as well as an urgent care center in Louisville. It offers general surgery, wound care, maternity services, some cancer treatment, and extensive therapy programs. It offers area high school students job-shadowing and volunteer opportunities to help with career education.

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“We’ve outgrown current capacity, and it will make for a more efficient and better patient experience,” said Cindy Hickey, administrative director for marketing and public relations.

Last fall, the hospital opened Mercy St. Paul Square, located in the old convent area of the former St. Paul’s Church.

The facility offers primary care, pediatric, dental, and behavioral health services, with extended evening hours, to Canton’s underserved northeast end residents.

Mercy closed its 30-bed psychiatric unit in February. It continues to offer outpatient behavioral health services.

Mercy’s specialties include heart, emergency, vascular emergency and cancer and stroke care, a dental residency program, robotic surgery and a 39-bed regional rehabilitation area.

ABOUT MERCY MEDICAL CENTER Location: 1320 Mercy Dr. NW, Canton Years in Stark County: 104 CEO: Tom Cecconi What makes it special: Mercy Medical Center is Stark County’s only Catholic hospital, and the only one that offers a dental residency program.

Licensed beds: 523 Number of employees: About 2,500 Satellites: Eight facilities in three counties, including main hospital Accepts: All major insurance plans. Mercy works with out-of-network patients through its “Your Choice” program.

Website: www.cantonmercy.org

TOM CECCONI Title: President and CEO Years at Mercy: 11 Years as CEO: 10 “By staying true to our 100year-old mission of providing quality and affordable health care to the whole person, CECCONI Mercy has become both an economic driver in our community and a respected social institution by providing health care to persons at all levels of our community.

I take the responsibilities of staying true to that mission while managing Mercy’s resources as the third largest employer in Stark County very seriously.”

EDUCATION CantonINC

AULTMAN COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES, affiliated with the Aultman Health Foundation of Canton, with 314 students, offering associate’s degrees in nursing and radiography.

EDUCATION

TRAINING THE Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

WORKFORCE

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BY DAVID KAMINSKI anton and surrounding Stark County provide education that is right-sized for business. You will see no better example than the rapid development of certificate and two-year degree programs in oil and gas technology that have been developed at Stark State College over the past year. These programs are designed to meet the workforce needs of the Utica Shale energy exploration.

Stark State formed an Oil and Gas Business Advisory Council comprising local energy industry leaders and other professionals interested in growing Utica Shale business. It used the knowledge of the council members, as well in-house knowledge of oil and gas, to develop training degree programs tuned to the needs of exploration and production companies such as Chesapeake

C

Energy, which has its Ohio headquarters in Canton.

Not only that, Stark State joined two-year colleges in Texas and Pennsylvania to offer a ShaleNet US training curriculum that will be the same at any of the four participating colleges, thereby giving the industry and students uniformity and geographic flexibility to fill training needs.

Finally, Stark State received a $10 million grant from the state of Ohio to develop a downtown Canton campus around oil and gas career training. Development of the campus will begin this year.

If the graduation of men and women with two-year associate’s degrees is a measure of a community preparation for new-economy jobs, you should know about Stark County’s record of achievement.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 64

CantonINC EDUCATION

STARK STATE COLLEGE, suburban Canton, more than 230 majors, 15,670 credit and 3,000 non-credit students. Satellite campuses in three counties.

WALSH UNIVERSITY, North Canton, religious affiliation Roman Catholic, more than 50 undergraduate majors, eight advanced-degree programs, nearly 3,000 students.

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY AT STARK, about 11,000 students, with 18 bachelor’s degree programs that can be completed without transfer to Kent’s main campus.

MALONE UNIVERSITY, Canton, religious affiliation Evangelical Friends, 53 undergraduate majors, 13 graduate programs. About 2,400 students.

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION, Alliance, religious affiliation United Methodist, more than 50 majors, including a bachelor’s degree program in engineering. About 2,200 students.

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The number of adults aged 18 to 24 with some college education or an associate’s degree is 51.9 percent in the city of Canton, 47.5 percent in all of Stark County. This compares with rates of 45.4 percent for Ohio and 45.6 percent for the nation.

Canton is also home for Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences, a two-year degree granting institution.

There also are a variety of opportunities to earn a four-year bachelor’s degree.

Canton and Stark County are home to four universities: Malone in Canton, Walsh in North Canton, Mount Union in Alliance and Kent State University at Stark in suburban Canton. Kent Stark is the largest regional campus in the Kent State system.

Public school students are prepared for college and encouraged to begin building their college careers through a number of programs, chief among them is dual credit, where high school teachers qualify as adjunct professors at local colleges and offer college-level classes for college credit.

According to the Stark Education Partnership, an institute of research and collaboration funded by community businesses and foundations, Stark County high school students have earned or could claim credit for the equivalent of 14,359 three-hour college courses.

“We strive to become the most educated county in the United States. Every step we take, such as helping students earn college credits while they’re still in high school, leads us closer to our goal,” said Dr. Adrienne O’Neill, president of the Stark Education Partnership.

As for basic success in completing high school, 11 of Canton and Stark County’s 18 public high schools had on-time graduation rates in excess of 90 percent, and six were in excess of 95 percent. This compares with a state average of 78 percent.

Interested in how Canton and Stark County students measure up against the rest of the country? The Stark Education Partnership reports that the 2012 class from Canton and Stark County’s high schools, on average, surpassed the average national score in all areas of the ACT college entrance exam: English, mathematics, reading, science and the composite score.

FOOD CantonINC

MINERVA DAIRY

FOOD

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

A PLACE AT THE FAMILY

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TABLE

BY JOAN RENNER

n Stark County, food is a family affair. Whether producing nuts, candy or milk and cheese, the companies spotlighted here are still family-owned. They work hard to stay true to their roots and to attract the next generation of customers.

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MINERVA DAIRY Minerva Dairy uses about 500,000 pounds of milk a day to produce 40,000 pounds of cheese and 60,000 pounds of butter per week.

All products are natural, with no additives. Minerva is one of a handful of dairies in the country that do not treat their butter to produce a uniform color, said Treasurer Venae Watts.

Minerva has increased its butter

production almost 9-fold in the last five years, and hopes to expand it to 100,000 pounds a week. It has added Ilios Greek Yogurt Butter, with less fat, cholesterol and sodium, and fewer calories, than traditional butter.

About 90 percent of Minerva Dairy’s products are sold under private labels. The rest is sold at the company’s store, through the Internet, and at various area stores.

CantonINC FOOD

ABOUT MINERVA DAIRY CEO: Phil Mueller Location: 430 Radloff Ave. Minerva Product: Natural butter and cheeses.

Number of employees: 65 Years in Stark County: 68. A Wisconsin-based dairy family business, dating back to 1894, bought an existing dairy in Stark County in 1935.The Wisconsin and Ohio operations separated decades ago; the Wisconsin business closed in the last 10 years.

Website: www.minervadairy.com

PHIL MUELLER Title: CEO Years at company: More than 50.

(Mueller started at the family-owned dairy when he was 12 or 14, said daughter Venae Watts.)

Years as CEO: 37

“Our location in Ohio situates us well with a large number of independent farms in the area so our milk supply does not need to travel long distances.We also have an advantage with logistics to reach the markets on the East Coast, as compared to our competitors in Wisconsin.There is a readily-available work force because we are within commuting distance from Alliance and Canton.We often hear from companies in our industry how difficult it is to get resumes because of their rural locations.”

— ADAM MUELLER, PRESIDENT

HEGGY’S NUT SHOP Success is a simple recipe for Heggy’s Nut Shop at 3200 W. Tuscarawas St.: “Keep the quality high, be friendly with the customers, and give them good service at a fair price,” said President John Tucker.

The business has changed little since it was founded in 1950. The diner-style restaurant still grinds its own beef and makes its own soup and ice cream. The nuts are roasted

daily and displayed in glass cases at the restaurant entrance. Candies from Ben Heggy’s Candy Co. are sold on premises.

The business, which is still owned by the family of co-founder Bill Heggy, goes through roughly 150,000 pounds of nuts a year.

The company has adapted to modern times. Heggy’s Nut Shop ships all over the country, Tucker said, mainly to Internet customers. Tucker credits former Stark County residents with the strong demand, particularly in Florida, Heggy’s largest distribution area.

“They still have to have their Heggy’s fixes,” he said.

ABOUT HEGGY’S NUT SHOP President: John Tucker Location: 3200 W.Tuscarawas St. Years in Stark County: 63 Number of employees: Five full-time, 35 part-time Website: https://heggysnutshop.com

HEGGY’S CANDY

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

Watts and her brother, company President Adam Mueller, are the fifth generation in the family-owned and operated business.

“It’s more a way of life than it is a job,” said Watts. “We’re an extension of the family farm.”

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FOOD CantonINC

JOHN TUCKER

ABOUT BEN HEGGY’S CANDY CO.

Years at company: 45 Years as president: 30 “I’ve lived here all my life. I really enjoy the people, everyone’s friendly. We have a lot of loyal customers who have been with us all along: We have second- and third-generation families still coming in. It’s a nice place to live and raise a family.”

BEN HEGGY’S CANDY CO. Ben Heggy’s Candy Co. was founded in 1923 by an uncle of Heggy’s Nut Shop cofounder Bill Heggy.

The candy is still made and sold in the company’s original downtown building — Ben Heggy’s childhood home. It is run by Heggy’s sons-in-law, Richard Wollenberg, president, and Robert Seymour, secretarytreasurer. Between them, they have 112 years’ experience at the company.

The business buys ready-made chocolate and adds it to confections made on premis-

es, turning out roughly 400,000 pounds of sweets a year. Chocolate season runs from late-August through Christmas — when the factory produces up to 80,000 pieces of candy a day — up until Easter.

Roughly 65 percent of the business is wholesale, mostly to stores in Stark County, but also as far away as Columbus and Zanesville. Retail and Internet sales make up the rest of the business.

“We haven’t changed the formula,” said Seymour. “We use good raw material — we don’t try to bypass it.”

President: Richard Wollenberg Location: 743 Cleveland Ave. NW Products: Up to 400,000 pounds of candies and roastHEGGY’S ed nuts a year, including NUTS caramels, crèmes, chocolate-covered pretzels, chocolate Easter bunnies, and almond bark.

Employees: 20 full-time, 20 seasonal Years in Stark County: 90 Website: www.heggys.com

RICHARD WOLLENBERG Title: President Years at company: 59 Years as president: About 10-12 “I think (Stark County) is still a growing community. ... I just think with all the business that we have, with Timken, what they’re doing, it’s growing.”

CantonINC FOOD

SHEARER’S FOODS

OTHER AREA FOOD PRODUCERS

Location: 4719 Navarre Rd. SW, Canton Makes: Milk products, ice cream, orange juice, fruit drinks, chip dip Website: www.facebook.com/ pages/Superior-Dairy

BREWSTER DAIRY Location: 800 S.Wabash Ave., Brewster Makes: Swiss cheese and cheese byproducts Website: www.brewstercheese.com

FRESH MARK Location: 1888 Southway Street SE, Massillon Makes: Bacon, ham and hot dogs, some beef and turkey products.

Website: www.freshmark.com

SHEARER’S FOODS Location:692 N.Wabash Ave., Brewster (Headquartered at 100 Lincoln Way E., Massillon) Makes: Pretzels, potato chips, cheese

SUPERIOR DAIRY

curls, tortilla chips and other snacks.

Website: www.shearers.com

HARRY LONDON

BIERY CHEESE

Location: 5353 Lauby Road, North Canton Makes: Chocolates under the Harry London, Fannie May and Fanny Farmer labels.

Website: www.harrylondon.com

Location: 6544 Paris Ave. NE, Louisville Makes: Processes, packages and distributes cheeses Website: www.bierycheese.com

MID’S PASTA SAUCE Location: 620 N. Main St., Navarre Makes: Pasta and pizza sauces Website: www.mids.cc

CASE FARMS Location: 1925 30th St. NE, Canton Makes: Chicken Website: www.casefarms.com

FRITO-LAY INC. Location: 4030 16th St. SW, Canton Makes: Pretzels and snacks Website: www.fritolay.com

HEINZ FROZEN NICKLES BAKERY FOODS Location: 1301 Oberlin Ave. SW, Massillon Makes: Frozen foods Website: www.heinz.com

Peoples Services, Inc. can help your company increase proďŹ ts while improving overall efďŹ ciencies.

Location: 26 N. Main St., Navarre Makes: Breads, rolls, cakes, donuts Website: www.nicklesbakery.com

Your success is our success!

PSI operates over 4.5 million square feet of warehouse and Hazmat space, specializing in the storage and handling of consumer goods to hazardous materials. We offer on-site transportation management with our company owned eet of trucks for all your time sensitive shipments. PSI is dedicated to providing third party logistics services and excellent customer service. s #HEMICAL (AZMAT s "ULK ,IQUIDS s $RUMMING 0ACKAGING s $ISTRIBUTION #ROSSDOCK s 3PECIALIZED 3ERVICES &ULlLLMENT

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Expertise in Warehousing and Transportation www.peoplesservices.com | 330-453-3709

RESOURCES CantonINC

EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP STARK COUNTY Leadership Stark County, a department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, engages and educates Stark County’s community leaders through a range of programs tailored to meet business and community needs. LSC works with community organizations to identify, prepare and position graduates for leadership within these organizations.

The result is a core of motivated leaders with a lifelong commitment to community trusteeship. www. LeadershipStarkCounty.org, 330456-7253.

STARK CO. EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER The Stark County Educational Service Center is committed to meeting Stark County school district needs by providing quality educational support and services for more than 60,000 diverse, wide-ranging students in Stark County.www.Stark CountyESC.org, 330-492-8136.

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

STARK EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP

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The Stark Education Partnership, Inc., is a non-profit education reform support organization in Stark County, crossing the lines of 17 public school districts.The partnership collaborates with educators, business, community and civic leaders to create and respond to opportunities that will add substantial and measurable value to education. www.EDPartner.org, 330-452-0829.

YSTARK! ystark!, a department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, is Stark County’s dynamic young professional initiative.The organization works to attract, retain and engage young professionals, ultimately developing an involved and educated workforce for area businesses through programs, networking opportunities, educational engagement. yStark! program highlights include the “Twenty under 40” awards, the Fellowship Program with local businesses and Canton Entrepreneur Launch grants. www.ystark.org, 330-456-7253.

CANTON/STARK COUNTY BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization of nearly 1,600 institutions and individuals dedicated to the advancement of the economic, industrial, professional, cultural and civic welfare of Stark County. Since 1914, the Chamber has worked to advance business and develop community through partnerships, programs, services and events to achieve economic growth for Canton/Stark County. www.CantonChamber.org, 330-456-7253.

CANTON DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP The Canton Development Partnership, a department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, is a coalition of area development organizations and city government that share an interest in downtown Canton’s continual improvement, revitalization, image and quality of life for its citizens. Partner organizations include: Canton Regional Chamber, Downtown Canton Special Improvement District, Downtown Canton Land Bank, Canton Tomorrow, Inc., and City of Canton. www.DowntownCanton.com, 330-456-7253.

CANTON/STARK COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS’ BUREAU The Canton/Stark County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, a department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, is here to assist you in your travels to our area.Whether you are organizing a tour group, a convention or sporting event, we have professional staff members ready to assist in your planning.The CVB services the community by attracting tourists, convention and meeting planners and sporting events to the Stark County area and operating the Tourist and Visitor Information Centers. www.VisitCantonStark.com, 800-552-6051.

CITY OF CANTON Canton is home to well known national landmarks such as the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the William McKinley Presidential Library and National Monument, and the National First Ladies’ Library and Research Center. Mayor William J. Healy II is aggressively pursuing new companies and businesses to the city. Canton has a wide variety of attributes that make the city a smart location for companies of all shapes, sizes and industries, and the city has programs that provide incentives for business location, relocation or expansion. www.CantonOhio.gov, 330-489-3283.

IDEACROSSING IdeaCrossing® is a free online resource that connects entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio with the resources necessary to turn innovative ideas into thriving companies, and established businesses into growing ones. By connecting entrepreneurs with vital resources, as well as providing private online collaborative environments for their engagement, IdeaCrossing can help facilitate connections between entrepreneurs, investors, business mentors, and service providers. www.ideacrossing.org/neohio/crc

SHALEDIRECTORIES.COM ShaleDirectories.com is an online directory that connects oil and gas industry operators, their employees and families with local business. ShaleDirectories.com provides a comprehensive list of local businesses that can serve the E&P companies and oil field service companies in the Marcellus and Utica Shale region. www.shaledirectories.com.

DOWNTOWN CANTON IS SHALEMART.COM Local source for Ohio shale and other related business directories.

ShaleMart.com focuses on providing local resources for the shale and energy worker market. Users are the men and women employed in the shale job industry who need resources and are often new to the area. www.shalemart.com

Electric Signs • Fabricated Letters • Neon Plastic • Crane Service Vinyl Signs & Banners • LED Message Centers

Family Owned Since 1910

STARK AREA REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY SARTA provides more than 2.4 million rides a year in Stark County through Fixed Route and Proline services. Its goal is to ensure that Stark County residents including employees, students, seniors and disabled individuals have access to a quality transportation system that is both reliable and affordable. www.SARTA Online.com, 33047-SARTA.

STARK COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS The Stark County Association of Realtors®, proudly serving the Realtors®, homebuyers, and home sellers of Stark County, Ohio, strives to enhance the ability and opportunity of its members to conduct their business successfully and ethically, and to promote the preservation of the right to own, use and transfer real property. www.StarkRealtors.com, 330-494-5630.

STARK COUNTY BUILDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION The Building Industry Association of Stark County is a nonprofit trade association affiliated with the Ohio Home Builders Association and the National Association of Home Builders. Chartered in 1945, the BIA represents and promotes the interests and concerns of the building industry and the community.The organization provides Stark County consumers and businesses with a directory of member builders. www.BIAStark.com, 330-494-5700.

CANTONSIGNCO.COM

222 5th St., NE, Canton

330.456.7151

RESOURCES CantonINC

STARK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION Stark Community Foundation has been the community's trusted partner in giving for nearly 600 individuals, families, businesses, and communities that have created funds to impact the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible. Since 1963, the Foundation has granted more than $111 million to nonprofit organizations. Stark Community Foundation ranks in the top 10 percent of community foundations in the United States today. www.StarkCF.org, 330-454-3426

STARK ENTREPRENEURSHIP ALLIANCE The Stark Entrepreneurship Alliance coordinates and provides assistance to small, technology-based companies that are seeking to grow, or to potential entrepreneurs judged to have high potential new start-ups. The Alliance is a partnership between Stark Development Board and several other regional development organizations.

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

STARK COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES ASSOCIATION

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Whether you are new to the Human Resources field or have many years of experience, Stark County Human Resources Association is a local starting point for networking, information, professional development and continued support of excellence in Human Resources.The organization, founded in 1944, is an affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management.

Stark.SHRM .org, 330-451-8670.

STARK COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY The Stark County Port Authority helps to provide the Greater Stark County area with an economic development tool for new capital investment, job creation and retention. The organization helps create and preserve jobs through a wide variety of financing, real estate and foreign trade zone programs. www.Stark CoOhio.com, 330-453-5900.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT JOBSOHIO JobsOhio is a private, nonprofit corporation designed to lead Ohio’s job-creation efforts by singularly focusing on attracting and retaining jobs, with an emphasis on strategic industry sectors. JobsOhio is your ambassador. www.JobsOhio.com, 614-224-6446.

MAGNET MAGNET, the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network, supports, educates and champions manufacturing, with the goal of transforming the region’s economy into a powerful, global player.The organization helps manufacturers adopt innovative techniques, increase productivity and global access. www.magnetwork.org, 800- 669-2267.

BUSINESS NETWORK The Regional Business Network aggregates resources to bring Stark,Tuscarawas and surrounding county businesses specialized services, funding through grants and loans, and staffing that options any company can access and use to do business better. www.RegionalBusiness Network.org, 855-669-4726.

SCORE SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. www.Canton Regional.SCORE.org, 330- 244-3280.

SBDC The Small Business Development Center at Kent State University at Stark is a fully funded nonprofit organization devoted to helping small businesses grow and individuals start new small businesses through training programs and consultation sessions. www.CantonSBDC.org, 330-244-3290.

MINORITY BUSINESS The Stark County Minority Business Association fosters development and growth of minority-owned businesses. www.TheABCDinc.com, 330-455-6385.

EMPLOYMENT SOURCE The Employment Source is northeastern Ohio’s premier workforce development and training center, connecting job seekers with employers by providing numerous resources. www.ESwork.com, 330-433-9675.

REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND FOR FUTURE The Fund for Our Economic Future is a collaboration of philanthropic organizations and individuals that have united to strengthen the economic competitiveness of Northeast Ohio through grantmaking, research and civic engagement. www. FutureFundNEO.org, 216-456-9800.

JUMPSTART, INC. Jumpstart provides intensive assistance and service to Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs, and selectively invests in the highest potential companies. www.JumpstartInc.org, 216-363-3400.

TRADE CONSORTIUM The Northeast Ohio Trade & Economic Consortium is a multicounty regional economic development partnership that works collaboratively in the region with the goal of attracting capital investment and jobs to Northeast Ohio through the administration of Foreign-Trade Zone 181. www.NEOTEC.org, 330-672-4080.

DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT Working with partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the nonprofit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. www.Development.Ohio.gov, 800-848-1300.

TEAMNEO TeamNEO serves companies and site consultants by acting as the single point of entry into the 16-county Cleveland Plus region, and then works with counties and communities to ensure seamless attraction into Northeast Ohio. www.Cleveland PlusBusiness.com, 216-363-5400.

STARK COUNTY SAFETY COUNCIL The Canton Regional Chamber, with support from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, administers Stark County Safety Council, one the top councils out of more than 80 in the State of Ohio. The Safety Council provides a forum for safety and health information, education and networking in Stark County, through leadership, innovation, facilitation, programs and support. www.StarkCountySafety Council.org, 330-456-7253.

STARK DEVELOPMENT BOARD The Stark Development Board is a private, nonprofit corporation created to help local companies grow and expand. In addition, they actively seeks to attract new business investments to Stark County, one of the most economically viable areas in Northeast Ohio, as well as to advocate for workforce development. www.StarkCoOhio.com, 330-453-5900

STARK REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION Stark County Regional Planning Commission improves the quality of life in Stark County and its communities through an effective regional forum characterized by communication, collaboration, facilitation and planning assistance. The organization includes metropolitan planning, community development and engineering departments. www.Co.Stark.OH.us, 330-451-7389.

TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATOR ALLIANCE Housed on the campus of the University of Mount Union,TA2 looks to incubate companies to that of successful enterprises while connecting students to the real world environment of start up, early stage, and successful business operations.TA2 accommodates both physical and virtual companies along the start up and early stage business development process. www.techalliance2.com, 330-829-6804

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PRO FOOTBALL POWER SURGE High energy surrounds the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton as it marks its 50th year.

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

PHOTO BY SCOTT HECKEL

PARTING SHOT CantonINC

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