The Shelby Foundation Board approved a $60,000 commitment, payable over four years, to Shelby’s Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) to help fund an economic development position.
Over the past two years, the CIC has concentrated its efforts on bolstering the economic vitality in the Shelby community. The City contracted with the Montrose Group, an economic development consulting company, which recommended hiring a designated person to focus on Shelby’s economic development. The firm also suggested this person should be employed by a county wide organization to help build bridges and foster relationships with other services and areas of the county. The economic development coordinator position is funded by both public and private dollars, also a recommendation by Montrose Group.
Foundation Board Chair Cody Albert stated, “This is exciting for our community. The Shelby Foundation sees the value with stimulating economic development and so it’s no surprise the Board voted in favor to support this effort.”
This new position will focus on: business attraction and retention; downtown development and revitalization; marketing industrial sites like Technology Parkway and the Shelby industrial park; and entrepreneurial support.
Executive Director Carrie Kemerer shares Mr. Albert’s enthusiasm. “When the Foundation awards grants or implements new programs it’s always with the mindset of how much impact it can have. I don’t think anything we have done so far will have a more positive impact than driving economic development.”
This isn’t the first time The Shelby Foundation has supported local organizations on a large scale. In 2012, the Foundation awarded $30,000 to North Central State College for the remodeling of the Ralph Phillips Conference Center located at the Kehoe Center. One year later, the Foundation pledged $90,000 to Shelby Help Line Ministries’ for their new building and awarded another $25,000 to OSU/Mansfield for the Bromfield Library Commons renovation project. Most recently, in 2016, the Foundation awarded $100,000 to the Shelby YMCA’s capital campaign.
The Shelby Foundation awards grant dollars to worthy nonprofit organizations and their programs that improve the lives of residents in Shelby and the surrounding areas. Last year alone, The Foundation awarded more than $250,000 to area nonprofits through its grant-making process.
For more information about the Foundation or about this initiative, contact Carrie Kemerer at 142 N. Gamble St., Suite F, Shelby, or call 419-342-3686.