


Workers needed for local companies
Officials want to connect high school students with jobs

Kathy Breitenbucher
WADSWORTH – In an effort to keep economic development in the area thriving, both city and county officials believe constant contact with local businesses is a must.
“Year to date, we have conducted 31 business visits in Wadsworth,” said Kathy Breitenbucher of the Medina County Economic Development Corporation. “That is the bread and butter of economic development. Not only do we learn what our current companies need, but we learn about what companies that want to come here would need so we can intelligently talk to them about why they should come here.”
Breitenbucher said that for many companies, building their work force is one of their biggest issues.
“The good news is the economy doesn’t seem to be slowing down for our companies any time soon,” she said.
Breitenbucher said the corporation is working with a staffing company that looks to 16 and 17-year-olds to fill positions for local companies.
“Not only does that provide jobs, but it educates our kids about what great jobs are available out there and can help prevent the long term problem of staffing,” she said.
Breitenbucher also added there will be a career expo at Wadsworth High School March 27, which is a great way to expose young people to the job possibilities out there.
“It is really a great event,” she said. “We were there last year.”
In other economic development efforts, Breitenbucher said the corporation has received four new leads this month about companies that are interested in coming into Wadsworth.
“We are still also working very closely with a broker and the railroad for a company that is interested in the brickyard property,” she said.
Breitenbucher said she is also looking forward to working with the Downtown Wadsworth Business Vitality Committee. She said the committee is currently looking at ways to get more usage out of the second story of the downtown buildings.
“Year to date, we have conducted 31 business visits in Wadsworth,” said Kathy Breitenbucher of the Medina County Economic Development Corporation. “That is the bread and butter of economic development. Not only do we learn what our current companies need, but we learn about what companies that want to come here would need so we can intelligently talk to them about why they should come here.”
Breitenbucher said that for many companies, building their work force is one of their biggest issues.
“The good news is the economy doesn’t seem to be slowing down for our companies any time soon,” she said.
Breitenbucher said the corporation is working with a staffing company that looks to 16 and 17-year-olds to fill positions for local companies.
“Not only does that provide jobs, but it educates our kids about what great jobs are available out there and can help prevent the long term problem of staffing,” she said.
Breitenbucher also added there will be a career expo at Wadsworth High School March 27, which is a great way to expose young people to the job possibilities out there.
“It is really a great event,” she said. “We were there last year.”
In other economic development efforts, Breitenbucher said the corporation has received four new leads this month about companies that are interested in coming into Wadsworth.
“We are still also working very closely with a broker and the railroad for a company that is interested in the brickyard property,” she said.
Breitenbucher said she is also looking forward to working with the Downtown Wadsworth Business Vitality Committee. She said the committee is currently looking at ways to get more usage out of the second story of the downtown buildings.