Jessica Wiley is the Marketing and Communications Specialist for Licking County Transit. A resident of Ohio since her middle school years, Jessica got her start in public transportation as a dispatcher and is now a rising young professional in helping build up the county’s public transportation system. Jessica’s path to Licking was anything but a […]
GROWing in Licking County – Part 2 Read More »
GROW Licking County focuses on three (3) pillars of economic development – business attraction, business retention, and workforce development. As we meet with our local employers, a common topic that comes up when discussing hiring is the need for soft skills development within the emerging workforce. Unfortunately, many students leave high school and even college
Soft Skills and the Emerging Workforce Read More »
Lacey Myers is Director of Talent and Recruitment and Assistant Vice President at Park National Bank. A Licking County native, she’s been with the business for 11 years and in her words, “I love the people, I love the culture, I just couldn’t see myself leaving.” Lacey’s journey with Park National began when she was
GROWing in Licking County – Part 1 Read More »
GROW Licking County, in partnership with OhioMeansJobs Licking County and the Licking County Foundation, recently completed the 2025 Emerging Workforce Survey to better understand the priorities and concerns of local high school students as they consider their career paths. The findings are helping guide strategic workforce development initiatives across the county. The survey was conducted
Understanding Licking County’s Emerging Workforce: 2025 Survey Results Read More »
Workforce training is a critical component of economic development, directly impacting businesses, employees, and the local economy. Workforce development initiatives have increased economic growth, improved productivity, and created a more resilient labor market. With Licking County experiencing rapid expansion in key industries such as manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, and business services, workforce training is more important
5 Economic Benefits of Workforce Training Read More »
In 2024, Licking County saw continued growth in manufacturing and data centers. With the location of several new companies and the expansion of existing companies, we expect to continue the momentum in 2025. CyrusOne announced plans to locate a data center in New Albany. The total project investment is $150 million, with $1.5 million in
2024 Year in Review Read More »
Last month, GROW Licking County hosted our annual Investor Breakfast to provide an update on the organization’s current goals and initiatives. Topics included business retention and expansion, business attraction, marketing, workforce development, and infrastructure. Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) GROW staff regularly meets with local economic-based companies through our business retention and expansion program (BR&E).
Recap: 2024 Investor Breakfast Read More »
A majority of a community’s job growth is driven by existing businesses. These businesses play a critical role in the local economy by providing jobs, contributing to tax revenues, investing in infrastructure, and supporting community development. GROW Licking County places a strong emphasis on business retention and expansion (BR&E) as a core strategy for fostering
Business Retention & Expansion Read More »
Workforce development continues to be a key initiative for GROW Licking County. Supporting the development of the next generation entering the workforce is crucial for sustainable economic and community development. According to the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services, Licking County’s current unemployment rate is 3.8%, compared to 4% statewide. Some common barriers to
Workforce Needs in Licking County Read More »
