The SOD Center s currently looking to fill the following position:

Job Title: Economic Development Assistant, Training Center & Downtown Development Coordinator
Reports To: Executive Director
FLSA: Non-Exempt

Full Time: 32-40 Hours Per Week / $11-$15 Per Hour

Summary — Under the direction of the Executive Director, responsible for support and development of the SOD Training Center at The SOD Center.   This position will coordinate with businesses, participants and vendors to develop effective training and education programs which are responsive to local market needs.  This position will also be responsible for support of downtown businesses, building owners, relationship building to encourage entrepreneurship, economic development, and community engagement.  The Economic Development Assistant will provide support to the Executive Director and Downtown Salem Partnership.

This individual should combine a strong attention to detail with an ability to multi-task and work under pressure.  Strong customer service skills are essential to ensure the expectations of the businesses, building owners, participants and vendors are met or exceeded.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following for the Training Center.  Other duties may be assigned

1. Participate in creating and implementing training programs
2. Schedule training events and ensure the center is properly set up.
3. Coordinate needed resources and specific trainers for specialty training requests
4. Create regular marketing materials that promote the training center and group training events
5. Maintain and work with the training center website to continually update and add content
6. Maintain impeccable training records (e.g. trainee lists, schedules, attendance sheets)
7. Prepare and disseminate material (e.g. instructional notes, feedback forms)
8. Act as of point of contact for businesses, vendors, and participants
9. Prepare bills, manage accounts receivable and collections
10. Submit reports on training activities and results
11. Resolve issues as they arise
12. Recommend improvements or new programs

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following for Downtown Development.  Other duties may be assigned

1. Retain, grow, and recruit retail and other businesses to enhance the downtown business environment.
2. Build landlord, business, and broker relationships
3. Track vacant/available space for potential businesses
4. Coordinate efforts of the Downtown Salem Partnership
5. Assists in planning and promoting Downtown events via the SOD Center Website, social media, media outlets and printed materials
6. Markets Downtown properties via the SOD Center website, social media, media outlets and printed materials
7. Promotes City incentives to existing and potential businesses
8. Provides administrative support for the Executive Director

QUALIFICATIONS — To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITY

1. Proven experience as a Training Administrator, HR Assistant or similar role
2. Experience training, instructing or developing training programs
3. Excellent organizational and multitasking ability
4. Outstanding communication and customer service skills
5. Resourceful with strong attention to detail
6. Knowledge of office procedures and billing
7. Proficient in Microsoft Office (Publisher, Word, PowerPoint especially) and Quickbooks
8. Aptitude for learning or troubleshooting technical/computer applications
9. Ability to work independently and as part of a small team
10. Excellent time management skills. Must have a collaborative attitude and enjoy cultivating relationships.

Please submit resumes electronically at execdir@sodcenter.com or by mail at 440 Pennsylvania Ave. Salem, Ohio 44460 — Attention: Julie Needs, Executive Director.

2020 Ohio Business Matchmaker Ohio’s Largest Small Business to Government Contracting Event!!

For a more than a decade, the Ohio Business Matchmaker has connected small businesses to government contracting opportunities. As one of the largest business to government matchmaking events in the state, this event offers a unique opportunity for businesses interested in doing business with the federal, state or local government to meet with representatives to market and sell their goods and services. This event is open to all small and large businesses.

SAVE THE DATE: April 28-29, 2020
LOCATION: The Nutter Center at Wright State University
3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, Ohio 45324

In 1981 the City of Salem established a Community Reinvestment Area to assist in encouraging Economic and Community Development and housing maintenance.  Over the years Salem has made updates to the original “CRA”, most recently in 2017, to include the entire City of Salem boundary lines, with exception to specific excluded residential areas. 

CRA is a tax abatement program for new construction, expansion, and remodeling.   As a participant in the program you are eligible to receive up to a 15 year Tax Abatement on the “increased or improved value” of your real property.

To Qualify for CRA work must be completed in eligible abatement areas, obtain a City of Salem Zoning Permit, complete the Tax Abatement Application and file it with the Zoning Department before December 15^th of the year the project is completed.

Additional Business Incentives

In 2008 the City of Salem established 3 additional incentives to encourage Economic Growth in the City of Salem. These incentives are for enterprises expanding, starting or relocating within the City of Salem. 

Job Creation Incentive:

ADD NEW JOBS— Get back up to 55% of City withholding Tax! The intent of the Job Creation Incentive Program is to create jobs and increase the City’s competitiveness within the region. The program can provide a yearly incentive for relocating jobs or creating net new jobs in the City.  The term of the incentive can extend up to 5 years and can pay up to 55% of the annual City Withholding Tax back to the Employer.  New Downtown jobs relocated or created in the City can pay back up to 100% in the first year!

Net Profit Tax Incentive:

Bring in a NEW company or RELOCATE a company in the city — Get back up to 55% of City Net Profit Tax! The intent of the Net Profit Tax Incentive is to attract new start up business and encourage outside business to relocate within the City. This program can provide a yearly incentive for starting or relocating a business in the city by incenting up to 55% of the annual City Net Profit Tax based on the number of new employees added to the City.  This incentive program can be extended for up to 5 years. New Downtown Businesses can receive up to 100% incentive in the first year! 

Business Acquisition and Growth Incentive:

SAVE & ADD JOBS— Get back up to 100% of City Net Profit Tax! The intent of the Business Acquisition and Growth Incentive is to promote the turn-around of at-risk business within the City of Salem. The program can provide a yearly incentive for maintaining employment levels for 3 years or growing employment for up to 5 years and can pay up to 100% of the annual City Net Profit Tax based on the number of maintained employees or added employees to the City. The Job Creation, Net Profit Tax, and Business Acquisition Incentives require an application and approval of the Tax Incentive Oversight Board and each incentive has their own eligibility requirements.  For more information on any of the Business or the CRA Incentives, please contact Julie L. Needs, SOD Center Executive Director, at 330-337-7669.

Valuable Tools — Growing Salem

Read additional article on Incentives >

Contact SOD Center with Questions >

As we embrace the winter season and closeout a successful year at the SOD Center, we anticipate a new year with new growth and possibilities for The SOD Center, the City of Salem and surrounding areas.  I would like to take the opportunity to thank the SOD Center Board of Directors, City of Salem, local businesses, organizations, local and regional partners, volunteers and staff for your support of the SOD Center and support of economic growth for Salem and surrounding areas.

Focused on providing high-quality workforce training, developing relationships with local businesses, organizations, county and regional economic development partners, and promoting the SOD organization all made for a very busy and productive 2019.

I would like to share a few 2019 SOD Center highlights:

• November 1^st marked the one year anniversary of the SOD Training Center.  The training center has trained 716    individuals, provided training to 65+ companies, held 2 job fairs with 227 attending and 25 companies participating, and added 148 online/On Demand training options.  We are very pleased to have met the measurable goals of the Regional Job Training Grant 1 year early

• Assisted a local manufacturer with a multi-million dollar expansion creating 24 new jobs over the next 3 years by connecting them to Salem’s CRA incentive and a training grant provided by Team NEO and JobsOhio
• Identified priority development and redevelopment sites
• Continued partnership with SBDC and celebrated the opening of Amorette Farms, a SOD startup success story
• Expanding relationship with County Economic Development and Port Authority. Co-hosted 2 job fairs at the SOD Training Center, engaged in potential site development, and joined together with the Youngstown Regional Chamber and the Ashtabula Growth Partnership to form the “Lake to River” partnership
• Continued promotion of the SOD Center by establishing a more active social media presence, distributing the 1^st SOD newsletter, and continued updates on the SOD website
• Welcomed new SOD Center members.
• Began development of an Economic Development Plan for the City of Salem

As we reflect on 2019 accomplishments, we are focused and prepared for a successful new year celebrating a decade of service to the Salem Community.  In 2020 the SOD Center will complete the Economic Development Plan for the City of Salem and the SOD Center.  The training center will continue to grow adding new classes and workshops.  We will continue our mission to support business attraction, retention, expansion, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, quality of life and workforce development by connecting and collaborating with regional, state and national resources.

It has been a pleasure to serve as the Executive Director of the SOD Center and I look forward to celebrating our 10^th Anniversary in 2020 and continuing to GROW Salem. 

I wish you and your families a Safe Happy Holiday Season and a successful prosperous New Year.

Best Wishes,
Julie L Needs
Executive Director

The SOD Training Center celebrated 1 year of operation on November 1^st! It’s been a year of trial and error as we figure out what training is most needed, while balancing what needs we are able to meet well. We appreciate your support and willingness to attend training, give us feedback, make training suggestions, and offer your expertise.

We met the 2-year measurable goals of our grant within the first 5 months! To date we’ve hosted 726 training participants, established 22 training partnerships, trained individuals from 79 companies and 57 home zip codes, hosted 2 job fairs with 227 attendees and 25 hiring employers, and added 148 online course options to our training center website.

So what can you expect in 2020? The SOD Training Center will be honing in on training that meets the needs and requests of many local employers. In our remaining grant period from January to June 2020, expect to see the following courses on the SOD Training Center calendar of events:

• Microsoft Excel – Basics, Intermediate and Advanced courses
• Professional and Personal Development courses
  • Negotiating – Basics and Advanced
  • Project Management
• Intro to Seven Tools of Quality
• Communications Series
  • Effective Communication
  • Business Writing Etiquette
  • Communicating Across Generations
  • Delivering Tough Messages
  • Conflict Resolution
• Cyber Security Workshop
• Supervisory Boot Camp
• Safety Topics
  • OSHA 10 hour courses
  • Basic Fall Protection
  • Crane Operation & Rigging Seminar
  • Emergency Preparedness Planning Workshop

Some of these courses are already on our calendar – others will be posted soon! Visit SODCenter.com under the “Training Center” tab, and check back often as new courses are being added. We’ll see you at the Center!

In April of 2019 the SOD Center proposed developing an Economic Development Plan for the City of Salem.  With support of the City Council Economic Development committee, development of the plan began immediately with the release of a Community Survey to gather input from residents and non-residents working in Salem.

The community Survey was available on the SOD Center website, City Website, available at the Salem Public Library, Salem City Schools, Salem City employees, and through many organizations with a link to the survey.  The community responded with 245 surveys.  The SOD Center and the City are grateful for the response and input from the community.

This would not have been possible without the cooperation and assistance of the following organizations:

• Salem Area Chamber of Commerce
• Downtown Salem Partnership
• Kiwanis
• Key Club
• Rotary
• Salem Community Foundation
• Salem City Schools Board of Education
• The Salem Historical Society
• The United Way of Northern Columbiana County
• SOD Center Board of Directors
• Salem Public Library

In additional to the surveys the SOD Center is collecting feedback through focus groups and one on one interviews.  Our sincere gratitude to the organizations, focus group participants, and the personal interviews, for your time and input.

The Economic Development Plan will be a resource, strategy and measurement of growth in the Salem Community.

For more information on the Economic Development Plan, please contact Julie Needs, Executive Director of the SOD Center, at 330-337-7669 or execdir@sodcenter.com.

Special Business Spotlight

Your Best Self Fitness is a Personal Training and Group Fitness studio created in 2018 as an alternative to a traditional gym experience.  Client sessions are by appointment providing privacy while working on a client’s specific and individualized goals.  The environment is spacious with plenty of room to move in all directions and a variety of equipment to make it interesting and fun.  Group Fitness classes currently include yoga and HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training).  Other services offered are designed to help clients be their very best from knowing what to eat (Health Coaching), getting out of pain or recovering from an injury (Corrective Exercise), getting faster or stronger for a specific sport (Workshops), and coaching for overall transformation (Food and Body Freedom).

In 2020, Your Best Self plans to expand class offerings, hire more trainers, offer a monthly membership, further develop the Corporate Wellness Program, and continue implementing the latest research for injury prevention and recovery.  New equipment will be made available to maximize the client and class experience in a supportive and welcoming environment.

YBS Bicycles was an opportunistic off shoot of Your Best Self Fitness. In May 2019, a former Trek store outside Pittsburgh was in the process of liquidating their inventory and fixtures. Your Best Self purchased those assets and opened the bike shop in downtown Salem. Opening weekend was the same weekend as the Super Cruise. The shop now carries new bikes from All City Cycles (road and gravel bikes), Cinelli (touring bikes), Civia (city and trail bikes), We The People (BMX) and Strider (balance bikes for kids learning to ride). The store offers repair and tune up services.

Downtown Salem has a lot of potential. The bike shop was intentionally located within the historic district. There is great opportunity to bring retail back to the community with unique and specialized stores. YBS Bicycles wants to be a part of the reemergence of retail in the community. In 2020, the storefront will be renovated with new décor and fixtures as well as an expanded line of accessories. We plan to build on the community bike rides that were offered in the summer of 2019.

Learn more at ybsfitness.com >

Special Business Spotlight

Who is SWS?

Salem Welding & Supply (SWS) is a unique business with two plants located on the southern end of the City of Salem. SWS houses two separate businesses: welding supplies and industrial gasses, as well as fabricating, machinery, and assembly.

After several years of thought and consideration, Fred Baker Sr. retired in 1975 as a mill wright at the Niles Electric Power Plant. With support from his wife Anne, he dove head first into entrepreneurship by purchasing ‘Salem Weld Service’ – a business that sold a few welding supplies did repair work. Over the course of several years, Salem Weld Service acquired an Alliance based welding supply company, made building additions, brought in Fred Jr. to help grow the company, and rebranded as Salem Welding & Supply. Under the leadership of Fred Sr. and Fred Jr., SWS transitioned from a small time shop to a large industrial player. More recently, a third generation, Tom Baker, joined the team when Fred Sr. retired. Tom is responsible for operations as well as company sales.

What is SWS doing?

Our fabricating, machining, and assembly are our bread and butter. By definition we are a job shop. We’ll build anything, as long as a blue print is provided. We work with several local and out of state engineering firms, OEM’s, mills, telecommunications, material handling, mining, rail, and power generation. With crane capacity of 60,000 lbs and 30’ of height, we have the capability to build some mammoth parts, pieces, & machines.

Though the supply side only makes up around 15% of our entire business, it’s a critical part of our daily operations. We service anyone from walk-in customers looking for a few pounds of welding rod, to large OEM manufactures building some of the largest equipment known to this industry. We are fortunate to have key partnerships with several of the biggest supply manufacturers in the business, allowing us to be competitively priced with anyone.

As of late, SWS has invested heavily into technology, looking toward the future. Tom’s desire to grow the family business led to purchasing ‘plant two’, which is located directly across the street from our offices. In the past year, SWS has completed installation of two new CNC machine centers. This new technology has taken us from mechanical ability to computer controlled technology with precision tolerance. These new abilities have made SWS a ‘one stop shop’ for turnkey projects. With four additional acres to expand and a focus on technology, SWS will continue to grow in Salem.

Why Salem?

Salem is the only place we would want to be; so much in fact, it’s a part of our name. Not only are we centrally located between Cleveland, Pittsburgh, & Youngstown, but within one day we can have our projects across one third of the Unites States. The Salem community offers fantastic city services and service members, multi-level educators, and a pool of employees to be proud of. Simply put, Salem is home.

The Future

The future is bright and clear. With Tom’s youth and initiative, we look to grow our physical size, employee size, and capability. When we purchased our second location, it was obvious to us that we’d be growing. With two full plants already, we hope to expand again in the near future. In addition to physical size, we also look in continue investing in CNC machining equipment. This will give us further capability and allow us to do even more in house. Lastly we look to continue hiring supreme talent to help us achieve these growth goals.

The SOD Center is pleased to welcome Salem Welding & Supply as a new SOD Member. Thank you for your support!

The #SODCenter would like to thank Congressman Bill Johnson for his recent visit at Salem Design & Manufacturing (SDM). A special thank you to Phil Warga and the SDM Team for your hospitality and providing a tour to our Congressman. SDM is a great #SalemOhio Manufacturer building custom machinery designed for one-of-a-kind applications which standard equipment is not available from any source. They have the capabilities to integrate instrumentation from the worlds leading manufacturers.

To learn more about Salem Design & Manufacturing visit https://www.salemndt.com/