Defiance County Economic Development Workforce & Marketing 2024 Recap

By: Paige Wesche, Assistant Executive Director & Carlie Carpenter, Economic Development Administrator

As the year 2024 comes to a close, we are thrilled to highlight the impactful workforce development and marketing programs that Defiance County Economic Development has spearheaded this year! Our team has been hard at work cultivating meaningful connections and creating opportunities that have truly transformed our community. 

Let's start with our Workforce Recruitment Strategy - in 2024 alone, we helped promote and place over 206 jobs for our local companies, connecting talented individuals with the right roles. But our efforts don't stop there. We've built incredible partnerships with nearby colleges and universities, including Northwest State Community College, Defiance College, University of Findlay, PFW, Owens Community College, UNOH, and BGSU. Through 13 educational events this year, such as Amazing Shake judging, Innovative Interview Judging, job fairs, senior interviews, and mock interviews, we've been able to bridge the gap between students and employers, ensuring our future workforce is well-equipped. 

Beyond that, we provided one-on-one employment assistance to 23 individuals this year, guiding them towards meaningful careers. And our annual Summer Manufacturing Camp was a huge hit, with 50 eager 6th-8th graders from across Defiance County participating in hands-on learning experiences led by industry giants like GM, Gerken, Defiance Water Treatment Plant, TAS Aviation/Defiance County Airport, TC Energy, and Miller Bros. Construction. The impact was tangible, with around 300 students and 85 educators joining us for our 6 bus tours that showcased the best of what our local businesses have to offer. 

But our efforts go far beyond recruitment support. We've also launched exciting new initiatives, like the Defiance County Business Advisory Council, which has grown to over 40 businesses and academic institutions, all coming together to address our community's evolving workforce needs. And the long-awaited Four Flags of Freedom project? We finally brought it to fruition this year, thanks to our amazing community partners, raising a staggering $200,000 to ensure this symbol of pride shines brightly for years to come. 

And the list goes on - from our Homegrown Program, which provided $6,500 in grants to 13 small businesses, to the 30 individuals we upskilled through our monthly certification courses. Our annual Glow Golf Outing was a resounding success, by selling out and raising $4,200 for the Four Flags initiative. We also recognized the incredible achievements of 8 of our local businesses at our Annual Meeting, showcased over 20 free videos featuring our community, and highlighted 18 of Defiance County's hidden gems through our new asset-highlighting initiative. 

But perhaps one of the most impactful marketing programs was our Tuesday Question of the Day, which allowed us to engage with 45 local businesses through the purchase of gift cards, totaling $1,125. And with 4,181 participants and counting, it's clear that our community is eager to connect and celebrate all that Defiance County has to offer.  

As if that wasn't enough, we also produced 24 podcasts through our "Working it" series, sponsored by OMJ, and published 36 blog posts featuring local businesses and community events in the Crescent News. And to top it all off, we've seen a 101% increase in our social media following since 2020, with a total reach of 5,860 followers, and a 139-person increase in our newsletter subscribers, for a total of 747. 

Needless to say, it's been a truly remarkable year for Defiance County Economic Development. By fostering meaningful connections, creating opportunities, and showcasing the best of our community, we've made a lasting impact that will continue to shape the future of our region. We couldn't be more excited for what we've accomplished, and we can't wait to see what the new year has in store!