The Winning Formula

Economic development is the lifeblood of a thriving community, driving prosperity, job creation, and overall quality of life. I remember very clearly when I first started working for Defiance County in Oct. 2020 and John Lehner, who was the Finance Director for the City of Defiance at the time, gave me some great advice. He told me to focus on industrial growth and everything else will fall into place.

Fast forward 4 years later and that vision has started to become a reality. There have been so many ups and downs, pivots and maneuvers to get us to the place where we are today.

I remember vividly how I couldn’t even get home developers to return my calls, but now we meet with multiple home developers in a week. That came after multiple industrial expansion projects were announced locally, and new companies choosing Defiance County as their new home.

Every community faces its own set of challenges and opportunities, but those that achieve lasting economic growth often share common traits. These essential elements include having a clear vision, simplifying regulations, investing in infrastructure, prioritizing workforce development and education, encouraging a diversified economy (relying on multiple industry sectors rather than focusing on just one), enhancing quality of life (such as investing in parks and recreation), fostering community engagement, ensuring access to capital, and promoting collaboration—particularly through public-private partnerships.

In Defiance County, we are fortunate to have all of these ingredients in place, and every community within our great county is dedicated to advancing these priorities daily. However, there’s one critical piece that makes all the difference: you.

The residents of Defiance County play a vital role in supporting expansion and growth. By doing so, we can retain our youth and prevent them from seeking opportunities elsewhere. Growth paves the way for greater prospects for both current and future generations, including higher wages and expanded opportunities. Consider this—just four years ago, the median household income was approximately $52,000 a year. Today, it has risen to $72,000 annually. This progress didn’t happen by chance.

As businesses expand, home builders are expressing interest in our county, new retailers are establishing roots here, and even national media outlets are taking note of how Defiance County is breaking the mold for rural communities. While change can be intimidating, remaining stagnant only leads to decline—standing still means failing to grow.

So, I urge you to support the companies and organizations eager to invest in Defiance County. Approach these changes with an open mind and heart, and if something doesn’t sit well with you, let’s engage in constructive dialogue to find a solution together.

Our goal is to build long-term prosperity for Defiance County, but achieving this vision requires the collaboration and commitment of every resident in our remarkable county. Let’s move forward united. Only then will we have the Winning Formula!

(Column Written by Erika Willitzer, Executive Director of Defiance County Economic Development)

For business expansion and/or workforce resources, email Erika@DefianceCountyED.com.