The CIC: “Just the facts ma’am.”

By

Heinz Stucki

Whenever I speak with groups about economic development in Tuscarawas County, someone always asks, “Exactly what is the CIC?”    The CIC has been active for 47 years and is composed of volunteer trustees, who are a representation of business and professional leaders in the county, along with mayors and county commissioners.  The CIC is organized and operated in accordance with Chapter 1724 of the Ohio Revised Code.  The mission of the CIC is to advance, encourage, and promote the economic and community development and civic well being of all Tuscarawas County.

The CIC acquired its initial funding from private contributions and by selling memberships to the public.  In 1967 the organization erected a 17,000 square foot industrial building on land purchased from the county on Florence Avenue in Dover.  We are self-supporting with the bulk of our operating revenue derived from the lease of this building and from grants.

Over the years, we have accomplished much with limited means.  We erected 7 industrial buildings which helped to directly create over 1000 manufacturing jobs in the county.   Allied Machine, Lauren International and Smurfit-Stone are among the companies occupying these buildings.

A major current CIC project is the Tuscarawas Regional Technology Park which will be located on 170 acres near University Drive in New Philadelphia. Approximately two-thirds of the site will be developed into 28 three-acre lots. The remainder of the site will be left as green space with ponds, wooded areas and walking trails.  The project, which is expected to eventually create 600 high-quality well-paying jobs, has received commitments of financial participation from local, state and federal sources. 

The CIC markets Tuscarawas County to potential new employers.  Our organization created the “Living Well – Working Smart” brand mantra to emphasize what Tuscarawas County is becoming: a model for implementing advanced technology in a quality rural environment.  This message is being disseminated by both print media and the CIC website www.tusccic.com.