Blue Bag Media
Filling jobs involves multi-faceted approach
By Bob Robinson

GREENVILLE – There’s been a transition in the county. In 2009 Marc Saluk was hired as Darke County’s new Economic Development Director. “In the beginning,” he said, “ED (economic development) had to be developed… payoff seemed a little vague to employers and community leaders.”

Today there is no need to sell the concept or a project, he continued. “It shows how the county and Partnering for Progress have grown. Payoff? You can start with tax receipts being up… even with incentives.”

Saluk said successes in economic development have raised questions about the availability of qualified workers. “Are there too many jobs?” he’s been asked. He noted some employers are still looking for qualified workers… “This has been such a run we’ve gotten used to a steady flow of good news.” The reality is, he continued, sometimes situations will come up. “There could be that one… part of our job is to be ready for it if it happens.” However that’s only part of the story.

In the four and a half years since Saluk was hired the focus has moved from bringing in and retaining jobs to making sure employers have a skilled workforce to draw upon.

“One of the reasons the Workforce Development initiative started was in response to job growth,” Saluk said...

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