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Mark D. Litten Liana Hoffman
Mark D. Litten is Executive Director of the Greater Erie County Marketing Group Inc. He has 20 years experience in Economic Development within the State of Ohio. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Mount Union College, Ohio. He also has a Masters of Science degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Dayton, Ohio. Liana Hoffman is Administrative Assistant of the Greater Erie County Marketing Group, Inc. She received her Bachelor's of Arts in General Business from Bowling Green State University. She has 2 years of experience in Economic Development.
History of GEM Established in 1986 by forward thinking Erie County citizens, GEM has been the lead economic development organization for Erie County. At GEM's inception, a long-term action plan was developed called a "Blueprint for Prosperity". It was a ten-year plan designed to coordinate the economic development efforts of the private sector, the county, the three cities and nine townships in Erie County. During this time, GEM received funding from the public and private sector in Erie County. The Ohio State University - Extension program provided additional funding from 1998-2000. Executive Director, Mark Litten, a twenty-year veteran of economic development in the State of Ohio, was hired in 2001 to provide the leadership necessary to operate GEM as a model economic development firm and focus on business attraction, retention & expansion and Marketing. His presence provides stability to GEM after the departure of two previous executive directors in 1998 and 2000. With the Market collapse in 2000, the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the subsequent recession and the cessation of funding from the Ohio State University - Extension program, investments in GEM by the public and private sector began a steady decline culminating with the suspension of funds from the Erie County government in 2003. In April of 2003, GEM held an economic development and strategic planning retreat attended by business and community leaders throughout the county. The goals of the retreat were to develop initiatives that would serve as the catalyst for future economic growth in Erie County from 2004 to 2008. The Strategic Initiatives developed were: * Community Audit - Conduct an independent review of Erie county's strengths and weaknesses as they relate to economic development. - Retain economic development consultant(s) to use past reports, Proprietary data and leadership interviews to rate Erie County on all factors considered by site selectors. - Develop a report that includes analysis of labor costs and availability, labor relations and training needs, as well as transportation, utility an land uses. - Present findings throughout Erie County and respond accordingly. * Marketing Promotion and Attraction of New Industry - Market and promote the four Industrial/Business parks within Erie County. - Operate as lead economic development agency for Erie County, receiving and submitting Ohio Department of Development Confidential Site Selection inquiries using "ProCure" software to maintain database of site and building inventory for new prospects. - Develop targeted marketing campaign to include print advertising, trade show attendance, and corporate calling trips to gain national exposure for Erie County as a place to do business. - Upgrade and maintain the GEM website with current available property listings and demographic information. - Continue GEM's quarterly newsletter as an avenue of communication and education to Northwest Ohio, as well as prospects, consultants and economic development investors. * Retention and Expansion of Existing Industry - Conduct formalized visits to major employers (50 + employees) to ascertain and respond to business needs and provide assistance for growth utilizing the "Synchronist" software program. - Strengthen strategic alliances with and provide support services to; the area's Chamber of Commerce, Vistor's and Convention Bureau, Regional Planning and Small Business Development Center. - Promote local educational opportunities by enhancing strategic partnerships with BGSU Firelands, EHOVE Career Center and Sandusky City Schools-Adult Vocational Education to explore customized training and re-training opportunities at area businesses. - Meet with villages, townships, cities and county on a regular basis to promote a spirit of cooperation with government entities to ensure project successes. - Provide educational opportunities to public and private sectors on best utilization of economic development tools and coordinate seminars to discuss programs such as Giftback/PILOT programs and Enterprise Zones. * Strategic Partnership with NASA to capitalize on the State of Ohio's Third Frontier Program - Identify/target high-tech and R&D firms to locate in Erie County to take advantage of nearby NASA - Plum Brook in order to utilize the world-class testing and research facilities located there. - Identify/target Federal agencies, such as Homeland Security, to be located at NASA-Plum Brook in addition to the five agencies currently using the facility - FBI, Department of Agriculture, NOAA, USGS, US Fish & Wildlife. Work with NASA to increase employment within the five existing agencies.
Setting a Course for the Future GEM is looking to provide a proactive, cooperative and aggressive marketing and business recruitment/retention program that will improve the economic performance and vitality of Erie County and its businesses. GEM will work to create an environment that promotes opportunities for business profit and expansion. Recruiting targeted businesses that provide quality employment and increased incomes is another course of action GEM will take on. We will work to stimulate and support the development of small businesses, niche industries and entrepreneurial activity as well as promote improvement of Erie County's physical and technological infrastructure. Presenting a consistent, progressive image to the general public and corporate decision makers regarding the desirable attributes of Erie County is where GEM is heading in the future.
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