Mayor, Kenneth J. Markward

Mayor's Radio Conference

On January 1, 2017 the “Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation” (VWAEDC) was created.  The VWAEDC is a 501(c) (3) corporation with a membership of more than six hundred citizens from within and outside of the area.

The Board of Directors of VWAEDC is made up of three members approved by Van Wert City Council, three members appointed by the County Commissioners, and three members elected from and by the paid membership.

An extensive search for the most qualified person to lead the Economic Development efforts was conducted by the Board. After interviewing several qualified candidates, the Board offered the Economic Development Director’s position to Mr. Brent Stevens. Brent is an experienced business person with a proven track record managing a multi-million dollar national corporation.

For information regarding business growth opportunities and incentives throughout Van Wert County, please contact Mr. Brent Stevens, Director, Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation, 145 E. Main Street, Van Wert, Ohio 45891; telephone: 419-238-2999 or by website at https://vanwerted.com/

As Mayor, I state with confidence that we are on a path to success through growth. Being unified, we are a stronger competitor for those businesses looking for a location in the Midwest close to agriculture and the automotive industry. We have not one, but three sites ready and available for food and beverage companies. There are several free property opportunities in the Vision Park Industrial area available for companies bringing jobs to Van Wert. There is also a property of one hundred fifty acres in southern Van Wert poised for industrial development, as well as the 1600 acre Mega site adjacent to U.S. 30 northeast of town.

It takes more than one person or company to bring success to an area.  We are blessed by having many individuals and groups with the desire to see the City and County prosper.  Among them are the Community Investment Corporation (CIC), the Business Development Corporation (BDC), the Chamber of Commerce, the Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, and Main Street Van Wert.

VWAEDC also works closely with Jobs Ohio and Regional Growth Partners (RGP).  RGP is the business outreach group that is contracted by Jobs Ohio for the purpose of bringing new business into the state.  We look forward to them assisting us in bringing new business opportunities to Van Wert.

Please join me in making our City a welcoming place for new business investors to decide that Van Wert is the right place to locate their business.