EDC of Wayne County recognizes 2015 as a year of growth for area

In 2015, the EDC completed 12 major projects totaling $27.59 million. The projects accounted for the creation of 232 new jobs and the retention of nearly 100 others. The economic development body also celebrated its outgoing board members, Lee Elzemeyer, Brett Guiley, John Meredith and Bill Quigg, during the event at Forest Hills Country Club on Richmond's south side.

"It was a fantastic year for us, and we are really thrilled by the developments that we were able to help bring together," said Valerie Shaffer, president of the EDC. "There's a lot of potential here, and I think we'll continue seeing growth in Wayne County in the near future."

Shaffer said the past year's accomplishments are more greatly enhanced by the ongoing work being done to bring new developments to the Wayne County area. This includes Omen USA, a subsidiary of an Israeli company that manufactures auto body parts, which announced in January it would move to the area, as well as ongoing efforts to bring a pet food processor to the area through Project Dove.

She said even after those kinds of investments are agreed upon, the work continues behind the scenes.