Ohioans can now use their smart phones to assist in job-hunting efforts.

The new OhioMeansJobs mobile phone application allows Ohioans to search, save and apply for jobs from their iPhone, iPad or Android device. The app combines unique data from the state of Ohio with advanced search tools and filter technology from Monster. Job seekers can use the app to view their resumes and search tens of thousands of job openings by job title, keyword and location.… Read the rest

1. Galion News and Information Goes Mobile
2. MedFlight Landing at Airport; 20 Jobs Coming to Galion
3. Galion Can Hear You Now

And one of the briefest Galion Council meetings in months saw the consideration of three legislative items, as well as a handful of items mentioned by City Manager Gene Toy. Councilwoman Cathy George was absent and excused.

Legislation included the following:

Council passed a First Reading of an ordinance expanding the Uptowne Design Review District to encompass the former Galion Middle School property, now known as the Historic Union Schoolyard. This expansion was an express request of the Galion Historical Society, owners of the property.

The Society … Read the rest

1. Council Considers Wide Range of Items
2. Council Concludes Year; Honors Two Retiring Members
3. Council Looks Ahead to “A Tough Year”

Ohio’s think tank for smart and sustainable growth, Greater Ohio, recently issued its third report on the rates of sales tax capture by Ohio counties, and how those rates illustrate what it calls “Ohio’s Horse & Buggy Tax Structure.” It is a structure which, in its words, is “holding Ohio back.”

While the data shared is intended to illustrate the disconnect between the state’s economic activity and how local tax rates are structured, it also provides a rather interesting look at how the three counties in the MidOhio region – Richland, Ashland, and Crawford Counties – function as economic marketplaces.

“Sales tax capture” refers to the difference between the census-calculated … Read the rest

1. Unemployment Rate Constant Statewide, But Falls Locally
2. Galion, Richland County, Ohio
3. County Unemployment Rate Drops Significantly

On New Year’s Day, our sister publication, MidOhioLive, published this op-ed looking back at the impact of 2011 on all of north central Ohio. We’re pleased now to share this with our GalionLive readers…

Looking back, 2011 was basically a year with no big changes, either locally or globally. Instead, the biggest news of the year in MidOhio was perhaps the lack of a catalytic development.

Specifically, the whole Calisolar melodrama took the community from being depressed about the shut down of GM, to optimistic for new job developments and then on a spiraling ride through hope and despair lasting months.  In the end, the only one that benefited was the media as they ran story after story on what, from the beginning, was a non story and probably should … Read the rest

1. Positive Outlook is Key for Mayor Theaker
2. Disappearing Galion Dollars
3. Local Roots Grows in Area

This week, Sears Holdings announced that the shuttering of some 120 stores nationwide, including both smaller and main-line Sears stores as well as K-Mart locations. The action comes in the face of hundreds of millions of dollars in losses during 2011, as well as a disappointing holiday season for the retailer. Chief blame for the problems for K-Mart in particular is placed on a resurgent Wal-Mart, which re-launched its layaway program for Christmas 2011.

The company has a whopping total of 2,177 locations nationwide.

When the first round of 70 closures were announced on Thursday, six … Read the rest

1. A Tradition Ends: Nicholls Furniture to Close Galion Store
2. Fiber-Optics
3. Improved Galion AT&T Phone Coverage Announced

According to those statistics, the November local rate was at 9.9 percent, down 1.3 percent from the month before. This decrease mirrored those statewide (a .5 percent decrease) and nationally (down .4 percent).

ODJFS numbers note that service-providing industries saw a rise of 5,600 jobs from October. Other significant gains were in trade, transportation and utilities (3,500 jobs), government (1,500), financial … Read the rest

1. Local Unemployment Rate Unchanged in December
2. Crawford Unemployment Rate Remains Steady
3. Unemployment Rate Constant Statewide, But Falls Locally

This past week, a small local manufacturer joined those ranks by gaining approval to post on MFG.com, the world’s leading marketplace for engineered-to-order manufacturing of mechanical components, textiles and packaging. In so doing, KB Machine Tool Fab on Primrose Street joined a number of other Ohio operations in gaining access.

“Ohio is one of the nation’s industrial leaders and we are thrilled to have added such capable job shops and contract manufacturers to the marketplace from this distinguished state,” said Mitch Free, Founder & CEO of MFG.com. “MFG.com is the largest global sourcing marketplace for the manufacturing industry. MFG.com’s platform enables … Read the rest

1. GalionLive Online Now Features Facebook, Google and Yahoo! Connection
2. Another Galion Church Updates Online Presence
3. Galion History for Sale — In New York!

The December newsletter was published recently, and provides its members with news and information about Chamber events and activities. And, as the publication is posted on their site, it also allows others to access its contents. The newsletter provides an interesting look at local business views and issues.

This month’s edition includes the following stories, among others:

∙ A short perspective on creative ways to shop locally authored by the Chamber’s Joe Kleinknecht.

∙ Details on an increase in value for participating in the Chamber’s group Workers Compensation program.

∙ A review of the statewide Ag-Link program, which provides an interest rate reduction on loans or lines of credit … Read the rest

1. From the Chamber
2. Galion Chamber Celebrates 25 Years
3. Galion Chamber of Commerce Asks Council To Repeal Rate Hike

The CU Lead project is aimed at creating new leaders through a combination of instruction, skills training, and exposure to ideas and environments. The effort is linked to the Crawford 20/20 Project, an initiative with the stated purpose of positioning Crawford County for success in the early 21st century. The group itself meets on the third Friday of each month, and this month included Galion to their list of class locations.

This morning, featured speakers included the heads of the two county Chambers of Commerce – Deb Pinion from Bucyrus, and Joe Kleinknecht of Galion. Both reviewed not only the operations of their respective … Read the rest

1. Leadership Program Launched, Applications Available
2. Crawford County 20/20 Chair and Project Manager Chosen
3. Galion, Richland County, Ohio

Although all of the interior furnishings and most of the contents were removed before sale, a limited number of boxes and items remained. While moving remaining boxes this past weekend, volunteers made a unique find – one which you can now enjoy.

On Monday morning, a one-of-a-kind collection of vintage fashion accessories found at the Gill House is going on sale at Uptowne Outfitters. Offered for sale will be some 62 pair of women’s formal gloves dating from the 1950s and 1960s.

On Saturday, GalionLive visited the back room of Uptowne Outfitters to examine the collection with store owner Brian Treisch.

Most of the cloth, leather, and doe skin gloves available for sale have … Read the rest

1. Gill House Revealed Coming on October 30
2. Busy Fall Weekend Ahead
3. Archeology Program Tomorrow