The East Central Ohio Building Authority (ECOBA) was proud to participate in, and be selected to receive, the Chapter of the Year Award for the state-wide program. The Chapter of the Year Award recognizes extraordinary performance by an Ohio chapter in promoting the goals and mission of the International Code Council.
ECOBA is a local building department certified by the State of Ohio Board of Building Standards to enforce the Ohio Building Code for all commercial and industrial buildings. As a division of the Economic Development and Finance Alliance (EDFA) of Tuscarawas County, ECOBA is a self-funded, non-profit organization.
Tuscarawas County Commissioners created the Building Department in response to requests by many building owners, contractors, and designers to provide a local, more responsive alternative to the state of Ohio for commercial and industrial plan approval and inspection services. Benefits of having a local building department include: walk-through plan approval or reduced shelf time; fast inspection response; face-to-face interaction; consistent interpretation; partnering with each building owner, designer and contractor; collaboration with zoning departments and fire officials; and having generated revenues remaining local.
As we look to the future, we see tremendous opportunities for economic growth in Tuscarawas and Holmes counties. The East Central Ohio Building Authority facilitates that growth and serves public building safety and health concerns. ECOBA facilitates activities that develop and strengthen partnerships among the Authority, building owners, designers, and contractors.
Pictured above are (left to right) Dr. Glenda Bumgarner, incumbent President of OEDA; John Kelly; and Mark Barbash, Director of the Ohio Economic Development Institute.
John Kelly, Director of TCEDC Business Retention, Expansion, and Administration recently received a coveted award. After having completed five core courses and conducting a capstone project on the creation of entrepreneurial ecosystems, John received his Ohio Economic Developer Certification. The Ohio Certified Economic Developer (OhioCED) credential represents an individual’s knowledge and ability to benefit the organization and community. This credential symbolizes the completion of advanced training and recognizes the knowledge gained will complement the recipient’s commitment to the Ohio economy and serves to elevate the economic development profession. On October 6, 2022, at the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) Summit, John was recognized for his achievement and the advanced placement that his certification brings among the “best in class” across the state.
Marla Akridge, (second row, fourth from left) was one of 40 individuals selected for the Class of 2022-2023 from hundreds of applicants representing 13 states in the Appalachian region.
Marla Akridge, Executive Director of the Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation, received great news this month that she was accepted into the prestigious Appalachian Leadership Institute. The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) offers this leadership development program to a select group of professionals from all 13 Appalachian states, representing sectors that include tourism, health care, civil service, and more. The fellowship program has an extensive training curriculum developed in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; The Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy; Tuskegee University; and Collective Impact, LLC. The Appalachian Leadership institute is an economic development training opportunity designed for professionals who are passionate about helping their communities and have demonstrated an interest in, and ability to benefit from, this rigorous program. Training is scheduled at a variety of locations and will be held over ten months, culminating with an awards program in Washington, D.C. in July, 2023.