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Lorain County Workforce Development Board Meeting
Thursday, May 29, 2025
9:00 am
Meeting Minutes
Members Present
Chris Brown Mark Goffinet Susan Meek
Chris Cabot Tracy Green Ben Norton
Hannah DiVencenzo Lisa Hutson Donald Ortner
Rob Duncan Nick Jarmoszuk Erin Schneider (v)
Tony Gallo Carl Johnson
Charlotte Gardiner (v) Tim King (v)
Members Absent
Shauna Mitelski, Ryan Flanigan, Andy Kasubienski, Kevin Stitak, David Zunis
Sha-Niqua Matthews, Dave Larson
Staff/Guests Present
Chris Durkin Commissioner Jeff Ridell
Call to Order: Ben called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Roll Call: Ben asked Lesley to conduct the roll call, and Lesley confirmed that there
was a quorum.
Approval of Minutes
Ben called for a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. The motion
was approved.
WDB Chairperson Report
Workforce Development in Lorain County
• Ben highlighted Lorain County's unique advantage with a mega-site of over 1,000
acres ready for development, making it the envy of the region in the state of Ohio.
• Lt. Governor Tressel visited Lorain County Community College, and JVS
emphasized workforce readiness and the success of the Innovative Waiver
program, which removes obstacles for students in the College Credit Plus
program.

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• Lorain County Community College offers 53 courses and five credentials through
the statewide Innovative Waiver program, focusing on industry-recognized
certifications tied to high-demand careers.
• Commissioner Ridell stressed the importance of workforce development, citing
the need for workers in the next five to six years due to an aging population and
retiring workforce.
• Collaboration between JVS, Lorain County Community College, and area
employers is critical to identifying and addressing current and future workforce
needs.
• The board aims to stabilize the workforce today and build a sustainable model
for the future, leveraging internships, retraining programs, and scholarships.
Strategic Planning and Metrics for Workforce Development
• Lt. Governor Tressel emphasized the need for a community scoreboard to track
workforce development metrics, including the number of certificates, degrees,
and job placements achieved.
• Commissioner Ridell highlighted the importance of incorporating data and
metrics into government processes to measure success and secure additional
funding.
• Lorain County Community College's strategic plan and the board's efforts to
align workforce development initiatives with measurable outcomes were
discussed as key priorities.
• The board plans to integrate metrics into its workforce development activities to
ensure accountability and demonstrate tangible results.
Collaboration with JVS and Other Institutions
• Commissioner Ridell expressed concerns about JVS's lack of collaboration and
focus on organizational outcomes rather than broader workforce development
goals.
• Efforts are underway to improve relationships with JVS and integrate their
programs into the county's workforce development strategy.
• Dave announced plans to have youth program staff provide career counseling at
JVS and local high schools to better connect with in-school youth and prepare
them for future opportunities.
• Partnerships with institutions like Lorain County Community College and Black
River Career Prep are being strengthened to enhance training and career
readiness.
Addressing Out-of-School Youth and Juvenile Workforce Challenges
• Dave highlighted the difficulty in contacting out-of-school youth aged 18-24, a
critical segment for workforce development.

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• Efforts are being made to mandate communication between school
superintendents and Ohio Means Jobs offices for students who drop out,
ensuring better tracking and engagement.
• Partnerships with juvenile detention centers aim to provide training and
counseling to at-risk youth before they turn 18, helping them transition into the
workforce.
• The board is exploring ways to support formerly incarcerated individuals with
transportation and job placement services.
Transition to Electronic Files and Process Improvements
• Dave announced the transition to electronic files for workforce development,
starting in June, to improve efficiency and security.
• The state audit revealed inefficiencies in the current paper-based system,
prompting the move to electronic records by 2026.
• The transition will streamline processes, reduce paper usage, and enhance data
management for workforce programs.
Budget Challenges and Resource Allocation
• The adult program budget has been fully spent, requiring careful management of
funds and prioritization of training programs.
• A 9% budget cut starting in July will further strain resources, prompting efforts
to optimize spending and seek additional funding opportunities.
• Dave plans to hire part-time youth specialists to address staffing needs while
managing costs effectively.
• Efforts to increase revenue include renting out unused office space and reducing
travel expenses.
Next Meeting – Thursday, August 28, 2025