Tiffin-Seneca County Micropolitan Ranked #6 in the Nation for Economic Development

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TIFFIN & FOSTORIA, OHIO — March 3, 2025 – The Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership and the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation are proud to announce that the Tiffin-Seneca County Micropolitan Area has been ranked #6 in the nation in Site Selection Magazine’s annual rankings of economic development projects.

This ranking places the region among the top-performing micropolitan areas nationwide, competing against 543 similar-sized communities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000. This marks the 13th consecutive year that the region has ranked in the top 10% nationally, further solidifying its reputation as a leading destination for business growth and investment.

Photo byThe Fostoria Free Press

This achievement underscores Seneca County’s unwavering commitment to economic growth and development. In 2024, the community saw a number of transformative projects that contributed to this national ranking.

Tiffin saw continued growth with expansions and investments from American Plastics, National Machinery,

and Webster Industries. Fostoria had significant projects with Frankart Electric, Kuzma Industries, Mennel Milling, National Spinning Co., POET Biorefining – Fostoria, and Premier Industrial Machine, as well as the attraction of Carolina Nonwovens to Ohio and Fostoria. Additional countywide investments included projects from Church & Dwight and Schreiner Manufacturing.

These projects reflect the diverse industries driving economic momentum in Seneca County, including manufacturing, construction, energy, and industrial machinery. The collaboration between the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Development Corporation and the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation has played a pivotal role in securing the region’s standing among the top communities for economic development.

Seneca County Commissioner Tony Paradiso praised the county’s consistency in economic development:

“Ranking in the Top 10 nationally for 13 consecutive years is no small feat—it’s a testament to the dedication of our business community, economic development teams, and local leadership. We continue to see strong investment in Tiffin, Fostoria, and throughout Seneca County, and we are committed to sustaining this momentum.”

Tiffin Mayor Lee Wilkinson emphasized the city’s growth and strategic partnerships:

“Tiffin’s economy remains strong because of the commitment of our businesses. This national recognition reaffirms that we are a premier destination for investment, and I look forward to building on this success.”

With this sixth-place national ranking, the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership and the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation remain dedicated to advancing economic opportunities, fostering business innovation, and strengthening the regional economy for years to come.

About the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership

Started in 1983 as the Seneca Industrial and Economic Development Corp. (SIEDC), the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to driving positive economic, downtown, and community development in Tiffin and Seneca County, Ohio, which consistently ranks among the top communities nationally for economic development. Learn more about the great things going on in Tiffin and Seneca County at www.tiffinseneca.com.

About the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation

Established in 1956 as the Fostoria Community Industrial Association, the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation (FEDC) is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to driving positive economic, downtown, and community development in Fostoria and surrounding area in Hancock, Wood, and Seneca Counties, which consistently rank among the top counties nationally for economic development. Learn more about the great things going on in Fostoria at www.fostoriaedc.org.

Seneca County Jail RN Supervisor Ken Majors Honored for 30 Years of Service

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By Sheri Trusty, Public Relations/Community Engagement Coordinator

On April 3, friends, family, and coworkers packed the training room of the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office to celebrate Ken Majors’ retirement and honor him for 30 years of service to the residents of Seneca County. On April 4, Majors retired from his position as RN Supervisor of the Seneca County Jail.

Seneca County Commissioner Tony Paradiso was first to honor Majors at the retirement luncheon. He spoke of Majors’ service to the country as a platoon medic; his influential work at the state level as a member of the State Board of EMS; and his local impact as a firefighter, paramedic, regional supervisor for Mercy St. Vincent Life Flight, EMS director, and RN Supervisor for the jail. Commissioner Paradiso stressed that the current EMS system was established because of Major’s efforts.

Photo bySCSO

“He was always on the front lines and always in management,” Paradiso said. “This guy could write a plan and take care of you at the same time.”

Seneca County EMS Director Chris Hafley presented Majors with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Ohio EMS Chiefs Association. Because members of the board were in Washington, D.C. and unable to attend, they sent their congratulations and their gratitude through Director Hafley. The certificate thanked Majors for being a charter member of the association, and praised him for being an invaluable influence on the association’s success.

Photo bySCSO

Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick Stevens met Majors in about 1993. Their careers took different paths until they intersected again at the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Stevens didn’t hire Majors to simply lead the jail’s medical department. He wanted him to overhaul its outdated procedures and equipment. Majors led the department through a major transformation, and he is leaving it in far better condition than when he arrived.

“He brought his organizational skills and his leadership skills. He really turned this around in a little over two years,” Sheriff Stevens said. “Chief Deputy Boyer and I have been greatly impressed with your work ethic and have concluded that in our 30-plus years of policing, we have not seen someone knock it out of the park as quickly and effectively as you did.”

Photo bySCSO

Sheriff Stevens presented Majors with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office and the prestigious Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association/Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Certificate of Merit for his unwavering dedication to the medical department.

“The Certificate of Merit is awarded to a Sheriff’s Office employee for outstanding performance of duty under unusual or difficult conditions,” Sheriff Stevens said.

To receive the Certificate of Merit, that performance of duty must involve the protection of life or property. Majors protected life every time he walked into the jail, and, in reality, for most of his life. The honor was deeply deserved.

Photo bySCSO

Majors was overwhelmed by the honor he received at his retirement luncheon. Although his work at the jail was challenging from the beginning, it is a bittersweet goodbye. He said he walked into his first day at the jail, shook the RN’s hand, and she gave him her resignation letter.

On April 3, one day before his official last day of work, Sheriff Stevens shook Majors’ hand and gave him a key to the county. Although that key was closing a door to the past, it wasn’t shutting out Majors’ impact on the county. He is leaving a legacy of influence on the Sheriff’s Office and on Seneca County EMS.

Photo bySCSO

That legacy was built on his dedication to the wellbeing of the people of Seneca County. Majors’ closing words at the luncheon affirmed his compassion for others.

“We were building EMS so when a deputy gets on a scene first, they’ll only have to wait ten minutes, because a deputy always gets there first,” Majors said. “It’s a horrible feeling to be there alone. We were trying to help you help us.”

Steve Cook named 2024 Civilian of the Year by Seneca County, OH

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By Sheri Trusty, Public Relations/Community Engagement Coordinator

When Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Maintenance Supervisor, Steve Cook, was nominated by his peers for the 2024 Civilian of the Year Award, they didn’t just recommend him for doing a good job. They recommended him because they know the Sheriff’s Office wouldn’t be the same without him.

One nominator wrote, “I don’t know how this place operated before him,” and another said, “Steve is the best maintenance employee to have ever worked at this office, and we are blessed to have him.”

Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick Stevens presented the 2024 Civilian of the Year Award to Cook on March 24. Cook also received the award in 2022.

Cook brought four decades of maintenance experience to the position when he joined the Sheriff’s Office.

“I’ve been in maintenance for about 40 years,” he said. “My dad ran a garage, Cook’s Garage, in Fostoria. He worked on all sorts of things for cars. I started working in his garage when I was in fourth grade, and my dad taught me to do a job right the first time.”

After high school, Cook served in the Air Force as a hydraulic mechanic, and when he left, he went to school for injection molding. At one point in his career, he worked at National Machinery for 15 years.

“At National Machinery, you do things right the first time. It was the same as my dad. That carried over with me,” he said. “It may take a little more time, but you know it’s done right.”

Cook spent 14 years working at another local factory before seeing an ad for a maintenance supervisor at the Sheriff’s Office. That was three and a half years ago, and he is glad he made the switch. Here, Cook is in charge of maintenance in the Sheriff’s Office and the Seneca County Jail.

Cook is a bit of a maintenance octopus, because his competent hands reach into every area, from jail cell showers and deputy cruisers to dispatch computers and kitchen sinks. He fixes, remodels, maintains and improves the things that show up on his never-ending to-do list.

“I do plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and network wiring, and I install sinks, repair kitchen equipment, and work on dryers,” he said. “I plow the drive in winter, do weekly generator checks, and record hot water and heat temperature checks to make sure we meet guidelines. When I started, I did a lot of research on the computer to make sure we were in compliance with things, and I called inspectors before they came, to see what I needed to do.”

Cook moved the dispatch department – and all its tech equipment – to its new location inside the Sheriff’s Office, and he remodeled the Command Staff offices. He maintains the outdoor flags and the county gym.

He keeps the cleaning crew’s equipment working, and he cleans up his own jobs as he goes, especially inside the inmates’ cells.

“Our place is very clean. We work to keep it clean,” he said. “The inmates are here because they made a mistake, but they’re still human. They deserve to live in a clean cell.”

The respect he shows inmates doesn’t go unnoticed.

“The inmates have never given me trouble because they know I’m there to help them,” Cook said. “Sometimes, I’ll be out in public and hear someone call my name, and it will be a former inmate.”

Cook is on call all day, seven days a week, because the jail never closes. If the heat goes out or there’s a water leak in the middle of the night or on the weekend, Cook drops what he’s doing and heads to the Sheriff’s Office.

Cook’s commitment to doing things well and serving the people around him with compassion earned him the Civilian of the Year Award. He is grateful to work in such a supportive environment.

“The Sheriff is so nice, and the people are wonderful here. They back you up,” Cook said. “They appreciate you. I’m not used to that. It makes it nicer to come to work every day when you’re appreciated.”

Seneca County Corrections Officer Brice Logan named 2024 Corrections Officer of the Year

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By Sheri Trusty, Public Relations/Community Engagement Coordinator

When Corrections Officer Brice Logan arrives to work at the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office each day, he doesn’t just trudge through a checklist of duties until it’s time to leave. He does everything he can to help those around him, whether it is his fellow employees or the inmates under his care. For him, being a corrections officer is more than a job. It is a way to make a difference in the lives of others.

C/O Logan’s dedication was recognized when he was selected by his peers for the Corrections Officer of the Year Award for 2024. Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick Stevens presented C/O Logan with the award on March 24.“I was surprised to get it,” C/O Logan said. “It means a lot. I don’t like the spotlight. I just do the work.”C/O Logan’s hardworking attitude is one of the reasons his peers chose him for the award. The nomination forms were filled with comments about his work ethic. His peers said C/O Logan, “never sits down, constantly keeping himself busy with work that needs to be done;” “assists wherever needed without complaint;” and “gets what needs to be done and then works on stuff for the next shift.”

His peers called him a team player and said he continually helps others, takes pride in his work, and cares about the quality of work he performs.Sheriff Stevens told C/O Logan that his efforts don’t go unnoticed.“Your can-do attitude, work ethic, and teamwork are something to be admired by other corrections officers,” Sheriff Stevens wrote in C/O Logan’s award letter.C/O Logan’s accomplishments and commitment to the job take on greater significance because he has been in law enforcement less than two years. He spent much of his adult life working in local factories before accepting the position of corrections officer at the Seneca County Jail.

C/O Logan’s grandfather had a career as a police officer is South Bend, Indiana. Although his grandfather passed away before C/O Logan was born, he was connected to that heritage.“My grandfather was a police officer, and I thought I would give it a try,” C/O Logan said.He is glad he did. He found a career that gives him enjoyment and fulfillment, and he plans to stay in law enforcement for the rest of his life.“I have no regrets,” he said. “I like the work, and I like this job because of the other corrections officers. It’s like being in a family with them.”Working in corrections brought a lot of new experiences into C/O Logan’s professional life. The job has a strong mental element, he learned about other cultures by working with ICE inmates, and he gained a fresh perspective about jail operations.

“It gives you a good chance to know how the inside of the jail works because a lot of people don’t know,” he said.Being a corrections officer also gave his life added purpose. As he works with inmates, he has the chance to offer advice and encouragement.

“I like to think that I’m trying to make a difference, that I’m helping put them on a different path,” he said.

Seeing some people return to the jail again and again can be discouraging, but he keeps giving advice, knowing it takes just one day for a person to start a new life.“You can feel a little defeated, but you still try to help them,” he said.

C/O Logan’s peers honored that compassion and dedication when they chose him as the 2024 Corrections Officer of the Year.“Everyone is very encouraging,” he said. “We always have each other’s backs, always.”

EMS Legacy: Ken Majors Retiring, Seneca County Jail Medical Department Transformed

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New staff needed for jail medical department made better by Ken Majors

By Sheri Trusty, Public Relations / Community Engagement Coordinator

When Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick Stevens began his first term in 2021, he had a vision of a better, safer, and more efficient jail. He set out to improve the building and the procedures, and he created a foundation for that vision by surrounding himself with good people. Among them was Ken Majors, who was hired in 2022 as the RN Supervisor to head the jail’s medical department.

Majors embraced the sheriff’s vision, and, together, they transformed the medical department into a modern facility that offers efficient medical care in a safe environment that consistently meets the demands of state and federal requirements. But when he started, Majors and his staff of one cared for the medical needs of close to 200 inmates – including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) inmates – utilizing antiquated equipment and procedures.

Majors brought years of medical experience to the position. He started his career as a firefighter/paramedic with Tiffin fire on April 1, 1995, while concurrently attending nursing school to become a registered nurse. His career brought him to Mercy St. Vincent Life Flight, where he eventually served as a regional supervisor, and he also served as the Seneca County EMS director from 2013 to 2022, where his impact is still felt today.

During his time as EMS director, Majors became a charter member of the Ohio EMS Chiefs Association.

“I got to know people at the state and served on the State Board of EMS,” Majors said. “I was on the Rural EMS Committee and the EMS Systems Development Committee. It was just me when I started, and I recruited people to join me.”

Majors procured a federal grant that funded an EMS study in Seneca County. That study created the opportunity for Majors to have a voice in early EMS system designs, which laid the foundation for current countywide EMS improvements.

“I’m very proud of what we designed,” he said.

When Majors joined the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office in 2022, his system design skills were invaluable as he and Sheriff Stevens sought to modernize the jail’s medical department.“

Sheriff Stevens had a vision to upgrade the department to streamline services and provide better care for inmates, and he asked me to redesign the program,” Majors said. “I can’t say enough about Sheriff Stevens. He listened to everything I said.”

The medical department’s improvements include new carpet, paint, cabinets, and a remodeled bathroom. New computers were purchased, and online procedures replaced paper documents. The improvements created an efficient environment that impressed inspectors from both Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections and ICE.

“We got rid of a lot of paper and embraced technology. We got all the things to run an office. We had to start over,” Majors said. “Since then, we’ve passed all of our inspections.”New staff was added, and today, Majors works with a medical tech, an LPN, and a health services administrator, who is also a paramedic, but more staff is needed. Majors, who has served the county in various capacities for 30 years, will retire on April 4, and the sheriff is looking for support staff to help maintain the department’s high standards.

“We’re looking for healthcare providers, which can be an LPN, medical assistant, or paramedic,” Majors said.

Majors said the positions offer competitive pay and benefits, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) benefits, and 12-hour shifts, which creates more time off. Anyone joining the medical department staff will work in a modern facility where they are well-cared for by the corrections officers as they care for the medical needs of the inmates.

“You are part of a family here. These people open their arms up and bring you in. You feel safe. These guys take care of us,” he said. “A lot of people don’t realize how talented the corrections officers are. They are the unsung heroes of the criminal justice world.”

When Majors retires next month, he can walk away knowing he helped create a medical department that will impact staff and inmates for years to come. As new employees are hired into the department, they will have the privilege of working in an environment where they can offer the best medical care possible to county inmates.

The medical department is hiring LPNs, med techs, EMT-Bs, paramedics, and medical assistants for fulltime and part-time positions. Starting pay is $25.07. For more information, contact Lt. Cunningham at
wjcunningham@senecacountyohio.gov, visit www.senecacountyso.org, or pick up an application at the dispatch window of the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, located at 3040 S. State Route 100 in Tiffin.

Lawsuit Filed Against Evergreen Poplar LLC “Peltons” by CWS Environmental

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On August 9, 2024, CWS Environmental filed a lawsuit against Evergreen Poplar LLC in the jurisdiction of Wood County, Ohio. The case is identified as 2024CV0469, with attorney Robert J. Bahret representing CWS Environmental.

The Allegations

According to the complaint, CWS Environmental specializes in providing freshwater treatment and wastewater management services to various business entities, including Evergreen Poplar LLC. The lawsuit claims that:

  1. CWS Environmental provided environmental treatment services to Evergreen Poplar LLC under a written contract (Exhibit A, referenced in the lawsuit).
  2. The contract explicitly requires the Defendant (Evergreen Poplar LLC) to pay all attorney fees and legal expenses associated with collection efforts, including court costs and court reporter fees.
  3. The contract includes a 2% finance charge on unpaid balances.
  4. The services were provided to multiple properties owned by Evergreen Poplar LLC, with some locations within Wood County, Ohio.
  5. Evergreen Poplar LLC allegedly failed to pay CWS Environmental over $20,000 for services rendered.
  6. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified that all of CWS Environmental’s services were performed correctly, reinforcing the validity of the claims.

Plaintiff Seeks Over $25,000 in Damages

Due to the non-payment, CWS Environmental is demanding judgment in excess of $25,000, which includes:

  • The unpaid balance for environmental services.
  • Attorney fees and legal costs associated with collecting the debt.
  • Any other relief the court deems necessary.

Who Are the Defendants?

Evergreen Poplar LLC is a limited liability company with an address at Poplar Village 12400 Axline St., Fostoria, OH 44830. The entity is also linked to Cogency Global Inc., a corporate compliance and registered agent services provider, located at 3958-D Brown Park Dr., Hilliard, OH 43026.

Legal Representation

The lawsuit was filed by Attorney Robert J. Bahret, a legal representative from Rohrbacher Trimble & Zimmerman Co., L.P.A. based in Toledo, OH.

What This Means

This lawsuit highlights a contractual dispute over unpaid environmental services, bringing attention to potential financial and operational issues within Evergreen Poplar LLC. The case could also impact Cogency Global Inc., which is connected to the defendant.

If the court rules in favor of CWS Environmental, Evergreen Poplar LLC may be required to pay the full amount owed, including interest, legal fees, and additional penalties. A court judgment could also affect Evergreen Poplar’s business reputation and financial standing.

 

 

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Seneca County Jail HVAC project nearing completion – The lowest registered temperature was 66 degrees

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By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator
Since he first took office, Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick Stevens has focused on renovating the jail and improving conditions for inmates. Extensive work throughout the jail created a healthier and more professional environment. Among many other projects, workers painted walls and replaced carpets, and exercise bikes and bigger televisions were added to the jail blocks.

Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick Stevens is leading a jail renovation project that is creating a healthier and more professional environment. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

One of the biggest obstacles Stevens faced was aging boilers that made heating the building difficult. The problem was addressed when the Seneca County Commissioners approved funding for an energy efficiency improvement project at the jail, which included the purchase of new boilers and new air handlers. The HVAC project began late last summer.

“This provides everything needed for heating and air-conditioning in the building, every day, 24/7,” Sheriff Stevens said.

The new boilers were scheduled to be installed first, to prepare the jail for the winter months, and then the air handlers were to be added, along with a remotely controlled operating system that would allow the jail’s maintenance supervisor to monitor and adjust temperatures off-site.

The original September completion date for the boilers was pushed to mid-October by the contractor, which subsequently pushed back the installation date of the air handlers. Currently, the boilers are installed, but installation of the air handlers is incomplete. Until the air handlers and remote control project is completed, the maintenance supervisor must adjust temperatures inside the jail manually.

Over the Jan. 4 weekend, an equipment problem caused the temperature to drop to a low of 66 degrees in one block. The boiler never quit working, and no part of the jail was without heat during the entire weekend. Throughout the months-long HVAC replacement project, the heat in the jail was only off once. During the first week of October, the jail was temporarily without heat, but the temperature in the block never dropped below 65 degrees.

The National Institute of Corrections requires an active response, such as issuing extra blankets to inmates, when the interior temperature drops below 68 degrees. During the heating issues over the Jan. 4 weekend, the lowest registered temperature was 66 degrees in the one affected block, just two degrees below the requirement. All jail inmates in the affected block were offered an extra blanket.

Because the heating problem was confined to only one block and only two inmates complained of being cold, jail staff did not believe the issue justified contacting maintenance. Had they done so, the maintenance supervisor would have willingly traveled to the jail to address the problem, just as he has done on many weekends and holidays.

“Our maintenance supervisor comes on weekends and holidays when needed. He is very dedicated,” Sheriff Stevens said.

When the maintenance supervisor arrived at the jail on Monday morning, he was soon able to address the problem and raise the temperature to 70 degrees, and the jail has experienced no further heating problems. On Jan. 6 and 7, temperatures inside the various blocks were 70 degrees or higher.

Once the contractor finishes the air handlers project and the remote system is in place, the maintenance supervisor will be able to monitor and adjust every block’s temperature remotely.

“After the air handlers are installed, we shouldn’t have any issues,” Stevens said.

Compassionate and responsible leadership has epitomized Sheriff Stevens’ term in office. He said he has worked hard the past four years to improve infrastructure and cleanliness at the jail, as well as the way his staff interacts with the public.

“As sheriff I take my responsibility seriously as I preach to my staff that every traffic stop or call for service on the road, every phone call answered by dispatch or staff, and every inmate in our jail should be treated like a family member of ours because it can be one of our family members,” Sheriff Stevens said.  “We have to have empathy and understand that we are charged with their health and welfare. That keeps me up at night.”

Accountability in Animal Welfare: Transparency Brake-check for Seneca County Humane Society

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Author: Joshua Giordano T. Founder/The Fostoria Free Press January 8th, 2025   When it comes to the care and protection of animals, transparency and accountability are critical. Animal shelters and humane societies are entrusted with the vital role of ensuring the welfare of some of the most vulnerable members of our communities. As advocates for […]

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