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Disaster Recovery Learning LabPartnerships Bring High-Growth Industry to Our Community Ohio lost more than ten percent of its jobs between 2000 and 2008. Before the recession Springfield lost 46.9% of its manufacturing jobs and faced double-digit unemployment. When the recession hit, the dismal situation turned worse. The city faced multiple challenges, including how to change the perception of a city down on its luck into a city full of opportunity for employers. State and local government, the Chamber of Commerce, Clark State Community College, the WIA one-stop center and local business leaders collaboratively used the community’s perceived weaknesses as strengths to recruit a high-growth business to the city. For example, high unemployment became a "large available workforce," and vacant buildings became "immediately-available office space at competitive rates." The partners looked past their respective interests to reach a larger collective goal. The result was attracting CodeBlue, a high-growth insurance-related business to the community. Clark State developed training programs specific to call center operations and to the insurance industry, positioning the community to attract and serve these niche markets. Clark State also built the Disaster Recovery Learning Lab (DRLL), the most comprehensive structural drying laboratory of its kind in the country, on the Leffel Lane Campus. The DRLL was dedicated on October 29, 2010. The facility will be used as a multi-functional, hands-on laboratory that includes a classroom. Its initial focus will be training students enrolled in the Certified Insurance Claims Specialist course, which prepares them to work in the specialized flood insurance claims industry. Local employer CodeBlue is hiring qualified candidates who complete this program. "The DRLL is an excellent example of higher education, state and local government and the private sector coming together to impact workforce development in our region," said Karen E. Rafinski, president, Clark State Community College. "This project is the first element of a disaster response training complex that will ensure our community is poised to come together and respond in times of crisis." "The dedication of the new structural drying laboratory is an exciting event for CodeBlue, Clark State and the entire Springfield community," said Paul Gross, president and CEO of CodeBlue. "The partnership that was formed to bring this facility to Clark State has also created new jobs and new opportunity for the citizens of Springfield. It will allow this area to be seen as a valuable resource to the insurance industry as a learning center for contractors, adjusters and claim agents to come and learn about the proper way to dry a structure in the fastest, most efficient and least disruptive way possible."
Building highlights…
Project Funding…
In addition, CodeBlue provided the drying equipment, furnishings, flooring materials, window treatments and appliances for the residential side of the facility. A state capital bill appropriation was also made for this project in the amount of $700,000. The money was appropriated through Clark State to the Community Improvement Corporation of Springfield and Clark County Ohio (CIC) to be used for equipment in CodeBlue’s downtown office building. |
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