The driving force of the local Tiffin and rural Seneca County economy is the existing business base (1400 establishments). On average, existing businesses create 75 percent of the jobs and invest 75 percent of the dollars into fixed assets. Our new Seneca Fortune 500 business outreach program seeks to connect businesses with resources (programs, services, organizations, initiatives) that can help them grow. We launched the 2021 program on Jan. 18 (read story).

The following is a beginning-of-the-year inventory of available economic development resources, in four larger categories:

Workforce Resources

50 resources. Are you a business that is thinking about hiring more workers? That needs more workers? That has workforce challenges? That needs to train its workforce? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, there is likely one or more resources in the sub-categories below that can assist you.

• Recruitment
• Training
• Grants & Tax Credits
• Information
• Development
• Other Programs

Financing Resources

50+ resources. Are you a business that plans on spending money on the business? Do you need more cash and/or working capital? Are you thinking about borrowing or financing real estate, equipment, furniture, or other items for the business? Would below market-rate financing be appealing to you? Is it difficult to get a bank to lend you what you need? Do you have other financing challenges? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, there is likely one or more resources in the sub-categories below that can assist you.

• Loans
• Credit Enhancement
• Interest Rate Reduction
• Investment Capital
• Bonds
• Alternative Financing

Real Estate Resources

50+ Resources. Do you need more, different, or a new space for your business? Are you considering renovating, constructing or purchasing a building? An expansion of a building? The purchase of a site? Are you thinking about remediating a property? Do you need infrastructure improvements to accommodate your project? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, there is likely one or more resources in the sub-categories below that can assist you.

• Financing - see Financing Resources
• Grants
• Services
• Tax Savings

Special Resources

50+ Resources. Are you a new or small business? Is your business located in downtown Tiffin? Are you a manufacturer? Do you do any business internationally? Are you a tech company or engaged in research and development? Is your business veteran-, woman-, or minority-owned? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, there is likely one or more resources in the sub-categories below that can assist you.

• Downtown
• Small Business
• Manufacturing
• Export & International
• Tech & Research
• Specialty-Owned (Vets, Women, Minorities)
• Chamber
• Rural & Agribusiness