Inclusion grant funding to go toward machinery purchase, adding 8 jobs
TIFFIN, OHIO – December 10, 2020 – OCECO, located in the Airport Industrial Park, is announcing today that it has received a $50,000 Inclusion Grant through JobsOhio which is to be used to purchase a CNC machine to to modernize their business and improve safety. OCECO has nine employees and will be adding 8 new jobs with this investment.
The CNC machine, estimated to cost $117,000, is part of OCECO’s investment of $237,805 into the business over the next four years in new machinery and equipment. In 2017, CEO Keith Ricker and CFO Mike Ruhe purchased the business with plans to expand its operations.
Founded in 1921, OCECO is a fabricator of high quality safety equipment for flammable liquid storage and wastewater gas disposal systems. They supply airports and energy companies like Marathon and Exxon Mobile and also do a large amount of business with municipalities, food production, and factory farms. Key products include fittings, flame arrestors and gas purification systems. They operate out of a 38,000 square foot facility in the Airport Industrial Park.
The JobsOhio Inclusion Grant became available in early July and provides financial support for eligible projects in designated distressed communities and/or for businesses owned by underrepresented populations across the state. Eligible companies may apply for up to $50,000 in grant funding through the program.
Keith Ricker said, “Thank you to JobsOhio for providing us this grant which has allowed us to better serve our current customers, as well as grow and gain additional business.”
Seneca County Board of Commissioners President Mike Kerschner said, “It is great to see a business in Seneca County able to take advantage of this program and bring these valuable grant dollars back to our community. Congratulations on OCECO’s continued success.”
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.org.
