MICROPOLITANS: THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Part 7

MICROPOLITANS: THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Paul A. Sears, Dean of College of Business at the University of Findlay and previously Dean of Ashland University’s College of Business and Economics, believes that the success of micros can be a two-edged sword.

“The biggest challenge that I see for micropolitan communities is getting used to the idea that they are playing a leading role in their geographic area. I think the citizens of these communities are so used to thinking about larger metropolitan areas as playing the key roles that they simply are not yet comfortable with the idea that they are key players in the economic landscape of their region,” said Sears.

“People in the community desire growth and expansion but within the established guidelines and standards which have been in place for many years,” said John C. Hovsepian, President of Ohio Tool Works Corporation, a manufacturer of heavy industrial honing equipment, tooling and abrasive related products, located in Ashland.

Hovsepian also cites a “lack of flexibility in work force thinking” as a challenge to be overcome in the small town atmosphere of micro communities.