Local government officials recognized
A sign outside of the Wayne County Administration Building recognizes April as National County Government Month.
National County Government Month is celebrated each April to recognize the work and dedication of elected officials and county government employees.
The county government plays a role in economic development and overall stability. Agencies like Job & Family Services work to attract new businesses, provide incentives to existing businesses and support workforce-development programs. By doing so, they help create jobs and grow local economies.
“At OhioMeansJobs Wayne County, we work to strengthen the workforce in our communities,” JFS workforce program administrator Bob Young said. “We offer resume writing assistance and have a computer lab to help applicants research jobs and apply. We post job openings on Wayne County OhioMeansJobs (everybodyworks.org) and host frequent job fairs. We also provide a variety of training opportunities to individuals looking for credentials to gain employment and assist companies in funding training for employees.”
Additionally, county government often provides a range of services that improve quality of life such as parks and recreation. It also oversees institutions like nursing homes, ensuring they meet high standards of quality and care.
With such a broad scope of responsibilities, county governments face a number of challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the need to remain responsive to the changing needs of residents. As the population grows and demographics shift, counties must evolve their services to meet the community’s needs while staying within budgetary constraints.
National County Government Month is an opportunity to highlight the programs and initiatives county governments have implemented to serve their residents and impact the community.
Counties are responsible for a range of services including law enforcement, emergency management, road maintenance and social services. The county government plays a role in ensuring the health, safety and well-being of its community.
“I truly enjoy this job; it is very rewarding seeing individuals get training and become successfully employed,” Young said about his role at JFS. “It is good for the individual, the businesses and the community.”
Dan Starcher is the public communications coordinator for the Wayne County government.