During the annual One Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Conference on August 11th, Kevin Hammond of the Ohio Small Business Development Center at Columbus State Community College (SBDC), received the award for ‘Affiliate Partner of the Year’ for Central Ohio. This is an annual award recognizing the most valued partners of each of the six Ohio MEP regions. Hammond, along with the SBDC team, have worked closely with PolymerOhio/OH!Manufacturing (OH-MFG) collaborating in partnership to guide Central Ohio manufacturers, product developers, and start-ups to solve problems and capitalize on opportunities. Kevin attends the monthly OH-MFG team meetings and contributes to the overall goals and economic impact for OH-MFG.

This affiliation is a great example of working together to achieve positive results for the Central Ohio business community.  In addition to the relationship between SBDC and OH-MFG, the SBDC has been actively working with Workforce Development at CSCC on client activity, promoting the Integrated Systems Technology (IST) Lab, and utilizing the internship program. The SBDC has also been instrumental in bringing OH-MFG to Workforce Development at CSCC, including hosting the Info Briefing and IST Lab Tour October 2015 event with OH-MFG and local manufacturers.

Bruce Fawcett, Executive Director of OH-MFG, said “we see Columbus State and the SBDC as a great partner in Central Ohio for us. Partnerships mean everything, and our clients are the real benefactors.” Hammond and the SBDC team know how important partnering is to serve clients effectively. “We live and die by our partnerships in life,” said Hammond. “That’s why it’s best to always look for the WIN-WIN in partnerships and affiliations.”