Oregon Economic Development Foundation

04/22/2026

We’ve got another one 👏

Huge thank you to Kalie Marantette from WTOL 11 for jumping into the dunk tank from 12–1 at our OEDF Veterans Fundraiser 💥

She’ll be joining Chief Clayton O’Brien and Heather Pollauf—and it’s shaping up to be a fun (and very dunkable 😏) lineup.

We’re still looking for two more local celebrities to take a seat on the tank—who’s in?

📍 Maumee Bay State Park
📅 June 18 | 12–5 PM

All for a great cause supporting our local veterans 🇺🇸

04/21/2026

We’re excited to celebrate the grand opening of Currents of Change: The Living History of the Great Lakes at the National Museum of the Great Lakes.

OEDF had the opportunity to attend alongside community partners and leaders to experience this powerful new exhibit highlighting the history, impact, and future of our Great Lakes region.

This is exactly the kind of storytelling and placemaking that strengthens our community, connects people to place, and reinforces why investing in our region matters.

Be sure to check it out—open now through October 18.

04/20/2026

Big thank you to Heather Pollauf from WTOL for jumping in and being part of our Dunk Tank from 4–5 at the OEDF Veterans Fundraiser Mixer 🙌

Even better—she’s an Oregon native showing up for her community, which makes this even more special. She’ll be joining Chief O’Brien from Oregon Fire & Rescue in the dunk tank lineup.

Having people like Heather step in, have fun, and support something bigger than all of us is exactly what this event is about. This isn’t just a summer mixer—it’s about showing up for our veterans in a real way.

We’re still looking for two more local “celebrities” to take a turn—if you’re up for it (or know someone who should be 👀), let me know!

Come ready to dunk, laugh, and support a great cause 🇺🇸

04/19/2026

Big things are happening in 2026—and it’s all driven by the strength of this network.

From our Annual Meeting at IPS, to industry leaders like Heidi Hurst at Cenovus Energy, to regional voices shaping economic development—these Investor Meetings are where real conversations and real opportunities happen.

✔️ Direct access to business and community leaders
✔️ Insight into projects shaping our region
✔️ Meaningful connections that move things forward

Whether you’re already part of OEDF or looking to get more involved—this is where you need to be.

Join the Oregon Economic Development Foundation and be part of what’s next.

🔗 www.oregonohio.com/about-oedf/membership/

Let’s build something that lasts.

04/18/2026

We’re bringing our network together on June 18 at Maumee Bay State Park for an afternoon focused on connection, community, and supporting veteran-focused initiatives across our region.

Hosted by the Oregon Economic Development Foundation, this event brings together business leaders, partners, and stakeholders who are actively working to strengthen Northwest Ohio.

Our network keeps growing—and so does the impact. As we look toward America 250, we’re proud to support the people who give us every reason to celebrate it.

What to expect:
– Live DJ
– Food + drinks
– Paddle boats + lawn games
– Time to connect with local business and community leaders

Thank you to SD Capital for serving as our presenting sponsor and to the many partners helping make this event possible.

Free for OEDF Investors
General Admission: $30 (includes food, games + 2 drink tickets)

📅 June 18 | 12–5 PM
📍 Maumee Bay State Park

Scan the QR code to register or reach out directly to reserve your spot.

04/17/2026

Huge thank you to the National Museum of the Great Lakes for hosting our April OEDF Investor Meeting.

We also want to recognize Representative Jim Hoops and Joe Cappel—partners who consistently show up, lean in, and support the work being done. That kind of reliability matters more than people realize, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.

Having a space like NMGL right here in our region isn’t just an asset—it’s a driver of connection, education, and momentum. We’re proud to partner with an organization that continues to elevate Northwest Ohio in such a meaningful way.

When organizations align and show up for each other, it strengthens the entire region.

04/17/2026

Thank you to all of our investors who showed up and engaged in some really important conversations at our April OEDF Investor Meeting. These are the discussions that actually shape where our region is headed—and it matters who’s in the room.

A special thank you to Representative Jim Hoops for taking the time to walk everyone through the petition effort to get property taxes on the next ballot for potential removal, and what that could mean for our schools, infrastructure, and overall economic future. Whether you agree or not, understanding the impact is critical.

It meant a lot to have Christa Luttmann from Governor DeWine’s office and Mayor Schimmel in the room with us—because when public and private leaders come together like this, it makes our region stronger and moves real conversations forward.

We’re incredibly fortunate to have assets like the National Museum of the Great Lakes and the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority pushing our region forward. That kind of partnership is what drives real progress.

Looking forward to continuing the conversation—and seeing everyone at our Annual Meeting on May 28.

04/16/2026

A huge thank you to TESCO for stepping up as a Veterans Honor Sponsor 🇺🇸

This isn’t just about supporting an event—it’s about making a real difference for veterans right here in our community.

Because of partners like TESCO, we’re able to go beyond awareness and actually invest in what matters:
✔️ Housing support
✔️ Mobility ramps and accessibility improvements
✔️ Food support
✔️ Access to critical resources

We’re building something bigger this year—one of the largest veteran-focused fundraising efforts in Lucas County—and it only happens with leadership like this.

Grateful for TESCO’s commitment and proud to have them standing with us in this work.

04/14/2026

04/13/2026

Big thanks to Chief Clayton O’Brien for being the first to commit to the dunk tank at our June 18 Summer Mixer at Maumee Bay State Park.

Now we need four more community leaders to step in.

The goal is real impact for our veterans—supporting things like meals, pantry access, mobility ramps, and getting people where they need to go.

If you’re in, reach out. Let’s make it count.

Hosted by the Oregon Economic Development Foundation, a 501(c)(6) organization. Contributions support veteran-focused community initiatives and are not tax-deductible charitable donations.

04/13/2026

As part of their reciprocal membership with OEDF, we partnered with FilmToledo to invest directly in our future workforce—our students.

In collaboration with Oregon City Schools, we worked with seniors at Clay High School to provide professional headshots—giving them a real, tangible tool as they step into the workforce.

This effort was supported through the Business Advisory Committee, where I’m proud to serve alongside an A-team of business leaders who genuinely show up, invest their time, and care about these students and their futures.

At OEDF, we believe preparation matters. Having a strong headshot, a solid resume, and understanding how to navigate platforms like LinkedIn isn’t extra—it’s essential. It’s how you show up. It’s how you compete. And we want our students ready.

This is exactly why collaboration is key in economic development. When partners across our region come together with purpose, the impact grows—and that’s how our region wins.

To learn more about FilmToledo: https://filmtoledo.com/

📸: Doug Hinebaugh

04/13/2026

A sincere thank you to Mannik & Smith Group for their support of the OEDF 2026 Annual Meeting.

We’re proud to partner with a firm that continues to play a key role in shaping infrastructure, development, and long-term growth across our region. Their work doesn’t just impact projects—it helps move communities forward.

Support like this is what brings leaders together, strengthens partnerships, and creates the kind of collaboration that drives real economic development.

We appreciate your continued investment in OEDF and in the future of our community.