Sen. Sherrod Brown visits Brunswick to speak to business and economic leaders

BRUNSWICK — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Cleveland, attended a roundtable discussion in Brunswick City Hall to speak with economic and business leaders in Medina County on Friday. At the roundtable, business owners, economic directors and other professionals had the opportunity to discuss what they are doing in the county, ask questions and express concerns. Many concerns related directly to a labor shortage. Debbie Boehmke, executive director of the Northern Medina County Chamber Alliance, said smaller businesses are closing down during certain days of the week because there are not enough employees. Temporary agencies are also struggling to find workers. "You're going to see some of our temp agencies with signs saying they're looking for people, so that they can then help our manufacturing companies or businesses," she said. Jason Venner, vice president of Clampco Products Inc., said his company works with the International Institute of Akron to employ people from other countries who are seeking asylum and citizenship. These people work in various manufacturing jobs at the company. "Some people in high places want to continue to demagogue immigration," Brown said. "(Immigrants are) always the future of our country, right?" Medina Economic Development Director Kimberly Marshall said the city has $200,000 for a small-business assistance program. These funds can help with transportation, gas cards, car repair and child care for employees, so small businesses can be competitive. "We're saying if you're trying to retain an employee, and you need to bump up wages to be competitive with Kmart or Walmart or Target, you could apply for this grant money," she said. Throughout his time in the Senate, Brown said he has been to around 500 roundtables. He prefers roundtables that are smaller in size like the one held in Brunswick, so everyone gets a chance to speak. "That's such a good cross section of the county to hear what the needs are for employees, for supply chain, for business development, for new jobs and all that," he said. "It's really what helps me do my job more than anything else I've done." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.