LCCC PUBLIC SERVICES INSTITUTE AND UNIVERSITY OF AKRON OFFER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES FOR MARCH

The Public Services Institute at Lorain County Community College and the University of Akron through the Innovation Alliance offers these classes for professional development for public officials during the month of March.

To register for any of these courses, call (440) 366-7928, or visit www.lorainccc.edu/psi.

• State Money for Economic Development Projects
  Learn how to save or create jobs in your community from a professional who does it every day in  “State Money for Your Economic Development Project” at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 6 in the LCCC Spitzer Conference Center.
   
  The presenter, Jenn Ruggles, is the deputy director (Region 8) of the Ohio Department of Development. She is a leading expert on job creation, retention, and community partnerships. Cost of this session is $45.
     
• Getting the Best from Big Box Retailers
  “Getting the Best from Big Box Retailers” will be presented at 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 12 in the LCCC Spitzer Conference Center.  The seminar will focus on the tools that cities and townships can use when negotiating with national corporations to enhance design.
   
  Terry Schwarz, AICP, is a Senior Planner at the Urban Design Center of NEO, Kent State University.  Schwarz will provide case studies where Wal Mart and other national corporations went the extra mile to make sure their buildings fit into the local context by modifying their setting, architectural character, building materials, and signage. Cost of this session is $45.
    
• Zoning Strategies Explored
  A workshop on “Zoning: Application & Knowledge of Land Use Planning Tools” will be presented at 6 p.m., Thursday, March 13 at both the LCCC Wellington Center and the Medina County University Center.
   
  David Civittolo, service director and community development educator with the Ohio State University Extension office, will help participants understand basic zoning with special emphasis on how planning relates to zoning and how the two can be united.  Zoning regulations used to curb sprawl and preserve natural landscapes will also be considered. Cost of this session is $45.
    
• Appreciative Leadership Author Presents Workshop
  The “Appreciative Leadership” workshop will be held from 9 a.m.  to  4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 14 at the Medina County University Center. It will be repeated from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., on Thursday, May 22.
   
  Jack Ricchiuto, author of the book “Appreciative Leadership,” will introduce his revolutionary strengths-based approach, designed for all levels of leadership both in organizations and communities.  It provides practical examples and principles for leading from strengths, making weaknesses irrelevant.  The class will cover topics such as leading with vision and passion, sustaining a strengths-based approach to every single dimension of leadership, designing optimum work environments and cultures, and championing innovation and a learning organization.
  Cost of this workshop is $189.  
      
• Building Strong Brands
  Successful brands command a price premium and elicit loyalty.  Building strong brands requires careful planning and long investments. The workshop “Building Strong Brands” will be presented from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 17 at the Medina County University Center. 
   
  This class will be repeated from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 20. Creatively designed and executed marketing is crucial for brand success.  One of the most important skills of professional marketers is to create, maintain, enhance and protect brands.  Presenter Thomas Sigel will lead the class through the steps needed to build a strong brand: how to create brand equity, craft brand positioning and deal with competition. 
  Cost of this session is $189.
   
• Economic Development Strategies for the Public Sector
  Learn about regional research on tax sharing and what your community could gain from a revenue sharing model in the workshop “Tax Growth Sharing” at 6 p.m., Thursday, March 27 in the LCCC Spitzer Conference Center.
    
  Mayor William Currin of Hudson, president of the Northeast Ohio Mayors and Managers Association, will lead this discussion on how Northeast Ohio can reconfigure its region to the benefit of all. Cost of this session is $45.

February 28, 2008