Guernsey County Community Development Corporation

ABOUT OUR AGENCY

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Brief History of the Guernsey County Community Development Corporation

The Guernsey County Community Development Corporation, commonly referred to as the CDC, was founded in 1996 as the Byesville Board of Trade, with the purpose of promoting economic development within the Village of Byesville. In 2002 that organization transitioned to the Guernsey County CDC to better assist local communities around the county with economic and recreational development.

Over the course of the past 14 years the CDC has demonstrated a proven and successful track record of applying for, winning and managing over $10 million in grants that provide a variety of services and opportunities to the 40,000 residents of Guernsey County. Some of these grants include:

  • Clean Ohio Fund for the preservation of green space: $8,295,000.00 (combined)
  • Recreational Trails Fund: $2.3 million (combined)
  • National Emergency Grant (NEG): $250,000
  • Workforce Investment Act (WIA): $350,000
  • Two Finance Fund Grants: $60,000.00
  • AEP LEAP Grant: $10,000
  • Five ODNR NatureWorks Grants: $117,259 (Wrote Grants for: Lore City, Senecaville, Quaker City, Millwood Township and Jackson Township)
  • Four EPA County Wide Tire & Litter Cleanup Grants (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, & 2021): $149,000.00
  • Ohio EPA Litter Control Grant (2019): $5,180.00
  • ODNR Archery Range Grant: $16,699.00
  • Five ODNR Division of Wildlife Aquatic Education Grants:$17,542.00
  • USDA Community Facilities Grant: $50,000.00
  • National Emergency Grant (NEG 2019): $475,000.00
  • Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program – Youth Workforce Development Services (CCMEP 2020): $200,000.00
  • Department of Jobs and Family Services Summer Youth Employment Development 2017: $30,000.00
  • Department of Jobs and Family Services  Summer Youth Employment Development 2021: $100,000.00
  • Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program – Youth Workforce Development Services (CCMEP 2021): $200,000.00
  • American Electric Power (AEP) for Installation of Car Charger: $20,000.00
  • Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program – Youth Workforce Development Services (CCMEP 2021): $200,000.00
  • Appalachia Regional Commission – INSPIRE Grant 2022: $325,645.00

In addition to the awarded grants, the CDC operates a number of programs and has completed a variety of projects. These include the 7 mile paved Great Guernsey Trail, the Miner Park Ballfield Complex, as well as 5 play pods for area parks. The CDC also conducts a free countywide fish camp and has done so for the last five years. The camp takes place at Jackson Park, located outside of Byesville, Ohio and is designed to educate kids on proper fishing techniques, casting and knot tying. Each kid receives a free fishing pole, tackle box and tackle. Other programs include our Disabled Veterans Transportation program that provides local veterans with free transportation to and from medical appointments, the summer youth work development program, the township government support program and support for local food pantries. See more information in the Programs, Parks & Properties tab.

 

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OUR COMMUNITY FOCUSED TEAM

RON GOMBEDA
Executive Director

Ron Gombeda is the Executive Director of the Guernsey County Community Development Corporation where he oversees grant writing, fundraising, employee development, operations, community outreach and marketing. He has over 15 years of leadership experience in corporate and non-profit organizations as well as a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master Degree in Business Administration. His area of expertise includes leadership, marketing, economic development, finance, budgeting, grant writing, human resources, land and wildlife management. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Guernsey County Visitors and Convention Bureau (VCB), a member of the Board of Directors for The Cambridge-Guernsey County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), a member of the Board of Directors for Cambridge Main Street, a member of the Board of Directors for the Guernsey County Board of DD, a member of the Board of Directors for South East Area Transit (SEAT) and a member of the Guernsey County Planning Commission, he is also a member of Byesville Rotary, and lastly he is a past member of the General Benjamin D. Fearing Camp #2, Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War. In his spare time Ron enjoys spending time with his wife Angela, and children, Ayla and Jaron and step children Addison and Owen. He also enjoys blogging, history, reading, hunting, fishing, camping and volunteering for various community organizations.

PAUL DICKSON
Project Director

Paul is our project director and in that position he manages the day-to-day operations for all projects. He is experienced in mechanical, carpentry, welding and equipment operations. In his spare time Paul enjoys spending time with his son Paul Jr, reading and enjoying other leisure activities.

SHARON BEAN
Office Manager

Sharon Bean is our office manager, where she oversees day-to-day operations. She handles finances, scheduling, correspondence, designs filing systems, and preparing payroll. Sharon has over 15 years of management experience.

PAUL DICKSON
Head Supervisor

Michael is our youth supervisor and all around person to help with projects. He works on the mowing crew, clears brush, works on tire and litter cleanups, and a variety of other jobs. Before being employed by the CDC Michael worked with the organization through the Guernsey County Department of Job and Family Services. In five years of partnering with the DJFS on this program, Michael is the first to transition into permanent employment with the CDC.

  • HAROLD PARSONS
    Driver
    Harold is one of our transportation drivers and in that capacity he drives local veterans to doctor appointments. When he is not driving Harold works in our maintenance shop where he maintains vehicles and he also helps to maintain the Great Guernsey Trail. Harold is retired from Detroit Diesel and is a veteran. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
  • MICHELLE WITT
    Driver
    Michelle is one of our transportation drivers and in that capacity she transports both veterans and low-income individuals to medical appointments. When she is not driving Michelle helps with the office, events and maintaining our many properties.
  • KIM GOMBEDA
    Driver
    Kim is one of our drivers. In her capacity she transports both veterans and Medicaid patients to medical appointments. She is the mother of our executive director and is retired from the healthcare industry, where she spent 30+ years as an EMT, medical office manager and billing specialist. When not at work she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren as well as her Old English Sheepdog Oliver and cat Ruby.
  • DAVE MARTIN
    Transportation Driver
    Dave is one of our transportation drivers and in his capacity he ensures our clients get to and from their medical appointments in a safe and timely manner. Dave has over 10 years driving experience in a variety of industries.
  • KEVIN SUTTON
    Transportation Driver
    Kevin is one of our many transportation drivers and is responsible for transporting our clients to and from their medical appointments. He is also the sports editor for our local newspaper, the Daily Jeffersonian.
  • JOSH ELTRINGHAM
    Assistant Project Director
    Josh is our assistant project director and is responsible for a variety of tasks at the CDC. He is responsible for keeping our fleet of two dozen vehicles, machinery and equipment operational as well as directly supervise individuals while on a jobsite. Josh came to us from our NEG program and is a valuable asset to our team. He has a wealth of knowledge in areas such as engine and mechanical repair, carpentry, heavy and light equipment operations, and much more.
  • MELISSA WEST
    Director of Youth Workforce Development
    Melissa is the Director of Youth Workforce Development and in her capacity she directly oversees the employment and skill development of our youth workers. This program is funded by a grant from our local Jobs and Family Services and is designed to provide paid employment experience for low-income and at risk youth with the goal of moving them onto permanent employment in our local workforce. She is responsible for job performance reviews, budget management, invoicing, skill development, coachings, directly supervision of youth and so much more.