Ray Hexamer talks opportunity as the new head of the Massillon Development Foundation

In May 2014, the Massillon Development Foundation, a nonprofit development corporation that recruits industry to western Stark County, hired Ray Hexamer as its executive director. In his new role, Hexamer is looking to boost the economic opportunities in his hometown.
“The Massillon Development Foundation, like a private sector company, has to develop and market the vast assets we can bring to the table to help our current companies succeed and attract new ones to do business here,” he says.
Smart Business spoke with Hexamer about getting acclimated, and what he hopes to accomplish during his time in the position.
SB: What interested you in the role of executive director of the Massillon Development Foundation?
RH: I am a native to Stark County and feel the area has so much to offer people who want to grow their businesses. The Massillon Development Foundation opportunity was appealing for two reasons.
First, in my previous roles I was responsible for growing businesses for shareholders. I felt those experiences could put me in the business owners or executive teams’ shoes. I hope that transcends into this role to help them facilitate growth for existing businesses and those that are looking to expand in our area.
Second, I felt MDF also has so much to offer with 167 acres of land that is strategically located minutes from state Routes 30, 21 and 77, has rail access, a great workforce, many existing buildings for those that don’t want to build, a very attractive cost of living, and local economic development and government partners who want to create business growth and jobs in the area.
SB: What did you hope to accomplish as you transitioned into the position and have you been able to achieve those goals?
RH: Yes, with always more to learn. I have really enjoyed trying to help business owners capitalize on an opportunity they may have or try to help them hurdle an obstacle they may be facing. I am learning about the tools available for economic development and tie in what we have in Massillon to help existing and attract new business to the community.
SB: How would you characterize recent business development activity in Massillon?
RH: Robust. We have seen job growth and capital investment with many of our partner companies. Shearer’s Foods, which has its corporate headquarters here, is doing a large expansion of their production facilities. Baker Hughes, which is one of the newest business partners to locate here, is continuing to expand their facilities and add jobs. And businesses that have called this area home, like Sterilite Corp., Heinz North America and E-Tank are growing and expanding. These are just a few examples of the exciting growth going on in the community.
SB: How would you describe the relationship between the MDF and the city’s other economic development arms?
RH: A team. Fortunately, I am surrounded by a great board; as well as Ted Herncane at the Massillon Chamber of Commerce, who previously did numerous economic development projects for the city; current Community Development Director Larry Marcus; and Massillon Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry; as well as Steve Paquette and the awesome team at the Stark Development Board. Knowing those resources are a phone call away has been a great help to get me acclimated. I also have to say it seems to me that all of those who are working on economic development in Stark County understand that each community has assets and if a company relocates or grows in our area, we all win.
SB: What would you say are the untapped economic opportunities of Massillon?
RH: Everybody immediately thinks of the opportunities with the Utica Shale, which I think we have seen with our Baker Hughes project. But I feel the location, available land, access to rail and major interstate highways, affordable utilities and cost of living opens us up to any business that wants to grow and be profitable in the future.
We have a great K-12 education system, five area colleges and universities, a thriving arts community and we are within 500 miles of 30 percent of the total U.S. personal income, 30 percent of the total U.S. retail sales and 30 percent of the U.S. population.
SB: How do you plan to help develop existing businesses in the city?
RH: We need to always be mindful of why a business should stay in Massillon. We are looking at ways we can improve on networking and education opportunities for our businesses that are here. We want to market the organization as a resource and support for them when they have an opportunity or obstacle where we may be of help.
SB: What do you hope to accomplish during your time as executive director?

RH: MDF was started by a group of business people over 60 years ago who had the foresight to create an organization with the sole purpose of assisting existing and attracting new businesses to grow and prosper in Massillon. They realized if they accomplished that goal everybody would win. It is not surprising that many of those original families that invested in MDF still operate successful businesses in the community today. My job is to continue and look for ways to accelerate that vision. Every time you can accomplish that for a company, the community will benefit for years to come.