ASHLAND – It’s about time. We’ve been waiting for this.
That was the prevailing attitude among the young adults who gathered at Mitchell’s Orchard & Farm Market Thursday for the inaugural event of Ashland Young Professionals.
Several people remarked they had never seen so many young people in one place in Ashland. The official headcount, AYP president Jake Coffy said, was 101.
“It’s phenomenal seeing this many young professionals coming together in the Ashland area because I think everyone here is excited to actually do something and build something,” Coffy said. “Some came to network, some came to find out what AYP is all about, but I believe all came because we long to build a bright future for Ashland.”
A new program of the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce, AYP seeks to connect, educate and engage people between the ages of 21 and 40 who live or work in the Ashland areas.
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Thursday’s event featured live music by Kruman Lemon Music: Along for the Ride & Tom’s Kitchen Table, as well as hor d’oeuvres and drinks, all free, thanks to funding from the Ashland County Community Foundation. The group is free to join, but some future events may include admission fees.
Among the attendees of Thursday’s mixer was Sarah Toby, works in residence life at Ashland University. She has been with the university four years but still feels she lacks ties to the broader Ashland community.
“I thought this was just a really cool opportunity because I haven’t connected much with people outside the university,” she said. “I think sometimes it’s hard to branch out of the bubble, so I think it’s great to have something like this.”
Cody Thomas came to the kick-off after hearing about the group from Ben Schnell, a friend who is part of AYP’s leadership team.
“As soon as he told me about it I said I wanted to be involved,” Thomas said.
Thomas, 26, said he views AYP as a useful and low-pressure way to promote his maintenance and landscaping business, Ashland Home Enhancements.
“A lot of people my age don’t have businesses, so sometimes when you’re networking with other business owners, they’re looking at you like, ‘Why are you here?'” he said. “It’s good to be among other people who are like me.”
AYP’s next event is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 19 at Tin Can Chandelier, 1258 Franklin Ave. That event is another purely social one, but AYP also plans to offer other types of events like professional development and volunteer opportunities.
