ASHLAND – Excitement was in the air Friday as Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate Spherion Staffing’s expansion and investment in the Ashland community.
The staffing agency recently opened its newly renovated location at 1432 Mifflin Ave., formerly First Merit Bank.
Spherion has had a presence in Ashland for 25 years, most recently renting space above O’Bryans Pub on Claremont Avenue.
But this is the company’s first time purchasing a building in Ashland.
“Me and my husband, Mark had been looking for quite a while, but we never found anything that was quite right that would work for us,” Spherion owner Beth DeLaney said. “All of a sudden we noticed this location, and we purchased it within two weeks.”
Though DeLaney is excited about the greater visibility of the location and the modern amenities of the office, it’s the ownership of the building the brings the greatest joy.
“That’s what we’re about is investing in the community,” DeLaney said. “When you make a real estate investment in a community, I think you become more invested in the growth of the community. It’s almost like we own a piece of that Ashland diamond now that the mayor talks about. It makes you feel good.”
DeLaney said the company added a new employee, Doyle Branham, to manage the Ashland office. The hiring of Branham brings the Ashland team’s total to five.
In his new role, DeLaney said, Branham is committed to investing in the community and making sure his team is too.
DeLaney expects the team to reach 50 new job placements in Ashland County by June.
While the manufacturing industry has always been a majority of Spherion’s business, DeLaney said the company has made strides in developing its professional side and in meeting employers needs for skilled positions.
“We staff all levels, everything from summer work programs all the way up to executive directors. We don’t just do entry level,” DeLaney said. “We’re here, we’re automated and you can contact us 24/7 to apply.”
Spherion has four locations and serves nine counties in the Mid-Ohio area. For more information, call 419-281-4600 or visit www.midohiojobs.net.
