MANSFIELD — Tim Bowersock has left his economic development position with the city of Mansfield the same way he started.

Help create local jobs.

Bowersock, who officially retired last week, attended the Mansfield City Council meeting Wednesday to explain two community reinvestment zone agreements on two projects near the Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport.

One of the deals is the final step toward building a new $13 million project, 150,000 square foot industrial specification building provided for by Adena Corp. CEO Randy Payne on a 15.8-acre site at 1750 Airport West Parkway.

The second is for Schmidt Security Pro to construct a 6,000-square-foot building at 241 Mansfield Industrial Parkway, increasing the company’s space by approximately 50 percent.

Local lawmakers, meeting at Municipal Court 1 for the first time since the council chambers renovation began, approved the two business tax incentive deals.

Mayor Jodie Perry took the opportunity to honor Bowersock by issuing a proclamation to mark the 66-year-old’s 25 years of service to the city.

“Tim has been with the city for a very long time. Anywhere north of the 30 (United States) border, or a lot of what’s north of the 30 border, Tim was instrumental in guiding and really building a very large industrial park there,” said Perry, who led the Richland Area Economic Development Chamber before taking office in January.

“So I think it’s very appropriate that we honor him,” Perry said before reading the proclamation.

Bowersock, a Crestview High School graduate, was hired by then-Mayor Lydia Reid in 1998 and served during the administrations of several mayors along the way.

“I enjoy my time working for the city and I enjoy what I do, otherwise I wouldn’t have stayed,” he said with a laugh.

Perry praised Bowersock’s work.

“Tim has been at the heart of our economic development projects for more than two decades, including during very difficult times. He knows how to ensure we are aggressive in attracting new jobs, while protecting the best interests of the community at large,” Perry said.

“I appreciated his dedication, creativity and perseverance throughout his career, on behalf of the entire city council and myself,” the mayor said in announcing November 6 as Appreciation Day by Tim Bowersock in the city.

Perry told the council his plan to replace Bowersock would involve a contract with the Chamber and Richland County Economic Development through the Richland County Development Group.

The mayor said she will bring a bill to council on the deal at its next meeting.

Furthermore on Tuesday, the Municipal Council:

— approved a $250,000 grant through the Richland County Foundation for local developer Famico Williams to renovate a property at the intersection of Mulberry and Fifth streets on the city’s north side.

— heard a proposal from Wayfinders Executive Director Miles Parsons to move the homeless shelter to a location at 661 Park Ave. East, east of the city.

— accepted a $250 donation from the Buckeye Garden Club to be used for landscaping as part of the Sterkel Park for All project.

– accepted a $28,178 grant from the Ohio Department of Public Safety for the Mansfield Police Department’s Impaired Driver Enforcement Program and Selective Traffic Enforcement Program. No local connections are required.

— approved the creation of standing committees for the council now that Councilor-at-Large Shari Robertson has replaced Stephanie Zader on the council. As part of the plan, Robertson will chair the Public Affairs Committee and will also serve on the Grievance, Finance/Audit, Airport and Economic Development committees.

— accepted a $13,450 grant from the Rotary Club of Mansfield to be used for a Prospect Park Pavilion construction project.

– accepted a $1,500 grant from Global Energy Partners LLC to supply city parks.

– accepted a $1,680 grant from Edge Plastics for youth jerseys used in city parks and the recreational flag football program.

— appropriated $375,000 from the unallocated Safety Services Fund to the Fire Equipment Fund, based on actual and expected EMS revenue through Dec. 31, 2024.