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September 2021

Ohioans have a history of hard work, grit, and talent. These qualities are often best exemplified by Ohioans who work in the skilled trades. Trade work is learned, often through apprenticeships, and then turned into impactful labor and construction in our communities. This Labor Day, we recognize the Ohio plumbers, mechanics, carpenters, steel workers, and other tradespeople who provide valuable, necessary services to so many, while also giving back to our Ohio communities.
Smith Paving and Excavating started contractor work back in 1978 in Norwalk. They currently specialize in concrete streets, drives, sidewalks, curbs and gutters. Known for their various concrete projects. They have worked with local Norwalk residents and their homes, installing patios and driveways to decorative engraved concrete. Smith has also completed larger projects like paving for highways and even amusement parks like Cedar Point and Kalahari! They are heavily involved in their community and have donated work on several projects to local churches, fire stations, and playgrounds. Smith Paving and Excavating has a strong team of 110 Ohioans that work hard to provide Huron county with the some of the best concrete work around.
For over 22 years, Killeen Plumbing has been providing some of the highest quality plumbing work in Cuyahoga County. While they work on residential plumbing and commercial plumbing contracts, they also donate their time and resources to people in need in the area as a way to give back to the community. Having worked hard to create a team of 40 people, Killeen’s staff strive to provide premium craftsmanship and customer care for the 22 cities they serve.
Using his modest savings account, Edward “Pop” Elford started his own construction business in 1910. For more than 100 years, Elford Construction has run on trustworthiness, hard work, and a focus on communication. Their core values consist of fostering long lasting partnerships, advancing innovation, challenging each other, building the community, and doing the right thing. Today Elford is a thriving construction services provider performing over $450 million per year in projects ranging from institutional, educational, government, multi-family, retail and healthcare. Elford Construction has partnered with several minority, veteran, and women-owned enterprises to help with special projects while also dedicating time to enhance employees’ skills along with professional development to build a stronger team. On top of all of that, Elford’s employees are heavily engaged in the communities where they live and work by volunteering and serving on boards for many of the organizations that support our communities.
Bayes Mechanical was founded in 1991 in Northeast Ohio. Their company commitment is to provide excellence and consistency throughout their plumbing, HVAC, and industrial work, from start to finish. They’ve made cross-training of skills a priority, enabling them to be more efficient and available to consumers needs while continuing to grow in their career skills. Bayes Mechanical works with the local Cherry Street Mission where they donate mechanic work and skill training to help the homeless and poor in the Greater Toledo area.
Family-owned and operated for more than 20 years, Rod Tech has been providing Cincinnati with a high quality and cost-effective rebar work in the public and private sector. With a focus on hiring employees that are hardworking, professional, and team oriented, it’s clear why Rod Tech has become a leader in the construction industry in Southwest Ohio. They have several different certifications that help Rod Tech stand out, such as being a Diverse Business Enterprise, a Minority Business Enterprise, as well as a Small Business Enterprise. With a strong team, they provide excellence in their concrete reinforcements and structural steel projects.
Ohio is well-known for our natural resources, and we take pride in keeping those resources healthy and strong. Key to that mission in Southeast Ohio is Fluor-BWXT and their efforts to provide environmental cleanup to one of the state’s largest watersheds in Portsmouth. Their decontamination and decommissioning procedures keep things safe and healthy for their employees, clients, and members of the community. They also partner with several local groups to support and fundraise for community organizations like 4-H Livestock of Pike County and local libraries.
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