City News Grove City Businesses Fill Diverse Needs

Grove City is filled with incredible businesses, business owners and employees – a growing network of commerce providing tremendous support for the community.

Air Quality Solutions (AQS) and Converse Electric are two of the many Grove City businesses actively seeking to employ veterans and going to great lengths to support them. Both companies have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as Platinum and Gold HIRE Vets Medallion Award recipients for their commitment to recruiting, employing and retaining American veterans.

The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act (HIRE Vets Act) Medallion Program is the only federal award program recognizing employers for their commitment to hiring veterans and ensuring they have a long-term career and growth plan using the diverse skills they acquired through their military service.

AQS and Converse Electric are two of only four businesses in central Ohio – and 22 in Ohio – to earn the award in 2022. This is the fourth consecutive year AQS received the Platinum Medallion Award and the third consecutive year Converse Electric earned the Gold Medallion Award.

Grove City is home to several businesses owned by, employing and serving individuals with special needs. The

Awesome Company (TAC), located on Southwest Boulevard, is a screen printing and design studio employing adults with autism. Founded by proud autism mom Jacquie Mahan, TAC is dedicated to inclusion in the workforce. TAC employees are an integral part of the process from start to finish as they help bring customers’ apparel and print ideas to life.

Celebrating 60 years of service to individuals with developmental disabilities, ARC Industries opened their Grove City location on Marlane Drive this spring. ARC supports individuals as they interact in the community where they live and work, helping develop independence, self-advocacy and skills important to employment and citizenship.

Like ARC Industries, All R Friends, located on Buckeye Place, provides job training for adults with developmental disabilities in addition to day support services. Opening their Grove City location in 2021, they quickly became an integral part of our community.

For more information about employment, empowerment, opportunities and a complete list of available services for veterans and individuals with disabilities, visit the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities website at ood. ohio.gov or the Ohio Department of Veterans Services at dvs.ohio.gov.

AQS, operated by Grove City residents Larry and Mary Titus, donated land for the Honor Gardens of the M.A.S.H. Military Food Pantry, growing fresh produce for veterans in need. The Grove City Rotary Club and community volunteers constructed garden plot boxes and give their time for planting and maintaining the gardens. For more information or to volunteer in the Honor Garden, contact Penny Kilcourse-Comer at penny@mashpantry.org or 614-800-4240.