Ohio Machinery’s Taylor Receives Corporate Kindness Award

Ken Taylor, president of Ohio Machinery Co., was awarded the 2023 Malden Mills Corporate Kindness Award at a special ceremony on June 7 at Landerhaven, sponsored by the Values-in-Action Foundation.

“I am grateful to receive this award,” said Taylor. “To be honored for this fundamental quality reflects appreciation for what kindness means to those around us. I believe kindness comes back full circle, both personally and professionally. I continually strive to inspire others to be the best — be good, do good and apply these values in everything you do.”

The Values-in-Action Foundation annually recognizes local, national and international community leaders, businesses and outstanding educators for promoting kindness, care and respect to students and adults for a better society.

“Ken Taylor is a unique CEO who leads with heart and runs his family enterprise with ‘employees’ as extended family. He follows in the method of leadership exemplified by the late Aaron Feuerstein, CEO of Malden Mills, who paid his 3,500 textile mill employees full wages and benefits after a devastating fire in 1995 that destroyed most of the mill. And that is why we at the Values-inAction Foundation are thrilled to recognize Ken Taylor and Ohio CAT with our Malden Mills Corporate Kindness Award,” said Stuart Muszynski, president and CEO of Values-in-Action Foundation.

Taylor is the third generation of his family to lead Ohio Machinery Co. He carries on his family’s business legacy as well as the Taylor family tradition of philanthropy. The company has a continuing legacy of charitable giving and supporting education, professional sports and entertainment and local community development across Ohio. Through strategic financial gifts, equipment donations and the creation of academic scholarships, the company provides support to form pathways that help shape the future, fostering a richer quality of life for all.

“The spirit of kindness and generosity is an example I want to set for my family and my employees, and is a tenet of our business,” said Taylor. “Giving truly helps communities transform, and it impacts people and their futures in the communities we serve.” 

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks announced June 2 that the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will dedicate nearly $28 million to support local projects to repair, replace or demolish 24 aging bridges in Ohio.

Funding from the Municipal Bridge Program has been allotted to support the total replacement of 16 bridges, the repair of four bridges and the demolition of four bridges. Although ODOT considers the 20 bridges being repaired/replaced safe for traffic, significant improvements are necessary to ensure that the structures do not become dangerous in the future. The four bridges that will be demolished have each been out of use for several years.

“Providing this funding is another example of how the state can work to support our communities to ensure that local transportation infrastructure is safe for those traveling on our roads and bridges,” said DeWine. “By repairing and replacing these bridges, we can better ensure the safety of travelers in the future.”

ODOT’s Municipal Bridge Program provides funding to municipalities, metro parks and regional transit agencies for bridge projects. Last year, Gov. DeWine increased Ohio’s yearly funding allocation for the program from $11.5 to $18.5 million. The grants announced also are funded with additional support from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Bridge Formula Program and with money left over from previous rounds of the Municipal Bridge Program.

Grants will pay for up to 95 percent of the eligible costs for bridge construction and inspection. Design costs for this year’s projects may also be funded by the grant awards.

“Previously, the Municipal Bridge Program was only able to pay for a percentage of construction cost. Now, we are also able to cover up to 100 percent of the design costs,” said Marchbanks. “The additional funding provided to this program from the Bridge Formula Program will certainly help the municipalities that may not have the money for design work on these much-needed projects.”

Projects that receive funding as part of ODOT’s Municipal Bridge Program are selected based on committee recommendations and a scoring system. A funding limit of $2 million is set per project, and a local match is required for construction projects. 