By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — Plymouth Industrial Development Corporation President Ron Leichty handed over the leadership of the organization to Mark Gidley during the group’s annual meeting Wednesday afternoon — but not before a new course could be charted for the organization.

A new vision for PIDCO was unveiled at the shareholders’ meeting, one that will stay within the original vision of the organization founded to promote industrial development in the city in 1957, but one that will depart from the traditional approach of the organization. It will be up to the board of directors to decide the ultimate direction.
The summer of 2009 brought conflict and the resignation of Doug Anspach, the corporation’s executive director, effective in August of the past year. A task force made up of Gidley, Leichty, Brent Martin, Jack Davis, Nelson Chipman, John Oliver and Dan Weidner was empowered, and actually challenged by the shareholders to take a hard look at the direction of the corporation.
At Wednesday’s meeting the group unveiled the “re-vision” of PIDCO.
The emergence of the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation, made much of the work done by PIDCO to market land for industrial development in the city redundant. The task force focused on finding the most important economic need for the city, not being supplied by any current agency.
The plan hit upon was for a renaissance of the historic downtown of Plymouth. According to the groups findings the area is fundamental to the vitality of the culture of the city, embodies the history and future of the city as well as being a symbol of the spirit of the community.
The group encouraged the shareholders to revitalize the idea of PIDCO being managed as a “for profit” money making concern, also a part of its original mission. PIDCO has always had at its core a return on investment for its shareholders. It was felt that that mission had been lost in recent years.
Much of the idea surrounding the PIDCO revitalization would be in keeping with the initial work of the group, buying properties and recruiting new businesses and owners to take over those properties. Much of PIDCO’s past work has involved the purchase of real estate and finding the right industry to take over that real estate.
Gidley encouraged the shareholders to support the new direction.
“We’re still in the industrial park business,” he said. “With your help we can do even more.”
He also praised Leichty’s leadership during the difficult time for PIDCO.
“None of you will probably ever know what Ron has been through these past couple of years, and what he has given for the city of Plymouth,” said Gidley.
“We are dedicated to keeping the vision alive of those founders of PIDCO of making Plymouth a better place for people to live,” said Gidley. “We believe that this re-vision will do that, make this a better place for people to live.”