U.S. CONGRESSMAN BILL JOHNSON Proudly Representing Eastern and Southeastern Ohio

By Michelle Miller
Gallia Herald
Published Friday, January 6th, 2012

Congressman Bill Johnson visited Bob Evans Farm on Thursday to view the recent renovations. During his visit, he met with Bob Evans Farms Inc. Executive Vice President of Human Resources Joe Eulberg. Before the tour, Eulberg and Johnson discussed a variety of topics, including the partnering of Bob Evans with the University of Rio Grande to create a Hospitality Management Program.

“That is innovation,” said Johnson, who predicted the pilot program could eventually gain national recognition. 

Eulberg said the company had wonderful, iconic founders, who grew the company to what it is today, but that Bob Evans Corporation was ready to move to a different level. Eulberg and Johnson discussed Bob Evans’ move into the next phase of growth.

In regards to the farm, Eulberg said the company invested the way it did because it wanted to both preserve the memories and grow the farm.

Eulberg said one thing Bob Evans did with the farm was to remind children of their roots in farming, which is something the Eulberg wants to see that continue and grow. Eulberg said the point of the company reinvesting in the farm was get the community to reengage in their history in a way that is not only fun, but commercially viable.

About his visit to the farm, Congressman Johnson said, “My priority is all about jobs and the folks here at Bob Evans, they’re expanding, they’re innovating, they’re creating jobs. I’m excited about the plans they’ve got.” He said the partnering with the University of Rio Grande to build a curriculum is going to be a great thing.

As far as our area, Congressman Johnson said he is paying close attention to the Marcellus/Utica Shale developments. “I know we’re getting into a part of the State where it begins to taper off, but, our whole State and our whole region is going to be the beneficiary of what’s happening in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio with the Marcellus and Utica Shale,” said Congressman Johnson. “If, we can simply keep the federal regulators out of the way. I’m all in favor of common sense regulations that protect public safety, public health and national security, but we need public policy, regulatory policy and a national energy policy that’s based on science, not on political rhetoric and convenience for the next election. Right now we’ve got a regulatory burden in this country that is strangling America’s job creators. We spend about $1.5 trillion a year in costs to our economy in government regulations. We’ve got to stop that.”

Congressman Johnson continued his tour of the farm, stopping first at the Homestead Museum.