Mechanics Bank Celebrates Grand Opening of Ashland Branch with Ribbon Cutting, Community Leaders, and a Spring-Like January Day
ASHLAND — On what felt more like an early spring afternoon than a mid-January day, Mechanics Bank officially opened the doors to its new Ashland branch with a ribbon cutting and open house that brought together city leaders, business partners, and community members alike.
With temperatures hovering near 50 degrees and blue skies overhead, the weather perfectly matched the celebratory mood as guests gathered at the new location along the busy U.S. Route 250 corridor—one of Ashland’s most visible gateways.
Among those in attendance were Ashland Mayor Matt Miller; Ohio State Representative Melanie Miller; Mechanics Bank President & CEO Mark Masters; Executive Vice President & CFO Jason Painley; Chief Marketing Officer Kristi Lord; Ashland City Council President Steve Workman (Ward 1); Dennis Miller (Ward 3); Angela Woodward (Ward 4); Dan Lawson (At-Large); Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce President Amy Daubenspeck; and numerous community leaders, business partners, and residents.
A 140-Year Legacy Comes to Ashland
During the ceremony, Mechanics Bank leaders reflected on the institution’s deep roots and long-standing commitment to community banking.
Mechanics Bank President & CEO Mark Masters opened the formal program by thanking the Ashland community for its warm welcome.
“We’re grateful that you’re all here today—and also grateful for this unseasonably warm weather,” Masters said with a smile. “Most importantly, we’re thankful for the business leaders, community leaders, and residents of Ashland who have welcomed us and made us feel like neighbors. It’s been fantastic.”
Masters also recognized the many Ashland-area businesses that helped bring the project to life, including Simonson Construction, Barefoot Flooring, Shackley Mechanical, DCU Electric, Old Parsonage, Nardo Landscaping, and McB Paving, noting the importance of investing locally from the very beginning.
Mayor Miller: “A Commitment You Can See”
Ashland Mayor Matt Miller praised Mechanics Bank not only for its beautiful new building, but for the values behind it.
“This is a wonderful monument greeting people as they enter our city along the Route 250 corridor,” Miller said. “About a million and a half people pass through this intersection every year—and they’re going to notice this.”
Mayor Miller emphasized that Mechanics Bank represents what many in Ashland value most: a locally driven institution that reinvests local deposits back into the community.
“They use our local deposits to build our businesses, build our homes, and build our community,” he said. “And the decision-makers are right here in the region. That matters.”
Miller also shared a personal example of the bank’s commitment, noting an unexpected charitable donation to support Ashland’s park system just before Christmas.
“We didn’t even ask for it,” Miller said. “They just wanted us to know they’re committed to being a valuable part of this community.”
Chamber Welcomes First Mechanics Location in Ashland County
Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce President Amy Daubenspeck reflected on how quickly the project moved from open ground to a community landmark.
“Not too long ago, this was just grass, mud, and dirt,” Daubenspeck said. “Now it’s this beautiful building—and we’re so excited that Mechanics chose Ashland for its first location outside of Richland County.”
She highlighted the bank’s early efforts to build relationships, noting that Mechanics employees are already participating in Leadership Ashland and engaging with community initiatives.
“From day one, they said, ‘We want to be part of Ashland,’” Daubenspeck said. “And Ashland loves partners like that.”
“This Is More Than a Building”
Returning to the podium, Masters emphasized that the ribbon cutting marked more than just a physical opening—it symbolized a long-term commitment.
“We didn’t choose Ashland just because we had customers here, or just because we found a place to build,” Masters said. “We chose it because we see a community with momentum—people who care about one another and take pride in every corner of the community.”
He pledged that Mechanics Bank will focus on local hiring, local investment, and active participation in community life—supporting businesses, families, nonprofits, and local government.
“We make decisions close to home,” Masters said. “And we believe that’s a meaningful difference.”
A Ribbon Cut—and a Look Ahead
The ceremony concluded with the official ribbon cutting, led by Masters, Painley, Ashland Branch Manager Nikki Herman, Assistant Manager Holly Jones, and special guest helpers Logan and Jacob Hoover—young customers representing the next generation of the community.
Guests were then invited inside to tour the new facility and enjoy refreshments, officially ushering Mechanics Bank into its newest chapter in Ashland.
Chief Marketing Officer Kristi Lord shared that Mechanics Bank is a full-service, independent community bank headquartered in Richland County, first opening its doors in downtown Mansfield in 1886. In 2026, the bank celebrates its 140th anniversary, a milestone that emphasizes its long history of independence and local decision-making.
“We’ve maintained our independence for 140 years,” Lord said. “We currently have nine offices in Richland County, and our new Ashland office marks our 10th location—and our first outside of Richland County.”
The Ashland branch stands as the fulfillment of a project first celebrated during a groundbreaking ceremony in November 2024, when Mechanics Bank announced its expansion into Ashland County and its vision of being “more than a bank—a community resource.”
With its doors now open, that vision is officially a reality.
Drone photography courtesy of Kelsey Carver, Mechanics Bank Brand Impact Specialist.
