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Local economic activity in the first six months of 2022 has already exceeded last year's total, much of it based on growth seen with Charter Next Generation in Ontario and Lexington. According to Richland Source, that was the message this week to Richland County commissioners from Barrett Thomas, economic development director for the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development. Commissioners in 2021 awarded an annual $100,000 contract to the chamber and its Richland Community Development Group arm to do economic development work on behalf of the county. Jodie Perry, president and CEO of the chamber, said 80 percent of the committed job growth was made through CNG and its local expansions.