2024 OHIO BUSINESS GROWTH GUIDE 2 OHIO BUSINESS GROWTH GUIDE LEADERSHIP PROFILES 8 Business Climate Overview Ever wonder how Ohio garners so many top accolades? These competitive advantages explain why. 14 Governor Interview Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine puts people fi rst, and that includes creating a business environment where everyone can succeed. 22 Lieutenant Governor Interview Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted won a national title as a defensive back with the Dayton Flyers. He’s also mastered the blocking and tackling of economic development. 26 JobsOhio Leadership Interview J.P. Nauseef, President & CEO of JobsOhio, gives a master class on how economic development works in Ohio. 32 Statistical Profi le An inside look at Ohio’s performance by the numbers. 34 Economic Overview OSU’s Ned Hill pinpoints the factors driving economic growth across the Buckeye State. 40 Regional Profi les A showcase of each region’s top industries and vibrant communities. CONTENTS 22 34 26 14 40OHIO BUSINESS GROWTH GUIDE 3 54 Community Spotlights Snapshots of growth in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Findlay and Toledo. 62 Sites & Infrastructure Businesses know they cannot succeed without sites and infrastructure. Here’s how Ohio built the No. 1 state in the nation for both. 68 Talent Ohio’s talent attraction programs supply workers to Intel, Joby Aviation, Wells Fargo, and a host of other expanding employers. 74 Higher Education Ohio’s vast network of colleges and universities supports economic growth through innovation, entrepreneurship and worker training. 79 Small Business & Communities The JobsOhio Small Business Grant and Vibrant Communities Program are just two of the many programs helping small businesses grow. 82 Innovation Strategy The JobsOhio Growth Capital Fund seeds innovation throughout the state while supporting the growth of innovation districts. INDUSTRY PROFILES 88 Advanced Manufacturing Beontag and First Solar are two of many fi rms building advanced manufacturing plants across Ohio. 94 Automotive Honda and LG Energy team up to build an EV battery plant in Ohio, while Ford, GM, Mobis and other automakers join the race. 101 Technology Intel, AWS, Google and Meta bring billions to Ohio while smaller investors cash in on the state’s talented workforce. 104 Financial Services Wells Fargo and Worldpay join a vibrant fi nancial services sector by placing big bets on Ohio’s workforce. 54 68 79 88 1044 OHIO BUSINESS GROWTH GUIDE 106 Aviation Joby Aviation is the latest aerospace investor to land in Ohio. The National Air Mobility Center of Excellence provides a lift to all in this sector. 110 Life Sciences From Abbott and Amgen to LabConnect and National Resilience, life sciences investors reshape medical technology across Ohio. 113 Food and Agribusiness Totino’s, Sheetz and Kroger are cooking up ways to feed the entire country with new facility investments. 116 Energy From the Akron Hub to the Hydrogen Hub, energy projects are infusing Ohio commerce with new sources of power. 120 Military & Federal Honoring a wartime hero is just part of the story of how Ohio supports its military and veterans. QUALITY OF LIFE 123 Quality of Life Downtowns are springing back to life across Ohio, thanks to foresight and funding from multiple sources. 126 Tourism & Sports From halls of fame and theme parks to sporting spectacles statewide, Ohio shows why it’s a visitor’s dream destination. 129 Photo Gallery Behold the beauty of the Buckeye State. INVESTMENT PROFILES 12 City of Middletown Being in the middle of everything makes a compelling business case. 72 Youngstown State University Eastern Ohio’s talent pipeline never skips a beat, thanks to this institution of higher learning and workforce development. 110 123 116 113 126OHIO BUSINESS GROWTH GUIDE 5 The publishers believe that the information contained in this publication is accurate. However, the in formation is not war ranted, and neither Conway Data, nor JobsOhio, assumes any liability or responsibility for actual, consequential or incidental damages re sulting from inaccurate or erroneous information. PHONE: (770) 446-6996 • FAX: (770) 263-8825 • TOLL FREE: (800) 554-5686 email: editor@conway.com web: siteselection.com/cc/ohio Ohio Business Growth Guide is published by Conway Data, Inc. 6625 The Corners Parkway, Suite 200, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 USA. PRINTED IN USA. ©2024 Conway Data Inc. Publisher/Director LAURA LYNE Executive Vice President RONALD J. STARNER Editor in Chief ADAM BRUNS Editor Emeritus MARK AREND Senior Editor GARY DAUGHTERS Associate Editor ALEXIS ELMORE Assistant Custom Content EditorLINDSAY LOPP Art DirectorNEGIN MOMTAZ Production Coordinator/Designer BOB GRAVLEE Lead Designers SEAN SCANTLAND RICHARD NENOFF Designer ASHLEIGH PORTER Data Services Manager KAREN MEDERNACH Senior Research Associate BRIAN ESPINOZA Research Associate McKENZIE WRIGHT GLOBAL SALES & MARKETING Vice President of Sales CHARLES FITZGIBBON Regional Director — Northeast U.S. MIKE GLENNON Regional Director — Midwest U.S. CATHY McFARLAND Regional Director — Southeast U.S. MARTA RUSSELL Regional Director — Western U.S. PAUL NEWMAN Regional Director — U.S. MARGARET ROSE EuropeBRENDAN DOHERTY, +44 7999 786752 Japan HIROKO MINATO, +81 50 8882 3456 Korea CHUL LEE, +82 2 466 5595 Sales Administrator CHRISTI STANSBERRY Sales Development Representative BRE ROGERS BUSINESS DEPARTMENT Chief Financial Officer DEBBIE PORTER Accounting Associate DAVIS WILSON CIRCULATION Circulation Manager JULIE CLARKE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY TEAM Director of Programming & Analytics DANIEL BOYER IT CoordinatorMARK BERTRAM Webmaster DANIEL MONAGHAN TAKE THIS GUIDE WITH YOU ENJOY Read the digital edition on your tablet or phone. 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