< Previous48 OHIO BUSINESS GROWTH GUIDE In 2022, General Mills announced the $100 million expansion of its Wellston manufacturing facility, one of the company’s largest plants and the sole source of Totino’s pizzas and pizza rolls. “General Mills has been a cornerstone of this community for more than 35 years and our employees exude a lot of pride in making food the world loves,” said Stephanie Weaver, plant manager at General Mills’ Wellston facility, in a statement. “We’re excited to grow our business and employee base in southeastern Ohio and having strong local, regional and state partners has been instrumental in our success.” Western – Dayton Development Coalition (DDC) Western Ohio is no stranger to innovation. Often referred to as the birthplace of aviation, the Dayton Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Photo by Daniel Peterson courtesy of Wright- Patterson Air Force Base Downtown Portsmouth Ohio, The Heart of It All area is renowned for its network of pioneers and researchers pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. In the century since the Wright Brothers fi rst took fl ight, many of the aviation and aerospace industry’s biggest names have opened operations in Western Ohio. Boeing, GE Aviation and Northrop Grumman, along with numerous smaller fi rms, benefi t from this region’s unique resources, such as the Dayton International Airport and the Air Force Research Laboratory headquarters at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Riverside. Backed by the Dayton Development Coalition (DDC) and JobsOhio’s support, more and more companies are opening operations in this network. 2023 marked a historic year for the DDC: Not only did the region achieve the second highest number for jobs committed and capital investment — 39 projects totaling more than $1 billion — it also set a record for new payroll as these projects are expected to generate more than $383 million in salaries. Around a third of the projects were defense contractors expanding or establishing new operations in the region. California-based DAYTON REGION50 OHIO BUSINESS GROWTH GUIDE Joby Aviation was one of the most signifi cant projects announced last year. The company has acquired a 140-acre site at the Dayton International Airport and plans to invest up to $500 million into this expansion. “There’s no better time to be in the Dayton Region,” said DDC President and CEO Jeff Hoagland in a statement. “What aerospace company or industry professional wouldn’t want to come to a community with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), and now Joby Aviation? Whether they want to support our national defense, join the eff orts to transform how we power our vehicles, or continue to innovate the future of fl ight, the Dayton region off ers life-changing opportunities.” Northwest – The Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) Business is booming throughout Northwest Ohio. Not only is the region home to Toledo and Lima, but also many locations included in Site Selection magazine’s 2023 top micropolitan ranking. Defi ance, Tiffi n, Fremont and the No. 1 micropolitan in the U.S. for the last 10 consecutive years, Findlay, are all located in Northwest Ohio. Toledo Skyline and waterfront Photo: Getty imagesIn 2023, Findlay alone secured 25 new projects in a wide range of industries, highlighting the region’s diverse economy. Advanced manufacturing, food processing, automotive and logistics boast strong presences in all 17 counties, with many industry leaders such as Ball Corporation, Whirlpool and Best Buy sprinkled throughout. This vibrant business-friendly environment wouldn’t be where it is today without Northwest Ohio’s economic development leader, The Regional Growth Partnership (RGP), and its network of local development organizations. Together they have helped generate $12 billion in capital investment and create more than 22,000 new jobs over the last fi ve years. This determination has continued into 2024. RGP and its partners at JobsOhio and Defi ance County announced in January that Indiana-based MetalX, a metals recycling company, was locating its new advanced aluminum recycling campus in Defi ance, a $253 million project. The company has acquired a 190-acre site, and plans to construct two new facilities spanning 1 million sq. ft. Once completed in 2027, the location will hire 180 new employees and annually produce 220 million pounds of ultra-low carbon aluminum rolling slab, prioritizing alloys for the beverage, packaging and auto industries. TOLEDO REGION52 OHIO BUSINESS GROWTH GUIDE Eastern – Lake to River Economic Development On April 24, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and JobsOhio announced the addition of a new region to the JobsOhio network, Lake to River Economic Development. Spanning from Lake Erie in Ashtabula to the Ohio River in East Liverpool by State Route 11, the new agency will be anchored in Youngstown and serve four counties in the far east- ern corner of the state. “The opportunity to be part of the JobsOhio network is welcome news for our region,” said Lake to River Board President Chuck George. “We’re confi dent we have the team, the infrastructure, and the support from local business and community leaders to support Lake to River Downtown Youngstown at twilight Image by Getty images MAHONING VALLEY REGIONand take our regional economy to unprecedented success.” Brimming with tight-knit small towns, strong infrastructure and dedicated academic and workforce development leaders such as Youngstown State University, Mahoning County Career & Technical Center and the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition, Eastern Ohio off ers an attractive landscape for development. JobsOhio and Team NEO have spent recent years building momentum by completing 124 projects, generating more than $6 billion in capital investment and creating 8,000 new jobs since 2011. Their eff orts have bolstered growth in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, automotive, energy and petrochemicals, logistics and distribution, and agriculture. “The creation of the Lake to River region focused on Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana counties is a strategic move that will strengthen economic development across Ohio,” said Bill Koehler, CEO of Team NEO. “Through our partnerships cultivating growth in this area, the groundwork is laid for the new Lake to River partner’s success. We are proud of our role and will work closely with the new organization to ensure a smooth transition.” 54 OHIO BUSINESS GROWTH GUIDE COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: AKRON A From Tire Capital to Polymer Tech Hub Of America AKRON city of 190,000 people located in the Great Lakes region of the Midwest, about 40 miles south of Lake Erie, Akron has long been known as The Rubber Capital of the World. But it’s a lot more than that. While its legacy as the tire manufacturing capital of the planet is unmatched, this Northeast Ohio city is developing a name for itself in other sectors. Ohio’s fifth largest city is seeing an economic development resurgence thanks to $180 million in private investment going into downtown residential development in recent years. That’s why Mayor Shammas Malik recently appointed Suzie Graham Moore to serve as the city’s new director of economic development. “Economic development and planning will be key to my administration’s goals, and I’m confident in the team we are assembling,” Mayor Malik said. “Both Suzie Graham Moore and Sean Vollman (new deputy director of economic development) bring experience and creativity to their roles and will work closely to move our economic development efforts forward.” The primary agency for promoting progress in the city is the Greater Akron Chamber, which focuses on such field work as business retention, expansion and attraction. The GAC is well known for its business outreach program. In 2023, GAC contacted over 700 local businesses and assisted them with a variety of needs. The GAC is also actively engaged in an “Akron, USA” mission to promote the growth of global trade and foreign direct investment in the region. Its efforts to date have resulted in more than $500 million in FDI going into the region. One area in which Akron maintains a position of global leadership is polymer research and development. A world leader for more than a century in this field, Akron today is the center of The Polymer Industry Cluster and has been designated as an official Tech Hub for polymer research by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Key players in this Tech Hub include the College of Engineering and Polymer Science at the University of Akron; Goodyear Tire: Kumho Tire; Bridgestone Americas Inc.; Continental Tire; and many other firms engaged in polymer science. “We believe a thriving Polymer Industry Cluster will attract more talent to the field, accelerate global R&D achievements, and drive robust economic growth, adding over $2 billion to GRP within a decade,” the GAC noted in a release. by RON STARNER For over 100 years, Akron has been the rubber capital of the world. Photo: Getty ImagesOHIO BUSINESS GROWTH GUIDE 55 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: CINCINNATI The Queen City Gives Businesses A Royal Welcome CINCINNATI hen the Cincinnati Reds players known as The Big Red Machine won back-to-back World Series championships in 1975 and 1976, the media dubbed them the “Royal Reds.” It was a fitting title for a team representing the Queen City. Founded in 1788 and incorporated in 1819, Cincinnati is home today to a population of 309,452. Over the decades, Cincinnati has forged a reputation for being a leader in consumer product marketing, aviation and aerospace, and logistics and transportation. Born on the Ohio River, Cincinnati has grown up to become a dominant player in insurance, health care, food services and a host of customer-facing sectors. Whether it’s the barbecue ribs of the Montgomery Inn Boathouse, Graeter’s Ice Cream or Skyline Chili, the distinctive flavors of Cincinnati please the palate of many Ohioans. Located in Hamilton County, Ohio, on the border of Kentucky and Indiana, Cincinnati has also earned a reputation for playing well with others. The Queen City anchors a tri- state region that has amassed 10 Mac Conway Awards from Site Selection Magazine for its economic development performance. Over that decade, the region has attracted 700 corporate expansion facility projects totaling over $180 billion in investment. The City of Cincinnati last year pulled in its fair share of that haul. Among the corporate investors to place big bets on the host city of the Reds, Bengals and FC Cincinnati were BASF Corp., King City Gardens, Cincinnati Blue Line Foundation, PROKIDS and Curiosity LLC. Together, these five projects brought more than $104 million in new investment into the city, along with more than 140 new jobs. Home to the headquarters of 20-plus billion-dollar companies, Cincinnati goes out of its way to make investing in the city an easy decision. Real estate financial assistance available through City Hall includes Community Reinvestment Area Tax Abatement; Tax Increment Financing; and Real Estate Financing Gap or Property Sale Assistance. In addition, qualifying employers may seek assistance from the city in the form of Job Creation Tax Credits (JCTC). The JCTC provides an increase to a company’s yearly profits by reducing their tax obligation to the city. Special programs are also available through the city to help small businesses and to assist any business with zoning or permitting help. Cincinnati amenities are rising too. The Downtown Main Library is undergoing a $40 million renovation and is slated to reopen on July 12. The facility is one of the largest downtown libraries in the country. At more than 540,000 square feet, the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library served more than 330,000 visitors in 2023. Soccer enthusiasts, meanwhile, may gravitate toward TQL Stadium, home of FC Cincinnati of Major League Soccer. Sporting the best record of any MLS team in 2023, FCC seems destined to contend for titles for years to come. W by RON STARNER Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati Photo courtesy of Ohio Tourism56 OHIO BUSINESS GROWTH GUIDE COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: CLEVELAND ustin Bibb is a son of southeast Cleveland. He’s also the son of a social worker and a first responder. He won the Cleveland mayoral election in 2021 in part because of the mission of Cleveland Can’t Wait, the nonprofit founded by this former KeyBank VP and startup leader to advance economic opportunity and racial equity. He’s not waiting around to get things done. “We have made some very strategic investments in public safety to turn the tide on crime,” he said in a recent interview, noting that homicides are down by 30% and police pay is up by 25%. The city has also created its first neighborhood safety endowment fund. “No one is going to come to your city if they can’t feel safe and secure,” he said. On the economic development front, he said he wants to see Cleveland become “the semiconductor supply chain capital of the state. That’s our strategy.” The federal investments to reinvigorate and change national industrial policy also mean beefing up the number of shovel-ready sites that are ready to go, he says. Which is why he and his city council colleagues directed $50 million of American Rescue Act monies toward a new Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund, which already has helped close a deal in one of Cleveland’s historically Black neighborhoods. In April, the Fund worked with Cuyahoga County Land Bank to close its acquisition of the Wellman-Seaver Engineering Company plant and adjoining 10 acres and is in the midst of planning salvage and repurposing at the historic site where ore-loading cranes and some of the nation’s pioneering industrial equipment were invented and manufactured at the turn of the 20th century. Cleveland has about 4,000 to 5,000 acres of vacant, abandoned or underutilized industrial property, redevelopment of which could help create some 25,000 jobs. So far, the Site Readiness Fund has identified 210 acres to turn into market-ready sites. Which explains why Bibb is leading fundraising to add another $50 million to the Fund’s pool. Partners also include JobsOhio, Team NEO, Cuyahoga County, The Cleveland Foundation, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Fund for Our Economic Future, Ohio Means Jobs and community development corporations across the city. The program meshes well with Cleveland having been chosen in March by Bloomberg Philanthropies asone of 25 U.S. cities to join Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities, a three-year, $200 million initiative to “leverage historic levels of federal funding to incubate and implement transformative local solutions to build low-carbon, resilient and economically thriving communities” through “transformative solutions in the buildings and transportation sectors.” Bibb says he’s lobbying for more state and federal support for workforce and affordable housing and is working with KeyBank to develop a new housing fund to incentivize developers and close the gap. Meanwhile, an RFQ went out in March for redevelopment proposals for housing as part of the mayor’s Southeast Side Promise initiative. Bibb says he believes the Site Readiness Fund program will help attract companies to the city’s urban core, as will a $7 billion makeover of Cleveland waterfronts from the banks of the Cuyahoga River to Lake Erie. The “Shore-to-Core-to-Shore” strategy is key to his team’s walk-to-work agenda. by ADAM BRUNS J Building a Walk-to-Work City CLEVELAND Cyclists in Cleveland ride along part of the 90- mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Photo by Jason Cohn courtesy of Rails to Trails ConservancyOHIO BUSINESS GROWTH GUIDE 57 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: COLUMBUS hen your city has established itself as the fastest-growing community in the Midwest and 14th largest in America, what do you do for an encore? For jobs mecca Columbus, it means that you work to maintain that competitive edge and push for more, says Mike Stevens, the city’s development director. We recently caught up with Stevens to learn more about the capital city’s economic development program. What have been the biggest economic development wins of your administration? MIKE STEVENS: We are part of a region that has been knocking it out of the park. By working together as a region, we are executing the Innovation District at The Ohio State University. We are investing significant infrastructure dollars there. There will be other commercial uses including housing. It will be a mixed-use innovation district that will complement the work around chip-making and what is being spun out of the various health systems like Amgen. The startup environment here is strong. Other big recent wins include the Scioto Peninsula Development next to the river. Office space and residential space investment are occurring there. It is becoming a work-live- play destination. What are your top economic development priorities for the next year? STEVENS: Our No. 1 priority is housing. Our families need a safe place to call home. They need an affordable place to live. Also, advancing the small business entrepreneurial ecosystem in our community. We were designated as a Workforce Hub by the White House. The big issue here is the workforce. The Building Futures Program is designed to expand participation in the skilled trades. Intel is doing a fab in our region and they are doing a lot of construction. We are also working with other stakeholders on the Affordability Housing Trust for Central Ohio. We compete for jobs with any city in the Midwest. Contractors at AWS are working with our local trades to train and place people at their jobsites. Has the city made any major infrastructure improvements in the last five years? STEVENS: We passed over a billion-dollar capital budget last year. We put money into the Scioto Peninsula. It has expanded. For years, it sat as vacant parking lots. We invested in roads and underground infrastructure. We continue to make a significant investment into infrastructure that serves the Arena District and OSU. We continue to invest in our utility system. We are in the planning process now to build a fourth water plant. We are investing in our transit now too. W A Capital City Primed for More COLUMBUS by RON STARNER Columbus Skyline Photo courtesy of City of ColumbusNext >