< PreviousBow Down Before Ohio The Buckeye State’s small towns dominate as never before. I f 2024 was a year of triumph for Ohio State football, the Buckeye State blew off doors, as well, in economic development. Led by perennial powerhouse Findlay — 45 minutes south of Toledo on Interstate 75 — Ohio’s small-and-medium-sized cities have claimed an unprecedented six of the top seven spots in Site Selection’s annual ranking of Top Micropolitans. The demonstration of dominance didn’t stop there. Ohio led the way among states with most Top Micros, with 20 communities ranking. Ohio’s haul of micropolitan projects totaled 135, far and away the highest, with Georgia placing second with 46 projects across 13 micropolitan communities. As defined by the White House Office of Management and Budget, a Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of a core urban area with a population of between 10,000 and 49,999, along with adjacent counties that have a high degree of economic and social integration with the core, primarily measured through commuting patterns. For 2024, 125 micros from 29 states found spots in our ranking, the threshold for inclusion being a minimum of two qualifying projects of at least $1 million invested, 20 new jobs created or 20,000 sq. ft. of new or expanded facility space. Consistent with Site Selection’s past micropolitan rankings, states in the South and Midwest figure heavily among our Top 10, which is rounded out — after Ohio and Georgia — by Illinois (11 communities/33 projects); North Carolina (10/26); Indiana (9/31); Kentucky (8/24); Alabama (7/39); Kansas (6/14); Texas (6/13); and Pennsylvania (5/14). States as far flung as South Dakota, Idaho, Mississippi, Iowa, Arkansas and West Virginia are represented this year, as well. Up and Comers Salem, Ohio, and Richmond-Berea, Kentucky, are among the highest climbers in this year’s ranking, each having accumulated six qualifying projects as part of a seven-way tie at No. 12, up from their previous shared positions at No. 84. But no micro surged by GARY DAUGHTERS gary.daughters@siteselection.com TOP MICROPOLITANS OF 2024 128 MARCH 2024 SITE SELECTION Norwalk, Ohio, surged among Top Micropolitans Photo courtesy of Huron County Growth Partnership130 MARCH 2025 SITE SELECTION higher than Norwalk, a town of 17,000 in north central Ohio, which vaulted from the previous year’s logjam at No. 84 to claim sole possession of our No. 7 spot. Norwalk’s haul of qualifying projects ballooned from two in 2023 to nine in 2024. “We took a new approach to how we were reaching out to companies,” says Sarah Ross, director of the Huron County Growth Partnership, explaining that her office expanded its engagement efforts beyond Norwalk proper into all corners of Huron County. “That,” Ross told Site Selection in February, “got us in the doors of more companies, and on the earlier end of their decision making. We’ve learned that the earlier we are in those conversations, the better we’re going to do.” The new thinking paid dividends in September when Persys Engineering, which delivers precision cleaning for the semiconductor and solar industries, agreed to invest $2 million in a new facility to service and refurbish semiconductor machine parts. To facilitate the project, which is to create 24 new jobs, Ross’s team leveraged incentives that included a JobsOhio Economic Development Grant and a City of Norwalk Job Creation Tax Grant. “We are excited to be part of the Norwalk community and wish to thrive together,” said Lior Yeshurun, general manager of the Israel-based company, which also has an operation in California. “Everyone we have worked with and met with from Norwalk and Northeast Ohio,” he said in a statement, “has been timely and helpful throughout.” Huron County, according to Ross, also stepped up with a $700,000 industrial road improvement to help secure an $18 million expansion by Lakeside Book Company, a long-time employer, which is creating 100 new jobs through its major investment in an advanced printing press. Founded in 1864, the company produces over 500 million books annually. The expansion agreement with Huron County will help to retain 400 existing jobs at the employer’s 1.3-million-sq.-ft. facility in Willard. “We’re sending a clear message,” said Dave McCree, the company’s CEO, “that we are doubling down in Ohio.” But Why Ohio? Long familiar to Site Selection readers, aggressive Findlay is our 2024 TOP STATES BY NUMBER OF TOP 100 MICROS Rank State Count Projects 1 Ohio 20 135 2 Georgia 13 46 3 Illinois 11 33 4 North Carolina 10 26 5 Indiana 9 31 6 Kentucky 8 24 7 Alabama 7 39 T8 Kansas 6 14 T8 Texas 6 13 10 Pennsylvania 5 14 Source: Conway Projects Database U.S. Congressman Bob Latta visits Lakeside Book Company in Willard, Ohio. Photo courtesy of Huron County Growth Partnership132 MARCH 2025 SITE SELECTION 2024 TOP MICROPOLITANS BY NUMBER OF PROJECTS 2024 2023 Micropolitans Projects 1 1 Findlay, OH 24 2 T7 Greenville, OH 16 T3 T17 New Philadelphia-Dover, OH 15 T3 T10 Wooster, OH 15 5 2 Cullman, AL 12 6 T13 Tiffin, OH 10 7 T84 Norwalk, OH 9 T8 Auburn, IN 8 T8 T7 Tupelo, MS 8 T8 T44 Danville, VA 8 11 Fort Payne, AL 7 T12 Moultrie, GA 6 T12 T44 Ottawa, IL 6 T12 T84 Richmond-Berea, KY 6 T12 T10 Defiance, OH 6 T12 T84 Salem, OH 6 T12 T4 Sidney, OH 6 T12 Watertown, SD 6 T19 T17 Talladega-Sylacauga, AL 5 T19 T17 LaGrange, GA-AL 5 T19 T17 Thomasville, GA 5 T19 Vidalia, GA 5 T19 3 Angola, IN 5 T19 Wilson, NC 5 T19 T17 Fremont, OH 5 T19 T29 Seneca, SC 5 T27 T44 Selma, AL 4 T27 T10 Jefferson, GA 4 T27 T44 Waycross, GA 4 T27 Jacksonville, IL 4 T27 T84 Quincy, IL-MO 4 T27 T44 Salina, KS 4 T27 Corbin, KY 4 T27 Cumberland, MD-WV 4 T27 T44 Columbus, MS 4 T27 Muskogee, OK 4 T27 Aberdeen, SD 4 T27 Whitewater-Elkhorn, WI 4 T39 Albertville, AL 3 T39 Ozark, AL 3 T39 Nogales, AZ 3 T39 T44 Americus, GA 3 2024 2023 Micropolitans Projects T39 T29 Bainbridge, GA 3 T39 T29 Dublin, GA 3 T39 Centralia, IL 3 T39 T29 Mount Vernon, IL 3 T39 Rochelle, IL 3 T39 Kendallville, IN 3 T39 T84 Plymouth, IN 3 T39 T13 Richmond, IN 3 T39 T84 Wabash, IN 3 T39 T4 Frankfort, KY 3 T39 T44 Somerset, KY 3 T39 T44 New Iberia, LA 3 T39 T17 Batavia, NY 3 T39 Elizabeth City, NC 3 T39 Rockingham, NC 3 T39 T84 Sanford, NC 3 T39 Bucyrus, OH 3 T39 Celina, OH 3 T39 Gallipolis, OH 3 T39 Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA 3 T39 East Stroudsburg, PA 3 T39 T4 Pottsville, PA 3 T39 T17 Gaffney, SC 3 T39 Orangeburg, SC 3 T39 Palestine, TX 3 T39 T17 Moses Lake, WA 3 T39 T84 Clarksburg, WV 3 T70 Russellville, AR 2 T70 Cedartown, GA 2 T70 T29 Douglas, GA 2 T70 T84 Fitzgerald, GA 2 T70 T44 Statesboro, GA 2 T70 Burley, ID 2 T70 Carbondale, IL 2 T70 Charleston-Mattoon, IL 2 T70 Danville, IL 2 T70 T84 Marion-Herrin, IL 2 T70 T84 Crawfordsville, IN 2 T70 T17 Huntington, IN 2 T70 Jasper, IN 2 T70 Burlington, IA-IL 2 T70 T29 Mason City, IA 2 2024 2023 Micropolitans Projects T70 Muscatine, IA 2 T70 Dodge City, KS 2 T70 Hays, KS 2 T70 Liberal, KS 2 T70 T84 McPherson, KS 2 T70 T84 Pittsburg, KS 2 T70 Campbellsville, KY 2 T70 T44 Danville, KY 2 T70 Franklin, KY 2 T70 T84 Madisonville, KY 2 T70 T44 Minden, LA 2 T70 Opelousas, LA 2 T70 T44 Sturgis, MI 2 T70 Laurel, MS 2 T70 Mexico, MO 2 T70 T44 Albemarle, NC 2 T70 T84 Forest City, NC 2 T70 Kinston, NC 2 T70 North Wilkesboro, NC 2 T70 Shelby-Kings Mountain, NC 2 T70 T84 Washington, NC 2 T70 Ashland, OH 2 T70 Athens, OH 2 T70 Bellefontaine, OH 2 T70 Cambridge, OH 2 T70 T13 Chillicothe, OH 2 T70 T44 Van Wert, OH 2 T70 Zanesville, OH 2 T70 Hemlock Farms, PA 2 T70 Hermitage, PA 2 T70 Greenwood, SC 2 T70 T44 Cookeville, TN 2 T70 Dyersburg, TN 2 T70 T44 Greeneville, TN 2 T70 Beeville, TX 2 T70 Brownwood, TX 2 T70 Kerrville, TX 2 T70 T84 Plainview, TX 2 T70 Sulphur Springs, TX 2 T70 Brigham City, UT-ID 2 T70 T29 Watertown-Fort Atkinson, WI 2 Source: Conway Projects Database134 MARCH 2025 SITE SELECTION Top Micropolitan for the 11th consecutive year, a period during which the town of 40,000 people and its surrounds in Hancock County have accumulated $2.5 billion in combined investments that have fostered the creation of close to 9,300 jobs. Findlay’s latest accumulation of 24 qualifying projects was eight more than the Ohio town of Greenville, northwest of Dayton, whose 16 projects earned it our No. 2 spot. As the corporate headquarters of Marathon Petroleum, with major manufacturing and distribution operations by Whirlpool, Goodyear, Lowe’s, McLane and Ball Metals, Findlay rests upon an enviable base of repeat investors. Indeed, its two dozen qualifying projects for 2024 came exclusively from expansions of existing businesses, including the aforementioned Marathon, Goodyear and Whirlpool, plus Blanchard Valley Health System, parts manufacturer Freudenberg, Grob Systems, Kohl’s, Amazon and homegrown Kreate and One Power, two rapidly expanding innovators. Founded in 2018 by Hancock County native Nickolas Reinhart, Kreate has grown from five original employees to a headcount approaching 500. Reinhart says the design engineering firm has invested in the range of $150 million over its short lifespan, including $50 million over the past 12 months. With clients that include Home Depot, for which it was named Vendor of the Year in 2024, Kreate reimagines and refashions existing plastic products, such as Home Depot’s signature HDX plastic container. “We’ll take categories that haven’t been touched in 15 or 20 years, analyze the entire market, re-engineer a new assortment, then partner with specific retailers on exclusive agreements. Everything in our company,” says Reinhart, “starts and stops with engineering.” And where does he find those talented engineers? Reinhart’s answer could speak for much of small-town Ohio. “Findlay is a very industrial town with an incredible work ethic, so we don’t necessarily require degrees,” he says. “The important thing is to understand how to manufacture the product. You can’t design it unless you understand how to make it. I grew up in factories. My lead engineer grew up in factories. So, our system is to bring people up from the production floor into the engineering department. “And that,” Reinhart believes, “is why companies come to Findlay. It’s because they know they’re investing in a community that, from a cultural standpoint, has great people who understand how to make things. That’s why they come here.” One Power, formerly One Energy, has enjoyed a growth curve similar to that of Kreate, having begun, in the words of founder and CEO Jereme Kent, “out of the back of my truck.” Originally a supplier of massive wind turbines that now provide power to Findlay manufacturers such as Whirlpool, Ball and Valfilm, the company has recently pivoted into OHIO MICROPOLITANS WITH QUALIFYING PROJECTS Key Rank Micropolitan Projects A 1 Findlay, OH 24 B 2 Greenville, OH 16 C T3 New Philadelphia-Dover, OH 15 D T3 Wooster, OH 15 E 6 Tiffin, OH 10 F 7 Norwalk, OH 9 G T12 Defiance, OH 6 H T12 Salem, OH 6 I T12 Sidney, OH 6 J T19 Fremont, OH 5 K T39 Bucyrus, OH 3 L T39 Celina, OH 3 M T39 Gallipolis, OH 3 N T70 Ashland, OH 2 O T70 Athens, OH 2 P T70 Bellefontaine, OH 2 Q T70 Cambridge, OH 2 R T70 Chillicothe, OH 2 S T70 Van Wert, OH 2 T T70 Zanesville, OH 2 Source: Conway Projects Database A I B G S F H L M O P Q T N D R E K J Cdeveloping electrified industrial parks across the state of Ohio. “It used to be,” Kent says, “that to develop a park, you took out 100 acres, chopped it into small lots and put in some road, water and sewer for whoever wanted to do manufacturing. Now,” he says, “that’s all secondary to the tremendous amounts of power required for all these emerging industries. We’re talking unprecedented amounts of power. If you’re talking about site selection, power is the next industrial revolution. It’s a modern gold rush.” That need for industrial muscle, Kent believes, puts Ohio in prime position. “Ohio has infrastructure at scale like nowhere else. We have the gas lines, the power plants, the transmission lines and all the rail and other big services built up around them. Ohio can handle the big things,” he says, “and that’s why companies come here.” Kreate is one of Findlay’s homegrown innovators. Photo courtesy of Kreate SITE SELECTION MARCH 2025 137 Four Is the Charm for a North Carolina Micro As a vivid demonstration of how smaller towns can generate outsized economic impact, a North Carolina micropolitan an hour west of Raleigh landed five qualifying investments, four of which totaled a whopping $2.66 billion. That town is Wilson, population 47,000, once known as “The World’s Greatest Tobacco Market.” Wilson’s diversifying economy has since come to encompass leading growth sectors that include pharmaceuticals, auto parts, aerospace, packaging and food production. Commitments inked in 2024 with Johnson & Johnson, SCHOTT Pharma, IDEXX Laboratories and Reckitt Benckiser Health are bringing close to 1,500 jobs to Site Selection’s No. 19 micropolitan — tied with seven other micros. BIG DEALS Company City Investment Jobs Johnson & Johnson Wilson, NC $2 billion 420 Schott Pharma Wilson, NC $371 million 401 SOLARCYCLE Cedartown, GA $344 million 600 Lee Kum Kee LaGrange, GA $288 million 267 MetalX Defiance, OH $253 million 180 Liebherr Tupelo, MS $176 million 180 Source: Conway Projects Database Next >