The ‘Three Cs’ Place in Key Rankings

Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland appear in a ranking by Real Estate Witch, an online consumer real estate platform, of the 50 best cities in which to start a business. The Ohio metros rank 28th, 30th and 31st respectively. The ranking is based on a weighted index of nine criteria:

• 3x: Business applications per 100,000 people in the last five years
• 3x: Employment growth in the last 12 months
• 2x: Average annual income
• 2x: LLC filing fees
• 2x: Incorporation filing fees
• 2x: Corporate tax rate
• 2x: Chief executives per 1,000 people
• 1x: Google Trends data
• 1x: Patents filed per 1,000 people in the last five years

Data sources include: U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, UpCounsel, Google Trends, U.S. Patent Office, and the American Legislative Exchange Council Center for State Fiscal Reform.

The same cities appear in Lending Tree’s recent survey of the top metros for millennial homebuyers, but in a different order. Columbus ranks 11th, Cleveland 28th and Cincinnati 32nd. The ranking, based on Lending Tree user data, factors in these components:

• Share of mortgages offered to millennials
• Average millennial age
• Average credit score among millennials
• Average down payment amount among millennials.

Investments Large and Small Add to Ohio’s Project Totals

Amazon plans to build a new 1-million-sq.-ft. fulfillment center in Canton that will create 1,000 new jobs. Amazon has invested just over $12 billion in Ohio from 2010 until 2020 while creating more than 41,000 jobs in the state. In the Northeast Ohio Region, Amazon has created more than 5,000 new jobs and has invested more than $3 billion since 2010, establishing multi-state fulfillment centers in North Randall, Euclid, and Akron.

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has selected Dayton as the location for two future aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities that will create approximately 150 new jobs in the Dayton region. “Following a nationwide search to find the location best suited to meet SNC’s growing customer needs, we are excited to continue our expansion in the large aircraft MRO field in Dayton and the Miami Valley,” said Mark Williams, SNC senior vice president strategy, in a release. “Dayton’s extensive supply chain, highly skilled workforce, and proven standing as a logistics hub make the Dayton International Airport our first choice to further strengthen the expertise and robust production infrastructure that have made SNC the go-to leader in large aircraft heavy maintenance, modification, and integration markets.”

Apogee Engineering LLC is investing $1.2 million to expand in Fairborn, Greene County, and plans to hire 150 additional personnel to support its work with its defense and civilian customers through 2025. Apogee provides defense and civilian customers with engineering & science, IT, software solutions, mission support, management, and cyber security services. Apogee, a private, minority-owned firm headquartered in Colorado with regional offices in Ohio, Florida, and Virginia, is looking to expand to a minimum of 20,000-sq.-ft. facility, including approximately 15,000 sq. ft. in Class-A office space, conference facilities and training space. An additional 5,000 sq. ft. in that space is to be dedicated to classified operational support that is up to the highest security levels.

Following are recent projects approved for assistance by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority that will result in capital investment and job creation in all corners of the Buckeye State. They illustrate the diversity of business sectors active in Ohio, and they contribute to Ohio’s strong performance in Site Selection’s annual Governors’ Cups ranking (2nd in total projects for 2021; 4th in total projects per capita). Information is courtesy of the Office of the Governor.

NORTHEAST

CertainTeed Ceilings Corporation, Strongsville (Cuyahoga Co.), expects to create 38 full-time positions, generating $2.6 million in new annual payroll and retaining $1.7 million in existing payroll as a result of the company’s expansion project in Strongsville. CertainTeed manufactures and distributes building materials for residential and commercial building applications. The TCA approved a 1.398%, seven-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

Axuall Inc., Cleveland (Cuyahoga Co.), expects to create 75 full-time positions, generating $7 million in new annual payroll and retaining $1.3 million in existing payroll as a result of the company’s startup project in Cleveland. Axuall provides digital credentialing in health care, including proof about identity, qualifications, credentials, and experience. The TCA approved a 1.770%, eight-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

Zin Technologies Inc., Middleburg Heights (Cuyahoga Co.), expects to create 125 full-time positions, generating $11.8 million in new annual payroll and retaining $17.4 million in existing payroll as a result of the company’s expansion project in Middleburg Heights. Zin Technologies provides advanced engineering services and product development for NASA, the Department of Defense, and private industry. The TCA approved a 1.913%, nine-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

NORTHWEST

The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company (P&G), Bath Township (Allen Co.), expects to create 135 full-time positions, generating $10 million in new annual payroll and retaining $52.1 million in existing payroll as a result of the company’s expansion project in Bath Township. P&G is a consumer goods company specializing in a wide range of personal care and hygiene products. The TCA approved a 1.805%, nine-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

Ice Industries Inc., Bowling Green (Wood Co.), expects to create 71 full-time positions, generating $3.8 million in new annual payroll as a result of the company’s expansion project in Bowling Green. Ice Industries provides stamping, fabrication, machining, welding, and assembly solutions. The TCA approved a 1.317%, seven-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

WESTERN

Infinity Labs LLC, Dayton (Montgomery Co.), expects to create 160 full-time positions, generating $18 million in new annual payroll and retaining $2.2 million in existing payroll as a result of the company’s new project in Dayton. Infinity Labs centers on disruptive technologies, research and development (R&D), and delivering emerging capabilities to both industry and defense customers. The TCA approved a 2.028%, nine-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

Loc Performance Products LLC, St. Marys (Auglaize Co.), expects to create 250 full-time positions, generating $13 million in new annual payroll and retaining $21.6 million in existing payroll as a result of the company’s acquisition project in St. Marys. Loc Performance Products provides mobility systems, vehicle hulls, armored cabs, and armor kits for military and industrial applications. The TCA approved a 1.715%, nine-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

SEMCORP Manufacturing USA LLC, Sidney (Shelby Co.), expects to create 1,199 full-time positions, generating $73 million in new annual payroll as a result of the company’s new project in Sidney. SEMCORP manufactures separator film used within lithium-ion batteries. The company’s main focus is within the EV battery market with business also in consumer electronics and energy storage systems. The TCA approved a 2.095%, 15-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

SOUTHWEST

Glidepath Holdings Inc., Cincinnati (Hamilton Co.), expects to create 150 full-time positions, generating $12.8 million in new annual payroll and retaining $76.7 million in existing payroll as a result of the company’s expansion project in Cincinnati. Glidepath provides customized solutions for asset growth with reduced exposure to loss. The TCA approved a 1.928%, nine-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

CENTRAL

Behr Process Corporation, Heath (Licking Co.), expects to create 90 full-time positions, generating $4.4 million in new annual payroll as a result of the company’s new project in Heath. Behr supplies architectural paint and exterior wood care products to the U.S. and Canadian DIY markets. The TCA approved a 1.380%, seven-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

Ortal USA Inc., Columbus (Franklin Co.), expects to create 24 full-time positions, generating $1.5 million in new annual payroll and retaining $400,000 in existing payroll as a result of the company’s new project in Columbus. Ortal USA provides modern fireplace design and installation. The TCA approved a 1.259%, six-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.

Orveon Global US LLC, Columbus (Franklin Co.), expects to create 150 full-time positions, generating $15 million in new annual payroll as a result of the company’s new project in Columbus. Orveon Global is a collective of premium beauty brands, primarily focused on cosmetic makeup, skin care, and fragrances. The TCA approved a 2.057%, 10-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.