In Ohio’s economic development playbook, teamwork is paramount. JobsOhio has strategically established seven regional economic development regions in key areas of development throughout the state. Each agency in this cooperative network serves as a local touchpoint offering a comprehensive array of resources and expertise to businesses and communities alike. Whether it’s site development, funding opportunities or workforce training, these regional partners serve as trusted hubs transforming the counties they serve.
This “all hands on deck” approach has yielded impressive results. In 2023 alone, Ohio secured an impressive 462 projects, earning the state its No.3 ranking in Site Selection’s 2023 Governor’s Cup. The state also ranked No.5 in Area Development’s top states for doing business ranking.
As these achievements demonstrate, with JobsOhio and its regional partners working hand-in-hand, Ohio continues to thrive and attract investment, driving prosperity across its diverse economic landscape.
Central – One Columbus
Central Ohio, anchored by the bustling Columbus metropolitan area, stands as a beacon of economic vibrancy and innovation. Stretching across 11 counties, this dynamic region is home to a myriad of globally recognized brands, leading research institutions and esteemed academic centers.
From the realms of fashion, insurance and fintech to the frontiers of life sciences, semiconductors and automotive innovation, Central Ohio is as abundant in industries as it is opportunity.
With a workforce of 1.2 million individuals and a network of 52 colleges and universities, including The Ohio State University, the No. 11 university in the nation in research expenditures, Central Ohio boasts a wealth of talent and resources. Each year, these institutions produce 22,000 skilled graduates, ensuring that the region’s companies have access to the expertise needed to thrive and innovate.
This asset has drawn many major corporations to the region. Nationwide Insurance, Cardinal Health, Huntington Bank, American Electric Power, Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works are all headquartered in Central Ohio and are among the area’s largest employers.
Leveraging these resources, as well as the state’s assortment of incentives, One Columbus and its partners helped the region achieve record-breaking growth in 2022. A total of 47 expansion or new location projects were secured, generating $21.3 billion in capital investment and nearly 8,000 jobs.
This success, alongside the region’s accomplishments over the last few years, led Site Selection magazine to rank Columbus No.2 among Top Metros in its 2023 Global Groundwork Index, which evaluated corporate facility investment and job growth and infrastructure investment from January 2019 through July 1, 2023.
“We’ve reached a pivotal moment for the Columbus Region. We’re at a new level of economic growth,” said Kenny McDonald, president and CEO of the Columbus Partnership in a statement. “Economic development requires cross-sector engagement, and our work together as a region will never be more important than it is now. The collaboration the Columbus Region is known for is how we’ve achieved our past success, and it is how we will become a more prosperous place in the future.”
Northeast – Team NEO
Northeast Ohio’s landscape is buzzing with economic activity. Spanning Cleveland, Akron, Canton and beyond, the 14-county expanse boasts a diverse array of industry hubs ranging from advanced manufacturing, polymers and metals to health care and financial services.
With more than 25 higher education institutions as well as world-renowned resources such as the Cleveland Clinic, over 800 companies have chosen to locate their corporate headquarters in Northeast Ohio, including Sherwin-Williams Co., KeyCorp, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and General Tire.
In 2023, Team NEO worked to build upon this network’s success, securing 96 business investment projects, generating more than 2,100 jobs and $570 million in capital investment. Collaborations with JobsOhio and the Northeast Ohio Region Economic Development Network were instrumental in bringing companies such as LabConnect and Haydon Corporation to the state, as well as providing companies already established in Ohio the resources and room to grow.
Downtown Cleveland
Photo courtesy of Ohio, The Heart of It All
Founded in 1983 in Stark County, Employers Health announced plans in August to build a new corporate headquarters in Canton. Over $17.2 million has been invested in this project, which also includes plans to add 23 additional workers to the company’s current 35-employee workforce in Canton.
Employers Health’s evolution mirrors Northeast Ohio’s expanding economic horizons. Originally established to serve local employers, it now extends its reach nationwide, catering to manufacturers, professional service, education and healthcare firms, as well as utilities and union organizations in 38 states.
Southwest – REDI Cincinnati
Nestled along the Ohio River sits the heart of the Southwest region, Cincinnati. Known as the Queen City, this bustling metro is brimming with innovation and opportunity. Home to leading life sciences, manufacturing, business and professional services, and technology sectors, many companies have found themselves drawn to Ohio due to these networks.
So much so that Site Selection magazine’s 2023 Global Groundwork Index ranked the Cincinnati region No.5 in Top Metros.
“The region’s focus on collaboration and partnership is working and is one of the many reasons why Cincinnati is a destination for businesses to locate and expand,” said Kimm Lauterbach, REDI Cincinnati president and CEO, about the achievement. “Companies recognize that Cincinnati has the recipe for success — exceptional business climate, culture, arts, talent and low cost of living.”
The next generation of workers is realizing this too. In Forbes’ most recent list of best places for young professionals to live in America, the publication also ranked the Greater Cincinnati area at No.5, citing as determining factors the region’s several career-building industries, network of Fortune 500 companies such as Kroger, Procter & Gamble and Western & Southern Financial Group, restaurants and entertainment scene, and affordability compared to other markets.
Cincinnati Skyline
Photo courtesy of Visit Cincy
Many of the attributes that have made the city such an attractive location extend beyond the city limits, influencing business and life throughout Southwest Ohio. REDI Cincinnati, the region’s economic development organization, has diligently worked to ensure that opportunities for growth are available in every corner of the region. REDI Cincinnati’s 2023 Annual Report states that as a collaborative effort with its economic development partners, the organization helped 60 companies grow or expand, accounting for $1.1 billion in capital investment.
Expansions by Worldpay in Cincinnati, Resilience in West Chester and Ditsch USA in Springdale were among REDI Cincinnati’s biggest wins of 2023.
Southeast – Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE)
While ensconced in rolling hills and hardwood forests, the small cities and towns of Southeastern Ohio are far from sleepy. Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE), the region’s designated development authority, has brought the hustle and bustle of urban areas to the rural stretches of the state, creating the perfect blend of industry and quaint community culture.
Since its inception in 2011, the non-profit has supported over 418 projects, created 12,000 jobs and invested over $46 million in JobsOhio funding in site and redevelopment projects. These efforts have given way to a flourishing manufacturing ecosystem, producing everything from wood products, metals, polymers and petrochemicals to automotive components and vehicles, food products and more.
A workforce of more than 400,000 supports this network, with the region’s 20 universities and colleges as well as 11 adult vocational training facilities fueling future talent pools.
This pipeline, alongside the area’s ample access to sites and overall affordability and low operating costs, has helped OhioSE attract industry big names to the region. General Mills, Herr Foods and Kenworth Truck Company have continued to invest in communities such as Wellston, Jackson and Chillicothe time and time again.
Downtown Portsmouth Ohio, The Heart of It All
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.”
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Photo by Daniel Peterson courtesy of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Western – Dayton Development Coalition (DDC)
Western Ohio is no stranger to innovation. Often referred to as the birthplace of aviation, the Dayton area is renowned for its network of pioneers and researchers pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
In the century since the Wright Brothers first took flight, 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 firms, benefit 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.
Toledo Skyline and waterfront
Photo: Getty images
Around a third of the projects were defense contractors expanding or establishing new operations in the region. California-based Joby Aviation was one of the most significant 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 efforts to transform how we power our vehicles, or continue to innovate the future of flight, the Dayton region offers 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. Defiance, Tiffin, Fremont and the No. 1 micropolitan in the U.S. for the last 10 consecutive years, Findlay, are all located in Northwest Ohio.
In 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 five years.
This determination has continued into 2024. RGP and its partners at JobsOhio and Defiance County announced in January that Indiana-based MetalX, a metals recycling company, was locating its new advanced aluminum recycling campus in Defiance, 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.
Downtown Youngstown at twilight
Image by Getty images
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 eastern 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 confident we have the team, the infrastructure, and the support from local business and community leaders to support Lake to River and 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 offers 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 efforts 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.”
