Collabor18 Brochure

northeast ohio regional economic development partners

FOR BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION Representing local economic development organizations in the 18 counties of Northeast Ohio

Your business is Not Alone In your corner: your regional and local economic development group and nearby partner organizations – strengthening the business opportunities in your multi-county “footprint.”

Your local representatives also can connect you to other economic development organizations, an amazing support network that makes Northeast Ohio a true powerhouse. We are “Collabor18” throughout the region for the advancement of business retention and expansion efforts, with support from regional partners at Team NEO and JobsOhio.

Individually and collectively, these teams can lead you to answers in workforce training and development, land and building options, connections to municipal or county governments, real estate and tax advice, and much more.

Collabor18 Together with team neo and jobsohio Ashland Area Council for Economic Development

Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County

Stark Development Board

Columbiana County Port Authority

Huron County Development Council

Team Lorain County

Erie County Economic Development Corporation

Lake County Port Authority

Geauga Growth Partnership Greater Akron Chamber Greater Cleveland Partnership

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Medina County Economic Development Corporation Portage Development Board Richland Community Development Group

Tuscarawas County Community Improvement Wayne Economic Development Council Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

NEO! What makes Northeast Ohio special?

Four million people: consumers, labor, the energy and culture of a major population center.

Economic, educational and every other kind of diversity. Our industrial history has segued into brilliant R&D. A natural gas boom is underway, as nanotechnology, liquid crystals are born.

Logistics prowess. In the top 10 MSA regions, we can move goods, commerce and people to 65% of the country within 48 hours.

Still true to manufacturing, we will seed the 21st century with innovators and entrepreneurs.

Higher productivity through our very strong, grounded workforce. Integrity and work ethic.

Lake Erie, for amenities, resources and our identity. The Great Lakes represent 20% of the world’s fresh water.

Rolling farmland, national parklands, well established amenities for business attraction, retention and expansion.

Transportation jewels: Cleveland Hopkins Airport, Akron-Canton Airport, five interstate highways, Class 1 railroads and a variety of port facilities, including Foreign Trade Zones.

Powerhouse economy, with $181 billion in gross regional product.

Higher education, with 30,000 degrees and certificates awarded each year, $2.8 billion in annual college expenditures, 210,000 enrolled college students, and 27 accredited colleges and universities.

Workforce access to a diverse, dedicated and talented labor force of nearly two million people.

An ecosystem for workforce development through the University System of Ohio (public universities and branches, community colleges, adult education programs).

Uptown Norwalk photo credit: Huron County Development Council

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The Place to Be Live, work, play. Northeast Ohio is bounded by lake, river and hills, but the possibilities for a high-quality way of life are unlimited. Our eighteen counties support an unparalleled range of economic activity, matched by economic development support and a stunning variety of lifestyles and communities.

No Borders for Job Creation

Responsible for 40% of Ohio’s gross domestic output, NEO means business! Our region is an economic powerhouse. Ohioans are resilient. We refuse to be satisfied with the status quo, fueling emerging activity and new growth in longstanding industries. NEO is rooted, not transient, good for development, security and access. Yet 60% of Canadian and U.S. markets lie within a day’s drive.

Working together as a region, we earn the right to compete on a national and worldwide scale.

The local footprint closes the deal. A classic sales funnel, the power of NEO creates credibility and strength for business development, while the local contacts and support help you zero in on what you need.

For living and working in Northeast Ohio, there is a settled quality that enhances life, in quaint neighborhoods, ethnic restaurants, farm-to-table innovations, and urban centers attracting young professionals; family-friendly towns and suburbs; a wealth of entertainment and cultural choices; and an experienced workforce. For development of a new business, retention of skilled workers, or attraction of new employees – these life advantages are profound.

Photo Credit: Lakeland Community College

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Photo Credit: Parklands

Life is Good in NEO We have a huge potential for culinary tourism.

30 minutes takes you from rolling farmland to restaurant rows, century-old markets to cutting edge cuisine. Fusion pioneer Zach Bruell’s L’Albatross in University Circle was named a 2009 best new restaurant by Esquire.

This is the home of Iron Chef Michael Symon’s Lola, Lolita and more. Historic and ethnic neighborhoods such as Asiatown, Ohio City, Tremont, Gordon Square; the renowned West Side Market; organic farming in the Cuyahoga Valley, Amish honey and maple syrup in Geauga County, delectable perch and walleye.

A foodies’ paradise.

Great Lakes lifestyles make living sweet.

Like much of Northeast Ohio, we share the bounties of the Great Lakes shore lands.

Proximity to Lake Erie creates micro-climates for growing grapes, fruit, vegetables and trees – good for agriculture and attractions such as wineries and fine dining. Rural, small-town and city living are accessible and affordable. The lake-side way of life, with boating, fishing and resort communities all at hand, is an economic driver and a relocation asset. From island regattas to the world’s greatest roller coasters, we’re constantly uncorking a unique vintage.

Photo Credit: Ferrante Vineyards

Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake

Cuyahoga County boasts major league sports, world renowned arts, culture and healthcare, and billions of dollars in real estate and business development. The economic transformation of Cleveland as the county seat has a special energy.

Midwest cities are the new favorite for young professionals, and Cleveland is prime. Lake County is 31 miles of Lake Erie shoreline, with fertile soils for tree nurseries and grape growing. Chardon epitomizes the quality of life found in Geauga County, home of the best county fair around. From old artisan industries to Emerald Necklace, Music Settlement to House of Blues – it’s all here.

Erie, Huron and Lorain

The western region displays a special mix of energies, a unique dynamic. Much of this region is a combination of quaint, historic downtowns and innovative, highly successful business ventures. Small town festivals and community activities bring people together all year. Picture farmland, cattle grazing, orchards, wineries. Turn in one direction for the Lake Erie tourism region, in another for the mellow towns of Oberlin, Norwalk and Sandusky, another for the industrial heritage of Lorain and Elyria.

Photo Credit: Holden Arboretum

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Citizens working together have brought cultural and natural riches to the Central subregion.

• E very architect dreams of defying gravity, and Akron’s nationally renowned art museum elevates the contemplation of modern and contemporary art into an art form of its own.

• F ourth most visited park in the National Park System, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a homegrown success story.

Grassroots activism met the Parks for the People movement to give Northeast Ohio its own “Central Park.”

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Photo Credits: Bruce Ford Photography

medina, portage and summit

Where else will you find a national park at your doorstep, picture-perfect villages, blimps overhead and a music scene that rocks? The Central subregion, that’s where!

Distinguished by leafy neighborhoods and much more, this area’s counties, cities and towns are known for taking a fresh and creative look at opportunity. The National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM Middle and High Schools in Akron are nationally renowned for science-based creativity. In the 1970s, Medina restored its county seat, a beautiful brick-lined square, while today in Kent, the original Tree City, the new downtown transformation is creating quite a buzz.

New England-like towns tucked into valleys and rolling dairy land, delightful college towns and university cities, superb hospital systems, all the ways to live well are here. And our unique nexus of interstates makes it easy to be wherever you want to be.

Sports activity is a winner.

The Youngstown-Warren area also specializes in golf: courses designed by leading golf architects, including the 36-hole layout in Mill Creek MetroParks, a classic, affordable Donald Ross layout.

Ashtabula’s unique sports complex, the SPIRE Institute, will drive growth through NCAA, amateur and Olympiccaliber events.

Made for discovery.

Wandering the highways and roads of the South region turns up some interesting juxtapositions. Oil wells and rolling countryside. Innovation and tradition. This is a showcase for the rich potential of those population centers known as “micropolitan.” Wayne County, for example, has been named in the top six micropolitan areas for business growth in six consecutive years, and Wooster has been named a North American “City of the Future,” the only U.S. micro to be named a Top Ten city for cost effectiveness.

Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Trumbull

With a proud heritage in steel and shipping, a resurgent auto industry, and new shale possibilities, the eastern counties brim with renewed confidence and excitement. The subregion has strong resources for knowledge, culture and entertainment, from the restored historic harbor district of Ashtabula to the Butler Institute of American Art, one of the world’s best collections of American art. Youngstown State University, an urban research university, has a creative, integrated approach to education, scholarship, and service.

Ashland, Richland, Stark, Tuscarawas, Wayne

Ashland, Richland, Stark, Tuscarawas and Wayne, truly counties at a crossroads: where culture meets country and where industry is a good neighbor to people and nature. Parks, museums, fine and performing arts – and patrons with the foresight to preserve these for future generations. Across the region, football fans enjoy the finest scholastic gridiron action in the nation and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, while automobile racing buffs flock to Richland County’s famed Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Wayne County has been named among the top six micropolitan areas for business growth for six consecutive years, and Wooster has been named a North American “City of the Future”.

Photo Credit: Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

Photo Credit: The Butler Institute of American Art, by Joseph P. Rudinec.

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NEO: A Climate for Business With over $12 billion worth of major capital investments being made in Northeast Ohio and a $170 billion economy, it’s no surprise that 70% of Fortune 500 companies have a presence in the region. This is one of America’s best entrepreneurial ecosystems, in its local clusters and its larger resources.

CLEveland plus

Cleveland Plus is the regional marketing campaign launched in 2007 by the Greater Cleveland Partnership, Team NEO and Positively Cleveland. The campaign seeks to 1) attract business and jobs to our region, 2) raise our profile as a tourist, meeting and convention destination, 3) garner positive national media coverage of progress, growth industries and quality-of-life amenities, 4) provide positive news, particularly for economic development, to community influencers, and 5) help organizations attract talent to NEO.

Rust Belt Verve “Upswing” says it all when it comes to the talent and verve of young professionals and those who want to benefit from a top-flight NEO education. Many Midwest cities are becoming the place to be for young professionals.

Cleveland Plus Business, managed by Team NEO, is the business-attraction arm, working to advance Northeast Ohio’s economy by attracting businesses worldwide to our 18 counties.

Photo Credit: Lincoln Electric

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Photo Credit: EJ Thomas Hall

Economic Diversity, the lifeblood of Northeast Ohio Major Industries • Advanced energy • A dvanced manufacturing

Major Private Employers IN NEO • A kron Children’s Hospital

• Goodyear • Group Management Services Inc.

• Advanced materials

• A kron General Health System

• Aerospace

• Bridgestone Americas

• MetroHealth System

• A ultman Health Foundation

• MTD Products, Inc.

• C ase Western Reserve University

• Swagelok Co.

• Agbioscience • Automotive • Biomedical • Financial services • Food processing • I nstruments and controls

• Cleveland Clinic • FirstEnergy Corp.

• Mechanical engineering

• General Motors Co.

• Medical devices

• Giant Eagle Inc.

• KeyCorp

• Progressive Corp.

• Summa Health System • Timken Co. • University Hospitals • Westfield Group

• Oil and gas • Professional services (IT, data and call centers)

Photo Credit: MAGNET

Photo Credit: Huron County Economic Development Council

Photo Credit: Greater Cleveland Partnership

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Northeast Ohio is Rich in Region-Wide Support Five Regional Economic Development Organizations in NEO

Five strong organizations support business attraction, retention and expansion throughout the 18 counties of Northeast Ohio. These vital groups help with business development anywhere in the region. While the partners often work in consort to support the business needs of our region, each has its own distinctive mission and focus.

BioEnterprise, building our bioscience future BioEnterprise Corporation is a business formation, recruitment and acceleration company committed to supporting the growth of bioscience companies. BioEnterprise provides management, business development, and capital access services to its clients, which include medical device, biopharmaceutical, and health care IT and services companies.

Team NEO, on the hunt for business

NETWORK REGIONAL PARTNER

Team NEO advances Northeast Ohio’s economy by serving as the region’s private-sector economic development hub. It builds collaboration among the region’s economic development organizations, attracts new business from around the world and connects the region to the state’s JobsOhio program.

JobsOhio is a private, nonprofit organization supporting Ohio’s job-creation efforts by focusing on attracting and retaining jobs, with an emphasis on strategic industry sectors. JobsOhio takes a private-sector approach and “speaks the language of business,” enabling Ohio to be more nimble, flexible and competitive in its economic development efforts.

Team NEO is one of six JobsOhio Network Regional Partners across the state. It has a specialized Regional Business Development staff that works with the region’s 18-county partners to expand and retain existing business and accelerate job growth. Team NEO’s Regional Business Development staff is the gateway to JobsOhio for companies seeking support for growth and job creation.

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Photo Credit: MAGNET

MAGNET, making the most of making things The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET), is our region’s voice for manufacturing, providing connectivity to resources that improve productivity, stimulate innovation, increase profitability and provide workforce and talent development solutions to manufacturing companies.

Manufacturers also have access to business consulting and product development projects as well as MAGNET’s business incubator program.

NorTech, connectivity for the tech economy NorTech, a technology-based economic development organization, is working towards the revitalization of Northeast Ohio by accelerating the growth of regional innovation clusters. NorTech works as an intermediary to connect small, large and mid-size companies and universities for business, funding and research opportunities resulting in job creation and capital attraction. NorTech is currently focused on three industries: advanced energy, flexible electronics and water technologies.

JumpStart, accelerating entrepreneurial success Recognizing that entrepreneurs create new jobs and new opportunities, JumpStart accelerates the growth of early-stage tech-based businesses. The nonprofit venture-development organization provides vital, focused resources for entrepreneurs by not only investing dollars directly in these diverse young companies, but also by delivering free intensive business development assistance.

Congratulations, JumpStart, Nortech!

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has recognized the transformative work, “in this period of global recovery,” of two regional economic development organizations.

JumpStart and NorTech each received a Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award.

NorTech was honored for entrepreneurship with its Regional Innovation Cluster Model, a best practice approach to identify emerging regional innovation clusters and accelerate their growth.

JumpStart’s award recognized its technology-based economic development efforts to “Revitalize Regional Economies by Accelerating Entrepreneurial Successes “ a program to nurture tech entrepreneurs who could become a next generation of corporate employers.

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Workforce Availability and Development

Matching businesses with workforce is not just a matter of population. It also has to do with selection, training, experience and more. It has to do with understanding our businesses and our territory.

Both your local economic development organization and our regional teams have the sources and the contacts to help you secure and develop talent. They have the tools and people in place to support training and education, hiring and recruitment, economic analysis, and all other aspects of building a strong workforce.

Your local organization understands what’s needed because its staff has an intimate awareness of the local economy, types of businesses – both legacy and emerging, educational resources, lifestyle and demographic features, and more. It can put this understanding to your advantage.

At the same time, the regional Economic Development partners will zero in on specific requirements of industry clusters, bringing region-wide knowledge to the task.

People are your biggest asset and your biggest challenge, but you have plenty of help!

How can you define the workforce of Northeast Ohio?

Its members range from generations of steelworkers to new-generation polymer chemists, cultural and tourism creative types to higher education innovators, entrepreneurs to expert farmers to experienced number-crunchers. If there’s one thing they all have in common, it’s a deep interest in seeing both regional and local economy succeed, because that is where opportunity comes from.

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Photo Credit: Cuyahoga Community College

Northeast Ohio, Brain Trust Concentrated and accessible wealth, in our remarkable breadth of post-secondary education and training. This includes research universities, renowned liberal-arts colleges, medical and bioscience institutes; cutting-edge community colleges, and well-established technical and vocational schools.

Economic development requires an educated workforce. Variety and depth develops innovation, cultural offerings, and creative lifestyles. Colleges and universities – in settings from bucolic college towns to hip urban centers – employ thousands, provide customers to hundreds of businesses.

Colleges & Universities • Ashland University • Ashland University Massillon/Stark Center • Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences • Baldwin Wallace University • Bowling Green State University/Firelands Campus • Bryant and Stratton College • Case Western Reserve University • Cleveland Institute of Art • Cleveland Institute of Music • Cleveland State University • College of Wooster • Cuyahoga Community College • Eastern Gateway Community College

Photo Credit: KSU Portage

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

EHOVE Career Center Hiram College I TT Educational Services John Carroll University Kent State University K SU College of Podiatric Medicine KSU - Ashtabula KSU - East Liverpool KSU - Geauga KSU - Salem KSU - Stark KSU - Trumbull KSU - Tuscarawas Lake Erie College L akeland Community College L orain County Community College Lorain County JVS Malone University N orth Central State College N ortheast Ohio Medical University

• N otre Dame College of Ohio • Oberlin College • O hio College of Podiatric Medicine • O SU Agricultural Technical Institute, Research and Development Center • Remington College • S iegal College of Judaic Studies • S tark State College • University of Akron • UA - Wayne College • U niversity of Mount Union • Ursuline College • V irginia Marti College of Art and Design • Walsh University • Walsh - Youngstown • Y oungstown State University

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WE ARE COLLABOR18 for businesses that call NEO home – to keep them here, and help them grow.

We are devoted to making it easy for every business to secure the help it needs to succeed.

North Region

East Region

Greater Cleveland Partnership 216.592.2208 • www.gcpartnership.com

Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber 330.744.2131 www.regionalchamber.com

Geauga Growth Partnership, Inc. 440.564.1060 • www.geaugagrowth.com

Columbiana County Port Authority 330.386.9051 • www.ccpa-ohioriver.com

Lake County Port Authority 440.357.2290 • www.lcedc.org

Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County 440.576.9126 • www.ashtabulagrowth.com

South Region

West Region

Stark Development Board, Inc. 330.453.5900 • www.starkcoohio.com

Team Lorain County 440.328.2563 • www.teamloraincounty.com

Ashland Area Council for Economic Development 419.289.3200 • www.ashlanded.com

Erie County Economic Development Corp.

419.627.7791 • www.eriecountyedc.org

Richland Community Development Group 419.755.7234 • www.chooserichland.com

Huron County Development Council 419.663.4232 • www.hcdc.net

Tuscarawas County Community Improvement Corp.

330.308.7524 • www.tusccic.com Wayne Economic Development Council 330.264.2411 • www.waynecountyedc.com

Central Region Greater Akron Chamber 330.376.5550 • www.greaterakronchamber.org Medina County Economic Development Corp.

330.722.9215 • www.medinacounty.org Portage Development Board 330.297.3470 • www.portagedevbd.org

LAKE

CUYAHOGA

GEAUGA ASHTABULA

SUMMIT LORAIN

TRUMBULL

ERIE

PORTAGE HURON MAHONING

COLUMBIANA

RICHLAND

WAYNE

ASHLAND MEDINA

STARK TUSCARAWAS

regional economic development partners

FOR BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION

Medina County Portage County Summit County

the epicenter of northeast ohio The Greater Akron Region (Summit, Portage, Medina counties) is rich in history, commerce, industry and culture, home to more than 21,000 enterprises, including more than 150 in the Fortune 500. More than $2.5 billion in private capital has been invested in new and expanded plants, a testament to the region’s resilient business climate.

Three things to know

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Tech smart and savvy people.

Goodyear’s new global and North American headquarters.

Bridgestone America’s state-of-the-art technical center.

America’s preeminent polymers program at the University of Akron. Kent State University’s Liquid Crystal Institute. All are testimonials to a tech-savvy region.

Geographic diversity.

Urban uniqueness and college town charm. Picture perfect, family-friendly neighborhoods. Metro parks merging with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Communities that make our working lives rich and distinctive.

Our location is a treasure.

Northeast Ohio is defined by its ideal location. Greater Akron is at the epicenter of Northeast Ohio. Drawing resources from surrounding areas and easily convening all hands as needed.

SUMMIT

MEDINA

PORTAGE Explore the possibilities

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medina // portage // summit

inventiveness for the future As each change in fortunes occurred, local business people, thinkers and creators have seized the moment. Every change is a catalyst for invention, resulting in today’s great diversity of industries. Process improvement reinvented manufacturing. Chemical and polymer expertise fed innovation in medical devices. The I-76 and 1-77 corridors link us to Cleveland, Canton, Youngstown and east to Pennsylvania and New York.

Abundant land awaits creative use. The Greater Akron Region is a story of resilience and creativity.

Site stability: the new gold standard.

Cybersecurity is a gift of our geography and topography.

Without natural disasters, closed borders or social upheavals, our reduced risk makes us a cybersecure location of choice.

High performance manufacturing: Röchling.

German high-performance plastics manufacturing company Röchling has opened a 75,000-square-foot facility in Akron, creating more than 125 jobs. Röchling chose Akron because of its proximity to suppliers and auto plants, its polymer manufacturing history and its “very friendly business environment.”

BioMedicine Transforms Region • A kron Biomedical Corridor, expected to create nearly 3,000 jobs within the next five years.

• A usten BioInnovation Institute in Akron, an Ohio Center of Excellence for Biomedicine and Healthcare, winner of U.S. Department of Commerce’s i6 National Innovation Challenge.

• Akron Polymer Systems, part of the growing Biomedical Corridor.

• N ortheast Ohio Medical University, with a new $42 million, 77,000-square-foot research facility.

•

M edical device specialists such as OrthoHelix,

Phillips Medica and Hitachi.

Akron has 15% of its workforce employed in healthcare Photo Credit: Bruce Ford Photography

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medina // portage // summit

Greater Akron ChambeR Connects The Greater Akron Chamber is deeply committed to the tri-county region, working closely with Summit County, Medina County Economic Development Corporation and Portage Development Board.

The Greater Akron Chamber development staff are on the road nonstop, learning first-hand from business owners, managers and entrepreneurs. Our retention and expansion program incorporates a sophisticated questionnaire-based process that produces highly accurate and helpful results. These 100% confidential interviews uncover significant opportunities to keep businesses competitive and growing.

Whether you need assistance with the local, state or federal government, financing, incentives, real estate or workforce development – it all starts with the Greater Akron Chamber!

Your Partner, Wherever You Are The Greater Akron Chamber Business Development team provides: networking

connectivity

site location

FINANCING

Complete orientation to the Greater Akron Region.

Site and building identification through our exclusive commercial real estate database.

demographic DATA Comprehensive statistical data and information covering all aspects of the region.

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Photo Credit: Medina County Economic Development Corp.

Liaison to local/state governments and access to regional business leadership.

Fixed-asset programs through industrial revenue bond financing and Ohio enterprise bond financing.

professional SUPPORT Throughout the entire relocation/expansion process.

medina // portage // summit

OUR COUNTIES Prominent Businesses in Medina County • A.I. Root Company • MTD Products Inc. • Owens Corning • Plastipak Packaging Inc. • Sandridge Foods

MEDINA’s Small Town Charm, All Grown Up

Medina County makes the most of its historic industrial and agricultural roots, integrating global headquarters operations with thriving independent establishments. With a diverse business base, low unemployment rate, and a variety of “Best Hometown” awards to its credit, the county attracts a skilled and educated workforce that is loyal to the community.

• RPM International, Inc. • Westfield Group

Prominent Businesses in Portage County • Chrysler • Davey Tree Expert • East Manufacturing • General Electric Co. • L’Oreal • McMaster-Carr Supply

Portage Rolls to the East, Brilliantly

In Portage County, higher education glows. Kent State University, Northeast Ohio Medical University and Hiram College all flourish, create and produce learning here.

Businesses like Davy Tree and Step2, though established 90 years apart, epitomize the knowledge-based enterprise.

In Streetsboro, business activity takes place next to a quick ride to Cleveland.

• Step2 Company

Prominent Businesses in Summit County • Bridgestone/Firestone • FirstEnergy • FirstMerit • GOJO

High tech in the county at the summit

Rapidly growing science, medical and technical industries weave seamlessly into thousands of acres of parklands. Global business interests flourish alongside regional leaders and thriving local businesses with the University of Akron empowering the next generation.

• Goodyear • Lockheed Martin • Sterling Jewelers

Photo Credit: Bruce Ford Photography

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medina // portage // summit

Photo Credit: Bruce Ford Photography

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Photo Credit: City of Kent

Photo Credit: Bruce Ford Photography

Photo Credit: City of Kent

Photo Credit: Bruce Ford Photography

Photo Credit: Bruce Ford Photography

medina // portage // summit

A business development ecosystem The Greater Akron Chamber, Medina County Economic Development Corporation and Portage Development Board collaborate to make our tri-county region strong, progressive and economically diverse.

Medina County has been the fifth fastest growing county in Ohio for two decades. It includes three Enterprise Zones and seven Community Reinvestment Areas. Between 1998 and 2011, Medina County Economic Development Corporation helped companies create over 3,300 new jobs and invest over $400 million in new capital investment.

The Medina County Economic Development Corporation facilitates partnerships between schools and businesses through educational programs, internships, creative tax incentives, and works with Medina County University Center to keep workforce skills up to date.

Once noted for its high quality manufactured glass and the output of its more than 50 cheese plants, Portage County’s growing business base now hosts a range of industries, from toys to lighting to aircraft components to personal care products. Metalworking, plastic and rubber products and printing/publishing lead the county’s manufacturing sector.

In Portage County, 30 active enterprise-zone agreements foster new and expanding businesses.

Companies invested over $1.1 billion in Portage County in the last 15 years. These investments created and retained more than 12,000 jobs in Portage County.

Your local economic development organization is here to help you.

Begin with the Greater Akron Chamber and its partners as your points of contact and see how far you can go!

Photo Credit: Bruce Ford Photography

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medina // portage // summit

Photo Credit: Bruce Ford Photography

Goodyear Commits to Region.

Photo: Bruce Ford Photography

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is building its world headquarters in the city where it was founded in 1898. The high profile investment will redevelop not only a corporate campus, but an entire neighborhood. More than 3,000 jobs will be retained, and an iconic, international brand will continue to call the Greater Akron Region home.

sustainable Collaboration

Greater Akron: a distinct competitive advantage and a unique combination of strengths. A booming technology region that adjoins 33,000-acre Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with abundant resources in arts and recreation – Greater Akron has what it takes to bring out the best in both businesses and people.

Greater Akron is one of the few vertically integrated metropolitan areas in the country where an idea can progress from inception to distribution using local resources exclusively.

Photo Credit: Bruce Ford Photography

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Photo Credit: City of Kent

Photo Credit: Bruce Ford Photography

medina // portage // summit

Photo Credit: Bruce Ford Photography

Photo Credit: Bruce Ford Photography

ECONOMIC DIVERSITY DRIVES US

The foundation of a modern economy is diversity. Still proud to be known as the Rubber Capital of the World, the Greater Akron Region has transformed itself into the Polymer Center of the Americas, home to an array of diverse industries and a talented creative class.

Liquid Crystals Light Up

Begin with brilliant work on innovation: KSU’s introduction of liquid crystal technology. Build on it, and the result? A liquid crystal cluster that establishes the region as a global leader in this technology and its market applications.

Polymers and Advanced materials

More than 200 companies in these industries, employing more than 10,000 people, have established themselves in the region.

Shale, The next frontier

The Greater Akron Region is becoming a staging area for industrial companies looking to support full-service shale exploration and production.

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MEDINA // PORTAGE // SUMMIT

Photo Credit: Bruce Ford Photography

Workforce Development Talent development and workforce recruitment are primary initiatives of the Greater Akron Chamber. We work with partners throughout the region to help businesses find the skilled workers they need. Workforce Development helps business, education and training organizations find, hire and retain employees.

Our partners in Training, Education & Employment Services • T he Job Center in Summit County / Summit Workforce Solutions.

Where more than 13 workforce service providers are housed together to serve the needs of businesses and job seekers.

• Medina Works / Medina County Workforce Development Center.

Many services, one location for public and private employment and training programs and services.

• P ortage Workforce Connection. Employment and training services for Portage County including the cities of Aurora, Kent, Ravenna and Streetsboro.

Where to start?

Don’t go it alone. Call us.

Greater Akron Chamber 330.376.5550 • www.greaterakronchamber.org Medina County Economic Development Corporation 330.722.9215 • www.medinacounty.org Portage Development Board 330.297.3470 • www.portagedevbd.org

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Photo Credit: Bruce Ford Photography

LEARNING IS FOREVER The linking of town and college is profound in the Greater Akron region. The University of Akron transforms Downtown Akron into a vibrant metropolitan scene. Kent State University is an integral part of the transformation of Downtown Kent. Hiram College, with its rural charm, is within reach of urban Cleveland.

Colleges and Universities • H iram College • Kent State University • N ortheast Ohio Medical University • U niversity of Akron

Photo Credit: NEOMED

Northeast Ohio Medical University

NEOMED, established in 1973, educates medical, pharmacy and health sciences students and practitioners at all levels. It is a center of research in biomedical, community health and behavioral sciences as well as community service and health education. Biomedicine is one of many threads of this amazing intellectual capital.

Photo Credit: Kent State University

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WE ARE COLLABOR18 for businesses that call NEO home – to keep them here, and help them grow.

We are devoted to making it easy for every business to secure the help it needs to succeed.

Medina/Portage/Summit

Medina, Portage and Summit counties comprise the center of Northeast Ohio, where entrepreneurship and innovation are encouraged and rewarded and traditional manufacturing positions itself for the 21st Century. All at the same time enjoying one of the highest qualities of life in the United States.

LAKE CUYAHOGA

GEAUGA ASHTABULA

SUMMIT LORAIN

TRUMBULL

ERIE

PORTAGE HURON MAHONING

COLUMBIANA

RICHLAND

WAYNE

STARK TUSCARAWAS

ASHLAND MEDINA

GREATER AKRON CHAMBER

TEAM LORAIN COUNTY

GREATER CLEVELAND PARTNERSHIP

STARK DEVELOPMENT BOARD

YOUNGSTOWN/WARREN REGIONAL CHAMBER

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regional economic development partners

FOR BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION

In Cuyahoga County, Geauga County, Lake County

A storied history, an emerging future.

At the heart of Northeast Ohio, along and near the coast of Lake Erie, capping the original settlement of the Western Reserve, lie Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties. The counties together are home to 1.6 million, but this is no faceless megalopolis. From Little Italy in Cleveland to Gildersleeve Mountain in Lake County to rural Geauga County – “fourth best place in America to raise a family” – this is a region with true personality. On the shores of Lake Erie, gateway to the Great Lakes and worldwide ports via the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Living and working, growing a family or building a business, the north central section of NEO is a unique complex of advantages.

Three things to know

1 2 3

An era of unprecedented partnership.

Cuyahoga County’s new county executive governance is transformative and there is now political leadership for business development, including a new $100 million county business development fund.

Strength that comes from diversity.

Every kind of diversity you can think of, put to good use.

Economic variety, ethnic variety, architecture and geography.

This region is roaring back with its strong, grounded workforce and productivity intact.

Ease of proximity brings you many worlds.

From downtown Cleveland to Amish farmland, from Great Lakes shipping to the trails of a National Park, in well under an hour you can find yourself in the environment of your choosing.

LAKE

CUYAHOGA

GEAUGA

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Greater Cleveland Partnership 216.592.2208 • www.gcpartnership.com Geauga Growth Partnership 440.564.1060 • www.geaugagrowth.com Lake County Port Authority 440.357.2290 • www.lcedc.org

CUYAHOGA // GEAUGA // LAKE

The story of this area is the relation of the whole to excellent parts Legacy industries created a pool of skilled, experienced workers, and the quality of life has kept them. Our outstanding universities and corporations produce and require a vibrant population of young professionals, who have fallen in love with the city and surrounding areas. Urban development suits them, and builders respond by creating wonderful neighborhoods.

This is a logistics and transportation powerhouse, located at the nexus of major east-west and north-south interstates, Great Lakes shipping, and a major airline hub.

Collaborative effort builds jobs in Euclid.

GCP spearheaded a multi-agency effort to help Lincoln Electric consolidate a newly acquired company into Northeast Ohio.

The partners secured a financial package for the company that included a mix of job creation tax credits, low-interest loans and local grants – outweighing out-of-state competition and enabling the expansion project to be secured in our region.

Lincoln Electric will spend $40 million to renovate its facility in Euclid, adding 200 jobs. In the new plant expansion, Lincoln will absorb and grow the Techalloy Company, a business it bought in 2010 and is moving here from Baltimore.

2012 Projects Show Value of Partnership Collaboration has led to many examples of successful expansion, retention and attraction in our region over the last year.

Success stories include:

• Lincoln Electric • AmTrust • Phillips • Steris • Manitowoc • A lexander Mann Solutions The Greater Cleveland Partnership, Geauga Growth Partnership, and Lake County Port Authority can connect your business to the right resources for your needs.

Photo Credit: Lincoln Electric

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Your local partners your first call Consider your local economic development partner, your foot in the door. At the Greater Cleveland Partnership, Lake County Port Authority, and Geauga Growth Partnership, we mobilize private sector leadership, expertise and resources to create jobs, grow investment and improve the economic prosperity in our subregion.

And we do it first-hand, face-to-face, to learn about the needs and understand the challenges of companies, and identify opportunities to keep businesses competitive and growing in the North region. We conduct 100% confidential on-site interviews with your corporate leadership to fully understand the needs, wants and desires for your business operation.

Whether you need connections made to municipal or county government, federal funding, investment capital, workforce development, real estate or tax advice, or doors opened in business alliances – or more – we can get it going for you.

Your Partners, Wherever You Are We work to: UNDERSTAND

Understand the needs of both individual company and industry segments.

CONNECT

Connect your business to community resources at local, county, state and federal agencies.

HELP

Help by leveraging our relationships with recruitment and training experts.

COORDINATE

oordinate with our partners and affiliates, C public and private, to create multi-faceted teams to address your business needs.

BRING

ring you access to innovation and B technology, collaborating with partners such as NorTech, BioEnterprise and JumpStart.

DEVELOP

evelop in collaboration with biz starters such D as Team NEO and MAGNET.

STRATEGIZE

Strategize for targeted physical development, working with GCP’s real estate development affiliate Cleveland Development Advisors and its partners to leverage and connect existing assets and create new amenities that stimulate further economic development.

ADVOCATE

dvocate on issues ranging from Great A Lakes protection to support for NASA Glenn Research Center and Plum Brook Station in Sandusky.

We do this together

The Greater Cleveland Partnership, Lake County Port Authority and Geauga Growth Partnership have a strong and growing partnership. Business knows no borders – we work together for all businesses and their employees. We rely on each other and leverage each others’ expertise and resources to take care of the businesses that call the northern subregion home.

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Your partners your counties Greater Cleveland Partnership

Largest Businesses in Cuyahoga County • Alcoa • A merican Greetings Corporation • C leveland Clinic Health System • Eaton • Ford Motor Co. • General Motors Corp.

• KeyCorp • Lincoln Electric • PNC Bank • Progressive Corp.

• Sherwin-Williams Co. • United • U niversity Hospitals Health System

Largest Businesses in Geauga County • Duramax Marine • Excel/GoldKey • Fairmount Minerals • Great Lakes Cheese Co. • Kinetico • M asco Corp./ Kraftmaid Cabinetry Inc. • Middlefield Cheese • M yers Industries/ Dillen Products • St. Gobain

The Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) is one of the largest metropolitan chambers of commerce in the nation. The GCP mobilizes private sector leadership, expertise and resources for attractive business conditions that create jobs, grow investment and improve economic prosperity. In 2012 alone the Greater Cleveland Partnership has been responsible for 450 visits and 30 major prospects, with 3,500 jobs created, 6,500 jobs retained, and $275 million in capital investment.

Cuyahoga County, accelerating change, advancing growth

From the Flats to the hills, Cuyahoga County brings logistics strength, remarkable infrastructure, progressive governance and enlivened revenue streams to the job of developing our region. Most populous county in Ohio, Cuyahoga has a workforce second to none in training, experience and heritage. The county and its people rapidly are turning the corner, through concerted effort and focused planning. Cleveland and surrounding communities stand out for their seamless blending of amenities with action: hip neighborhoods that look over steel valleys, educational and cultural districts that adjoin reinvigorated inner cities, suburban office parks set aside conserved parklands, a mix of personality to retain and grow.

Geauga Growth Partnership

GGP is a private/public partnership committed to growing the economy and community of Geauga County. The Partnership was created in 2010 by Geauga County business, professional and civic leaders to build upon the County’s remarkable assets, its people, businesses and quality of life. The Partnership assists Geauga companies as they face challenges, engage opportunities and build collaborations to pursue common interests, serves as a trusted advocate and facilitator for new and existing employers, and provides a confidential setting for discussing sensitive business concerns and developing action plans. The Partnership works with other County organizations and initiatives to respond to the economic growth needs of Geauga County businesses and our community.

Geauga County Lets No Opportunity Go by

Where else can you see an Amish buggy or work team driving down a country road, tap into New England-like tourism, and also fire up for the chance to start or expand a new business?

Benefiting from its proximity to Cleveland and its own faraway-in-time feel, beautiful Geauga County is ripe for the next phase. The Partnership looks at business trends and is here to help: its Entrepreneurs Boot Camp, for example, trains those just establishing their own business as well as those who have a concept and need help getting started.

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Your PARtners YOur Counties Lake County Port Authority

Largest Businesses in Lake County • ABB Inc. • Avery Dennison Corp.

• FirstEnergy Corp.

• Lubrizol Corp.

• Steris Corp.

Lake County Port Authority was created in February 2007 to promote projects providing for job-creation and employment opportunities and improved economic welfare in Lake County.

The Port Authority is authorized to enhance, foster, aid, provide or promote transportation, economic development, housing, recreation, governmental operations, culture or research. In pursuit of this mission, the Lake County Port Authority is unique in the services it provides for the economic welfare of the community, from assisting would-be entrepreneurs to large corporations, small non-profits to large institutions and communities. Services include business financing, brownfield reclamation, public infrastructure, small business development, procurement and technical assistance, international trade, site selection, and enterprise zone assistance.

Lake County is True to Its Name

Recognizing the asset strength of its 31 miles of Lake Erie coastline, in 2001 Lake County began regional planning that has resulted in $80 million in coastal improvements. Waterfront and landside projects include improved marinas and lake access, increased beach access, erosion protection, preservation and shore line protection. Geographically the smallest of Ohio counties, Lake ranks 11th in population. Workers are highly skilled; businesses put a premium on education and training, and teachers average some of the state’s highest wages. The Lake County Port Authority helps all local organizations make the most of growth.

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Photo Credit: Lake County Captains

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Photo Credit: Holden Arboretum

A Comfortable Climate for Business The excellent climate for business in the North region comes from continuing, collaborative efforts. Working together, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, Geauga Growth Partnership, Lake County Port Authority and regional partners foster an environment that is conducive to problem-solving, creative solutions and opportunities for growth and advancement. In 2012 alone, there were:

· Meetings with 450 companies · 30 major business projects underway · 3,500 jobs created · 6,500 jobs retained · $275 million in new capital investment ·$ 12+ billion in physical development completed or underway

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40%

Higher Productivity

This tri-county subregion – 40% of the businesses in Northeast Ohio – supports higher productivity through a very strong, grounded workforce.

In addition, we are seeing a strength in human capacity that is new – new industries, new areas of study, new places to live and enjoy life.

WE MOVE! You can be encouraged by the speed of the dialogue that begins the moment you contact us.

GCP Biz Development Team earns Excellence Award

Support for business is built into our DNA for any business in our counties or in NEO. We have something to add, no matter where you are. If a business in Lake County needs help with development in Ashtabula, if a policy expert is at Cleveland State University, if a Geauga County business needs help in Summit County – one call to your local partner starts the ball rolling.

The Greater Cleveland Partnership’s Business Development Team received a Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for business retention and expansion.

We’re all part of a regional community and an economic ecosystem. We will all sink or swim, perish or prosper together.

We intend to exercise our voice on behalf of prosperity and progress for the region. In a spirit of collaboration, inclusiveness and non-partisanship.

IEDC honors efforts to create positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities. The organization commended GCP for using “cutting-edge, effective practices that can be replicated in other communities.”

The Business Development Team conducts hundreds of site visits a year, and since 2007 has completed 70 projects with an estimated $919 million in capital investment and 4,139 new jobs, and has dozens of new projects in the pipeline.

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Photo Credit: Case Western Reserve University

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Photo Credit: Cleveland Plus

Economic Diversity Fuels the Future

Economic health depends on a diverse base. Our region has everything from biomed start-ups to advanced manufacturing at industrial giants such as Eaton, Rockwell Automation and Parker Hannifin. Logistics and shipping, chemicals and aerospace have resulted in a well trained workforce and advanced technical and scientific research and training. The GCP and our economic development partners are here to help, no matter what your sector.

The Greater Cleveland Partnership Business Development team, Development teams of the Geauga Growth Partnership, and the Economic Development Center of the Lake County Port Authority all meet regularly with businesses in the region to gain a better understanding of each company’s growth opportunities and challenges. Our individual and joint connection-making produces knowledge of how we can help make businesses and industries more competitive and profitable nationally and internationally.

Your Business Development teams are here to help. We encourage businesses to contact their representative to schedule a company visit.

The GCP, Lake, and Geauga teams connect companies to appropriate resources including: • Real Estate Search Assistance • Workforce Development • Economic Growth Incentives • Business Financial Assistance • Project Deal teams to facilitate major development projects • Quarterly Business Forums with other local economic development organizations

Where to start?

Don’t go it alone. Call us.

Greater Cleveland Partnership 216.592.2208 • www.gcpartnership.con Geauga Growth Partnership 440.564.1060 • www.geaugagrowth.com Lake County ED Center / Lake County Port Authority 440.357.2290 • www.lcedc.org

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Photo Credit: MAGNET

Workforce Development Your local economic development organization works with private and public sectors to provide companies with connections to highly skilled workers.

Our partners in Training, Education & Employment Services • C uyahoga Community College Workforce Solutions and Corporate College are affordable, cutting-edge and custom-designed to enhance workforce development programs.

• E mployment Connection, the collaborative workforce system of the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, helps companies assess workforce needs, oversee training programs, and provide information about hiring and financial incentives.

• L akeland Community College’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education Division is dedicated to developing workforce talent, strengthening businesses, promoting economic success and participating in the development of a vibrant community in the area it serves.

• M AGNET, the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network, supports, educates and champions manufacturing in Ohio. The MAGNET Workforce Consulting team can apply best practices in front-line manufacturing, teaching you how to hire and train people who can innovate and internalize a company’s work ethic and goals.

• S tate of Ohio. With 5.9 million workers, Ohio boasts one of the largest labor pools in the country. The Department of Development Workforce and Talent Division connects Ohio’s economic development and workforce development resources at the state, regional, and local levels.

• T he Workforce Investment Boards of Lake County and

Geauga County direct funding to workforce development programs, conduct and publish research on the local economies and oversee One-Stop Career Centers.

• T he Northeast Ohio Software Association (NEOSA), an industry-led, industry-driven organization of nearly 900 companies from Northeast Ohio’s information technology sector, pursues industry development, member business development, education and training, workforce development and advocacy.

• T he Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education (NOCHE) mobilizes higher education and business for collective action to increase college attainment, and connects employers with students through NEOintern (www.neointern.net).

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Photo Credit: Cleveland Institute of Art

Learning Never Ends

Our remarkable breadth of opportunities for post-secondary education/training include large research universities, renowned liberal-arts colleges, cutting-edge community colleges and more. This variety and depth adds to the quality of the region, resulting in innovation, cultural offerings, and creative lifestyles. Colleges and universities are major employers.

Colleges and Universities • B aldwin Wallace University • C ase Western Reserve University • Cleveland Institute of Art

The Higher Education Compact of Greater Cleveland The Higher Education Compact of Greater Cleveland is composed of a diverse group of business, education, civic and philanthropic organizations that have committed to significantly increasing the number of Cleveland students who are prepared for, have access to, and complete college. Its goals include:

• Changing Cleveland’s culture to a college orientation.

• Cleveland Institute of Music

• Improving high-school performance so youth are

• Cleveland State University

• Helping parents navigate financial aid paperwork and

• Cuyahoga Community College • ITT Educational Services • John Carroll University • Kent State University, Geauga • Lake Erie College • Lakeland Community College • Notre Dame College of Ohio • Remington College • Siegal College of Judaic Studies

better prepared for college-level classes. scholarship opportunities.

• Informing youth about two-and four-year colleges and universities to find the perfect fit.

• Assisting students to ensure they are prepared for sustainable careers in a global economy.

Your local economic development organization is here to help you. You need not be a member or investor. Begin with the Greater Cleveland Partnership, Geauga Growth Partnership, or Lake County Port Authority as your point of contact, and see how far you can go!

• Ursuline College • Virginia Marti College of Art and Design

“ Assisting students to ensure they are prepared for sustainable careers in a global economy” Photo: Lakeland Community College

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WE ARE COLLABOR18 for businesses that call NEO home – to keep them here, and help them grow.

We are devoted to making it easy for every business to secure the help it needs to succeed.

CUYAHOGA/GEAUGA/LAKE

Along a Great Lake coastline and extending into rolling, fruitful countryside, this region in its size and history is a key marker of the success of Northeast Ohio. Manufacturing, tourism, shipping, arts, and financial services are significant sectors but still only part of the story. With the greatest hospital network in the world and the nation’s first Medical Mart, Health Care is evidence that economic diversity rules this region.

LAKE CUYAHOGA

GEAUGA ASHTABULA

SUMMIT LORAIN

TRUMBULL

ERIE

PORTAGE HURON MAHONING

COLUMBIANA

RICHLAND

WAYNE

STARK TUSCARAWAS

ASHLAND MEDINA

GREATER AKRON CHAMBER

TEAM LORAIN COUNTY

GREATER CLEVELAND PARTNERSHIP

STARK DEVELOPMENT BOARD

YOUNGSTOWN/WARREN REGIONAL CHAMBER

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regional economic development partners

FOR BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION

In Ashland County, Richland County, Stark County, Tuscarawas County, Wayne County

Stronger than the sum of its parts In the southern rim of Northeast Ohio, people made bricks and shaped steel, professional football salutes its heroes, and today’s companies develop new products and explore clean, affordable energy. Leaders of the region like to say, “We make things!” From the shop floor to R&D to corporate headquarters, our work attitude and aptitude for manufacturing power the regional economy. Bordered by Interstates 71 and 77, and connected by U.S. 30, we have the infrastructure to serve our clients well.

Three things to know A region-wide service orientation.

1

Across five counties, our partners offer economic development assistance to any business. From market data to financial help, site identification to government access – whatever you need for business expansion, your local economic development organization is at your service.

The future, now.

2

Our counties lead the region in many industries that already define the future. Advanced manufacturing; the new energy economy in shale and fuel cells; agbioscience, bioproducts and food processing: all part of our forward-looking local economies.

Workforce strengthened by education.

3

Our counties and our people benefit from excellent public and private universities, great technical and community colleges, and sophisticated workforce programs that serve business in development of the people they need to succeed.

ASHLAND RICHLAND

2

WAYNE

Ashland Area Council for Economic Development 419.289.3200 • www.ashlanded.com Richland Community Development Group 419.755.7234 • www.chooserichland.com Stark Development Board 330.453.5900 • www.starkcoohio.com Tuscarawas County Community Improvement Corp.

330.308.7524 • www.tusccic.com Wayne Economic Development Council 330.264.2411 • www.waynecountyedc.com

STARK

TUSCARAWAS

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Talk about a footprint!

This is the Big Foot of business development opportunity. The region is home to a wide variety of traditional and advanced manufacturing – from forming steel bar and bearings to developing fuel cell technology.

With a long, successful history in innovation and manufacturing, we have a culture in which people know the value of working hard and developing job skills that serve well in metals, polymers, energy, manufacturing, food processing and more. Higher education and specialized job training are readily available. A strong supply chain keeps the region running like a well-oiled machine.

Alternative energy lights up the region.

Timken uses the area as its springboard for wind energy technology development.

Companies like LG Fuel Cell Systems are rooted here for fuel cell development.

It’s almost impossible to exaggerate the benefits the Utica discoveries can deliver for our counties and the United States.

Bioenergy fuels innovation.

The OSU Bioproducts and Bioenergy Research Laboratory at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center develops advanced technologies for production of bioenergy and bioproducts from renewable sources, which can be commercialized by industry partners. One of those is quasar energy (anaerobic digestion) in Wooster. On Cedar Lane Farm in Wooster, the OARDC works with Touchstone Research Laboratory for pilot scale algae production and demonstration.

THE CAPITAL OF UTICA Located Perfectly The mayor of Canton proudly staked the claim, calling this “the Utica Capital,” a significant declaration of the enormous economic potential of the city due to its location on the western side of the oil- and gas-rich Utica shale deposits.

Uniquely Prepared Exploration and production industry experts say Utica has the potential to help America achieve energy independence. A major player’s CEO says Utica development is the most significant opportunity since the invention of the plow.

Immense Potential Our counties lead the way in skilled workers, tremendous logistical advantages, outstanding professional services and support industries, and a political climate welcoming to those who wish to do business in the development of the Utica resources.

Photo Credit: Republic Steel

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OUR COUNTIES Prominent Businesses in Ashland County • M ansfield Plumbing Products • McGraw-Hill Companies • Pentair Pump Group Inc. • Snyders-Lance Inc.

HIGH-FLYING ASHLAND

From Ashland County’s well-know Balloonfest, to the hightoned discussions at Ashland Chautaqua and the aerial leaps of the Ashland Regional Ballet, this is a county for high fliers.

Companies looking to locate or grow in Ashland will find a rich array of helpful services from the Ashland Area Council for Economic Development and its Business Retention and Expansion Program.

• Step2 • W il Research Laboratories LLC

Prominent Businesses in Richland County • A K Steel Mansfield Works • ArcelorMittal Tubular • CenturyLink • Emerson Therm-O-Disc

PASTORAL, PRODUCTIVE RICHLAND

The gorgeous rural landscape of Richland and the bustling streets of Mansfield, Ohio, are America at its best. The Richland Community Development Group offers economic development assistance, a pro-business attitude and attractive incentives for growth. The county is a blend of Midwest small-town quality of life and proximity to major metros, Cleveland, Columbus, via I-71. An airport and two rail lines also connect the region.

• T he Gorman-Rupp Company

Prominent Businesses in Stark County • Timken Co. • Diebold • GE Consumer Finance • LG Fuel Cell Systems • R epublic Engineered Products

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Photo Credit: Timken Co.

BOOM TIMES AHEAD FOR STARK

Stark County is gearing up to be the urban and transportation hub of much of the Utica Shale oil and gas development.

As the regional agent of Team NEO and the local link to many other economic development resources, the Stark Development Board coordinates business development services across the county. With U.S. 30, I-77, Akron-Canton Airport, Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway, and the three urban areas of Canton, Massillon and Alliance, Stark County hums with activity.

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OUR COUNTIES Prominent Businesses in Tuscarawas County • A lamo Group/ Gradall Industries • A llied Machine & Engineering • Dover Chemical • Lauren International • Z immer Surgical Products

Prominent Businesses in Wayne County • JM Smucker Co • Luk • JLG • Frito-Lay • Wooster-Brush • Artiflex Mfg.

TUSCARAWAS. FIRST IN OHIO’S HEART

Tuscarawas County is home to Ohio’s first European settlements, Schoenbrunn Village and Gnadenhutten, both dating to 1772. Schoenbrunn Village has been charmingly restored and recreated for visitors, as has the Dennison Railroad Museum, a newly designated National Landmark. Retention and expansion activities are on the rise in many precision manufacturing facilities, while the influx of oil and gas producers for the Utica Shale play has business humming in the county.

Dynamic & Diversified in Wayne

Wayne County has evolved into a highly diverse and dynamic community. With a vibrant, international manufacturing community, Wayne County has been ranked as one of the Top Six U.S. micropolitan areas for new business growth for six consecutive years. fDi Intelligence, a division of the Financial Times, ranked Wooster as one of the Top Ten locations in North America for business friendliness and business competitiveness in its 2011-12 American Cities of the Future rankings.

Photo Credit: Wayne Economic Development Council

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Players take the field, for growth We are five diverse counties, but linked by our excitement for the future and our hardworking heritage. Your five partners are the keys to a very welcoming business climate.

Whether you need advice, technical assistance, connections to governmental bodies or any other help – let us be your first call.

We have longstanding strengths in corporate leadership and high-tech research. We understand our treasures, from scenic Wayne County, to the hot arts scene in Canton, from the Pro Football Hall of Fame to classic college towns. And we know how to make the most of new discoveries – and the supply chains they inspire – such as the Utica shale.

Your PartnerS can help you financial assistance

Loan consulting, packaging and structuring for federal, state and local funding sources.

Government access

infrastructure

Planning and coordination with public sector officials to identify and fund long-term infrastructure improvements.

Access to government agencies and help reducing barriers to growth/expansion. Information about accessing tax incentives, credits and benefits.

business plans

market data

Help with labor and talent, attraction, research facilities, and support from regional partners such as MAGNET and BioEnterprise.

Statistics on operating costs and wages to help analyze advantages of doing business here.

Assistance to start-up and existing businesses in preparing written business plans.

And more

site identification

No-cost access to our database of industrial and commercial buildings and land for sale or lease.

Photo Credit: Republic Steel

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Photo Credit: Mahon Studios, Inc. 2012

Photo Credit: Pro Football Hall of Fame

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Photo Credit: Akron-Canton Airport

Flying High with CAK Akron-Canton Airport is a shining asset for business and economic development. One of the fastest-growing airports in the Midwest, Akron-Canton has made strategic expansions and facilitated important carrier additions (such as Southwest Airlines) – all with its well-known ease of use and amenities intact. CAK continues to benefit the economies of Stark and surrounding counties.

The airport authority has unveiled CAK 2018 – the most ambitious capital improvement plan in Akron-Canton Airport’s history. The 10-year, $110 million plan calls for 10 vital projects in the next 10 years. From a major runway extension to a new customs and border patrol facility to accommodate international flights, the projects will create new flight options for travelers in Northeast Ohio, the Cleveland+ region, and will hugely support growth in our own five-county region.

www.akroncantonairport.com

Photo Credit: Akron-Canton Airport

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Photo Credit: Stark County Development Board

BIRTHPLACE OF IDEAS

Thanks to the business development professionals in Stark, Tuscarawas, Wayne, Ashland and Richland counties, the region offers significant advantages for growing businesses. These professionals serve as advocates, provide counsel, make connections, arrange for financing and do whatever is needed to help you.

It’s a collaboration that has a history of working well. Projects develop, advance and come to fruition because of swift and decisive delivery of essential support at critical points.

Proactive Support in Ashland

Ashland Area Council for Economic Development works daily with the city of Ashland, Ashland County, the Mohican Area Growth Foundation and private donors. A recent example was support for American Augers’ expansion with new electrical infrastructure and roadways.

Tuscarawas Facilitators

The County Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Manufacturers Round Table meetings while the County Community Improvement Corp. links employers to JobsOhio Creation Tax Credits, the Ohio Incumbent Work Training Voucher Program and MAGNET.

Technology Serves the Land

The BioHio Research Park in Wayne County is a first-in-thestate business and technology center for advancing the field of agricultural biosciences, such as high-impact areas in renewable energy and materials, food safety, genetic crop improvement and environmental remediation.

Based on technology discovered at the College of Wooster, ABSMaterials has received numerous awards and grants for its innovative research and groundbreaking solutions in water remediation.

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Business plus Education.

The Wind Energy Research and Development Center, announced in 2011 and under development, is a joint venture of The Timken Company and Stark State College.

Stark County Port Authority helped to secure financing to move the 18,000-square-foot project forward, which will develop bearing systems in wind turbines. The results are 65 new jobs and a special research and technical certification program for Stark State College students.

Funding combines $6 million from Timken, $2.1 milion from Ohio’s Third Frontier and $1.5 million lent by the Ohio Air Quality Authority’s Advanced Energy Jobs Stimulus Program.

Collaboration is key.

The Wayne Economic Development Council meets annually with more than 60 businesses, providing project management services that include site selection, labor market analysis, incentives negotiation and more.

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Photo Credit: Republic Steel

Photo Credit: Mahon Studios, Inc. 2012

Photo Credit: Stark County Development Board

Innovation across the board agbioscience RESEARCH

The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), the largest agbioscience research facility in the country, has worked since 1892 to keep Ohio positioned favorably in a global agricultural economy. Today, it is home to the BioHio Research Park and is looking beyond the classroom and lab to commercialize technology that can lead to startup companies or attract businesses to invest and build their workforces in the region.

A TOUCHDOWN BY ANY DEFINITION

The Stark Port Authority recently assisted the Pro Football Hall of Fame with its Future 50 Project, a $10 million upgrade to the popular National Football Museum, by issuing tax-exempt revenue bonds to finance portions of the renovation.

LOW COSTS, BIG REWARDS IN ASHLAND

Barbisol’s new 80,000 sq. ft. plant made good use of Ashland’s remarkable low-cost land and low cost of living (10th in the nation). Lance Inc.’s purchase of the Archway commercial bakery was inspired by these factors, as well as by Ashland’s being a college town in a pastoral setting.

FOLLOWING THE MONEY

Shearer’s Foods, the country’s largest private-brand chip maker, built the first LEED® Certified Platinum snack food plant in the world, and has made two major plant expansions. The first phase, a $20 million investment, creating about 70 jobs, was financed by loans through Stark County Port Authority, helped by the Stark Development Board. Shearer’s used $8 million in Economic Recovery Zone bonds to build Phase One of the $66.5 million Millennium manufacturing plant in Massillon. The Port Authority also helped Signet Healthcare Jackson, LLC and Mercy Medical Center finance a 55,000-square-foot medical office building.

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Photo Credit: College of Wooster

Colleges and Universities • Ashland University • A shland University Massillon/Stark Center • A ultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Learning drives progress The region is rich in schooling – great K-12 systems, of course, but also community colleges, college and university branches, and top-shelf private universities and colleges: benefiting everything from fuel cell development to agbioscience research, engineering technology to nursing.

• College of Wooster • K ent State University, Stark • K ent State University, Tuscarawas • Malone University • N orth Central State College • O SU Agricultural Technical Institute • O SU Agricultural Research and Development Center

Photo Credit: Stark State College

• OSU Mansfield • Stark State College • U niversity of Akron, Wayne College • U niversity of Mount Union • Walsh University

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This region LEADS in OIL & GAS TRAINING

Stark State College is receiving $10 million for a Downtown Campus and Energy Center in Canton for the education and training needs of the emerging oil and gas industry and to serve students and companies in our region, part of the State of Ohio’s $400 million biennial capital budget for higher education. Also, the Department of Labor and The Timken Foundation have awarded Stark State $3.26 million to develop new shale oil and gas training, underwriting labs, equipment and curricula at the Energy Innovation Institute. Ohio State ATI has been awarded an Advanced Technological Education grant from the National Science Foundation for “Bioenergy: A Model Workforce Education Program.” The three-year grant will provide $762,416 to develop a new associate of science degree and certificate program in bioenergy.

ashland // richland // stark Tuscarawas // wayne

Workforce Development AND AVAILABILITY With their rich manufacturing heritage, our counties have a legacy of skilled workforces that have often been called on to make things better, faster and more efficiently. Each local economic development agency is dialed in directly with its county’s business base and knowledgeable about the special workforce attributes required for growth and prosperity.

Our partners in Training, Education & Employment Services • T he Corporate University at Kent State Stark is a one-stop organizational and professional development training center, providing management training, surveys and research, human resources certification, customized training, and coaching and career transition.

• T he Employment Source. A job matching system at no cost to Stark and Tuscarawas County employers and an array of no-cost services for job seekers. In Wayne, Richland and Ashland Counties there are additional organizations that can help you. The Richland County OneStop Employment & Training Center and the Employment & Training Connection in Wayne are both ready to help you.

• K ehoe Center for Advanced Learning houses a nationally recognized Integrated Systems Technology laboratory and the regional Advanced Manufacturing Tool & Die Center.

• T he OSU Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster is a source for training and research to advance knowledge and generate economic development opportunities in advanced bioenergy and biobased products; environmental quality and sustainability; and food security, production, and human health.

• R ichland County Workforce Partnerships is your single point of contact to address your training needs: skill upgrades, industrial training, soft-skill development, business essentials, leadership training, and customized training to meet your specific needs and enhance the quality of your workforce.

• S tark State College provides quality, high-value associate degrees and professional development, and is committed to business and community partnerships.

• T uscarawas Regional Technology Park. Nurturing education, entrepreneurship, R&D, and high tech business and industry production. Also, the Office of Business and Community Services located on the campus of Kent State University at Tuscarawas provides a diverse range of workforce development and training programs.

• T he University of Akron Wayne College’s Office of Continuing

Education and Workforce Development in Orville provides career guidance,

business/industry training solutions, skill upgrades, and has recently received a Department of Labor’s H-1B Technical Skills Training Grant for recruiting and training individuals as network security professionals.

Where to start?

Don’t go it alone. Call us.

Ashland Area Council for Economic Development 419.289.3200 • www.ashlanded.com Richland Community Development Group 419.755.7234 • www.chooserichland.com Stark Development Board 330.453.5900 • www.starkcoohio.com Tuscarawas County Community Improvement Corp. 330.308.7524 • www.tusccic.com Wayne Economic Development Council 330.264.2411 • www.waynecountyedc.com

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WE ARE COLLABOR18 for businesses that call NEO home – to keep them here, and help them grow.

We are devoted to making it easy for every business to secure the help it needs to succeed.

Ashland/richland/stark/tuscarawas/wayne

This broad swath of Northeastern Ohio potential has an exciting story to tell. From gorgeous and fruitful countryside to major industries to rapidly expanding energy sources, our five-county region is packed with higher education, skilled technical labor, and new ideas.

LAKE CUYAHOGA

GEAUGA ASHTABULA

SUMMIT LORAIN

TRUMBULL

ERIE

PORTAGE HURON MAHONING

COLUMBIANA

RICHLAND

WAYNE

STARK TUSCARAWAS

ASHLAND MEDINA

GREATER AKRON CHAMBER

TEAM LORAIN COUNTY

GREATER CLEVELAND PARTNERSHIP

STARK DEVELOPMENT BOARD

YOUNGSTOWN/WARREN REGIONAL CHAMBER

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regional economic development partners

FOR BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION

In Erie County, Huron County, Lorain County

Huron County Development Council

energy and creativity will grow the future This western cluster of counties has Lake Erie coastlines and islands and a very diverse economic region. Rich in history, science and learning, the area deploys educational resources and a resilient spirit for new industries while ensuring its traditional manufacturing base continues to rebound. Economic development is taken seriously here – using natural and man-made assets and an extraordinary amount of collaboration to build opportunity.

Three things to know Tending the economic garden.

1 2 3

We take a unique approach to economic development, supporting business growth and the creation of jobs from the ground up. Our business incubators, RISE (Regional Incubator for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship) and GLIDE (Great Lakes Innovation and Development Enterprise), are comprehensive resource hubs that accelerate growth for both entrepreneurs and existing businesses through a seasoned advisor core and connections to a network of service providers.

Outer space in our space.

As the home of Plum Brook Station, we have unique resources and opportunities available to the private sector. This field station of NASA Glenn Research Center near Sandusky encompasses over 6,400 controlled acres where NASA and governmental agencies work with experienced researchers and staff, creating opportunities for design, fabrication, installation, and operations support.

Work hard and play hard.

We will enhance manufacturing while diversifying our economy. National trends suggest specific manufacturing sectors will continue to grow. Our manufacturing workforce makes us attractive to those needing skilled labor, while we can leverage tourism for lifestyle amenities that appeal to young professionals and many others.

erie lorain

huron

Erie County Economic Development Corporation 419.627.7791 • www.eriecountyedc.org Huron County Development Council 419.663.4232 • www.hcdc.net Team Lorain County 440.328.2563 • www.teamloraincounty.com

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Erie // huron // lorain

Each Day Dawns Differently A microcosm of Northeast Ohio, with suburbs, cities, vacation areas, and rural farmland in abundance, our region also stars corporate HQs and cutting-edge education. We have a strong agricultural base; logistics; diverse manufacturing from food processing to medical devices, automotive supply and machine shops; strong construction industry presence, NASA Plum Brook, medical facilities, and unique Lake Lake Erie Tourism Erie tourism.

Kelleys Island, Sandusky and Cedar Point gift us with natural beauty and tourism attractions, plus steady economic drivers.

In our counties the wineries, vineyards, orchards, restaurants and entertainment districts all add to the mix.

There is a playbook of successful collaboration between our counties and the business resources they have to offer.

Team Lorain County and its partners, Erie County Economic Development Corporation and Huron County Development Council, have teams in place to connect you to whatever you need to succeed.

Collaboration: we get it.

A True Community A joint effort of the City of Oberlin, Oberlin College, and private and institutional partners, the Oberlin Project works to improve our communities’ resilience, prosperity and sustainability.

Photo Credit: MAGNET

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Erie // huron // lorain

Moving at the Speed of Business Team Lorain County and partners provide immediate points of contact for your county’s business resources. These are resources available to any business in the counties.

• Proactive outreach from a staff of specialists who know the region.

• R.E.A.L. (Retention, Expansion, Attraction, Leadership) proven method of project management and referral tracking.

• Custom-built incentives, training and capital assistance.

We think outside the box.

• Assistance with expansion plans. We call on businesses to secure important data, and to help companies grow.

Connection and Knowledge. Professional, efficient management of any business project by collaborating with local leaders in education, business, government and philanthropy.

Trust. Our local businesses trust our economic development organizations and comfortably share information. It becomes easy to ask for assistance—crucial to achieving goals.

Economic Gardening, an economic development model based on the principle that entrepreneurs drive economies. We believe in this and seek to create jobs through the development of existing companies.

Results?

We have a few.

Tax Credits. The City of Avon Lake approved a business incentive program with a tax benefit to all existing businesses that add payroll in any given year. Lorain, Amherst and Elyria have also adopted tax credit incentives for businesses.

Yummy. New Horizons Baking Company in Norwalk expanded its capabilities with a rail spur designed to accommodate their increased flour delivery. Team Lorain County worked with Lorain officials to craft a business incentive for Pierre Foods, winning (away from the Southern U.S.) the firm’s new 400+ employee expansion.

SMART Center on the campus of Lorain County Community College is an open source for university and industry partners to access state-of-the-market equipment and support in sensor packaging, testing/reliability and advanced life simulation.

Photo Credit: Huron County Development Council

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Photo Credit: Huron County Development Council

Erie // huron // lorain

OUR COUNTIES Prominent Businesses in Erie County • Cedar Fair/Cedar Point • F irelands Regional Medical Center • Ventra Sandusky

Erie County

Erie County has a proud history of over 150 years of growth, evolving from a largely unsettled territory into a thriving region of tight knit municipalities and townships. Today, it enjoys a strong heritage and historical associations, a diverse employment base, and one of the top vacation destinations in the United States.

• Freudenberg NOK • K alahari Resorts & Conventions • I nternational Automotive Components

Prominent Businesses in Huron County • B erry Plastics/Venture Packaging • C ampbell Soup Co/ Pepperidge Farm • CSX

Huron County

Huron County is setting the stage for additional economic growth. Private industry investment is increasing as is job growth. Healthcare facilities have invested in their communities, such as Willard’s Mercy Hospital’s new $40.5 million facility. Construction is growing as the economy recovers and businesses and individuals start making additional investments.

• F isher-Titus Medical Center • MTD/Midwest Products • RR Donnelly

Prominent Businesses in Lorain County • BASF • Ford Motor Company • Invacare Corporation • Nordson Corporation • Parker Hannifin

Lorain County

Lorain County represents some of the best aspects of rural, urban, and suburban America. Our industries benefit from logistical assets including rail, interstates, and the port of Lorain.

Manufacturing brought people here and created a legacy of experience, skills, and hard work that continues to evolve and benefit today’s entrepreneurs and businesses. Our strong roots set the stage for strong growth in the 21st century and beyond.

• PolyOne Corporation • R epublic Engineered Products • U nited States Steel Corporation

Photo: Kalahari Resort

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Erie // huron // lorain

Photo Credit: Oberlin College

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Photo Credit: NASA

Erie // huron // lorain

Photo Credit: PolyOne

Photo: NASA

Photo Credit: Oberlin College

A Special Kind of Collaboration We have a diverse business footprint, and all three counties draw from partners’ shared assets.

We work together for the growth of our businesses and the positive effects on our communities.

Through key points of contact we help companies grow quickly and effectively.

• B ring it on. Huron County’s designation as a HUB Zone brings business relocation – such as Military Products Group in New London – to the county.

•F armers know to grow. Agriculture is the top economic contributor in Huron County; farmers continually invest in their operations and we help with funding sources.

•L et the sunshine in. Team Lorain County worked with Greenfield Solar to find real estate with a landlord who would adjust the space to exacting lab and manufacturing specs.

•D rink up. Team Lorain County worked with property owner and city officials who could help Heidelberg Distributors with a multi-million dollar transformation of a formerly shuttered factory for distribution.

•B EAR hugs. The Erie County business expansion and retention program known as BEAR gives the business community a two-way flow of ideas, plans and concerns and has identified expansion and retention opportunities of $12 million.

Economic development professionals in all three counties can help you with any aspect of retaining or expanding a business.

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Erie // huron // lorain

From the Point to the Port, Life is Good Our region is ripe to attract business relocation. With a wonderful quality of life, little traffic, affordable homes, great schools, abundance of arts and entertainment – all the amenities with few of the hassles or costs. Urban, suburban, rural or shore. This is coming home.

Your local economic development organizations are here to help you. You need not be a member or investor. Begin with Team Lorain County, Erie County Economic Development Corporation, or Huron County Development Council as your point of contact, and see how far you can go!

Where to start?

Don’t go it alone. Call us.

Team Lorain County - 440.328.2563 • www.teamloraincounty.com Erie County Economic Development Corporation - 419.627.7791 • www.eriecountyedc.org Huron County Development Council - 419.663.4232 • www.hcdc.net

Photo Credit: Cleveland Plus

Photo Credit: Sandusky Register

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Photo Credit: Cleveland Plus

Erie // huron // lorain

Economic Diversity Shines in the West Remarkable diversity – from international tourism to homegrown industries, farmland, a manufacturing heritage, and NASA-driven scientific modeling, research and resources. In response, the region’s economic development organizations are experts, responding to this wide range of businesses and business needs by: • Protecting and supporting existing employment base • Helping with local workforce development plans • Aggressively marketing their counties for new investment and job attraction • Encouraging development of infrastructure • Improving the quality of life for residents These experts focus on quality, taking an aggressive approach as they seek to pinpoint businesses that can be helped, while representing the whole business cycle. Consider the variety of enterprises served: • As the auto industry resurges, so do support industries throughout the region.

• Pepperidge Farm ranks in the top 2% of brands worldwide in brand equity.

• Huron County has machine shops and tourism, agriculture, agricultural businesses, logistics and construction.

• There are villages with 3-job businesses, hometown entrepreneurs who are now millionaires.

• Science-based enterprises shine here.

• Cedar Point is repeatedly judged the world’s greatest roller-coaster park.

Photo Credit: Oberlin College

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Erie // huron // lorain

Photo Credit: PolyOne

Workforce Development AND AVAILABILITY Our organizations engage with institutions that help them make real progress in workforce development. Each company we work with has particular needs. It is our job to understand what our workforce partners offer and match expert to company.

The Workforce Institute works under the direction of the Many legacy industries in our area have created specific pools of technical employees or workers with special training.

• N ew graduates in professional fields • M anufacturing employees in welding and CNC machining • Call center employees

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Lorain County Workforce Development Agency to coordinate partner services at Lorain County’s One-Stop system. In addition to the main location, Lorain County Community College and the Lorain County JVS Adult Career Center are partners that offer additional facilities for services designed to assist job-seekers and companies to access education, training, and re-employment. Greenfield Solar, for example, was able to work with LCCC, LCJVS and Oberlin to find the employees it needs.

Employers place a premium on work experience because it helps bridge the gap between the student’s theoretical classroom learning and its applicability to the workplace. In Erie County, EHOVE Career Center serves to bridge the gaps between education and workforce needs. EHOVE offers 25 different training programs that emphasize high quality career and college readiness. These programs serve growing industries such as healthcare, aerospace, technology, industry and skilled trades and are in tune with local economic and student needs. HCDC does work in collaboration with the Huron County Department of Jobs & Family Services and serves on the WIA Board and as part of the Rapid Response team.

Erie // huron // lorain

Photo Credit: Oberlin College

Education of Heritage and Vision Intensive post-secondary education includes nationally renowned examples of both community college and the liberal arts. Together with in-depth vocational and college prep programs, our institutions of higher learning advance knowledge and collaboration for the greater good.

Colleges and Universities • B owling Green State University-Firelands Campus • EHOVE Career Center • Lorain County JVS • L orain County Community College • Oberlin College

Community College of the Future

Today’s community colleges bring a new wave of education.

One of the top 120 community colleges in the U.S., Lorain County Community College is the only community college in the state to offer a University Partnership, helping people earn degrees from any of eight Ohio universities without leaving the Lorain County Community College campus. The first college in the state to build an advanced technologies center for business and industry, Lorain County Community College has a laboratory aligned with MIT and distance learning courses designated as best practices by the Ohio Learning Network.

Oberlin Builds Communities

Oberlin College holds a distinguished place among American colleges and universities. The four-year, highly selective liberal arts college and conservatory of music was the first college to grant bachelor’s degrees to women in a coeducational environment and, historically, was a leader in the education of African Americans. Oberlin is known as exemplary, but also for a collaborative mindset toward other community institutions, supporting economic progress, sustainability, and talent development.

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WE ARE COLLABOR18 for businesses that call NEO home – to keep them here, and help them grow.

We are devoted to making it easy for every business to secure the help it needs to succeed.

Lorain/Huron/Erie This region has it all – urban, suburban, rural, shore and islands – with economic diversity and energy to match. As it nurtures and builds longstanding industries like manufacturing, tourism and agriculture, it also combines its counties’ strengths for transformative purposes. Knowledgebased resources, from Oberlin College to NASA Plum Brook Station, help entrepreneurs and new businesses make their dreams reality.

LAKE CUYAHOGA

GEAUGA ASHTABULA

SUMMIT LORAIN

TRUMBULL

ERIE

PORTAGE HURON MAHONING

COLUMBIANA

RICHLAND

WAYNE

STARK TUSCARAWAS

ASHLAND MEDINA

GREATER AKRON CHAMBER

TEAM LORAIN COUNTY

GREATER CLEVELAND PARTNERSHIP

STARK DEVELOPMENT BOARD

YOUNGSTOWN/WARREN REGIONAL CHAMBER

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regional economic development partners

FOR BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION

In Ashtabula County, Columbiana County, Mahoning County, Trumbull County

Columbiana County Port Authority

Forged in Steel, NimblE and ready for growth Gateway for Northeast Ohio’s commerce with Pennsylvania and points east, one of the world’s great steelmaking centers, Youngstown and Warren, with the Lake Erie port of Ashtabula and Ohio River access in Columbiana County, made a manufacturing hub for the world. Attributes by which the region prospered – location, access to raw materials, a hardworking and committed population – support developing opportunities in advanced metals and materials, oil and gas, business-to-business software, academic research, and 21st Century manufacturing.

Three things to know

1

Easy commute.

2

The comeback spirit.

3

Leader in steelmaking.

The four-county region is a one-day drive from 50% of the U.S. population and 40% of all Canadians. Ohio Route 11, the Lake-to-River Highway, connects the four counties with Lake Erie and the Ohio River ports, for access to the world.

The region proudly embraces its title “poster child for the comeback spirit,” speaking to the legacy of the region’s hardworking workforce unwilling to sit idle.

Youngstown-Warren continues to be a hotbed for metals R&D to help lead steelmaking into the future.

ASHTABULA

Columbiana County Port Authority 330.386.9051 www.ccpa-ohioriver.com Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County 440.576.9126 www.ashtabulagrowth.com Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber 330.744.2131 www.regionalchamber.com

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TRUMBULL

MAHONING

COLUMBIANA

ASHTABULA // columbiana MAHONING // trumbull

Regional Chamber The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber (Regional Chamber) can help bring your project to life. The Chamber works directly with all government agencies as an advocate and business development resource. The Chamber also connects you with the Columbiana County Port Authority and the Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County. Our acknowledged thought leaders help develop ideas and opportunities for the region’s benefit.

What they’re saying about our region

“Top 10 city in the U.S. to start a new business,” - Entrepreneur Magazine

“Top 10 metropolitan area for business expansion,” - Site Selection

“Young Town Again,”

Retain, Expand, Attract The Regional Chamber has helped more than 450 companies, with investment of $2.9 billion resulting in 19,700 new jobs and 21.3 million square feet of space built or absorbed, with: • Land, buildings, and site selection.

• I ncentives and financing, tax matters, grants and funding, and low-interest financing.

• I nternational trade initiatives, in conjunction with NEOTEC’s International Trade Assistance Center and state/federal/world trade partners.

• Online strategic information available with a few clicks.

- The Economist

Your local economic development organization is here to help you.

Begin with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and partners as your point of contact, and see how far you can go!

Photo Credit: SPIRE

Photo Credit: SPIRE

Photo Credit: Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

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ASHTABULA // columbiana MAHONING // trumbull

In the Middle of Everything Our location close to half of the nation’s population is an outstanding logistical benefit, by which came steel for New York’s skyscrapers, the nation’s bridges, and auto and appliances. Forgings, fabrications, rail cars and more all credit this region for their strength and performance.

Today, we are still blessed with the workforce, easy access and “let’s do it” attitude on which that success was based. Our region’s superior school systems, progressive universities and high quality of life help convince businesses to expand here and put it high on the sites considered by national and international companies.

Player in a Growing Industry Exterran, global leader in oil and gas services, broke ground in 2012 for a new plant to make products for oil and gas midstream operations: a $13 million investment and 100+ jobs – but the tip of the iceberg as exploration/production companies drill for oil and gas in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays. The Regional Chamber assisted Exterran in selecting its Youngstown location and securing incentives.

V&M for Victory Outperforming other good sites in the U.S. and Brazil, Youngstown is now home to the nearly $1 billion expansion of V&M Star, which will produce steel tubing for the shale oil and gas industry.

A significant collaboration of two cities, two counties and private and public officials took place, with many variables along the way that could have scuttled the deal.

V&M’s expansion matters also for the many local companies in its supply chain. The Regional Chamber helped with communication, necessary relationships, and negotiating resources and packaging of incentives.

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Photo Credit: Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

ASHTABULA // ColUmbiana MAHONING // trumbull

OUR COUNTIES Ashtabula County

Ashtabula County offers a low cost of doing business, small-town living, a highly skilled workforce, deep harbors for access to any port in the world, and excellent highway and rail access.

Cradle of the reinforced fiberglass industry, it produces the most polymers and plastics per capita in the U.S. and has a significant cluster of chemical companies. Ashtabula enjoys the presence of Norwegian, Japanese, German, British, Canadian and Taiwanese manufacturers.

Home to four beautiful Lake Erie beaches, Ashtabula County has a growing tourism industry and, thanks to Lake Erie, grows more than 65% of Ohio’s grapes. The Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County provides professional economic development assistance.

Columbiana County

The rolling Appalachian foothills of Columbiana County are beyond picturesque; they remind us of the economic importance of coal and its transport via the Ohio River port cities of East Liverpool and Wellsville and their commercial traffic. The county’s maritime industry has one of the largest tonnage ports in Ohio and the most upstream point on the Ohio River where standard barge tows can be accommodated. The Columbiana County Port Authority operates industrial parks and has developed opportunities related to shale oil and gas. The Wellsville Intermodal Facility has been re-tasked to serve oil and gas, and companies are using it to move and stage materials and product.

Photo Credit: Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

Photo Credit: Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

Photo Credit: Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County

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ASHTABULA // columbiana MAHONING // trumbull

OUR COUNTIES Mahoning County

With Youngstown its largest city, Mahoning County continues to evolve as a new center for advanced manufacturing and developing opportunities in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays.

Known as a steel city, Youngstown continues to support metal-making and is home to the sprawling V&M Star steel tube plant. With an array of affordable and fun cultural and entertainment attractions, a skilled workforce, outstanding education system, and hospitable atmosphere, Mahoning County is on the must-see list for international companies seeking North American locations. The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber serves as the connecting point for all relationships beneficial to business attraction, retention and expansion.

Trumbull County

Trumbull County revels in its automotive heritage. While steelmakers have operated for generations in Warren, Niles and Girard, auto manufacturing has employed many Trumbull Countians since the days when the first Packards rolled off the line in Warren. Now Lordstown produces Chevrolet’s popular, innovative Cruze, with a regional chain of companies supplying the Lordstown assembly plant. The landscape is not totally industrial, however, as agriculture continues to be important, and thousands of acres are set aside as a wildlife refuge where deer and bald eagles thrive. Helping make the world aware of all that Trumbull County has to offer is another of the tasks of the Regional Chamber.

Where to start?

Don’t go it alone. Call us.

Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber 330-744-2131 • www.regionalchamber.com Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County 440-576-9126 • www.ashtabulagrowth.com Columbiana County Port Authority - 330-386-9051 • www.ccpa-ohioriver.com

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Photo Credit: Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

ASHTABULA // ColUmbiana MAHONING // trumbull

From Erie to the Ohio, a Micro-Climate for Growth Ohio Route 11’s corridor tells the region’s story. An easy two-hour drive down this four-lane expressway takes you from the blue water splendor of the Lake Erie coastline in Ashtabula and the farms and woods of Trumbull County to the suburban spread of Youngstown and other Mahoning County communities and the Appalachian foothills that rise up before tumbling to the mighty Ohio River valley in Columbiana County.

The geography is diverse, with a corresponding industrial variety to call each county home.

Bringing it all into focus is innovative support for businesses that wish to expand, a welcoming climate extended to companies that seek to locate here, and partnerships willingly forged by universities and other local institutions. Plus, the cost of doing business is relatively low.

One-Stop Shop All the regional partners are here to help. The Youngstown/ Warren Regional Chamber can get you started.

“ Large enough to be significant, but small enough to be nimble” - Tom Humphries, President & CEO, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber “Relationship brokers” is one term that aptly describes the Regional Chamber’s role, and staff is ROI-driven throughout Mahoning and Trumbull counties (and even across the border in western Pennsylvania).

The Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County delivers economic development assistance to businesses looking to expand or move into the county.

Photo Credit: Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

To the south, the Columbiana County Port Authority manages the development of industrial parks connected by major rail lines and fiber optic cable, including the Wellsville Intermodal Facility, and works with companies to secure necessary support and accommodations.

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ASHTABULA // columbiana MAHONING // trumbull

MANUFACTURING REMAINS STRONG Manufacturing remains strong and creates supply-chain businesses and opportunities for entrepreneurs to build on technology and a highly skilled workforce.

In Mahoning and Trumbull counties, our experienced workers are busy turning out Chevrolet Cruzes, steel and other metals, and products needed by automobile and appliance makers, oil and gas companies, and many other industries. Ashtabula County is a major player in the world’s polymer products industry, while Columbiana County is home to a diverse group of manufacturing and service companies.

Photo Credit: General Motors

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Photo Credit: MAGNET

ASHTABULA // ColUmbiana MAHONING // trumbull

New Energy and Tech Opportunities Steel once accounted for 90% of the economic activity in the Youngstown-Warren region. Almost every family depended on the steady jobs and handsome paychecks. Today the same pivotal location, hardworking history, and talented population supports our counties as they capitalize on new economic opportunities.

Oil and gas will be the area’s future foundation, as the potential of the Marcellus and Utica shale formations is realized. Building blocks include food manufacturing, assembly, transportation and logistics, and new technology developed in the region, which is smack in the middle of the TechBelt stretching from Cleveland to Pittsburgh.

Exporting is important, too. In 2010 alone, the region experienced the highest export growth of any U.S. region in such products as machine tools, automotive parts, and metals and materials.

From Gourmet Tomato Sauce to Fast-Food Logistics Founded in 1948 in Youngstown, Summer Garden Food Manufacturing is known for an array of food products including its GiaRussa brand, celebrity-chef pasta sauces, and other private label goodies. The company has built a state-of-the-art, 50,000-square-foot green LEED Certified manufacturing center in Boardman.

The Regional Chamber helped with project financing and training funds for the project. The company has continued to grow, and recently President Obama visited Summer Garden to honor its success.

Photo Credit: MAGNET

Reinforcing the region as a transportation and logistics gem, the Anderson-DuBose Company selected the Ohio Commerce Center in Trumbull County for its new distribution center and headquarters. The center – located mid-point between Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New York, and Chicago – will serve McDonald’s restaurants in Ohio, West Virginia, New York, and Pennsylvania with paper products and frozen food items.

The Regional Chamber worked to find the ideal site for Anderson-DuBose and helped with financing, tax credits and training.

Photo Credit: Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

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ASHTABULA // columbiana MAHONING // trumbull

Many Hands Make a Strong Workforce Manpower is one thing. But do people bring the skills and dedication required in the global marketplace?

The answer, a resounding “YES!” Our heritage of loyal, hardworking people who moved here to capitalize on amazing opportunities has passed to the current generation who continue making this their home. People want to work here and seize on available resources to equip themselves.

The county economic development partners routinely collaborate with schools, career centers, and institutions of higher education and technical training in developing resources for workforce services and training.

Skills development partners include Youngstown State University, Eastern Gateway Community College, and Kent State University campuses in Trumbull, Ashtabula, and Columbiana counties.

Exterran selects Youngstown for its manufacturing plant When Exterran selected Youngstown as the location for its manufacturing plant, a critical piece of the puzzle was the availability of skilled people. Part of the Regional Chamber’s service in bringing Exterran to town was securing workforce training.

“We chose the Youngstown area for our new facility to ensure the rapid and efficient delivery of quality products to our clients working in these two prolific shale plays and because of the outstanding quality of the local workforce,” said Sean Clawges, Exterran’s director of global manufacturing expansion.

Photo Credit: Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

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Photo Credit: Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

ASHTABULA // ColUmbiana MAHONING // trumbull

From STEM to Stern, Education adds Value Opportunities abound in higher education. The region within 75 miles of Youngstown and Warren boasts 55 colleges and universities. In the four counties of Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Ashtabula, seven campuses help those seeking degrees, from associate to Ph.D. Each institution has a history of collaboration with local economic development agencies. They provide training and other special programs developed in cooperation with businesses.

For employers, Eastern Gateway Community College specializes in workplace skills training, including those required by the burgeoning shale gas and oil production industry.

Colleges and Universities • Eastern Gateway Community College • Kent State University, Ashtabula • Kent State University, East Liverpool • Kent State University, Salem • Kent State University, Trumbull • Walsh University, Youngstown • Youngstown State University

Photo Credit: Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

Photo Credit: Kent State University

STEM Gains Regional Momentum Science, technology, engineering and math are a very big deal in the Youngstown-Warren region. Youngstown State University’s new College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics has outstanding opportunities for students and industry, and Youngstown’s Chaney High School is a designated STEM high school.

YSU’s STEM College was the first of its kind in Ohio and is still one of only four in the United States. The majority of undergraduates major in engineering and computer science and are becoming valuable contributors to business and industry in the region and around the world. A YSU student recently interned with an electric vehicle manufacturer in Korea, thanks to arrangements secured by the Regional Chamber.

The STEM College partnerships with local companies are strong, resulting in innovation at companies like Northern State Metals, M-7 Technologies, Fireline TCON, and others.

Photo Credit: MAGNET

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WE ARE COLLABOR18 for businesses that call NEO home – to keep them here, and help them grow.

We are devoted to making it easy for every business to secure the help it needs to succeed.

ashtabula/columbiana/mahoning/trumbull

Forming NEO’s border with Pennsylvania, the eastern subregion can look in two directions, making it a vital area for emerging growth. There’s a new excitement in the Steel Valley and points north and south: born of resurgent industries, new opportunities, and shining examples of higher education, business diversity, technical education, new energy, and a proud workforce give the area its special energy.

GEAUGA CUYAHOGA

LAKE ASHTABULA

SUMMIT LORAIN

TRUMBULL

ERIE

PORTAGE HURON MAHONING

COLUMBIANA

RICHLAND

WAYNE

STARK TUSCARAWAS

ASHLAND MEDINA

GREATER AKRON CHAMBER

TEAM LORAIN COUNTY

GREATER CLEVELAND PARTNERSHIP

STARK DEVELOPMENT BOARD

YOUNGSTOWN/WARREN REGIONAL CHAMBER

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local economic development organizations of northeast ohio Ashland Area Council for Economic Development

Medina County Economic Development Corporation

Columbiana County Port Authority

Portage Development Board

Erie County Economic Development Corporation

Richland Community Development Group

Geauga Growth Partnership, Inc.

Stark Development Board, Inc.

Ashland County 419.289.3200 • www.ashlanded.com

Columbiana County 330.386.9051 • www.ccpa-ohioriver.com

Erie County 419.627.7791 • www.eriecountyedc.org

Geauga County 440.564.1060 www.geaugagrowth.com

Greater Akron Chamber Summit County 330.376.5550 www.greaterakronchamber.org

Greater Cleveland Partnership Cuyahoga County 216.592.2208 • www.gcpartnership.com

Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County

Ashtabula County 440.576.9126 • www.ashtabulagrowth.com

Huron County Development Council

Huron County 419.663.4232 • www.hcdc.net

Medina County 330.722.9215 • www.medinacounty.org

Portage County 330.297.3470 • www.portagedevbd.org

Richland County 419.755.7234 • www.chooserichland.com

Stark County 330.453.5900 • www.starkcoohio.com

Team Lorain County

Lorain County 440.328.2563 • www.teamloraincounty.com

Tuscarawas County Community Improvement Corporation Tuscarawas County 330.308.7524 • www.tusccic.com

Wayne Economic Development Council

Wayne County 330.264.2411 • www.waynecountyedc.com

Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

Mahoning County • Trumbull County 330.744.2131 • www.regionalchamber.com

Lake County Port Authority Lake County 440.357.2290 • www.lcedc.org

regional economic development organizations for northeast ohio BioEnterprise

NorTech

JumpStart

Team NEO

216-658-3999 • www.bioenterprise.com 216-363-3400 • www.jumpstartinc.org

MAGNET

216-391-7002 www.manufacturingsuccess.org

216-363-6883 • www.nortech.org 1-888-636-1411 www.clevelandplusbusiness.com

MEANS BUSINESS

Columbiana County Port Authority

Ashland Area Council for Economic Development

Columbiana County Port Authority

Erie County Ecnonomic Development Corporation

Geauga Growth Partnership

Huron County Development Council

Greater Akron Chamber

Greater Cleveland Partnership

Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County

Huron County Development Council

Explore the possibilities

Lake County Port Authority

Medina County Economic Development Corporation

Portage Development Board

Richland Community Development Group

Stark Development Board

Team Lorain County

Tuscarawas County Community Improvement Corporation

Wayne Economic Development Council

Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

JumpStart

NorTech

Cleveland Plus

BioEnterprise

MAGNET

NETWORK REGIONAL PARTNER

Produced and published by Kleidon & Associates, with assistance from Innis Maggiore. For questions about this publication, contact Kleidon & Associates, 330-666-5984.