collabor18 brochure

FOR BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION

NORThEAST OhIOREgIONAl EcONOmIcdEvElOPmENT PARTNERS

Representing local economic development organizations in the 18 counties of Northeast Ohio

YOUR BUSINESS IS NOT AlONEIn 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.

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cOllABOR18 TOgEThER wITh TEAm NEO ANd jOBSOhIO

Ashland Area Council for Economic Development

Columbiana County Port Authority

Erie County Economic Development Corporation

Geauga Growth Partnership

Greater Akron Chamber

Greater Cleveland Partnership

Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County

Huron County Development Council

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

Wayne Economic Development Council

Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

3NEO!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 worlds 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

4ThE PlAcE TO BELive, 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 cREATIONResponsible for 40% of Ohios 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 days 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

Photo Credit: Parklands

lIFE IS gOOd IN NEO

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cUYAhOgA, gEAUgA ANd lAkECuyahoga County boasts major league sports, world renowned arts, culture and healthcare, and billions of dollars in real estate and business development. The economic transfor-mation 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 grow-ing. 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 its all here.

ERIE, hURON ANd lORAINThe 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 busi-ness 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: Ferrante Vineyards

Photo Credit: Holden Arboretum

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 Bruells LAlbatross in Uni-versity Circle was named a 2009 best new restaurant by Esquire. This is the home of Iron Chef Michael Symons Lola, Lolita and more. Historic and ethnic neigh-borhoods 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 worlds greatest roller coasters, were constantly uncorking a unique vintage.

6mEdINA, PORTAgE ANd SUmmITWhere else will you find a national park at your doorstep,

picture-perfect villages, blimps overhead and a music scene that rocks? The Central subregion, thats where!

Distinguished by leafy neighborhoods and much more, this areas 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 trans-formation 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.

citizens working together have brought cultural and natural riches to the central subregion. Every architect dreams of

defying gravity, and Akrons na-tionally renowned art museum elevates the contemplation of modern and contemporary art into an art form of its own.

Fourth 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.

Photo Credits: Bruce Ford Photography

7AShTABUlA, 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 worlds 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, wAYNEAshland, 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 Countys

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.

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, afford-able Donald Ross layout. Ashtabulas unique sports complex, the SPIRE Institute, will drive growth through NCAA, amateur and Olympic-caliber events.

made for discovery.Wandering the highways and roads of the South region turns up some interesting juxtapo-sitions. 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 consecu-tive 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.

8With over $12 billion worth of major capital investments being made in Northeast Ohio and a $170 billion economy, its no surprise that 70% of Fortune 500 companies have a presence in the region. This is one of Americas best entrepreneurial ecosystems, in its local clusters and its larger resources.

NEO: A clImATE FOR BUSINESS

Rust Belt verveUpswing 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 PlUSCleveland 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 organiza-tions attract talent to NEO.

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

Photo Credit: Lincoln Electric

Photo Credit: EJ Thomas Hall

9EcONOmIc dIvERSITY, ThE lIFEBlOOd OF NORThEAST OhIO

major Industries Advanced energy

Advanced manufacturing

Advanced materials

Aerospace

Agbioscience

Automotive

Biomedical

Financial services

Food processing

Instruments and controls

Mechanical engineering

Medical devices

Oil and gas

Professional services (IT, data and call centers)

mAJOR PRIvATE EmPlOYERS IN NEO

Akron Childrens Hospital

Akron General Health System

Bridgestone Americas

Aultman Health Foundation

Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland Clinic

FirstEnergy Corp.

General Motors Co.

Giant Eagle Inc.

Goodyear

Group Management Services Inc.

KeyCorp

MetroHealth System

MTD Products, Inc.

Progressive Corp.

Swagelok Co.

Summa Health System

Timken Co.

University Hospitals

Westfield Group

Photo Credit: MAGNET Photo Credit: Greater Cleveland Partnership

Photo Credit: Huron County Economic Development Council

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NORThEAST OhIO IS RIch IN REgION-wIdE SUPPORTFIvE 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 futureBioEnterprise 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 businessTeam NEO advances Northeast Ohios economy by serving as the regions private-sector economic development hub. It builds collaboration among the regions economic develop-ment organizations, attracts new business from around the world and connects the region to the states JobsOhio program.

JobsOhio is a private, nonprofit organization supporting Ohios

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 regions 18-county

partners to expand and retain existing business and accelerate job growth. Team NEOs Regional Business Development staff is

the gateway to JobsOhio for companies seeking support for growth and job creation.

Photo Credit: MAGNET

NETWORK REGIONAL PARTNER

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MAGNET, making the most of making thingsThe Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET), is our regions 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 MAGNETs business incubator program.

NorTech, connectivity for the tech economyNorTech, 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 successRecognizing 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 entrepre-neurs 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. JumpStarts 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.

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 whats 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 require-ments 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!

wORkFORcE AvAIlABIlITY ANd dEvElOPmENT

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 educa-tion innovators, entrepreneurs to expert farmers to experienced number-crunchers. If theres one thing they all have in common, its a deep interest in seeing both regional and local economy succeed, because that is where opportunity comes from.

12 Photo Credit: Cuyahoga Community College

NORThEAST OhIO, BRAIN TRUST

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


Cleveland Institute of Art

Cleveland Institute of Music

Cleveland State University

College of Wooster Cuyahoga Community

College Eastern Gateway

Community College

EHOVE Career Center Hiram College ITT Educational Services John Carroll University Kent State University KSU College of

Podiatric Medicine KSU - Ashtabula KSU - East Liverpool KSU - Geauga KSU - Salem KSU - Stark KSU - Trumbull KSU - Tuscarawas Lake Erie College Lakeland Community

College Lorain County

Community College Lorain County JVS Malone University North Central

State College Northeast Ohio Medical

University

Notre Dame College of Ohio

Oberlin College Ohio College of

Podiatric Medicine OSU Agricultural

Technical Institute, Research and Development Center

Remington College Siegal College of

Judaic Studies Stark State College University of Akron UA - Wayne College University of

Mount Union Ursuline College Virginia Marti College of

Art and Design Walsh University Walsh - Youngstown Youngstown State

University

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.

13Photo Credit: KSU Portage

CUYAHOGA

SUMMIT

LAKE

GEAUGA

ASHTABULA

TRUMBULL

COLUMBIANA

STARKWAYNE

MEDINA

ASHLAND

RICHLAND

HURON

ERIE

TUSCARAWAS

MAHONING

PORTAGE

LORAIN

wE ARE cOllABOR18for 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 REgIONGreater Cleveland Partnership 216.592.2208 www.gcpartnership.com

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

Lake County Port Authority 440.357.2290 www.lcedc.org

SOUTh REgIONStark Development Board, Inc. 330.453.5900 www.starkcoohio.com

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

Richland Community Development Group419.755.7234 www.chooserichland.com

Tuscarawas County Community Improvement Corp. 330.308.7524 www.tusccic.com

Wayne Economic Development Council 330.264.2411 www.waynecountyedc.com

cENTRAl REgIONGreater Akron Chamber 330.376.5550 www.greaterakronchamber.org

Medina County Economic Development Corp. 330.722.9215 www.medinacounty.org

Portage Development Board330.297.3470 www.portagedevbd.org

EAST REgIONYoungstown/Warren Regional Chamber 330.744.2131 www.regionalchamber.com

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

Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County 440.576.9126 www.ashtabulagrowth.com

wEST REgIONTeam Lorain County 440.328.2563 www.teamloraincounty.com

Erie County Economic Development Corp. 419.627.7791 www.eriecountyedc.org

Huron County Development Council 419.663.4232 www.hcdc.net

FOR BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSIONMedina County Portage County Summit County

REgIONAl EcONOmIcdEvElOPmENT PARTNERS

ThE EPIcENTER OF NORThEAST OhIOThe 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 regions resilient business climate.

ThREE ThINgS TO kNOwTech smart and savvy people.Goodyears new global and North American headquarters. Bridgestone Americas state-of-the-art technical center. Americas preeminent polymers program at the University of Akron. Kent State Universitys 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.

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PORTAgE

SUmmIT

mEdINA

Explore the possibilities

mEdINA // PORTAgE // SUmmIT

INvENTIvENESS FOR ThE FUTUREAs each change in fortunes occurred, local business people, thinkers and creators have seized the moment. Every change is a catalyst for invention, resulting in todays 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 cyber-secure location of choice.

BIOmEdIcINE TRANSFORmS REgION Akron Biomedical Corridor, expected to create nearly

3,000 jobs within the next five years.

Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron, an Ohio Center of Excellence for Biomedicine and Healthcare, winner of U.S. Department of Commerces i6 National Innova-tion Challenge.

Akron Polymer Systems, part of the growing Biomedical Corridor.

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

Medical device specialists such as OrthoHelix, Phillips Medica and Hitachi.

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AkRON hAS 15% OF ITS wORkFORcEEmPlOyEd IN hEAlThcARE

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

Photo Credit: Bruce Ford Photography

NETwORkINgComplete orientation to the Greater Akron Region.

SITE lOcATIONSite and building identification through our exclusive commercial real estate database.

dEmOgRAPhIc dATAComprehensive statistical data and information covering all aspects of the region.

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

FINANcINgFixed-asset programs through industrial revenue bond financing and Ohio enterprise

bond financing.

PROFESSIONAl SUPPORTThroughout the entire relocation/expansion process.

yOUR PARTNER, whEREvER yOU AREThe greater Akron chamber Business development team provides:

gREATER AkRON chAmBER cONNEcTSThe 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 incorpo-rates a sophisticated questionnaire-based process that produces highly accurate and helpful results. These 100% confidential interviews uncover significant opportunities to keep busi-nesses 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!

4 Photo Credit: Medina County Economic Development Corp.


mEdINAS SmAll TOwN chARm, All gROwN UPMedina 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.

PORTAgE ROllS TO ThE EAST, BRIllIANTlyIn 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.

hIgh TEch IN ThE cOUNTy AT ThE SUmmITRapidly 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 empow-ering the next generation.

Prominent Businesses in medina county

A.I. Root Company MTD Products Inc. Owens Corning Plastipak Packaging Inc. Sandridge Foods RPM International, Inc. Westfield Group

Prominent Businesses in Portage county

Chrysler Davey Tree Expert East Manufacturing General Electric Co. LOreal McMaster-Carr Supply Step2 Company

OUR cOUNTIES

Prominent Businesses in Summit county

Bridgestone/Firestone FirstEnergy FirstMerit GOJO Goodyear Lockheed Martin Sterling Jewelers

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6 Photo Credit: Bruce Ford Photography




Photo Credit: City of Kent

Photo Credit: City of Kent

7A BUSINESS dEvElOPmENT EcOSySTEmThe 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 Countys 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 countys 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!



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 abun-dant 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 metro-politan areas in the country where an idea can progress from inception to distribution using local resources exclusively.

goodyear commits to Region. 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.


8 Photo Credit: City of Kent Photo Credit: Bruce Ford Photography


Photo: Bruce Ford Photography



EcONOmIc dIvERSITy dRIvES USThe 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 UPBegin with brilliant work on innovation: KSUs 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 mATERIAlSMore than 200 companies in these industries, employing more than 10,000 people, have established themselves in the region.

ShAlE, ThE NEXT FRONTIERThe Greater Akron Region is becoming a staging area for industrial companies looking to support full-service shale exploration and production.

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wORkFORcE dEvElOPmENTTalent 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 organiza-tions find, hire and retain employees.

Our partners in Training, Education & Employment Services

The 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.

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


where to start? dont 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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lEARNINg IS FOREvERThe 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

Hiram College

Kent State University

Northeast Ohio Medical University

University of Akron

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.

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Photo Credit: Kent State University

Photo Credit: NEOMED


mEdINA/PORTAgE/SUmmITMedina, 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.

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CUYAHOGA

SUMMIT

LAKE

GEAUGA

ASHTABULA

TRUMBULL

COLUMBIANA

STARKWAYNE

MEDINA

ASHLAND

RICHLAND

HURON

ERIE

TUSCARAWAS

MAHONING

PORTAGE

LORAIN

GREATER AKRONCHAMBER

TEAM LORAINCOUNTY

YOUNGSTOWN/WARRENREGIONAL CHAMBER

STARK DEVELOPMENT BOARD

GREATER CLEVELANDPARTNERSHIP

FOR BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSIONIn Cuyahoga County, Geauga County, Lake County


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

ThREE ThINgS TO kNOw

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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.

An era of unprecedented partnership.Cuyahoga Countys new county executive governance is trans-formative 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.

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gEAUgA

lAkE

cUyAhOgA

ThE STORy OF ThIS AREA IS ThE RElATION OF ThE whOlE TO EXcEllENT PARTSLegacy 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 popula-tion 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 PARTNERShIPCollaboration has led to many examples of successful expan-sion, retention and attraction in our region over the last year. Success stories include:

Lincoln Electric AmTrust Phillips Steris Manitowoc Alexander Mann Solutions

The Greater Cleveland Partnership, Geauga Growth Partner-ship, and Lake County Port Authority can connect your business to the right resources for your needs.

3Photo Credit: Lincoln Electric

cUyAhOgA // gEAUgA // lAkE


yOUR PARTNERS, whEREvER yOU AREwe work to:

yOUR lOcAl PARTNERS yOUR FIRST cAllConsider 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 busi-ness alliances or more we can get it going for you.

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UNdERSTANdUnderstand the needs of both individual company and industry segments.

cONNEcTConnect your business to community resourc-es at local, county, state and federal agencies.

hElPHelp by leveraging our relationships with recruitment and training experts.

cOORdINATE Coordinate with our partners and affiliates,

public and private, to create multi-faceted teams to address your business needs.

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

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

dEvElOP Develop in collaboration with biz starters such as Team NEO and MAGNET.

STRATEgIZEStrategize for targeted physical development, working with GCPs real estate development affiliate Cleveland Development Advisors and

its partners to leverage and connect existing assets and create new amenities that stimu-late further economic development.

wE dO ThIS TOgEThERThe 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.

5gREATER clEvElANd PARTNERShIPThe 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 invest-ment 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 gROwThFrom 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 work-force 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 sur-rounding communities stand out for their seamless blending of amenities with action: hip neighborhoods that look over steel valleys, educational and cultural districts that adjoin reinvigo-rated inner cities, suburban office parks set aside conserved

parklands, a mix of personality to retain and grow.

gEAUgA gROwTh PARTNERShIPGGP 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 Countys remarkable assets, its people, businesses and quality of life. The Partner-ship 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 far-away-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.

largest Businesses in cuyahoga county

Alcoa American Greetings

Corporation Cleveland Clinic Health

System Eaton Ford Motor Co. General Motors Corp. KeyCorp Lincoln Electric PNC Bank Progressive Corp. Sherwin-Williams Co. United University Hospitals

Health System

largest Businesses in geauga county

Duramax Marine Excel/GoldKey Fairmount Minerals Great Lakes Cheese Co. Kinetico Masco Corp./

Kraftmaid Cabinetry Inc.

Middlefield Cheese

Myers Industries/ Dillen Products

St. Gobain

yOUR PARTNERS yOUR cOUNTIES



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yOUR PARTNERS yOUR cOUNTIES

largest Businesses in lake county

ABB Inc. Avery Dennison Corp. FirstEnergy Corp. Lubrizol Corp. Steris Corp.

lAkE cOUNTy PORT AUThORITyLake 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 entrepre-neurs 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 NAmERecognizing 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. Water-front and landside projects include improved marinas and lake access, increased beach access, erosion protection, preserva-tion 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 states highest wages. The Lake County Port Authority helps all local organiza-tions make the most of growth.

Photo Credit: Lake County Captains

A cOmFORTABlE clImATE FOR BUSINESSThe excellent climate for business in the North region comes from continuing, collab-orative 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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Photo Credit: Holden Arboretum

8gcP Biz development Team earns Excellence AwardThe Greater Cleveland Partner-ships Business Development Team received a Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for business retention and expansion.

IEDC honors efforts to create

positive change in urban, subur-ban, 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.

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

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 de-velopment 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.

Were 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, inclusive-ness and non-partisanship.

hIghER PROdUcTIvITyThis 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.

40%

Photo Credit: Case Western Reserve University


EcONOmIc dIvERSITy FUElS ThE FUTUREEconomic 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 work-force 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 companys 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

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where to start? dont 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

Photo Credit: Cleveland Plus


wORkFORcE dEvElOPmENTYour local economic development organization works with private and public sectors to provide companies with connections to highly skilled workers.


Cuyahoga Community College Workforce Solutions and Corporate College are affordable, cutting-edge and custom-designed to enhance workforce

development programs.

Employment Connection, the collaborative workforce system of the City of Cleve-land and Cuyahoga County, helps companies assess workforce needs, oversee training

programs, and provide information about hiring and financial incentives.

Lakeland Community Colleges Workforce Development and Continuing Edu-cation 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.

MAGNET, 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 companys work ethic and goals.

State 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 Ohios economic development and workforce development resources at the state, regional, and local levels.

The 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.

The Northeast Ohio Software Association (NEOSA), an industry-led, industry-driven organization of nearly 900 companies from Northeast Ohios information technology sector, pursues industry development, member business development, education and training, workforce development and advocacy.

The 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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lEARNINg NEvER ENdSOur 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.


Baldwin Wallace University


Cleveland Institute of Art

Cleveland Institute of Music

Cleveland State University

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 Ursuline College Virginia Marti College

of Art and Design

ThE hIghER EdUcATION cOmPAcT OF gREATER clEvElANdThe Higher Education Compact of Greater Cleveland is com-posed of a diverse group of business, education, civic and phil-anthropic 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 Clevelands culture to a college orientation.

Improving high-school performance so youth are better prepared for college-level classes.

Helping parents navigate financial aid paperwork and 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.

ASSISTINg STUdENTS TO ENSURE ThEy ARE PREPAREd FOR SUSTAINABlE cAREERS IN A glOBAl EcONOmy

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Photo Credit: Cleveland Institute of Art

Photo: Lakeland Community College

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



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 nations first Medical Mart, Health Care is evi-dence that economic diversity rules this region.

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CUYAHOGA

SUMMIT

LAKE

GEAUGA

ASHTABULA

TRUMBULL

COLUMBIANA

STARKWAYNE

MEDINA

ASHLAND

RICHLAND

HURON

ERIE

TUSCARAWAS

MAHONING

PORTAGE

LORAIN


TEAM LORAINCOUNTY




FOR BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSIONIn Ashland County, Richland County, Stark County, Tuscarawas County, Wayne County


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

STARKWAYNERIcHlANd

TUScARAWAS

ASHlANd

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THREE THINgS TO KNOW

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STRONgER THAN THE SUm OF ITS PARTSIn the southern rim of Northeast Ohio, people made bricks and shaped steel, professional football salutes its heroes, and todays 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.

A region-wide service orientation.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.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.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.

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 peo-

ple 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.

THE cAPITAl OF UTIcALocated PerfectlyThe 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 PreparedExploration and production industry experts say Utica has the

potential to help America achieve energy independence. A major players CEO says Utica development is the most signifi-

cant opportunity since the invention of the plow.

Immense PotentialOur 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.

ASHlANd // RIcHlANd // STARK TUScARAWAS // WAYNE

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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.

Its 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 Labora-

tory 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.

Photo Credit: Republic Steel

HIgH-FlYINg ASHlANdFrom Ashland Countys well-know Balloonfest, to the high-

toned 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.

PASTORAl, PROdUcTIvE RIcHlANdThe 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 qual-

ity of life and proximity to major metros, Cleveland, Columbus,

via I-71. An airport and two rail lines also connect the region.

BOOm TImES AHEAd FOR STARKStark County is gearing up to be the urban and transporta-

tion 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 Develop-

ment 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.

Prominent Businesses in Ashland county

Mansfield Plumbing Products

McGraw-Hill Companies Pentair Pump Group Inc. Snyders-Lance Inc. Step2 Wil Research

Laboratories LLC

Prominent Businesses in Richland county

AK Steel Mansfield Works

ArcelorMittal Tubular CenturyLink Emerson Therm-O-Disc The Gorman-Rupp

Company

OUR cOUNTIES

Prominent Businesses in Stark county

Timken Co. Diebold GE Consumer Finance LG Fuel Cell Systems Republic Engineered

Products


4 Photo Credit: Timken Co.


TUScARAWAS. FIRST IN OHIOS HEARTTuscarawas County is home to Ohios first European settle-

ments, 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 expan-

sion 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 WAYNEWayne 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 competitive-ness in its 2011-12 American Cities of the Future rankings.

Prominent Businesses in Tuscarawas county

Alamo Group/ Gradall Industries

Allied Machine & Engineering

Dover Chemical Lauren International Zimmer Surgical

Products

Prominent Businesses in Wayne county

JM Smucker Co Luk JLG Frito-Lay Wooster-Brush Artiflex Mfg.

OUR cOUNTIES

5Photo Credit: Wayne Economic Development Council


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YOUR PARTNERS cAN HElP YOUFINANcIAl ASSISTANcELoan consulting, packaging and structuring

for federal, state and local funding sources.

gOvERNmENT AccESSAccess to government agencies and help

reducing barriers to growth/expansion. Infor-

mation about accessing tax incentives, credits

and benefits.

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

SITE IdENTIFIcATIONNo-cost access to our database of industrial

and commercial buildings and land for sale or lease.

INFRASTRUcTUREPlanning and coordination with public sector

officials to identify and fund long-term infra-

structure improvements.

BUSINESS PlANSAssistance to start-up and existing businesses

in preparing written business plans.

ANd mOREHelp with labor and talent, attraction, research facilities, and support from regional

partners such as MAGNET and BioEnterprise.

PlAYERS TAKE THE FIEld, FOR gROWTHWe are five diverse counties, but linked by our excitement for the future and our hard-

working 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.

Photo Credit: Pro Football Hall of Fame

Photo Credit: Mahon Studios, Inc. 2012Photo Credit: Republic Steel

FlYINg HIgH WITH cAKAkron-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 improve-

ment plan in Akron-Canton Airports 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

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Photo Credit: Akron-Canton Airport

Photo Credit: Akron-Canton Airport

BIRTHPlAcE OF IdEASThanks 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.

Its 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 ASHlANdAshland 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 FAcIlITATORSThe County Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Manufac-turers 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 lANdThe BioHio Research Park in Wayne County is a first-in-the-

state 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.

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 Ohios

Third Frontier and $1.5 million lent by the Ohio Air Quality Authoritys Advanced Energy Jobs

Stimulus Program.

collaboration is key.The Wayne Economic Develop-

ment 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: Stark County Development Board


INNOvATION AcROSS THE BOARdAgBIOScIENcE RESEARcHThe 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 ASHlANdBarbisols new 80,000 sq. ft. plant made good use of Ashlands 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 Ashlands being a college town in a pastoral setting.

FOllOWINg THE mONEYShearers Foods, the countrys 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. Shearers 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. 9

Photo Credit: Mahon Studios, Inc. 2012

Photo Credit: Republic Steel

Photo Credit: Stark County Development Board


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lEARNINg dRIvES PROgRESSThe 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 ev-

erything from fuel cell development to agbioscience research,

engineering technology to nursing.

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 Ohios $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 University Ashland University

Massillon/Stark Center Aultman College of

Nursing and Health Sciences

College of Wooster Kent State University,

Stark Kent State University,

Tuscarawas Malone University North Central

State College OSU Agricultural

Technical Institute OSU Agricultural

Research and Development Center

OSU Mansfield

Stark State College University of Akron,

Wayne College University of

Mount Union Walsh University

Photo Credit: Stark State College

Photo Credit: College of Wooster


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WORKFORcE dEvElOPmENT ANd AvAIlABIlITYWith 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 eco-

nomic development agency is dialed in directly with its countys business base and knowledge-

able about the special workforce attributes required for growth and prosperity.


The 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.

The Employment Source. A job matching system at no cost to Stark and Tuscara-was 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 Connec-

tion in Wayne are both ready to help you.

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

The 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.

Richland 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.

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

Tuscarawas Regional Technology Park. Nurturing education, entrepreneur-ship, 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.

The University of Akron Wayne Colleges Office of Continuing Education and Workforce Development in Orville provides career guidance, business/industry training solutions, skill upgrades, and has recently received a Depart-

ment of Labors H-1B Technical Skills Training Grant for recruiting and training individuals

as network security professionals.

Where to start? dont 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 cOllABOR18for 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.

CUYAHOGA

SUMMIT

LAKE

GEAUGA

ASHTABULA

TRUMBULL

COLUMBIANA

STARKWAYNE

MEDINA

ASHLAND

RICHLAND

HURON

ERIE

TUSCARAWAS

MAHONING

PORTAGE

LORAIN


TEAM LORAINCOUNTY




FOR BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSIONIn Erie County, Huron County, Lorain County

Huron County Development Council


2ThREE ThINgS TO kNOw

1

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ENERgy ANd cREATIvITy wIll gROw ThE FUTUREThis western cluster of counties has Lake Erie coastlines and islands and a very diverse econom-ic 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.

Tending the economic garden.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 compre-hensive resource hubs that accelerate growth for both entre-preneurs 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 encom-passes over 6,400 controlled acres where NASA and governmen-tal 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.

lORAIN

hURON

ERIE

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

EAch dAy dAwNS dIFFERENTlyA 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, auto-

motive supply and machine shops; strong construction industry presence, NASA Plum Brook, medical facilities, and unique Lake Erie tourism.

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.

ERIE // hURON // lORAIN

3

lake Erie TourismKelleys 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.

A True communityA joint effort of the City of Oberlin, Oberlin College, and private and institutional partners, the Oberlin Project works to improve our communi-ties resilience, prosperity and sustainability.


mOvINg AT ThE SPEEd OF BUSINESS Team Lorain County and partners provide immediate points of contact for your countys 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 assistancecrucial 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 develop-ment of existing companies.


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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 firms 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

Photo Credit: Huron County Development Council

5ERIE 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 employ-ment base, and one of the top vacation destinations in the United States.

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 communi-ties, such as Willards Mercy Hospitals new $40.5 million facility. Construction is growing as the economy recovers and businesses and individuals start making additional investments.

lORAIN cOUNTy Lorain County represents some of the best aspects of rural, urban, and suburban America. Our industries benefit from lo-gistical 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 todays entrepreneurs and businesses. Our strong roots

set the stage for strong growth in the 21st century and beyond.

Prominent Businesses in Erie county

Cedar Fair/Cedar Point Firelands Regional

Medical Center Ventra Sandusky Freudenberg NOK Kalahari Resorts &

Conventions International

Automotive Components

Prominent Businesses in huron county

Berry Plastics/Venture Packaging

Campbell Soup Co/ Pepperidge Farm

CSX Fisher-Titus Medical

Center MTD/Midwest Products RR Donnelly

OUR cOUNTIES


Prominent Businesses i

collabor18 brochure

Documents

workforce development

county governments

multicounty footprint

business opportunities

business attraction

northeast ohio special

community colleges

regional partners