"Real Best Practices for Supply Chain Optimization," is the third in a series of Inc. white papers discussing ideal selection criteria for business startup – access to supply chain and markets, access to business capital and support services, access to knowledge and labor and access to a balanced life. It offers a prescription for efficiently managing the supply chain – the continuum of materials, information, and finances needed to convert raw materials or resources into a product or service delivered to the final customer.

"Savvy entrepreneurs know that choosing the ideal location to start a business can mean the difference between success and failure," said Ed Burghard, executive director of the Ohio Business Development Coalition. "The Appalachian Ohio Region has become a hub for entrepreneurial enterprise, in part because its location in Ohio's manufacturing heartland provides access both to a strong supply chain and a ready market for products and services."

One company that has thrived as a result of its location in Appalachian is Rocky Brands. CEO Mike Brooks cites the area's hardworking 21st century workforce and location within 600 miles of 60 percent of the U.S. population as factors that created an ideal location for this world leader in rugged outdoor and occupational footwear headquartered in Nelsonville, Ohio.

He says excellent schools and low cost of living make it easy to attract and retain talent, while his employees stay sharp through study in Ohio's first-class higher education system at Hocking College and Ohio University. A strategic location in Enterprise Appalachia supports efficient product distribution through more than 3,000 outlets nationwide.

In addition to business success, Enterprise Appalachia offers the avid outdoorsman a work-life balance he has found nowhere else. Through the airport in nearby Columbus, he takes easy day-trips to meet with customers, often returning home in time for dinner and a walk in the area's pristine woodlands with his wife. He can have it all – professional success and a rewarding personal life – without sacrificing one for the other.

Visit here to learn how Ohio's Enterprise Appalachia delivers the ideal location criteria for business start-ups: access to supply chain and markets, access to capital, access to knowledge and labor and access to a balanced life.

Ohio's export industry grew by nearly 7 percent in 2008, to $45.5 billion. Global trade supports nearly 300,000 jobs in the state – and more than 11,000 Ohio companies distribute goods to well over 200 countries around the world. Ohio is the seventh-largest exporting state in the country, and the only state in the nation to see export growth for 10 years in a row.

Two companies were recognized as Exporter of the Year: Mansfield pump manufacturer Gorman-Rupp Pumps in the Large Business category and Fremont industrial matting and foam manufacturer Ludlow Composites Corporation of Fremont.

Ohio’s global export prominence speaks to the state’s manufacturing strengths, logistics capabilities, skilled workforce, and competitive business environment. The state has redesigned business climate and world-class transportation infrastructure allows businesses in any industry – including international trade - to be globally successful.

John shared with me how his company benefits from the state's talented labor pool in the fields of product design, engineering and marketing. In addition, Nottingham-Spirk Design Associates offers an internship program for college students and new graduates.

The state of Ohio is committed to building, maintaining and retaining a talented labor pool that meets demands for Ohio businesses. From K-12 schools that challenge and inspire students to be both imaginative and analytical in their thinking, to postsecondary institutions that promote the development of moral character and produce highly skilled graduates, every level of Ohio's education and workforce development system is designed to create an educated, innovative and reliable workforce.

Click here to read more about my interview with John.

Ohio companies are able to ship and receive finished goods, semi-finished products or resources without high transportation costs or expensive delays, through a logistics management network that encompasses the entire spectrum of the logistics industry from fleet management to inbound/outbound transportation management to warehousing.

Located in the middle of the North American population, Ohio offers superior distribution opportunities throughout the United States and Canada. This strategic location is strengthened by an established logistics infrastructure including international airports, an extensive highway network and expansive railroad service. In addition, ten Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) reduce costs and level the playing field for global companies. Ohio also has many prominent supply-chain and logistics programs generating next-generation workers for this important industry.

Elaine Roberts, president and CEO of Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA), has over twenty-five years of experience in airport management. CRAA is an independent, governmental entity responsible for operating three Central Ohio airports: Port Columbus International Airport (CMH, focus on commercial air service), Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK, emphasis on cargo and passenger charter flights) and Bolton Field (TZR, a corporate and general aviation airport). CRAA is pivotal in furthering Ohio’s role in the logistics industry.

Elaine is a strong believer in the Ohio Promise. She believes work:life balance makes Ohio a truly unique state and choice location.

Click here for the complete interview with Elaine.

• Ohio is the only state in the country whose exports have increased every year since 1998, and it's seventh in the country for exports overall.
• Ohio's exports grew by nearly 7 percent in 2008 over the previous year, to $45.5 billion.
• The state's biggest manufactured exports are automotive and airplane parts, machinery, chemicals, electronics and computers.
• About 11,400 Ohio companies sell their products internationally, and nearly 300,000 jobs in this state depend upon exports. Only California and Texas have more jobs linked to manufacturing exports.

Ohio has not relied on geographic market access alone to drive its success as a trade leader and global exporter, but has invested in world-class systems creating synergy between transportation, data and domestic and international export.

Ohio’s roads, rails, waterways and international airports provide many reliable options for moving products to market. 10 Foreign Trade Zones facilitate import and export and many sub-zones offer duty-free, quota-free secured sites where goods can be stored, repackaged, assembled and manufactured.

The state has 14 international offices to promote the export of Ohio goods. They are in Canada and Mexico, the top two export markets for the state, plus Belgium, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Israel, South Africa, Japan, India, Australia and three in China: Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. The state is also located within 500 miles, or one day’s trucking distance, of 60 percent of both the U.S. and Canadian populations.

In addition, the Global Markets Division of the Ohio Department of Development helps Ohio companies explore global trade opportunities and expand into new international trade markets.

Another key factor is Ohio’s new tax reform, part of the state’s purposeful redesign of its business climate to be the ideal location choice for companies that want to create a successful global business.

The revamped tax code helps slash operating costs through:

• No Tax on inventory held in Ohio
• No Personal property tax on manufacturing equipment
• No Tax on sales of goods and services to customers outside of Ohio

All encourage Ohio based companies to invest in operational efficiencies that can add to bottom line profit margin improvement.

This is more proof why successful companies around the world are choosing Ohio as the best location for their U.S. operations.