Ohio’s economy is built upon a historic legacy of manufacturing. From the processing of raw materials to the creation of finely tuned products, Ohioans have served as the world’s experts in the manufacturing sector. While the global marketplace has changed the playing field, distributing manufacturing into second- and third-world economies, Ohio remains at the top of the nation in manufacturing competitiveness.
It's not surprising to executives who live and work in Ohio that Site Selection magazine has awarded Ohio with the annual Governor's Cup Award for the fourth year in a row.
The Governor's Cup Award is based on the number of private capital investments for new or expanded facilities that involved an investment of at least $1 million, created a minimum of 50 new jobs or added at least 20,000 square feet of new floor area. Ohio came in first place with 381 projects. Texas ranks second in the nation with 374 projects, followed by Michigan (371), Pennsylvania (333) and Tennessee (234).
There are many reasons why Ohio continues to be the ideal place to establish or grow a business but three key reasons include the purposeful redesign of Ohio's business climate, the state's world-class assets in advanced design, advanced materials and advanced manufacturing; and focused academic support that enables business success.
Read more about the award and why Ohio continues to beat out all the other states in the nation in the race for new business.
As interim dean of OSU’s College of Engineering, Dr. Washington shared with me his appreciation for Ohio’s strong history in manufacturing. From the processing of raw materials to the creation of finely tuned products, Ohioans serve as the world's experts in the manufacturing sector.
In addition, Ohio is committed to providing the very best education. Across the state Ohio businesses benefit from this commitment by attracting and retaining a talented and skilled workforce.
But most importantly, Dr. Washington was drawn to Ohio’s warm and friendly people. Originally from the South, he was looking for a place to live committed to family. Ohio’s commitment to work:life balance allows him to spend quality time with his family, while being able to achieve professional success.
Check out the interview with Dr. Washington to learn more.
The Ohio Third Frontier is providing Ohio workers, businesses and organizations with funding and development tools needed to create the 21st century jobs that will launch Ohio’s economy into the next generation. Since its inception, the Ohio Third Frontier has created or commercialized more-than 500 companies and has attracted $3.5 billion in private investment to Ohio, a 9:1 return on investment.
This commitment is the reason one Ohio worker was able to transition into a new high-tech job after being laid off from an automotive manufacturing facility.
Shannon Swift retooled his career at Renegade Materials with help from the Ohio Third Frontier.
After Shannon Swift, a father of five from Moraine, Ohio, lost his job at the General Motors DMAX plant, he wasn’t sure how he would transition his manufacturing skills into a new line of work. At the same time, Ohio Third Frontier was helping Dayton-area Renegade Materials Corporation complete construction of a $5 million facility to bring the next generation of advanced materials for the aerospace and defense industries to market.
Ohio Third Frontier provided the bridge needed to bring Renegade Materials and Shannon Swift together. Working through a State of Ohio Workforce Development Specialist, Renegade tapped into the pool of displaced workers from the DMAX plant, including Shannon Swift. Ohio Third Frontier has been with Renegade at each step: from support for its initial research and development, to help from the Innovation Ohio Loan Fund to build this state-of-the-art facility, as well as business advice from the Dayton Development Coalition’s Entrepreneurial Signature Program, which is also funded in part by Ohio Third Frontier. Shannon Swift received on-the-job training and is now working for Renegade’s high temperature polymer business.
To read more about Shannon Swift’s story, click here.
Pick up today’s Wall Street Journaland turn to page A7 to read about how Ohio executives achieve quality family moments without sacrificing business ambitions.
Jim Cahill is president of Kimble Manufacturing Company, which makes high-technology concrete mixers for construction and oversized custom chassis for a wide variety of industries
“In Ohio, I’ve been able to grow my company beyond its original business model and have time to enjoy my family. I sleep easy knowing my staff enjoys their lives here as much as I do,” said Jim.
Kimble Manufacturing is supported by AEP Ohio - its preferred energy partner. AEP Ohio has a stake in Ohio’s economic vitality, providing competitive and reliable electricity to thousands of businesses committed to the Buckeye State as the prime location to grow and prosper.
The company benefits from Ohio’s talented workforce and cooperation among government and other businesses. And the state provided the company with low-interest loans and investment grants.
Check out page A9 of today’s Wall Street Journal to read about why Ohio executive Brian Klink left the hustle and bustle of the Beltway for Ohio allowing him to succeed professionally and have more time for family. Brian is operations manager of Hydrodec North America, a provider of advanced oil and chemical process technology, products and services.
Hydrodec, is supported by AEP Ohio - its preferred energy partner. AEP Ohio has a stake in the state’s economic vitality, providing competitive and reliable electricity to thousands of businesses committed to Ohio as the prime location to grow and prosper.
“A 10-minute commute has its benefits. At the end of the work day, I don’t waste any time getting home to enjoy life with my family,” said Brian.
Generous incentives from the Ohio government support Hydrodec, as well as logistical pluses, like being within 600 miles of 60 percent of the U.S. population. An added bonus was the chance to bring new life to a brownfield–important for a company focused on sustainability.
Click here to find out more about Brian’s story in today’s Wall Street Journal.
Shannon Swift retooled his career at Renegade Materials with help from the Ohio Third Frontier.
