| Why Appalachian Ohio? |
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The Appalachian region of Ohio possesses a wealth of business opportunities and
diverse companies with global reach, as well as leaders with a forward-thinking
and innovative approach to business development. Come discover numerous
business opportunities in Appalachian Ohio!
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| Top Ten
Reasons to Do Business In Appalachian Ohio: |
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| 1.
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Available Labor –
The 29-county region has a labor force of 689,000, of whom 45,000 are actively
looking for work. The region is a net exporter of workers, with nearly one in
five traveling to a job outside his or her home county. The average commute for
all workers in the region is approximately 28 minutes, which is about 20
percent greater than the statewide average. Many of these employees would
prefer to work closer to home. (Office of Strategic Research, ODOD, 2002) |
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| 2. |
Great Workforce –
Appalachian Ohio is home to some of the best workers in the United States.
Employers find hard working, intelligent and loyal employees here. In addition,
a lower cost of living and less competition for workers reduce labor costs in
Appalachian Ohio. Average weekly manufacturing wages in the region are 20
percent lower than the statewide average. (Bureau of Labor Market Info, ODJFS,
2003) |
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| 3. |
Support for entrepreneurs
–The Appalachian Regional Entrepreneurship Initiative at Ohio University’s
Voinovich Center serves the
region by matching small businesses with MBA students and high-end consulting
services. Six Small Business Development Centers offer free consulting to
start-ups and existing small businesses, and five business incubators operate
here as well. The Adena
Venture Fund, a $34 million venture capital enterprise based in Athens,
provides equity investments and operational assistance to growth businesses
operating in central Appalachia. |
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| 4. |
Electricity availability
and cost – Appalachian Ohio is an exporter of affordable power from
numerous coal- and natural-gas-fired power plants. These utilities have some of
the lowest kilowatt per hour costs in Ohio. (Ohio Utility Rate Survey, PUCO,
2003) |
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| 5. |
Trained work force
– Appalachian Ohio offers a strong mix of educational opportunities. The region
is home to twenty five
institutions of higher education, including seven four year
universities and colleges and 18 two year colleges. Grants to subsidize
customized training programs are available to companies creating jobs. .
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| 6. |
Preferred Treatment
-- Additional State of Ohio incentives are available in Priority Investment
Areas, which include most Appalachian counties. Qualifying companies can
benefit from the Manufacturing Machinery & Equipment Tax Credit, Pioneer
Loan Program, Rural Industrial Park Loan Program and Job Creation Tax Credit. |
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| 7. |
Affordable land and
buildings – Publicly owned industrial
sites and buildings have been developed throughout the region
specifically to create jobs. Prices are generally below market rates. |
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| 8. |
Geographic
proximity to markets – Ohio is strategically located within 600
miles of 60 percent of the U.S. population, 62 percent of U.S. manufacturing
plants, 59 percent of wholesale establishments and 63 percent of retail
establishments. (Office of Strategic Research, ODOD, 2001) |
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| 9. |
Access
- Two interstate highways and nine four-lane highways serve Appalachian Ohio.
Commercial air service is available from airports surrounding the region at
Port Columbus, the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport, Akron-Canton Regional
Airport, Pittsburgh Airport and the Wood County and Huntington airports in West
Virginia. CSX, Norfolk Southern and the Ohio Central Railroad provide rail
service throughout the region. The Ohio River is a major freight artery and
water source. The Ohio River and Lake Erie in northern Ohio handle more freight
tonnage than the Panama Canal. |
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| 10. |
Established Reputation
– Major corporations are located in Appalachian Ohio. They include: General
Electric, MeadWestvaco, Chevron-Phillips, Dow Chemical, Thermo Electron Corp.,
Colgate-Palmolive, Detroit Diesel, Mills Pride, Kenworth, Ormet, Cincinnati
Milicron, Liebert Corporation, Alliance Data Systems, Kraton Polymers, Colfor
Manufacturing,US Enrichment Corporation and Nova Chemical. The
Business Showcase features corporations like these as well as other
innovative businesses in the region. |
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