Author: Dan Evers, Director of Economic Development, GROW Licking County Community Improvement Corporation
Top 5
Licking County, Ohio has an impressive story to tell to, and about, its business community. A story of talent, accessibility, affordability and collaboration that is making a difference to domestic and international businesses in the area.
Long a centre of innovation, manufacturing and technology, Licking County has never wavered in its commitment to these key sectors. Accordingly, the county has seen substantial foreign and domestic investment activity over the past two years, as its resources have remained focused on providing a competitive advantage to companies poised for growth. Licking County is increasingly recognised as a premier location for manufacturing and technology-enabled development.
Location and infrastructure
The county boasts a strong, diverse workforce. New and existing Licking County businesses consistently comment on the quality and work ethic of the community’s employees, and the innovative, collaborative training and recruitment resources available. These resources include customised training programmes and protocols, developed in partnership with the Career Technical Education Center of Licking County, Central Ohio Technical College and Ohio State University. Each of these entities enjoys ongoing collaborative partnerships with employers throughout Licking County.
Licking County businesses consistently comment on the quality and work ethic of the community’s employees
No less enviable is the county’s location in the centre of the Greater Columbus, Ohio region, with 10-hour truck access to nearly 50 percent of the US population and markets, as well as 33 percent of the Canadian market. The community offers exceptional access to major markets through a transportation network including direct access to interstates, multi-lane state routes, and air and rail services.
A range of cost-effective sites, facilities and development options are offered in Licking County, by innovative, collaborative development firms. These varied location options are further enhanced by creative state and local incentives and financing options. The community is committed to coordinating access to, and deployment of, these and other resources for business success through the GROW Licking County Community Improvement Corporation. This public-private partnership provides a single point of contact for all development-related assistance, simplifying the process and maximising local and regional resources. The organisation facilitates client site selection processes and provides ongoing support to community businesses, at no charge to companies within Licking County.
International appeal
These factors, and many others, position the community favourably with international firms considering expansion in North America. Licking County is home to companies engaged in manufacturing and applied technologies that are headquartered in Germany, the UK, Italy and the Netherlands. Japanese and Canadian firms also have significant operations in the community. Additionally, Licking County businesses have active trading partnerships – both export and import – with companies throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East and beyond. Many of these organisations have operated in Licking County for many years. Two international firms (Ohio Metal Technologies and THK) recently expanded their manufacturing operations.
After an extensive multi-state review process, xperion Energy & Environment, a company within the Avanco Group, selected Licking County for its new, 50,000 sq ft facility in Heath’s Central Ohio Aerospace and Technology Center. This investment marks the organisation’s first North American manufacturing and sales presence. The facility will produce composite automotive tanks for the compressed natural gas market, and will begin production this spring. Roland Schillo, who will lead the new Licking County manufacturer, noted this is “an ideal location for our new US facility because of its strong reputation in the manufacturing sector, and also its proximity to key automotive customers. We look forward to growing our operations and workforce in Licking County”.
Over $300m has been invested by international and domestic firms within the community over the past two years. These commitments represent tangible market validation of a growing realisation: Licking County, Ohio is a location of choice, committed to simplifying success for its business partners.