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Appalachian Ohio

Ohio’s Appalachian region is composed of three sub-regions in the Southern, Southeast, and East Central part of the state. The region’s key industries include manufacturing, automotive supply chain, food processing, building products, metalworking, chemicals, polymers, and logistics. Ohio’s Appalachian region is also a prime location for entrepreneurs due to its access to capital, access to knowledge, access to supply chain, and access to market. Learn more by visiting the Enterprise Appalachia Web site»

Many major corporations understand the advantages of Appalachia Ohio and already have facilities located here, including: General Electric, Tata Consultancy Services, 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.

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. Not only do these institutions provide knowledge and expertise, but they contribute to a bright, intelligent work force, ready to help companies grow.

Appalachian Ohio is home to some of the best workers in the United States. Employers find hard working, 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.

A number of regional resources, including the Ohio University's Innovation Center, OSU South Centers, and OSU Endeavor Center, Muskingum County Business Incubator, Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, and Small Business Development Centers, provide state-of the-art business incubation and assistance services, including business incubation, product development, business planning, marketing and distribution consultation, business financing advice, peer technical assistance, and business financing and small business advice for entrepreneurs.

The infrastructure in Appalachia Ohio provides businesses access to regional, national and global markets. 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. Appalachian Ohio’s landscape makes it an ideal location for outdoor activities including boating, fishing, camping, hunting and hiking.

Recent Notable Investment Projects

  • Miba Sinter Holdings - $26 million investment, including a 35,000 square foot expansion and the creation of 60 new jobs.
  • Avon Products - $150 million investment and the creation of 600 new jobs for a distribution and logistics facility in Zanesville.
  • McGinnis, Inc. - $5.7 million investment and the creation of 50 jobs.