Southeastern Ohio
Contact:Christi Mash
Regional Economic Development Director
308 Front St.
Marietta, OH 45750
Phone: (740) 373-5150 Fax: (740) 373-2984
cmash@odod.state.oh.us
Southeastern Ohio, part of the U.S. Appalachian region, is home to several mid-size cities including Cambridge, Zanesville, Chillocothe. Marietta and Portsmouth. The region's primary industry is manufacturing, including AK Steel, Dana Corp. and Mills Pride Inc. Building products manufacturers take advantage of the area's natural resources to make building and home products. Covering nearly a quarter of Ohio's landmass, many workers in Southeastern Ohio face a substantial commute to the jobs available. Worker loyalty in the region means longer-term employment and lower turnover to companies making an investment there.
Southeast Ohio is an ideal location to start a business: the overhead cost of doing business is low, the workforce is hard-working and affordable for a start-up company, and the region provides easy access to the major metropolitan markets of Cincinnati, Columbus, Pittsburgh, and the Youngtown/Akron/Canton areas. The region is wired for business, with broadband access widely available.
Southeastern Ohio is a viable location for high-tech industry due to the location of eight higher education institutions throughout the region including Marietta College and Athens' main Ohio University campus. Portsmouth's Shawnee State University offers one of the nation's few four-year programs in computer gaming programming through its Fine, Digital and Performing Arts program.
"At our Ohio headquarters, our working culture thrives in a unique and collegial setting that embraces the best balance of professional growth and community living," says Dave Scholl, CEO of Athens-based Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc. Launched in the university community in 1983 in partnership with a pair of its leading researchers, the company continues to take advantage of support offered by university resources, ready access to technology and R&D in a small-town setting.
