Findlay, Ohio has been ranked the top micropolitan community in the U.S. for new and expanding facilities for 2014 by Site Selection magazine, the official publication of the Global FDI Association and the Industrial Asset Management Council. The magazine ranked 576 of the nation’s micropolitan areas, cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people which cover at least one county. The Findlay/Hancock County region has ranked well for many years, and moved up from a 4th place ranking in 2013.
In addition, the State of Ohio claimed the second place spot in the 2014 Governor’s Cup with 582 projects, up from 480 projects in 2013. The state has won the Governor’s Cup six times in the last nine years, and placed second four times.
“Findlay-Hancock County is proud to be ranked the top micropolitan community in the United States, and to have contributed to Ohio’s success,” said Tony Iriti, Findlay•Hancock County Economic Development Director. “With the ongoing efforts of our community’s business and public sector leaders as well as our economic development partners and regional workforce we will continue to see great results.”
The Findlay•Hancock County Economic Development Office compiled and submitted 20 projects that met Site Selection’s qualifying criteria. Among those that qualified were the McLane project, representing a $119 million investment, 425 new jobs and 400,000 sq. ft., the Cooper Tire Global Technical Center, a $12.9 million investment that created 40 new jobs and 40,000 sq. ft., the Rowmark expansion, a $11 million investment that created 20 new jobs and 85,000 sq. ft., the Marathon Petroleum Logistics – MPLX project, representing a $22 million investment that created 150 new jobs and 125,226 sq. ft., as well as several others, making the total qualifying investment in Hancock County more than $280 million, with 1,597 new jobs created and more than 1,602,922 sq. ft. of new space.
“Hancock County has made amazing progress in the last few years,” said Findlay Mayor, Lydia Mihalik. “Our move to the nation’s top micropolitan community for new and expanding facilities clearly demonstrates that collaborative efforts are paying off.”
“The Economic Development team has worked hard to gain momentum in the community, and enhance its focus on economic development throughout the region,” said John Haywood, The Findlay•Hancock County Alliance President and CEO. “Thanks to the synergies created with other state and local entities, community partners and businesses, we continue to make Findlay and Hancock County a great place to live, work and play.”
Phil Riegle, Hancock County Commissioner, is also encouraged by the news. “This is a great testament to the partnerships taking place in Hancock County”, he said. “Our jump in the micropolitan rankings proves a bright future ahead.”
Additional information can be found online www.siteselection.com. Site Selection is also available via Site Selection Online.