Wayne Economic Development Council
377 W. Liberty St.
Wooster, OH 44691
P: 330.264.2411
TF: 888-WAYNEOH
F: 330-262.5745

info@waynecountyedc.com
www.waynecountyedc.com

Contact:
Rodney A. Crider, CEcD, CCE
President
rcrider@waynecountyedc.com

Community Overview

With an emphasis on a quality growth, Wayne County has become one of the most outstanding small communities in the country. In addition to being the home of a vibrant global business community, it is proud to be a leading area of the U.S. for technology and R&D associated with the agbiosciences.

Wayne County offers a unique balance of quality for your business and your life. We invite you to explore this site for information available on our dynamic location. For personal assistance or additional details, please contact the Wayne Economic Development Council today.

We look forward to welcoming you to Wayne County soon!

Why Choose Wayne County?

Low Cost of Doing Business

Wayne County's favorable business climate and high quality of living, combined with low business and personal costs, make it a competitive location for business growth.

Wayne County’s cost of living is considerably lower than other parts of the United States and Ohio. In fact, recent studies confirm that Wayne County is the lowest cost location among major micropolitan and metropolitan areas in the state. You can use our calculator to demonstrate the cost savings your company can realize with a move to Wayne County.

Employers report a generally favorable labor cost advantage of ten to fifteen percent over neighboring counties to the east and north. Our most recent wages survey can be downloaded here.

Combined with recent state tax reform that will establish the lowest taxes in the Midwest by 2010, our low operating costs will allow you to build a profitable business in Wayne County and gain a decided cost advantage over your competition.

Business-Friendly Climate

In Wayne County, you will discover a true partnership between government, business, education and other organizations.

The effort to build a supportive environment has carried on for many years, with outstanding results. "This is a partnership that's working," says the WEDC's president Rod Crider. "The cooperation is 100 percent. The lines of communication are totally open. It's a wonderful situation of the county, cities and private leadership coming together," he said. "The chemistry in this environment just doesn't exist in many cities around the country where they have turf battles and territorial jealousies. Those are all gone here."

This unique spirit of teamwork is demonstrated by the membership of the Wayne Economic Develoment Council where members of local education institutions, businesses, downtown development organizations, and government come together in a collaborative effort to grow a quality future for the entire county.

Access to Markets

Wayne County is strategically positioned between Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio. It provides convenient access to interstate highways I-71, I-76 and I-77. Wayne County is approximately 35 miles from the cities of Akron and Canton and 60 miles from downtown Cleveland.

Wayne County's strategic location makes it:

• Within a one-hour flight of half the U.S. population
• Accessible to 20 major U.S. markets via a one-day interstate highway drive, with 30 other major metropolitan areas reachable on the second day
• A one hour drive to downtown Cleveland's business district and cultural attractions or 45 minute drive to similar amenities in Akron or Canton. Ohio.

Leading Ag-Bioscience Infrastructure

The nation’s leading agbioresource facilty is located right here in Wayne County, Ohio.

The Ohio State University Ohio Agricultural Research Development Center (OARDC) is the largest of its type in the nation. Containing thousands of acres of agricultural land and more than 230 university researchers, its potential to assist enterprises with bio-based research and development, commercialization, innovation and entrepreneurial efforts is unparalleled.

Coupled with the state’s third largest agricultural economy, the OARDC has what it takes to develop Northeast Ohio’s bio-economy into a specialized and world renowned research, development and production cluster. It's leadership includes being:

• Nationally ranked in the top 10 in terms of research cited.
• The largest and most comprehensive agricultural research facility in the United States.
• Involved in annual collaborations with more than 130 businesses throughout the world.
• Some 230 scientists conducting more than 400 research projects annually.
• A generator of more than $1 billion of annual economic impact and cost savings to Ohio and the United States.

The integration of BioHio with other regional assets, a willingness to pursue new biological markets and a population that is innovative by nature will help the OARDC and Wayne County lead Northeast Ohio into the bio-economy age.

Satisfied Customers Tell Their Story

“Since 1851, our success as a leading provider of paint applicators and accessories is largely dependent on the area’s excellent workforce. They’ve provided us the skills and work ethic critical to our growth. Wayne County is a great place to live and work!”

Al Rodd
President
The Wooster Brush Company

"Seaman Corporation has manufacturing facilities in Wooster, Ohio, in Bristol, Tennessee, and previously in Sarasota, Florida. While we have found that all of these locations offer positive attributes for businesses, we have a strong commitment to the Wayne County community.

Wayne County has a good labor force and is a location with excellent logistic support. Most importantly though, I treasure the quality of life offered by this unique community.

The agricultural community, supported by Ohio State’s Agriculture, Research, and Development Center, the light industrial base, and the College of Wooster, offer a stimulating living environment for a rural community. At the same time, Wooster has excellent access to the culture of the larger cities of Cleveland and Akron.

Wooster also has a strong philanthropic culture, providing not only financial but also leadership resources for a variety of community programs and services.

Wayne County truly is a special place to live, work, and raise a family."

Richard Seaman
President & CEO
Seaman Corporation

"Wayne County has a diversified, progressive economic base and high quality of life. The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center of The Ohio State University is pleased to be part of that diversity and to add to the strong educational influence that helps support the area communities. The Wayne Economic Development Council is a critical "advantage plus," which not only keeps the economic drivers of the area connected but which also has the needed information at hand to share with others on why Wayne County is a great business destination."

Steve Slack, Director
Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC)
Ohio State University

"Wayne County is a great location to do business. The work force available possesses solid Midwestern values that equates to good employees. The quality of life offered in our area is also a strong attribute to attracting and retaining skilled employees."

Bob Ellis
VP, Human Resources
J.M. Smucker Company

"Wayne County has a tremendous team spirit not found elsewhere. If you need anything, you can be assured that government, the business community and other organizations will be there to assist you in any way possible. They have all certainly been there for me."

Steve Matthew
President
Wooster Hydrostatics

“Combine a solid business community, consisting of numerous “world-class” and internationally recognized companies, with an exceptional work-force and efficient, cost-competitive transportation access and you have a formula for success. Wayne County takes full advantage of these key economic development components, focusing on the continued prosperity of our existing business “partners”…as well as attracting new “growth-oriented” business opportunities.”

Jon Ansel
President,
D+S Distribution

"TechniGraphics is a rapidly growing computer-aided design and digital mapping company. People ask me - don't you have difficulty in getting qualified people to move there? I tell them my experience. We never have a problem in getting the right people to move to Wooster."

Dee Vaidya
President & CEO
TechniGraphics, Inc.

Target Industries

Wayne County updated its target industry in 2008 with the help of one of the nation’s leading consultants. The study included consideration of the county’s traditional strengths as well as emerging ones that have yet to be documented through government data.

They are not only supported by an existing asset base but with new programs that support our quality growth model. They are aligned with state resources, regional assets and talent pools from across the region. They include:

• Agriculture/Ag-Bioscience/Food Products
• Advanced Energy
• Specialty Metals
• Research and Development

The county is also well positioned to support transportation equipment manufacturers, information technology forms, data centers and many more. While cognizant of the value of industry clusters, Wayne County also seeks to continue to provide for a broad range of industries whose diversity has brought the county an enviable level of economic stability.

Wayne County's Leading Employers

Employment By Occupation & Industry

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Summary File 1 (SF 1) and Summary File 3 (SF 3), 2000

Quality of life

In Wayne County, you will find balance in an affordable, attractive agurban lifestyle that combines the best of country living with the amenities provided by three nearby metroplitan markets.

Life is good by any measure in Wayne County, and our community leaders devote considerable resources to ensure it stays that way. Here you will find an engaged citizenry that works at all levels to maintain a superior quality of life.

Wayne County balances the needs of commerce with those of our significant recreational and agricultural spaces through a forward looking comprehensive plan. It's a proven formula for prosperity and superior livability, and one that makes Wayne County a model micropolitan area that has been recognized nationally for livability and economic growth.

Residents find in Wayne County a model where business success and personal fulfillment can both be achieved. Whether you think of "quality of life" as leisure activities, cultural enrichment, entertainment, recreation or simply knowing your family is safe in a city that exudes a real sense of community, you can experience it in Wayne County.

Visit us here to learn more about the enviable lifestyle Wayne County offers its residents.

Smucker buying Folgers brand for $3.3 billion

May, 2008 - Orrville jelly maker J.M. Smucker Co. is buying the Folgers coffee business from Cincinnati's home-products giant, Procter & Gamble Co., in an all-stock deal worth $3.3 billion, the companies said.

With a market capitalization of about $3 billion, Smucker, in business in Ohio since 1897, will be doubling its holdings. Its $2.5 billion in annual sales are expected to increase to nearly $5 billion with the addition of Folgers.

Folgers claims the lead position in the ground-coffee market nationwide. With the brand in its portfolio, Smucker would join the top ranks of suppliers of the mostly grocery-store product.

Smucker has been on Fortune's list of the top 100 places to work every year since the magazine started the rating in 1998 and ranks as an "All-Star."

The acquisition will add 1,250 to the Smucker payroll at Folgers operations in Cincinnati, New Orleans, Kansas City and Sherman, Texas.

Smucker, long dominated by the Smucker family that started the company, bought Jif peanut butter and Crisco shortening from P&G in 2002. That deal was worth almost $1 billion.

Wooster company will add 150 jobs

By Paula Schleis, Beacon Journal business writer
Published on Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008

TechniGraphics Inc. of Wooster will construct a $6.2 million building on its campus and create 150 jobs in digital mapping and computer-assisted design over the next three years.

Co-owner Mary Vaidya and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher made the announcement before some 60 local business and community leaders, who gathered to cheer Wayne County's latest economic development coup.

TechniGraphics has a dozen offices around the world, but the new jobs will be added here, thanks to a state and city incentive package.

Ohio will give Techni-Graphics $6 million in fixed low-interest loans, and Wooster has approved a 75 percent tax abatement for 10 years.

Groundbreaking for the 30,000-square-foot building — the second structure on a 60-acre spread where Techni-Graphics built its headquarters three years ago — could begin this month, with completion expected by the start of 2009.

The company employs 230 in Wooster and another 270 in offices from California to India.

Fisher said TechniGraphics is an example of the entrepreneurship that has made Wayne County the Midwest's top 'micropolitan' economy for capital projects, as identified by Site Selection magazine this year.

Mary and her husband, Dee Vaidya, grew TechniGraphics from a business they started at their kitchen table to 'one of the premier businesses, not just in Wayne County but in the state of Ohio,' Fisher said.

The initial growth of TechniGraphics, where revenue has gone from less than $5 million in 2002 to about $45 million in 2007, came from federal contracts for digital mapping services.

Digital mapping is the process of taking satellite images and tracing all of their features — roads, buildings, even vegetation — into a computerized database. Think MapQuest, Google World and automobile GPS navigation systems.

Two years ago, the company diversified into computer-assisted design, or 'CAD,' where ideas are put into three-dimensional graphics so products can be visualized, tweaked and tested before leaving the computer screen. Recent customers include Boeing, Airbus, Chrysler, Toyota and Honda.

The new facility and the jobs created by it will be in both areas, Mary Vaidya said.

Fisher said TechniGraphics is the kind of knowledge-based company that Ohio needs to nurture.

'We may never be able to compete with India or China on the basis of cost,' Fisher said, referring to the move of many American manufacturers to emerging economies with cheaper production labor.

'But we will always compete and win on the basis of talent, work ethic, productivity, innovation and entrepreneurship, and today we celebrate one of those victories.'

Spectrum expansion makes room for Cutter Products

December 23, 2007
By PAUL LOCHER, Staff Writer
The Daily Record

ORRVILLE For the third time in less than two years, Spectrum Brands is expanding its facility on Shrock Road near the intersection of South Crown Hill Road. This time it is constructing a 50,000-square-foot addition to its 350,000-square-foot warehouse built last year that covers about 8 acres.

Spectrum, which specializes in mixing a variety of potting soils and fertilizers that are marketed nationwide under a variety of brand names, is moving into doing warehousing for Cutter Products, making space for its line of insect repellents and citronella candles.

Mike Hedberg, director of Orrville's Office of Industrial Development, said, "This is the third time in 18 months that Spectrum has done a major expansion. It's really exciting to see a local company grow that much in such a short period of time."

With the new expansion, Hedberg said, Spectrum will add eight to 10 full-time jobs, as well as 25 seasonal jobs.

Wayne County Named Top Midwest Micro - Again!

Wayne County has been named the Midwest’s top performing micropolitan economy and third best in the entire nation for 2007 by a leading site selection publication.

The Top Micropolitans rankings are part of the Governor’s Cup awards given by Site Selection magazine. It annually ranks nearly 400 such regions across the country based upon new investment and jobs announced in the previous year.

These awards are considered to be the most prestigious awards in economic development.

Wayne County is one of only six micros nationwide to have an annual average ranking of 25 or better in each of the years since the study began in 2000.

Ron Starner, General Manager of Conway Data Inc. and Site Selection Magazine, said "Wooster and Wayne County are not only among the most competitive locations for industrial companies in Ohio; they rank among the top locations in the entire U.S. when compared to communities of comparable size. Wayne County has consistently shown an ability to outperform the vast majority of micropolitan areas in the U.S. by targeting the right companies, helping existing industry grow and serving as an effective tool for job retention and expansion."

Site Selection also named Ohio as the recipient of its Governor’s Cup for the second year in a row for logging the most qualifying projects of any state in the country.

Speed USA, maker of weed trimmer lines, comes to Wooster

"Economic development in every sense of the word."

That's how D+S Distribution President Jon Ansel described the process that not only saved one of the city's storied facilities from the wrecking ball, but also brought one of Europe's most innovative manufacturing companies to Wooster.

Speed North America, a subsidiary of Lyon-based Speed France previously based in Montreal, is expecting to open its doors for full operation in mid-January in a 60,000-square foot section of the old Bosch Rexroth facility on Old Mansfield Road.

The company, which specializes in "the extrusion of technical polyamide monofilaments for a wide range of applications," is best known as Europe and Canada's leading producer of weed trimmer lines. Arnaud LeGrand, general manager of Speed North America, had been looking for a place to relocate in the United States because the bulk of its shipping was in the lower 48 states, and the Bosch facility, which was being purchased by D+S Distribution, had space available.

"We already have a sister company (Emak USA) located here in Wooster, so naturally we went and talked to (Emak general manager) Ken Speece to see if he could recommend any place for us," said LeGrand, who estimated the company will be hiring nearly 35 full-time employees. "To our great surprise, we actually came across Jon Ansel who took us out to this site. It had the size and power we were looking for both for today and the future. Another reason we came to Wooster is because we're eyeing a big account located an hour away from here. Plus it's only about 600 miles from Montreal, so moving wasn't too difficult."

LeGrand also cited the unique work force in the area as another drawing point for his company.

"With Rubbermaid, we thought there would be a lot of labor available with plastic-related skills here," LeGrand said. "And Akron of course is famous for the plastic conformation, injection molding, really anything related to polymers and plastics. We thought we could find skilled workers here who could help us working with the new generations of projects we have. In Montreal, we struggled to find help, even unqualified help. When we came here, we thought we'd increase our chances. We have exactly what we're looking for here."

Ansel said he got the idea to use the facility after a potential deal between Wooster Growth Corp. and neighboring Frito Lay failed to materialize.

Speed North America has operated in Montreal for the past five years, although Speed France has been around for nearly 30 years. According to Ansel, Speed North America controls nearly 18 percent of the monofilament production line in the U.S. and projects to have nearly 45 percent of the market by 2009. Some of its clients include Oregon, Husqvarna, Echo, Lesco Sales and Laser Sales.

The company is making a $4.5 million investment in machinery and equipment for the facility, which will produce high-quality, durable trimmer line.

D+S Distribution Chief Executive Officer Bill DeRodes said getting Speed North America to Wooster took nearly a year from start to finish, and gave many thanks to those individuals who helped make it a reality.

"It was such a team effort to get this done," DeRodes said. "From local and state government officials, to Rod Crider of the Wayne Economic Development Council and Justin Starlin from the city, to Arnaud's unwavering trust in the whole process, everybody just really came together to make this happen."

Owens Corning to Distribute from Wooster

The world's largest manufacturer of fiberglass and related products is coming to Wooster.

Owens Corning, a Fortune 500 company for more than 50 years headquartered in Toledo, has signed a five-year lease with Insite Real Estate to use 275,000 square feet of warehouse space at the Wooster Business Center, formerly the old Rubbermaid facility, on state Route 585, where it will house and distribute its Cultured Stone product.

"Right now they'll just be doing distribution," said Pete Bookman, who manages the facility for Insite.

"They've established this warehouse in support of their North Carolina production facility where they produce this commercial product. Out of here, they'll be doing distribution for the entire Northeast. They came and looked at our facility and obviously feel as though this is a good place to distribute to the area. And we're very happy that they looked at Wooster to do that."

Owens Corning has started stocking the facility with its cultured stone product, which was rated the nation's most recognized, most used, highest quality brand of manufactured stone veneer, according to a BUILDER Magazine study in 2007.

Saragian said the facility will service an area from the Mississippi River and extend all the way throughout the New England region.

"It became clear to Owens Corning that we needed a service warehouse in this area," Saragian said. "That is, somewhere in the Western Pennsylvania/East Ohio region. We already have some qualified individuals in the region and this will certainly make it easier to conduct business."

The facility will work primarily from two manufacturing sites one in Chester, S.C., and another in Napa, Calif.

WEDC honorably mentioned in Top 20

By BRYAN SCHAAF
Staff Writer

WOOSTER The resurgence of the job climate in Wayne County is no secret to those who live in the area.

But following an award from Site Selection Magazine, the rest of the country now knows about it, too.

The magazine honored the Wayne Economic Development Council as an honorable mention recipient for being one of the Top 20 economic development groups in the country for 2007.

"As we considered the nominations for the top development groups this year, it became clear that the most competitive organizations shared several characteristics," Ron Starner, director of publications and general manager of Site Selection publisher Conway Data, said in a release. "They provide market access to expanding companies, strong logistics support networks, highly qualified and abundant labor pools, competitive business costs and good, old-fashioned ingenuity to get deals done."

Groups were ranked on the basis of overall new jobs, new jobs per 10,000 residents, new investment amounts and new investment per 10,000 residents.

WEDC President Rod Crider said the county saw 37 new projects a year ago, which contributed $146 million in capital investments.

Those investment numbers are up from $105 million in 2005 and $108 million in 2006.

"What we've been able to do is really engage leadership here," Crider said. "I know I say that to the point where people get sick of hearing it, but the level of cooperation in Wayne County is something you don't find in most areas. That's a huge reason for our success. When you have everybody pulling for the same thing, you get better results.

"Also, we have a great product here in Wayne County. I think a lot of that comes from the satisfaction level of existing businesses. A lot of our growth has been from businesses already here deciding to expand rather than look at a new location. That's a great testament to this area."

Of the 37 new projects or expansions in the county, 17 had at least a $1 million investment and 50 new jobs created.

According to a release from the WEDC, the companies that completed or announced investment projects last year included American Augers, Bekaert, Bosch Rexroth, Collier Well Equipment, Johnson Brothers Rubber Co., Morton Salt, the Ohio State University's Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, PFI-Orrville, Preferred Airparts, Quality Castings, Santmyer Oil Co., Speed France, Stonecraft, TechniGraphics, J.M. Smucker Co., Walnut Creek Foods and the Westerman Companies.

In addition, those projects in 2007 carried an average annual wage of $32,000, or about $15.40 per hour.

Steve Shapiro, chairman of the WEDC, said cooperation within the community and hard work are a big reason why the county has continued to thrive despite an economic dip.

"Rod Crider does tremendous things in terms of bringing everything together required to bring new industry to the area," Shapiro said. "Things like this don't come because of happenstance. The work of our predecessors at the WEDC, guys like Chris Schmid and Steve Matthew who are both still very active, have been a huge help.

"There's also a bit of luck involved. When you have present companies here that can bring other related businesses to the area, that's helpful. It's hard to say what will happen in the future, but as long as we maintain a climate that's friendly to businesses and can offer them the right incentives, hopefully we'll continue to be successful."

Schmid, past chairman of the WEDC, pointed to Crider's professionalism and regional involvement as a large reason why the county has performed so well economically.

"You have to hire the right people, and Rod is a real professional," Schmid said. "He knows how the game is played. We listen to him. We challenge him, and all together we have a team that creates a lot of good will in the community. There is a lot of willingness in Wayne County to cooperate with the WEDC."

The former LuK USA president, Schmid also noted the growth companies have seen over the past 10 years as a huge reason the county was able to rebound after the loss of 850 manufacturing and 400 administrative Newell Rubbermaid jobs in 2003.

"I left LuK in 1999 and we had 600 employees," Schmid said. "Now they have over 1,000. If a company had come to Wooster and announced they were adding 400 jobs, we'd be tripping all over ourselves. But because it's a company that's been here, we just accept it. Look at companies like TechniGraphics, Seaman Corp. and Wooster Brush nobody ever talks about them because they're always in the background. They're just steady.

"That's what the WEDC is focusing on. Not the big, glamorous jobs, but assisting the companies who are already doing it. The county has really cooperated with us, and that makes for a better business climate."

Schmid served as the interim WEDC president for a spell while Matthew was the chairman, and Matthew said Schmid's service bought the group enough time to find Crider for the position.

"Rod was well known outside of Ohio, and he brought his connections both inside and outside of Ohio here when we hired him," said Matthew, president of Wooster Hydrostatics. "We were in tough shape as an organization at the time, but through the support of the county commissioners, (former WEDC president) Frank Beeson and Darcy Pajak , we were able to put together a plan and find a very capable person to run the organization. If Chris hadn't agreed to be the president, we probably wouldn't have gotten Rod. I'm so excited for Wayne County now.

"Orrville has a fantastic situation going and I'm pleased where we're at. It's quite gratifying given where we came from. We went from the initial shock of losing Rubbermaid to overcoming that with a tremendous team effort. Everybody pulled together to make this happen."

Before this most recent award, it was announced Wayne County was ranked as the No. 1 micropolitan area in the Midwest by Site Selection.

In addition, the county ranked third nationally, trailing only Lexington-Thomasville, N.C., and Statesville-Mooresville, N.C.

Crider said the real benefit of receiving such awards is the exposure it gives the county to the rest of the country.

"We didn't seek these awards, it's all done by a third party," Crider said. "To get that kind of recognition through a magazine gives us added credibility. People are going to look at Wayne County as a result of these awards and see that there must be something good going on there. So many people are expanding and locating there. It's worth taking a look."

Reporter Bryan Schaaf can be reached at 330-287-1645 or bschaaf@the-daily-record.com.

Wayne County Remains Among Tops in Economic Strength Nationwide

For the third year in a row, Wayne County’s economic strength ranks among the top 50 among micropolitans in the United States - and its current 43rd position shows a dramatic improvement that began in 2005 has continued.

POLICOM, an independent economic research firm based in Palm City, Fla., publishes the annual ranking of 577 micropolitan areas, defined by the federal Office of Management and Budget as having a city of at least 10,000 but fewer than 50,000 residents.

Formulas used to assess economic strength measure how the economy has behaved in the previous year. They take into account the growth and size of the regional economy, changes in business sectors that typically show how much money is flowing into a community, and local trends in welfare and Medicare. The full Policom report is available online at policom.com/microrank.htm.

Wayne County has been showing steady improvement since 2004 when it was ranked 140th. It moved to 82nd the following year before breaking in the top 50 - and remaining there ever since – in 2006. This year’s ranking placed Wayne County second among Ohio micropolitans and the fifth strongest performer in the Midwest.

Rod Crider, who serves as the president of the Wayne Economic Development Council, said he was pleased with the rankings. Business and industry has thrived in Wayne County, he believes, because of an outstanding local workforce, incredible economic diversity and an engaged leadership.

"Our discussions with employers confirm that Wayne County’s workforce is a major strength and the fact that we have such a diverse economy that is not overly dependent on one industry has brought a level of stability envied by other areas,” Crider said. “Study after study validates that Wayne County is one of the top communities for businesses and residents.”