A Decade of Difference Together

Anne Yeager 
JobsOhio

As JobsOhio reflects on its nearly 10-year partnership with the Ohio Economic Development Association, it is truly a “decade of difference, together.” On behalf of JobsOhio, we thank OEDA and its members for a valued collaboration.

As of December 16, 2021 has been the best year ever for JobsOhio, bringing in 31,165 new jobs, which is an all-time high since 2011 when it was created. JobsOhio brought in $1.74 billion in new payrolls, marking another record. Additionally, there was $7 billion in capital investment, 403 new projects, and 2,200 in business retention and expansion.

JobsOhio’s Inclusive Economic Development Strategy, which helps raise up all Ohioans in distressed and underserved areas and underrepresented populations like minorities, women, veterans, and people with disabilities, completed 209 projects, leading to 1,115 new jobs and $47.8 million dollars in new payroll.

These metrics result from a record-shattering year for each of JobsOhio’. These results would not be possible without our local and regional partners. The Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) in Northwest Ohio created 4,650 jobs, while, in the Dayton region, the Dayton Development Coalition (DDC) is reporting there were 4,262 new jobs generated.

In the Ohio Southeast (OhioSE) region, there were 1,340 new jobs created, and in Cleveland (Team NEO), there were 8,914 jobs generated. In Columbus, there were 8,215 new jobs brought to Central Ohio through One Columbus.

As part of its 2021 Points of Pride, Bioscience giant Amgen broke ground in Columbus on a manufacturing facility that will bring $400 million into our state and 400 full-time jobs.

In the Toledo region, Peloton announced a $400 million investment in Wood County to build its first U.S. manufacturing facility, creating more than 2,100 good-paying jobs.

The Cincinnati Innovation District is expanding its physical footprint with a focus on minority-led start-ups and underrepresented entrepreneurs, starting with the announcement that Lightship Foundation will establish its headquarters there.

In Cleveland, our partners announced that one of the largest female-owned businesses in the state of Ohio, Novagard Solutions, has expanded. It grew by $42 million in revenue and brought 50 well-paying jobs to the Northeast Ohio region.

In the Dayton area, Gabriel Brothers or Gabe’s, the department store chain, announced a new 850,000 square foot distribution center in Springfield, Ohio. The $77.5 million facility will create more than 800 full-time and part-time jobs.

In Southeast Ohio, Rural King announced plans to expand current operations in Waverly in October. The family-owned business will invest more than $33 million to purchase and renovate the Jackson Building.

The energy and enthusiasm around economic development has created the momentum needed for Ohio to seize a generational opportunity to be a center of gravity for economic development in America.

As we look ahead, 2022 promises to be another record-breaking year and we look forward to our continued work with the best economic development professionals in the world!