Unique Program Helps Ohio Communities Attract Companies with Sites Ready for Immediate Development

JobsOhio Initiative Makes Site Selection a Win-Win for Companies and Communities

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Oct 23, 2018, 11:23 ET

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Companies looking for a perfect location to build in Ohio will have an easier time finding one thanks to a unique site authentication program called SiteOhio.

This one-of-a-kind program, offered by JobsOhio, guarantees industrial sites are ready for immediate development, creating a win-win situation for companies and communities. Companies get access to sites that minimize risk, reduce costs and increase speed to market. Communities gain construction-ready sites that are more appealing to potential buyers and may help attract jobs to their region.

JobsOhio, the private, nonprofit corporation designed to drive job creation and capital investment in Ohio, launched SiteOhio in 2016 in response to the need across the state for more construction-ready industrial sites.

"Companies were coming to Ohio looking for industrial sites to build on, but no one maintained a comprehensive list of available sites and their attributes," said Kristi Clouse, JobsOhio executive director of operations. "That made it difficult for companies to find locations that met their needs."

SiteOhio has changed that.

Program consultants put sites through several rounds of rigorous reviews and comprehensive analyses, looking at everything from the size of the area's workforce to the site's accessibility to utilities, airports, railroads and interstates. Only sites that meet certain criteria earn the SiteOhio Seal of Authentication, guaranteeing they are ready for immediate development. If a site has been authenticated, it means that all utilities are on-site and have adequate capacity, that due diligence studies have been completed to mitigate risk, and that surrounding areas have been vetted for compatibility with industrial operations.

"SiteOhio has enabled us to create an inventory of highly desirable, construction-ready industrial sites, giving Ohio a competitive advantage over other states," Clouse said. "Now when companies are looking for a project site in Ohio, we can steer them to several outstanding options."

Gallia County Economic Development recently learned that, after working with JobsOhio for several months, they succeeded in getting SiteOhio authentication for a part of the Dan Evans Industrial Park in Gallia County.

"The Phase II site within the Dan Evans Industrial Park has seen a clear increase in project submissions and outside interest as it has progressed through the SiteOhio authentication program," said Melissa Clark, director of Gallia County Economic Development. "Having built strong partnerships with JobsOhio and APEG, the support provided by these partner economic development agencies as we navigate through multiple project submissions is immeasurable."

Since SiteOhio's inception, 15 sites have received the seal of authentication and have drone video footage available for site consultants who want a bird's-eye view:

1.    Clark County – NextEdge Research and Technical Park
2.    Clark County – PrimeOhio II Industrial Park
3.    Clermont County – South Afton Industrial Park
4.    Crawford County – Ohio Crossroads Industrial Center
5.    Fayette County – Washington Court House Industrial Park
6.    Gallia County – Dan Evans Industrial Park
7.    Greene County – Greene Regional Business Park
8.    Highland County – Leesburg Industrial Park
9.    Highland County – South Central Ohio Industrial Park
10. Hocking County – Logan Hocking Commerce Park
11. Richland County – Airport West Industrial Park
12. Union County – Starkey at Warner Road
13. Van Wert County – Vision Parkway
14. Williams County – Bryan North Industrial Park
15. Wood County – Eastwood Commerce Center

Learn more about SiteOhio and Ohio's construction ready sites at http://jobsohio.com/site-selection.

About JobsOhio
JobsOhio is a private, nonprofit corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion efforts.

JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio: Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth, Columbus 2020, Dayton Development Coalition, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO.

Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

SOURCE JobsOhio