PRESS RELEASE
March 1, 2024 | Wooster, Ohio
City of Wooster, Defiance, Sidney, and Findlay help push Ohio into the top three states for overall economic development projects in 2023
Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Mayor Reynolds announced today that the Wooster Micropolitan Area has again been named a top Micropolitan city by Site Selection Magazine. The City of Wooster joins several other Ohio cities to receive top rankings.
“Ohio is witnessing a surge in investment and economic expansion, with the state's overall project count reaching remarkable heights,” Governor Mike DeWine said. “Ohio is truly the heart of it all, as evidenced by this new era of strategic investments and increased employment opportunities for Ohioans."
In 2023, Ohio drew in substantial business ventures, such as corporate headquarters, manufacturing facilities, research and development hubs, and logistics sites, with prominent names like Daisy Brand, Federal Express, and Schaeffler, and in other regions of the state, Joby Aviation, Amazon, Wells Fargo, and Google. The latest Governor’s Cup standings highlight Ohio’s ability to empower corporations, entrepreneurs, and talented individuals to establish and advance their businesses and careers in the state.
“Ohio is getting noticed on a national and global scale, and it’s because of our great business environment, skilled workforce, and focus on innovation,” Lt. Governor Jon Husted said. “As we continue to win these big economic development deals, it’s the people and families of the state who benefit, filling these open jobs and experiencing a better quality of life within their communities.”
Ohio was recognized with several top-10 cities, with Wooster ranking 10th among the nation’s 538 micropolitans. The Site Selection Magazine ranking is application-based. While not all communities apply, the ranking provides a strong indication of a community’s business-friendliness and responsiveness, in combination with actual basic-sector business expansion.
Previously, Wooster earned a rank of 14th nationwide, and 10th in the State of Ohio, in the Policom Economic Strength Ranking. In that measure, which does not involve an application, all economies are assessed for their continuity of economic conditions and growth.
Other cities and metros receiving rankings include Dayton-Kettering, which secured the fourth spot among tier-two metros, and Lima, ranking third among tier-three metros. Cincinnati and Columbus also have distinguished themselves in the Top 10 tier-one metro for more than a decade, ranking eighth and ninth per capita, respectively.