CHILLICOTHE – As a team of regional economic development officials prepare for an upcoming series of meetings in Texas, they have new accolades they can bring to their discussions.
For the third straight year and the fourth time in the last six, Chillicothe has been named to Site Selection Magazine’s Top 100 Micropolitan Areas in the U.S. This year, the city is joined regionally on the list by Portsmouth. Chris Manegold, CEO of the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio, said it provides a boost when marketing the region to site selectors and companies like the ones they will be meeting with on the trip to Dallas and Houston.
A micropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, has a core urban population of at least 10,000 people but no more than 50,000 and an adjacent area with commuting ties to that core — in this case, Chillicothe. There are presently 575 designated micropolitan areas across the country.
To make the list, Site Selection looks at submitted corporate projects such as locating a headquarters, manufacturing plant, research and development operation or logistical operation that have a significant impact on an area. New facilities and expansions must either involve at least $1 million in capital investment, create at least 20 new jobs or add at least 20,000 square feet of space to be considered in the rankings.
Healthcare, retail, government, education and utility projects are not considered in the ranking process.
Five Ohio micropolitans were ranked in the top 10, led by Findlay in the top spot, Wooster at number three and Portsmouth, Celina and Defiance tied for 10th. Chillicothe ranked 78th on the list, with the opening of a Murphy-Hoffman road ready center on Ohio 159 and the latest expansion of Riffle Machine Works as principal projects during the year. Other projects were also notable during 2016 in Ross County, including Kenworth’s $17 million facility expansion to enhance parts management and create an automated storage process.
Manegold said consistently making appearances on the list can have a couple of positive impacts. For residents of the city and county, it can serves as a reminder of forward economic momentum within the community and be a source of civic pride. For marketing the area to potential new businesses, it’s about reaching the decision makers in those companies.
“Site Selection probably has the best circulation among corporate people — the site selectors as well as corporations — so to be on the list … you just never know (what it could do for you),” he said. “It’s one of those great intangibles. It’s like advertising, you’ll never know whose eyeballs you’ll catch with something like that.”
Ohio finished second in the country in 2016 Governor’s Cup projects with 515, demonstrating the state is already garnering attention from businesses. Having two micropolitans within the same development region in southern Ohio on the list has the potential to give someone looking at where in the state to locate something to think about.
“Being recognized in this way shows that our local/regional economic development model works,” said Bryan Davis, chairman of the Scioto County commissioners, in responding to Portsmouth’s appearance on the list. “Through collaboration with the Southern Ohio Port Authority, our local workforce development organizations, and our local, regional, state and national economic development and government officials, our area has made great strides in attracting business in a relatively short period of time.
“We want the world to know southern Ohio is open for business.”
From Chillicothe Gazette | March 6, 2017
