Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE), the OhioSE Board of Directors, and JobsOhio today announce Matt Abbott as OhioSE’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
“Since 2011, OhioSE has completed 406 projects and 29 site investments that have led to more than $12.6 billion in capital investment and 12,652 new jobs in our region, and since 2016, JobsOhio has increased funding to the region by 72 percent,” said OhioSE Board, President Tim Wells. “Matt Abbott has been very successful in advancing economic development for Muskingum County, and we are confident that as president and CEO, he will take the momentum OhioSE and JobsOhio have achieved and continue to drive results to create an even stronger economic future for our region.”
Abbott joins the economic development corporation following a rigorous and thorough search process led by the OhioSE Board of Directors and OhioSE Interim President Katy Farber. The leadership appointment marks a significant moment for OhioSE as it continues to lead economic development initiatives across the region’s 25 counties.
“I have been blessed with some neat opportunities in my life, and to be able to work with the OhioSE Team and its partners to better the 25 counties in our region is definitely one of the highest,” said Matt Abbott. “The time is now for the OhioSE region, and I am ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure we are working toward a common goal that is best for each individual community that we serve.”
With deep-rooted connections in Southeast Ohio and a Muskingum University alumnus, Abbott previously served as the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority executive director for over nine years and was one of the co-founders of Zanesville’s Foxfire Community Schools for at-risk youth. He has held numerous leadership roles with local organizations, including Advisory Board Member of OhioSE, President of Eastern Ohio Development Alliance, and Chair of Muskingum County Chamber.
“The OhioSE Board of Directors made the right choice in selecting Matt Abbott as the president and CEO of OhioSE – his great energy, passion, and results are exactly what’s needed to capitalize on the opportunities ahead,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “I would also like to extend my appreciation to Katy Farber, who has successfully filled the role of interim president since July 2023, offering her team stability while also achieving tremendous results for the 25-county region, including a 60% increase in job creation and infrastructure building projects since 2019.”
Abbott’s track record for driving forward the region’s vitality led to recognition by Ohio Business Magazine, being named one of the publication’s Top 500 Influential People for three consecutive years (2022-2024). As a results-driven leader, Abbott helped foster nearly $1 billion in private capital investment and create over 1,000 jobs in Muskingum County since 2015.
“Matt and the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority have always been outstanding partners with OhioSE,” said Katy Farber, OhioSE Interim President. “The focused commitment to developing industrial sites and buildings and supporting existing companies is evident in Muskingum County. We eagerly welcome Matt as our President/CEO to continue that focused commitment throughout the region.”
OhioSE’s Board of Directors evaluated more than 60 qualified candidates. Looking ahead, Abbott and the rest of the OhioSE team will work closely with JobsOhio to continue spearheading initiatives aligned with workforce development, shovel-ready sites, and business attraction and retention.
OhioSE’s 2024 economic development achievements include project expansions at Intermountain Electronics Corporation in South Point and American Heavy Plates Solutions in Monroe. The team has also implemented JobsOhio Small Business Grants and Vibrant Community investments, which have supported over 100 small business projects since 2019 and helped entrepreneurs and developers spark downtown revitalization in several Southeast Ohio communities, including the Cambridge revitalization project announced in January.
Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) is the JobsOhio Network Partner for southern, eastern, and southeastern Ohio, providing economic development work and resources in 25 rural counties. Geographically the largest of the seven regions across the state, OhioSE partners closely with regional development districts, local economic development offices, state agencies, and other entities to expand, retain, and attract businesses in the counties they serve.
