OhioSE Valued Regional Partners

Local Economic Development Organizations

Most  of the twenty-five OhioSE counties has a staffed position whose focus is economic development. The names of the organizations differ; some are Port Authorities, others are Community Improvement Corporations (CICs) and other have unique names. These individuals and organizations are key to attracting new businesses and growing existing businesses. They know their county best and are charged to have a vast array of information including details on available sites, labor pools, logistics and utilities in their respective county needed for attracting a new company. They also know the businesses already in their area and are part of the network of support reaching out help existing companies grow and thrive. Find detailed information on each of our counties here.

Regional Development Organizations

• Buckeye Hills: Buckeye Hills – Hocking Valley Regional Development District helps local communities work together to cooperatively improve the region. A voluntary organization of local government political subdivisions, Buckeye Hills serves eight counties within the OhioSE region. They assist with securing financial resources for infrastructure and community projects. The counties they serve include Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Washington.

• OMEGA: Ohio Mid-Eastern Government’s Association is a collaborative body of member governments that serves as a facilitator between state and federal government agencies and local entities to provide opportunities in economic and community development through networking, education, planning, research, and allocation of resources. OMEGA serves ten counties within our region: Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Muskingum and Tuscarawas.

• OVRDC: Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission is a public regional planning commission established coordinate federal, state and local resources to encourage development in 12 southern Ohio counties: Adams, Brown, Clermont, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton.

Entrepreneurship Partners

• Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership & Public Affairs – Ohio University, chartered as the first university in Ohio in 1804, established the Voinovich School as a regional public policy think tank and applied learning center. Several entrepreneurial programs reside under the Voinovich School, including:
  • Small Business Development Center(SBDC): The Voinovich School SBDC was recognized as the top SBDC in a six-state region for its work with existing businesses and start-ups in twelve southeast Ohio counties. Experienced counselors provide a full-range of no-cost consulting services as well as workshops in a variety of topic areas. SBDC staff meets with businesses owners to customize their services to the needs of the business. Counselors can assist businesses secure capital, develop business plans and financial projections, identify market and growth strategies, and complete financial analysis to identify opportunities for improved profitability.
  • Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC): The Voinovich School PTAC works with businesses in 55 Ohio counties, assisting them to identify and pursue opportunities to contract with government agencies. For the fourth year in a row, this office has broken its own record, assisting Ohio firms to obtain the governmental awards worth over $896 million.
  • TechGROWTH Ohio works with high-potential technology businesses, providing intensive, customized operational assistance for enterprise growth and capital acquisition. TechGROWTH Ohio has generated more than $500 million in economic impact. Additionally, this initiative worked closely with Ohio University to establish two first-of-their-kind initiatives to assist researchers in commercializing and funding their technologies: I-Corps@Ohio and the Ohio Innovation Fund.
• Ohio University Innovation Center: The Innovation Center is a business incubator that provides resources and guidance to startup companies located in Athens and the surrounding region. Created in 1983 by visionaries at Ohio University, the center was the first university-based business incubator in the State of Ohio and just the 12th in the United States. The 36,000-square-feet, custom-built facility is a key player in fueling the economic development of Southeast Ohio. The center supports its clients with a considerable range of resources via a virtual or onsite client membership which includes executive coaching, professional office space, biotechnology laboratories, additive manufacturing, conference and meetings spaces, discounted vendor contracts, and access to an expansive network of public and private business industry experts. Additional amenities include a fully-equipped business center, high-speed internet, parking, and much more.
• Ohio SBDC at the OSU South Center: The Ohio Small Business Development Center at the Ohio State University offers comprehensive business management and education services including free, confidential, in-depth, one-on-one counseling and low-or no-cost training.  This Center serves these OhioSE counties: Adams, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton.
• Kricker Innovation Hub at Shawnee State University: The Kricker Innovation Hub is a landmark facility in Downtown Portsmouth that promotes entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity in the region.

• Building Bridges to Careers and the Epicenter: Building Bridges to Careers (BB2C) is dedicated to bridging the gap between education and employment for all students by building community networks that provide students with experiences in a variety of career fields and help them attain their life goals. BB2C has developed multiple programs that connect students, parents, and teachers to local businesses and employers. Over the last six years, 2,800+ students have been directly impacted through the implementation of their projects because of the community partnerships that were created. Job shadowing and internships allow for students to gain firsthand experience with a career and with local employers. Career Mentoring and the Problem Scenario Project provide avenues for community adults and businesses to be a part of the school and the curriculum. Student Ambassadors develop leadership skills by connecting their peers to the BB2C opportunities. Career Pathway Stories allow for unlimited access to career pathway information, and the Family Career Awareness Day directly connects parents and their children to local employers. The Epicenter is a Youth and Entrepreneurial Development Center that brings the vision of BB2C to life by providing the area’s first small business incubator and community maker space.

• Kent State Tuscarawas SBDC: The Kent State Tuscarawas Small Business Development Center serves five counties in the northern zone of the OhioSE region: Carroll, Coshocton, Harrison, Holmes, and Jefferson. 

Satellite Offices/Co-working Agreements
Because we serve 25 counties in the OhioSE region, we have satellite offices in three shared workspaces in the region: 

• IncSwell, Marietta
• OU Innovation Center, Athens
• Kricker Innovation Hub, Portsmouth