International Development
Foreign Direct Investment
Ohio Southeast leads Southeast Ohio in developing new international investment and trade opportunities
Ohio is an attractive state for foreign direct investment (FDI) and Southeast Ohio offers sites and buildings ready for occupancy, an available workforce with a strong work ethic, and regional partners ready to assist FDI projects and help guide your company through the process.
With a skilled workforce, Ohio’s tax advantages, every form of transportation, and lower operating costs, Southeast Ohio has become a premier location for international investment. Our logistics include highway, rail, and barge freight options which allow businesses to move product and raw goods inexpensively. We are a one-day drive to 50% of the U.S. and Canadian populations.
Southeast Ohio exports billions of dollars in goods each year, fueling both the regional and national economies. Key resources supporting these export initiatives include:
- Export Success
- OhioSE’s relationship with the Ohio Export Office
- U.S. Commercial Service
- International Economic Development Council
Forty-nine foreign-owned companies from twenty-two countries currently thrive in the region.
Soft Landing Can Benefit Small to Mid-Sized Companies
OhioSE is dedicated to making the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) process as seamless and supportive as possible for international companies considering Southeast Ohio. Our soft landing program offers a flexible, phased approach to help you assess business opportunities and test market viability before committing significant resources. With this program, you gain the advantage of exploring the U.S. market at your own pace, gaining insights, and building connections that will benefit your investment.
By connecting you to an extensive network of business incubators, industry experts, and resource providers, we offer cost-effective solutions that allow you to establish a presence in the market under highly favorable economic conditions. Our partnerships with Ohio University and The Ohio State University bring unique strengths to the region’s incubators, offering resources such as:
- Import/export regulations and compliance
- U.S. market research tailored to your sector
- Technical expertise in areas like Lean, ISO certification, and occupational safety
- Cultural guidance to ease the transition into the U.S. business environment and more
Our soft landing program is anchored by exceptional facilities, including Ohio University’s award-winning Innovation Center and the OSU Endeavor Center in Piketon. If you're exploring an FDI project in Southeast Ohio, reach out to our team, and we’ll guide you through the resources and connections available to support your success.
International Companies that Call OhioSE Home
“When AMG Vanadium was embarking on our strategic expansion in 2019, we considered several domestic and global sites for our new $300M spent catalyst recycling and ferrovanadium production facility. Thanks to the phenomenal support and incentives we received from local authorities and the State of Ohio, including OhioSE and other state agencies, we ultimately decided to build our new plant in Muskingum County, approximately 25 miles from our headquarter facility in nearby Cambridge. This partnership and AMG’s investment has generated over 100 new technical and manufacturing jobs for the people in southeastern Ohio.”
Tom Centa, AMG Vanadium