For the sixth consecutive year, Findlay, Ohio has been ranked the top micropolitan community in the U.S. for new and expanding facilities by Site Selection magazine, the official publication of the Global FDI Association and the Industrial Asset Management Council.
The magazine ranked 551 of the nations micropolitan areas, cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people which cover at least one county.
Rankings are based on qualified projects that have met one of the three criteria: at least $1 MM invested, 20 or more jobs created or 20,000 or more square feet constructed.
“Winning six years in a row demonstrates the strength of our existing office, manufacturing and logistics base,” said Tim Mayle, Director of Economic Development.
“Each year our top priority is Retention and Expansion. The majority of our qualifying projects come from companies that continue to hire employees, expand facilities and invest in machinery and equipment.”
Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development focused on residential development in 2019. “We have seen approximatley 1,000 net new jobs each of the past six years. Residential projects included single and multifamily, senior and workforce housing, townhomes and downtown infill. Right now we have 14 residential projects in our pipeline for 2020,” said Mayle.
Residential development projects do not qualify for the Site Selection Top Micropolitan award.
Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development will target automotive investment in 2020 and beyond.
“You will see a lot of marketing this year detailing why Findlay is “the place for C.A.S.E.”
“Findlays central location to the automotive OEMs and our positive work environment both give us a strategic advantage for investment,” said Mayle.
CASE is an automotive industry acronym for Connectivity, Autonomous, Sharing and Electrification.
“Companies will be looking to localize the supply chain due to USMCA changes as well as utilize our Foreign Trade Zone to meet CAFE standards.”
