ASHLAND — New businesses are moving into Ashland County. Companies are expanding. Growth is coming.
Local economic leaders pointed to new developments and rising economic statistics Tuesday as they looked at what Ashland needs to keep growing.
Ashland Area Economic Development President Matt Miller shared a snapshot of Ashland’s growing economy at the annual economic development meeting.
Ashland County’s gross domestic product reached about $2.4 billion, an increase of 2 percent, according to Miller. The median home value also rose from about $227,000 to $269,000.
Ashland’s median age has fallen to 42.3, its lowest point in a decade. Residents ages 45 to 64 make up the largest percentage of the population.
The county’s average hourly wage reached $26.30 with a 3.1 percent unemployment rate.
Those numbers come as Ashland prepares for new businesses and expansions.
Cameo Carey, director of Ashland Area Economic Development, helped secure nearly $4 million through 10 grants while operating on an annual budget of about $100,000.
The grants have funded environmental studies and downtown improvements.
“We’re experiencing a lot of growth here,” Miller said. “More than we’ve experienced in the last several decades.”
Dorm Dudes has begun construction on a new facility in the industrial park. Crown Jewels plans to build a roughly 60,000-square-foot facility near Wells Road and Ford Drive.
Crown Jewels’ expansion follows a contract with Hallmark, according to Miller. The company also supplies paper goods and bags to TJ Maxx.
Meptagon plans to build a manufacturing facility near Ford Drive and Wells Road. The company makes specialized conduit used in factories that make computer chips and could eventually bring about 50 jobs to Ashland.
The city also expects to close on about 30 acres in the industrial park within the next month. Miller said the property could accommodate three buildings ranging from about 150,000 to 200,000 square feet each.
Some of the buildings could house new businesses, while others could allow existing businesses to move into the city.
Preparing workers for growth
Who will fill the jobs those businesses create?
Rodney Cheyney, superintendent of the career center, said career education can help students move directly into local jobs while giving employers access to workers with specialized skills.
The career center has added about 26,000 square feet through its renovation and expanded programs like welding, mechanical engineering, culinary arts, criminal justice, health care, cybersecurity and creative media.
Cheyney said enrollment is growing as the center introduces younger students to career opportunities and gives older students more hands-on experience.
Teacher recruitment and retention remain one of the center’s biggest challenges, Cheyney said. Career centers compete with businesses for people with specialized skills.
Team NEO CEO Matt Dolan said Ashland also needs to market itself as part of the larger Northeast Ohio economy when reaching out to potential employers.
Companies looking for new locations consider factors beyond a county’s borders, including available workers, suppliers and other businesses, Dolan said.
He also emphasized the need for development-ready land. Older properties can require environmental cleanup, infrastructure improvements and other work before a company can begin construction.
“You are part of the reason that you want to be here, and your kids want to be here, and your grandkids want to be here,” Dolan said.
The city recently acquired about 115 acres near U.S. 42 and Midland Avenue. Miller said the purchase will give the city more control over how the property develops as housing demand grows.
That demand is creating a balancing act. More housing and businesses can bring new residents, jobs and tax revenue, but they also require roads, utilities and other infrastructure to keep pace.
“We’ve got to make sure infrastructure can keep up with all this,” Miller said. “We’ve got to make sure that we’re ready for the growth that I believe we’re about to experience.”
