By Business Facilities Editorial Staff
From the January/February 2015 issue
Licking County, OH has an impressive story to tell to—and about—its business community. Located in the center of the Greater Columbus, OH region, the community offers accessibility, affordability, and cutting-edge workforce development programs. The community has committed to deployment of these and other resources for businesses success, through GROW Licking County Community Improvement Corporation. This public-private partnership is designed to provide a single point of contact for all development-related assistance, simplifying the process and maximizing local and regional resources.
Long a center of innovation and manufacturing, as well as an agribusiness hub, Licking County never wavered in its focus on these key sectors. Accordingly, the county has seen substantial investment activity over the past two years, as its resources remained poised to provide a competitive advantage to companies poised for growth. Licking County is increasingly recognized as a premier location for manufacturing and technology-enabled development. Numerous factors contribute to this, including:
- Exceptional access to major markets. A transportation network including direct access to interstates, multi-lane state routes, air and rail service enhance transporting people and product
- Cost-effective sites, facilities, and development options offered by innovative, collaborative development firms, enhanced by creative state and local incentives and financing options
- An extraordinary, diverse workforce. New and existing Licking County businesses consistently comment on the quality and work ethic of the community’s employees, and the innovative, collaborative training and recruitment resources available.
A LOCATION WITH INTERNATIONAL APPEAL
After an extensive multi-state selection and review process, xperion Energy & Environment, a Germany-based automotive components manufacturer, selected Licking County for its new, 50,000-square-foot facility in Heath’s Central Ohio Aerospace & Technology Center, the organization’s first North American manufacturing and sales presence. The Licking County facility will produce composite automotive tanks for the compressed natural gas (CNG) sector.
xperion joins a host of major international firms that have committed to investment or expansion in Licking County. These commitments will result in more than $300 million in new investment, over 1,500 new job opportunities and more than 1,000 existing jobs.
