Build it and they will come

Because companies wait as long as they can before committing to a new location, when the decision to execute is finalized, their timeline to get up and running is significantly compressed. According to Todd Thoman, Agracel, Inc. director, business development, "Over 90% of site selection projects seek existing buildings and that's why spec buildings are so desirable. Small communities can attract significant investment by having the right product available for manufacturers that are ready to expand."

Spec building attracts international manufacturer

The Fostoria, Ohio, CIC recognized the lack of building inventory necessary to attract manufacturers to the community and acted to create a 40,000 SF spec building. With that building filled, a 100,000 SF spec building is now under construction.

Electric cooperative grant readies site for development

The last undeveloped site in a Fostoria industrial park will accommodate a 30,000 SF building, but needed tree clearing to prepare for development. North Central Electric Cooperative and OEC stepped up to advance the site prep.

Fostoria Learning Center develops workforce skills

The Fostoria Learning Center partners with local K-12 schools, higher education providers, businesses, and industry to provide specific workforce training required by existing local businesses.

Collaborative community approach benefits

In Fostoria, Ohio, cooperation is innate as the city overlaps three counties. Partnerships are essential to success, especially so for economic development.

Find your sweet spot in Ohio

Rural sites with reliable and affordable energy and easy access to suppliers and customers are available throughout the territories served by Ohio's 25 local electric cooperatives. If your organization is searching for expansion sites for food production, R&D, processing, or distribution, contact OEC's Dennis Mingyar at (614) 430-7876 or [email protected].

Buckeye Power and Ohio's Electric Cooperatives can help with:

• Comprehensive site and building portfolios
  
• Preliminary site studies
• Site search tours
• Assistance in identifying financial incentives
• Electric rate analyses
• Community profiles
• State and local government contacts
• Contractor introductions