THE ECONOMIC EDGE
RICHLAND COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
Airport West Building 1
ProjectHighlight:Richland CountyLaunchesNewPort Authority
DidYouKnow MansfieldLahm RegionalAirport CommunityMomentum ManufacturingMonth Spotlight:AvailableProperty AreaNews&Recognition AsktheTeam
Welcome
Coming Soon!
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150,000 - 300,000 sq
totheEconomicEdge,RichlandCounty’s
new quarterly economic development newsletter! Thank you so much for your support and the work you do in, around, and on behalf of our great county
This quarterly communication has been in the making for some time, and we’re so excited to share it with you As we look to not only celebrate the good news, we also aim to elevate the region and our work. Ensuring our stakeholders are informed is crucial to moving our community forward, together.
Your interest underscores a common theme you’ll see throughout this issue: we are all economic developers After all, nearly everything in
our daily lives touches economic development. It manifests in many forms. When a national corporation shows interest in Richland County, it’s due to our skilled workforce, our resources, and our supreme location Those are easy “wins” to identify
How about the established company that adds five jobs to support a new production line? That’s economic development Housing developments? Those are too Small business sustainability, public financing, and new infrastructure are as well These are all gears meshed in concert to spin our county’s economic machinery forward. At its core, development is about improving the quality of life for residents, and our local economy. Everything is affected by the foundational strength of our business ecosystem
As you read through this first issue, we hope you’ll take a moment to appreciate everything that makes Richland County so special, from our gorgeous parks to our growing companies to the people who are driving this region forward.
We love Richland County, and we appreciate you As we continue to shape this new resource, let us know what you’d like to see in future issues or how we can make it even more valuable
After all, we are ALL economic developers.
Ellen Heinz
President & CEO
Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development
Ensuringour stakeholdersare informediscrucial tomovingour community forward-together.
~EllenHeinz
DonnieClark EconomicDevelopmentProjectManager RichlandAreaChamber&EconomicDevelopment
In June of 2025, the Richland County Board of Commissioners established the Richland County PortAuthority (RCPA) to give officials a new set of tools that will help elevate additional business opportunities with public finance tools.
PortAuthorities can support increased investment in business retention, expansion and attraction projects
The RCPAhelps build our competitive advantage as over 60 other communities have one in place Now our local businesses can receive support for qualifying projects here in their home county
Since RCPA’s inception just a few short months ago, three projectshave already been approved by the Richland County PortAuthority Board
If you have a possible project and would like to find out more about the RCPAand if it would potentially qualify to utilize the RCPA’s tools, please contact our Financial Specialist Tom Vanderhorst, 419-522-3211
tvanderhorst@richlandareachambercom
Airport namesake Frank Lahm is often called “the nation’s first military aviator”
At 9,000’, Mansfield Lahm’s 32-14 runway is long enough to land huge planes, like NASA’s famed Super Guppy, which in 2023, landed in Mansfield with the Orion spacecraft, bound for the NeilA ArmstrongTest Facility in Sandusky
The airport is home to the area's largest industrial park, with nearly 100 manufacturers/distributors and approximately 5,000 industrial jobs!
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The 179 Cyberspace Wing is the FIRSTNational Guard cyberspace mission ever!
NissAviation is the airport’s premier Fixed-Base Operator (FBO).They offer a complete line of services, such as aircraft maintenance, freight handling, hangar space, rental cars,
and more Contact NissAviation at (419) 524-4261 or support@nissaviationfbo com
Mansfield Lahm RegionalAirport (MLRA) is located at 2000 Harrington Memorial Road in Mansfield The international airport code is KMFD Contact MLRAat 419-522-2191 or airport@ci mansfield oh us
Adena Construction:Airport West Spec Building 2
Mansfield Lahm RegionalAirport
CommunityMomentum
Business Retention & Expansion visits, or BREs for those who love acronyms, are a great way to foster economic growth By supporting existing businesses, we can help address local challenges and prepare for future successes
That is to say, if you want to build out, start from within.
BytheNumbers
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During a BRE, business leaders and economic developers get a chance to “talk shop ” By focusing on business strategies, current challenges and future opportunities, our team will partner with you to help identify local, regional and statewide solutions like funding streams, workforce training models and new market identification
Information shared during BREs remains strictly confidential
Any company looking to grow, stabilize or even overcome challenges is encouraged to schedule a BRE visit with our team
Every job, every company and every challenge is worth discussing. Call the Economic Development team at the Chamber for a BRE visit today! 419-522-3211, or email dclark@chooserichland com
ManufacturingMonth
Thank you manufacturers!
October is Manufacturing Month, a time to recognize the vital role this sector plays in Richland County and across Ohio Locally, manufacturing is a strong, stable foundation for employment, with one in every five jobs tied to the industry, more than double the national average
Jobs Tied to Manufacturing
One in every five jobs in Richland County is in manufacturing, more than double the national average, highlighting the sector’s importance to the regional economy.
Source:OhioLaborMarketInformation(ohiolmi.com), RichlandCountyProfile–EmploymentbyIndustry, accessedOctober13,2025.
Richland County is home to a diverse mix of manufacturers in logistics, automotive, packaging, R&D, and advanced materials The workforce is skilled, resilient, and deeply connected to industry, building on a legacy that includes Westinghouse, Ohio Brass, Gorman-Rupp Pumps, and Charter Next Generation Manufacturing job numbers have remained steady from 2021 through 2024, reflecting the sector’s adaptability and continued relevance This stability drives the local economy, supporting both direct employment and related industries
As we celebrate Manufacturing Month, we honor the people and companies that continue to build, produce, and grow right here in Richland County.
Abrand-new 150,000 SF ClassAindustrial building, expandable to 300,000 SF, is coming to Mansfield’s premier industrial park. With proximity to I-71, US-30, and the Mansfield Railport, the site features 34’ceilings, ESFR sprinklers, 20 docks, and all major utilities on site Ideal for manufacturing, logistics, or warehousing Enterprise Zone and FTZ eligible Available Q4 2025 for lease or purchase
BRE Visit at Phillips Tube Group
Charter Next Generation Expands in Northeast Ohio
CNG’s latest growth adds 125 new jobs and boosts innovation in specialty film manufacturing.
Shelby’sKarlMillironisbringingnewlifeto downtownwithplansforaboutiquehoteland upscalerestaurantinarestoredhistoric building.
RCT Expands Transit to Solve Workforce Access Gaps
Richland County awarded grant to expand transit access for 2nd, 3rd, and early 1st shift workers.
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Connect with our team, or follow us on LinkedIn Together, we’ll continue building a region where businesses thrive, talent is supported, and opportunities grow
AboutUs
$20M Broadband Investment Coming to U.S. 30 Corridor
Ohio’s budget includes $20M for U.S. 30 broadband, benefiting Richland County businesses and residents.
$2M Mansfield Speedway Redevelopment Underway
Developers have begun a $2M project to transform Mansfield Speedway into a motorsports and tourism venue.
Anew $50M medical building will bring expanded pediatric and specialty care services to Richland County
AsktheTeam:
Avita becomes the first in Ohio to offer RapidArc Dynamic Beam technology, advancing local cancer care.
CancompaniescalltheRichlandAreaChamber&Economic DevelopmentforJobsOhioinformation?
Great question!YES! We have a great relationship with both JobsOhio and its regional partner,TeamNEO Many of Ohio’s business support programs flow through JobsOhio at the state level.
These partnerships bring tools like job creation tax credits, training grants, and equipment grants and other incentives to Richland County Local projects have used them to prepare sites, train workers, and grow
Want to see if your project qualifies? Please reach out and email us
Eachquarter,astaffmemberanswersa reader-submittedquestionorsharesa perspectiveonwhereRichlandCounty isheadednext.Submityourquestionto dclark@chooserichland.com
The Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development is an organization focused on strengthening the regional economy through business retention, expansion, attraction, and community collaboration We connect site selectors, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to resources and opportunities across Richland County and beyond to help them thrive in our region!
Let’s Connect!
GoTeam Richland!
EllenHeinz,MEd,OhioCED President&CEO RichlandAreaChamber& EconomicDevelopment
EllenHeinz,President&CEO
DonnieClark,EconomicDevelopmentProjectManager JessicaGribben,Economic&CommunityDevelopmentDirector ClintKnight,WorkforceDevelopmentDirector
SandyMessner,Marketing&CommunicationsDirector
BarrettThomas,Sr.EconomicDevelopmentDirector TomVanderhorst,FinanceSpecialist
richland-area-chamber-of-commerce
NissAviation
Karl Milliron Invests in Downtown
Shelby with Restaurant & Hotel Project
OhioHealth / Nationwide Children’s to Open New Facility in Ontario
Avita Ontario Cancer Center Adds New Treatment Technology