From The President
In reviewing the past year’s results, the Regional Growth Partnership views 2021 as another successful venture for this region. Despite the national and global constraints, Northwest Ohio realized many achievements in attracting new business, new jobs and new investment.
Rightfully, we want to celebrate and recognize those successes. And this report is intended to highlight those wins across our 17-county region. Please enjoy this interactive annual report.
For the RGP, we’re already focusing on “what’s next” to help grow this region.
The RGP is adding a new focus to its strategic mission by addressing the critical issue of workforce and talent attraction. Along with our partners across Northwest Ohio, we understand workforce shortages are crippling businesses. We understand the need to better align training with the needs of business, as well as the need to attract new talent into this region.
While this issue is certainly not new, moving additional resources into this arena does mark a new chapter for the RGP. You’ll certainly be hearing much more from us in the coming months as we strive to develop meaningful solutions.
PRESIDENT & CEOREGIONAL GROWTH PARTNERSHIP
RGP 2021 METRICS
Results Worth Sharing
The Regional Growth Partnership is the lead economic development organization representing 17 counties in Northwest Ohio. As a 100% privately funded corporation, the RGP is committed to attracting new investment, new business and new high-quality jobs to the region.
Those efforts are accomplished through:
- Proactive outreach and engagement with companies and site consultants
- Aggressive lead generation marketing programs
- Effective Business Retention & Expansion Program
- Targeted efforts to drive workforce development
The RGP also serves as Northwest Ohio’s Regional Network Partner for JobsOhio to facilitate economic development efforts as well as manage the incentive process.
In collaboration with our local, regional and state economic development partners, the RGP reports the following results across Northwest Ohio for 2021:
6,408
New Jobs
15,896
Retained Jobs
$2.5B
Capital Investment
118
Projects
Inside the Numbers | Advanced Manufacturing
Assembling Something Special
An abundance of talent, passion and work ethic have helped Northwest Ohio become one of the most robust environments for advanced manufacturing. With a comprehensive transportation network to move product in and out, combined with a trained, dedicated manufacturing workforce, Northwest Ohio is rightly recognized as a leading location for business. In just the last five years, businesses have invested more than $5.8 billion into new or expanding operations, creating more than 11,000 new jobs.
2021 Results:
3,930
New Jobs
$1.48B
Capital Investment
Impactful Points:
- Toledo MSA ranked #2 Manufacturing Region in U.S.
- 89% increase in manufacturing job creation from 2020
- Ohio offers lowest taxes in Midwest for capital intensive manufacturing
- Northwest Ohio manufacturing workforce of 130,000
“This company has deep roots in Northwest Ohio and the productivity of our workforce has allowed us to continue growing and find great success.”
— Doug Wenninger, president and CEO, Alliance Automation
Inside the Numbers | Automotive
Throughout Northwest Ohio and across the state, Ohio offers an innovative ecosystem delivering next-generation resources and collaborative partners investing in ongoing electric and autonomous vehicle research, testing and development. Just 45 miles from Detroit, this region is home to the world-famous Jeep Wrangler, the most productive transmission plant in the country and a nationally recognized workforce, earning designation as one of the top automotive supply regions in the U.S. Growth continues in Northwest Ohio’s regional automotive industry with more than 4,500 new jobs created over the past five years, including a 53% increase in new jobs from 2020.
2021 Results:
690
New Jobs
$207M
Capital Investment
Driving Home the Point
- More than $1.3 billion of investment over last 5 years in NW Ohio
- Ohio #1 producers of engines, #2 producer of transmissions
- Centrally located to 72% of North American auto assembly plants
- 108% increase in automotive investment over 2020
“Matsu Ohio is proud to be part of the Williams County community and is excited about the opportunity to grow our customer base, create jobs, and increase production volume at our Edgerton facility.”
— Robert Teixeira, Director of U.S. Operations, Matsu
Sales & Marketing
Proactive Outreach
Our region’s ability to achieve significant job growth and investment requires an aggressive approach in developing an effective sales and marketing strategy.
The RGP’s business development team traveled extensively in 2021 meeting with prospective businesses, site consultants and corporate real estate professionals. These direct outreach efforts helped in generating last year’s totals, but are also laying the ground work for future potential opportunities.
The RGP team’s domestic travels in 2021 included:
“It’s imperative we build relationships with companies and consultants across the country on a personal level. We don’t wait for the phone to ring. It’s our responsibility to get out there, understand the needs of our audiences, and communicate our regional assets. And we expect even more in 2022.”
— Mike Jay, Director of Strategic Networks, RGP
Sales & Marketing
Solheim Cup
With a rich tradition in hosting some of the best golfers in the world, Toledo last year welcomed the Solheim Cup to the historic Inverness Club. The women’s international golfing event features the best U.S. players competing against the best from Europe.
The tournament attracted more than 130,000 fans from across the world, setting a record for the Solheim Cup. The economic impact for the Toledo region exceeded $40 million.
The Regional Growth Partnership, in collaboration with JobsOhio, took advantage of this international opportunity by hosting both businesses and site consultants in a hospitality tent. More than 70 guests from Asian and European countries visited the RGP/JobsOhio tent.
Several new leads visited along with overseas companies that have operations in the Northwest Ohio region.
"The Solheim Cup was an excellent opportunity to showcase the energy of Toledo to the world, to support the community and to deepen relationships. It made for a successful event to market the Toledo region as a location for business."
— Paul Zito, Vice President International Development, RGP
Sales & Marketing
A Site to be Seen
To better position the organization’s branding and messaging, as well as to ensure superior responsiveness and functionality, the RGP initiated a website redesign in 2021.
The site includes many new, visually appealing features, perhaps most notable, a page recognizing the region’s top 10 available sites.
A robust SEO program also accompanied this redesign.
Highlights:
- Fresh new content
- Enhanced research and data section
- Easy navigation
- Featured sites
Sales & Marketing
A Smart Idea
The Regional Growth Partnership initiated a lead-gen program to highlight our region’s place in the growing automotive technology sector. The RGP worked through Automotive News to position Toledo/Northwest Ohio as a leading location for companies tied to electric vehicles, smart mobility and autonomous technology. Automotive News serves as the leading publication for that industry.
The RGP developed a white paper for the program, which served as both an educational piece and awareness paper. The piece was pushed to the Automotive News digital audience with a teaser email to download the paper. Those who provided their contact information were granted access to the paper. The white paper generated 47 leads, which were added to our follow-up outreach efforts.
“One of the things is just the cool factor of the robots … BGSU and the city were excited about that part. It was an opportunity the University hadn’t seen before, and they also knew it was something that would set them apart.”
— Jon Zachrich, Director of Marketing and Communications, BGSU Dining
Sales & Marketing
A Social Occasion
2021 was another year of growth for the RGP social media channels. The Regional Growth Partnership’s content marketing, social media program continued upward through 2021, generating new content, new followers and heavy engagement with audiences. Since the implementation of this program, Twitter and LinkedIn have become the two primary social referral sources for the website, and one of the quickest ways to engage with site consultants. Social media allows the RGP to promote projects and success stories, strengthen connections and bring awareness to audiences with real-time events and relevant content to promote the Northwest Ohio region.
Social Media Metrics:
- Traffic to the website from social media increased by 67%
- The RGP’s LinkedIn page had an engagement rate of 5.46%, far surpassing the LinkedIn benchmark of 0.54%
- Twitter saw a 67% increase in profile visits from 2020
Resources & Services
Site & Building Management
In just the past several years, the RGP and its partners have worked diligently in assembling an abundant inventory of nearly two dozen spec buildings and shovel-ready sites in the key industries across Northwest Ohio. In addition, JobsOhio has created numerous innovative and dynamic programs which are having a significant impact in strengthening our ability to compete for projects.
In just the past several years, the RGP and its partners have worked diligently in assembling an abundant inventory of nearly two dozen spec buildings and shovel-ready sites in the key industries across Northwest Ohio. In addition, JobsOhio has created numerous innovative and dynamic programs which are having a significant impact in strengthening our ability to compete for projects.
Ohio Site Inventory Program (OSIP)
Provides funding toward the development of construction-ready sites and speculative buildings. Through OSIP, Northwest Ohio is nearing approximately 900,000 square feet of new, modern building inventory that has come online or will be coming online by mid-2023.
SiteOhio Authentication
A program where prime sites complete a rigorous due diligence process. Upon completion, those sites are ready for development day one. This effectively eliminates risk and saves valuable time for the company seeking a home for its operation. Northwest Ohio currently has five properties that have achieved this status, with six to seven more heading in that direction.
Large Sites Initiative
Available Sites that can accommodate large-scale development are of utmost importance and JobsOhio is working with the RGP to identify and prepare the region for success in this area.
Resources & Services
A Spec-tacular Site
The foresight and vision of regional and state economic development leaders, as well as the recognition of market trends in corporate expansion projects, helped Northwest Ohio secure a new $49 million manufacturing facility.
APackaging Group (APG), an international leader in the development, manufacture and packaging of cosmetics and beauty products, announced plans to build a new facility in Defiance. The California-based company is expected to hire 135 people to produce up to 500 million plastic dispensing pumps for the health and beauty industries.
In siting its first U.S. manufacturing facility, APG will move into a new 80,000 square-foot spec building, which was constructed by NAI Harmon Group, who utilized the JobsOhio OSIP program for funding support.
“Working with the Harmon Group, they were willing to expedite construction of the building to get us in there as soon as possible.”
— John Allen, Vice President of Operations, APackaging Group
Resources & Services
Workforce & Talent
With workforce and talent attraction the single greatest challenge confronting businesses today, the Regional Growth Partnership, through JobsOhio and local agencies, continues to aggressively address the workforce shortages, utilizing the following strategies:
Workforce retention
- Pilot project addressing critical skill gaps
- Goal to increase number of workers with in-demand skills
- Retain high school and college students by raising awareness of opportunities
- Working with Ohio Manufacturing Association and industry sector partners
Workforce Expansion
- Help displaced, at-risk workers return to work
- Provide reskilling opportunities for in-demand jobs
- Connect these workers with hiring companies
- LISC serves as operations manager for program
Talent Attraction
- Build off Find Your Ohio recruiting campaign
- Expand Talent Acquisition Services projects for companies needing assistance in finding employees
- Develop internal strategies for national branding and awareness of regional opportunities
“The RGP and JobsOhio gave us the freedom to dream and produce innovative solutions that are unique to CGS. They are helping us continue to invest not only in our business but into our employees and their development."
— Lauren Creasap, assistant director of HR, Custom Glass Solutions
Become an Investor Today
73
Investors
100%
Privately Funded
- Investors help drive Northwest Ohio’s economic development strategy
- Investors are afforded greater opportunities for engagement in business development activity
For more information about supporting economic development in Northwest Ohio, contact:
Tom Hamway
419-356-3536
hamway@rgp.org
RGP Staff
Dean Monske
President and CEO
(419) 252-2700 Ext. 307
Matt Davis
Senior Manager, Site Selection
(419) 252-2700 Ext. 322
Chase Eikenbary
Senior Project Manager
(419) 252-2700 Ext. 321
John Gibney
Chief Marketing Officer
(419) 252-2700 Ext. 314
Tom Hamway
RGP Foundation President
(419) 252-2700 Ext. 317
Patrice James
Director, Marketing & Research
(419) 252-2700 Ext. 301
Mike Jay
Director of Strategic Networks
(419) 252-2700 Ext. 310
Andrew Lorenz
Senior Project Manager
(419) 252-2700 Ext. 315
Colleen McCray
Administrative Program Coordinator
(419) 252-2700 Ext. 316
Charlene Page
Regional Talent Manager
(419) 252-2700 Ext. 311
Kevin Schuster
Manager of Information Technology
(419) 252-2700 Ext. 303
Amanda Sears
Project Coordinator
(419) 252-2700 Ext. 305
Jeff Sprague
Vice President, Talent Expansion
(419) 252-2700 Ext. 306
Gary Thompson
Executive Vice President - COO
(419) 252-2700 Ext. 313
Tim Wisnewski
Chief Financial Officer
(419) 252-2700 Ext. 308
Paul Zito
Vice President, International Development
(419) 252-2700 Ext. 304
Contact Us
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Contact Info
Regional Growth Partnership
Two Maritime Plaza
Toledo, OH 43604
Phone: 419-252-2700