Alleviate Your Tariff Concerns in Northwest Ohio

Northwest Ohio is ideally situated to help alleviate concerns international businesses might have regarding tariffs. With still much uncertainty across the globe, the Regional Growth Partnership and the 17-county region offer a conducive, low-cost business climate where companies can find success while also avoiding the impact of tariffs.

Rising costs and supply chain disruptions can significantly impact a company’s bottom line. So for Canadian companies, as well as all global markets, establishing a U.S.-based company offers a strategic way to minimize these risks, maintain a competitive edge, and unlock new growth opportunities. Canadian companies can also maintain their domestic supply chain as the Toledo region is just one hour south of the border.

Dozens of Canadian companies such as Cenovus, Nature Fresh Farms, Magna, Nova Steel and Nutrien have found this region to be a great second home, utilizing our experience in helping Canadian businesses with banking, accounting/tax, legal and logistics issues.

“Canada is the largest trading and investment partner of the Toledo region and Northwest Ohio, with tens of thousands of jobs on both sides of the border benefiting from this relationship.”

— Paul Zito, VP of International Development, Regional Growth Partnership

Consider these assets Northwest Ohio offers your business:

Industrial Spec Buildings

The Regional Growth Partnership and its economic development partners across Northwest Ohio have prioritized product development – bringing building inventory to the market. More than 2.1 million square feet of available spec is available or being planned across the region. Much of that space is located in close proximity to the major highways.

Proximity to U.S. & Canadian Markets

The Toledo/Northwest Ohio region is just one hour from Ontario. And from here, businesses can reach 60% of the U.S. and Canadian industrial marketplace – approximately 100 million people.

Transportation Network

Three of the most traveled interstate highways in the U.S. pass through Toledo (I-75, I-80, I-90). In addition, the new six-lane Gordie Howe Bridge connecting Canada to Detroit will soon open, improving trade flow between the two countries. The Toledo Port, the largest land mass seaport on the Great Lakes, is a multi-modal transportation hub linked to global markets via the St. Lawrence Seaway. And Northwest Ohio is recognized as a top 5 rail hub in the U.S, serviced by CSX, Norfolk Southern, CN, in addition to many short lines.

Foreign Trade Zone

The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority is the grantee of Foreign-Trade Zone 8 (FTZ 8) and administers FTZ 8 under the Alternative Site Framework. The fundamental benefits offered by the FTZ program are the ability to defer, reduce or even eliminate U.S. Customs duties on products admitted to the zone. For more information on FTZ 8 visit: toledoport.org/foreign-trade-zone

Incentive Programs

For companies investing and creating new jobs, both state and local economic development groups offer grant and financing incentives to alleviate costs. The development organization, JobsOhio along with the Ohio Department of Development, offer such incentive programs as a job creation tax credit, spec building development grants and loans, and economic development grants.

“We can bring lots of tools to bear through our incentive programs to help offset costs, enough that it makes a lot of sense to look at Northwest Ohio as a convenient place to serve Canada. Looking long-term, we don’t want you to come to Northwest Ohio just to avoid tariffs – we want you to come to this region because it makes sense for your business.”

— Gary Thompson, Exec VP/COO, Regional Growth Partnership