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Wayne Economic Development Council
377 W. Liberty St.
Wooster, OH 44691
P: 330.264.2411
TF: 888-WAYNEOH
F: 330-262.5745

info@waynecountyedc.com
www.waynecountyedc.com

Contact:
Rodney A. Crider, CEcD, CCE
President
rcrider@waynecountyedc.com

Community Overview

With an emphasis on a quality growth, Wayne County has become one of the most outstanding small communities in the country.  In addition to being the home of a vibrant global business community, it is proud to be a leading area of the U.S. for technology and R&D associated with the agbiosciences. 

Wayne County offers a unique balance of quality for your business and your life. We invite you to explore this site for information available on our dynamic location.  For personal assistance or additional details, please contact the Wayne Economic Development Council today.

We look forward to welcoming you to Wayne County soon!

Why Choose Wayne County?

Low Cost of Doing Business

Wayne County's favorable business climate and high quality of living, combined with low business and personal costs, make it a competitive location for business growth.

Wayne County’s cost of living is considerably lower than other parts of the United States and Ohio. In fact, recent studies confirm that Wayne County is the lowest cost location among major micropolitan and metropolitan areas in the state. You can use our calculator to demonstrate the cost savings your company can realize with a move to Wayne County.  

Employers report a generally favorable labor cost advantage of ten to fifteen percent over neighboring counties to the east and north.  Our most recent wages survey can be downloaded here.

Combined with recent state tax reform that will establish the lowest taxes in the Midwest by 2010, our low operating costs will allow you to build a profitable business in Wayne County and gain a decided cost advantage over your competition. 

Business-Friendly Climate

In Wayne County, you will discover a true partnership between government, business, education and other organizations.

The effort to build a supportive environment has carried on for many years, with outstanding results.  "This is a partnership that's working," says the WEDC's president Rod Crider.  "The cooperation is 100 percent. The lines of communication are totally open. It's a wonderful situation of the county, cities and private leadership coming together," he said. "The chemistry in this environment just doesn't exist in many cities around the country where they have turf battles and territorial jealousies. Those are all gone here."

This unique spirit of teamwork is demonstrated by the membership of the Wayne Economic Develoment Council where members of local education institutions, businesses, downtown development organizations, and government come together in a collaborative effort to grow a quality future for the entire county

Access to Markets

Wayne County is strategically positioned between Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio.  It provides convenient access to interstate highways I-71, I-76 and I-77.  Wayne County is approximately 35 miles from the cities of Akron and Canton and 60 miles from downtown Cleveland.

Wayne County's strategic location makes it:

• Within a one-hour flight of half the U.S. population
• Accessible to 20 major U.S. markets via a one-day interstate highway drive, with 30 other major metropolitan areas reachable on the second day
• A one hour drive to downtown Cleveland's business district and cultural attractions or 45 minute drive to similar amenities in Akron or Canton. Ohio.
  

Leading Ag-Bioscience Infrastructure

The nation’s leading agbioresource facilty is located right here in Wayne County, Ohio.

The Ohio State University Ohio Agricultural Research Development Center (OARDC) is the largest of its type in the nation. Containing thousands of acres of agricultural land and more than 230 university researchers, its potential to assist enterprises with bio-based research and development, commercialization, innovation and entrepreneurial efforts is unparalleled. 

Coupled with the state’s third largest agricultural economy, the OARDC has what it takes to develop Northeast Ohio’s bio-economy into a specialized and world renowned research, development and production cluster. It's leadership includes being:

• Nationally ranked in the top 10 in terms of research cited.
•  The largest and most comprehensive agricultural research facility in the United States.
• Involved in annual collaborations with more than 130 businesses throughout the world.
• Some 230 scientists conducting more than 400 research projects annually.
• A generator of more than $1 billion of annual economic impact and cost savings to Ohio and the United States.

The integration of BioHio with other regional assets, a willingness to pursue new biological markets and a population that is innovative by nature will help the OARDC and Wayne County lead Northeast Ohio into the bio-economy age.

Satisfied Customers Tell Their Story

“Since 1851, our success as a leading provider of paint applicators and accessories is largely dependent on the area’s excellent workforce. They’ve provided us the skills and work ethic critical to our growth. Wayne County is a great place to live and work!”

Al Rodd
President
The Wooster Brush Company

"Seaman Corporation has manufacturing facilities in Wooster, Ohio, in Bristol, Tennessee, and previously in Sarasota, Florida. While we have found that all of these locations offer positive attributes for businesses, we have a strong commitment to the Wayne County community.

Wayne County has a good labor force and is a location with excellent logistic support. Most importantly though, I treasure the quality of life offered by this unique community.

The agricultural community, supported by Ohio State’s Agriculture, Research, and Development Center, the light industrial base, and the College of Wooster, offer a stimulating living environment for a rural community. At the same time, Wooster has excellent access to the culture of the larger cities of Cleveland and Akron.

Wooster also has a strong philanthropic culture, providing not only financial but also leadership resources for a variety of community programs and services.

Wayne County truly is a special place to live, work, and raise a family."

Richard Seaman
President & CEO
Seaman Corporation

"Wayne County has a diversified, progressive economic base and high quality of life.  The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development  Center of The Ohio State University is pleased to be part of that diversity and to add to the strong educational influence that helps support the area communities.  The Wayne Economic Development Council is a critical "advantage plus," which not only keeps the economic drivers of the area connected but which also has the needed information at hand to share with others on why Wayne County is a great business destination."

Steve Slack, Director
Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC)
Ohio State University

"Wayne County is a great location to do business.  The work force available possesses solid Midwestern values that equates to good employees.  The quality of life offered in our area is also a strong attribute to attracting and retaining skilled employees."

Bob Ellis
VP, Human Resources
J.M. Smucker Company

"Wayne County has a tremendous team spirit not found elsewhere. If you need anything, you can be assured that government, the business community and other organizations will be there to assist you in any way possible. They have all certainly been there for me." 

Steve Matthew
President
Wooster Hydrostatics 

“Combine a solid business community, consisting of numerous “world-class” and internationally recognized companies, with an exceptional work-force and efficient, cost-competitive transportation access and you have a formula for success.  Wayne County takes full advantage of these key economic development components, focusing on the continued prosperity of our existing business “partners”…as well as attracting new “growth-oriented” business opportunities.”

Jon Ansel
President, 
D+S Distribution 

"TechniGraphics is a rapidly growing computer-aided design and digital mapping company. People ask me - don't you have difficulty in getting qualified people to move there? I tell them my experience. We never have a problem in getting the right people to move to Wooster."

Dee Vaidya
President & CEO
TechniGraphics, Inc.