Governor DeWine, JobsOhio Announce Completion of JobsOhio Network with Addition of Lake to River Region
24 Abril 2024 - 1:56PM
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and JobsOhio announced today the addition
of a new JobsOhio network region, Lake to River Economic
Development. The new four-county region includes Ashtabula,
Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties in the far east corner
of Ohio.
The region is connected from Lake Erie in Ashtabula to the Ohio
River in East Liverpool by State Route 11, providing strong
infrastructure capabilities.
"This region of Ohio is experiencing new growth and is ready for
even more prosperity,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Today we
are pleased to celebrate this progress by completing the JobsOhio
network with the addition of the Lake to River Economic Development
region."
Lake to River joins the six JobsOhio Network Partners, Dayton
Development Coalition, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One
Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership, and Team
NEO. The four-county region, anchored by Youngstown, was the only
major-metro media market in the state without its own JobsOhio
region. The addition of the Lake to River region completes the
JobsOhio network.
"Today, we welcome the Lake to River team to join Team Ohio as
our seventh and final JobsOhio network partner," said JobsOhio
President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. "Since 2011, JobsOhio and Team NEO
have been building momentum for the region, which has led to more
than $6 billion in capital investment; we are eager to get to work
with our new partners to continue building a bright future for the
valley."
Lake to River is dedicated to transforming Eastern Ohio's
economic landscape by fostering growth, innovation, and community
development. The four Ohio counties, plus Mercer County in
Pennsylvania, form a separate Combined Statistical Area with a
unique workforce commute pattern and logistics corridors.
A strong workforce development ecosystem exists to support
growth in the region, including Youngstown State University,
Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition, and the more than 20
partners that came together in 2020 to execute JobsOhio's Ohio To
Work program and formed the Regional Workforce Coalition.
The Lake to River region is led by interim CEO Alexa Sweeney
Blackann, who said, "We thank the Governor and JobsOhio for
recognizing what's been accomplished and for entrusting us with
additional resources and accountability to continue our
momentum."
Local public and private stakeholders have committed to funding
economic development and creating a shared vision focusing on the
needs unique to the Valley.
"The opportunity to be part of the JobsOhio network is welcome
news for our region,” said Lake to River Board President Chuck
George. “We're confident we have the team, the infrastructure, and
the support from local business and community leaders to support
Lake to River and take our regional economy to unprecedented
success."
The momentum built by JobsOhio and Team NEO has seen several
successful projects, investments, and job creation opportunities
come to the Valley in partnership with the Youngstown/Warren
Regional Chamber. This includes 124 projects with more than 8,000
new jobs and newly created payroll of more than $364 million.
“The creation of the Lake to River region focused on Ashtabula,
Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana counties is a strategic move
that will strengthen economic development across Ohio," said Bill
Koehler, CEO of Team NEO. "Through our partnerships cultivating
growth in this area, the groundwork is laid for the new Lake to
River partner's success. We are proud of our role and will work
closely with the new organization to ensure a smooth
transition.
To learn more about Lake to River and economic development
opportunities in Eastern Ohio, visit www.LaketoRiverOhio.org.
Additional Media ContactJim Houck, Lake to
River330-554-5234jhouck@898marketing.com
Matt Englehart, JobsOhio Press Secretary614.300.1152
englehart@jobsohio.com
# # #
About Lake to RiverLake to River Foundation, Inc is a
private, nonprofit economic development organization and JobsOhio
Network Partner, accelerating business growth and job creation
throughout Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana counties.
Visit laketoriverohio.org for more information.
About JobsOhioJobsOhio, Ohio's private nonprofit economic
development corporation, enhances company growth and personnel
development through business attraction, retention, and expansion
across ten competitive industry sectors. With a team of seasoned
professionals, JobsOhio utilizes a comprehensive network to foster
talent production in targeted industries and attract talent through
Find Your Ohio. Collaborating with seven regional partners,
including Dayton Development Coalition, Lake to River Economic
Development, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus,
REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership, and Team NEO,
JobsOhio delivers world-class customer service to provide companies
with a competitive advantage. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com.
Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
Matt Englehart
JobsOhio
614-300-1152
englehart@jobsohio.com