MICROPOLITANS: THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Halfway between the Ohio big cities of Cleveland and Columbus, Ashland celebrates its small town roots. The Johnny Appleseed Heritage Center and Outdoor Drama is in the works as a tribute to the folkloric figure who passed through this land of rolling hills and beautiful hard wood trees. Those who drive through the city today still see members of the nearby Amish communities and their horse-drawn buggies.
These bucolic images are as integral to Ashland’s identity as the advantages it offers to businesses and developers. Existing warehousing, manufacturing and distribution facilities are available. Considerable infrastructure and zoning are already in place.
The area’s manufacturing base in such industries as plastics, machining, tooling, fabrication, printing, rubber and chemicals means a ready-made network with local suppliers, manufacturers and distributors. The city has wisely created an enterprise zone and tax incentives, as well as an Economic Development Department to attract businesses.
“Ashland is the poster-child for a small, Midwestern city with a strong agricultural sector but also an impressive collection of manufacturing firms,” said Evan Scurti, Director at Ashland Area Council for Economic Development.
Scurti listed development measures that have been taken to shape Ashland’s micropolitan future.
“City-county cooperation to create our Economic Development Department. in 2003, and to work together on the creation of our first business park; strong Economic Development/Ashland University Business School partnerships, i.e. seminars, business counseling, etc. and much more regional partnering with other small towns,” he said.
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