The WEDC Team Advantage
First and foremost, companies looking to relocate will benefit from the expertise and customized solutions the Wayne Economic Development Council (WEDC) team delivers. We’re here to save you countless hours of research and analysis by providing a full complement of personalized "one-stop-shop" services, all at no cost or obligation. In addition to arranging custom tours, scheduling meetings with community leaders, arranging introductions to necessary business contacts, procuring resources and serving as an advocate with state and local government entities, our staff of dedicated professionals offers:
- Site-Selection Assistance
- Building & Site Information
- Coordination of State & Local Assistance
- Financial Contacts
- Custom Research
- Labor Market Analysis
- Employee Recruitment Assistance
- Job Training Assistance
- Business Retention & Expansion
- Business Recruitment
- Marketing
- Community Development
- Access to Regulatory Authorities
- Competitiveness Best Practices & Benchmarking
- Strategic Programs & Policies
Others Have Achieved Success in Wayne County
Manufacturing prospers here, as does ag-biosciences and a whole host of other target industries. Companies like Schaeffler Group, The J.M. Smucker Co, GOJO, Morton Salt, The Wooster Brush Company, Daisy Brand, Artiflex, Purina and PepsiCo/Frito-Lay all have operations in Wayne County. The Ohio State University’s Ohio Agricultural and Research Development Center (OARDC) is the nation’s largest research facility dedicated to ag-biosciences.
Wayne County is Ranked:
#1
in Ohio for the 6th year straight (POLICOM Strengths Ranking, 2023)
#7
in the U.S. (POLICOM Strengths Ranking, 2024)
#10
Best Performing Micropolitans (Site Selection Magazine, 2024)
#1
Dairy Producing County in Ohio
#3
Manufacturing Growth in Ohio
#3
Agriculture Economy in Ohio
We Have Available Sites
Wooster Innovation Park
Wooster Innovation Park (East), a 61-acre greenfield site, is one of Wayne County's newest expansions. The industrial park includes new land north of the Daisy Brand facility, as well as existing industry along Old Airport Road such as Schaeffler. The site is shovel-ready with close proximity to infrastructure. Roadway extension is underway.
Rittman Industrial Park
This 72-acre industrial site is privately owned and has been fully remediated. Former home to Caraustar Rittman Paperboard facility and immediately adjacent to Morton Salt, the site has high utility capacities, as well as several on-site wells that are believed to be able to provide a significant volume of raw water. Rail is also available on site from two different providers: Wheeling and Lake Erie and CSX.
I-71 Mega Site
The Wayne County I-71 Mega Site is ideally located between Cleveland (52 miles) and Columbus (90 miles) in Congress Township. The Village of West Salem is the nearest municipality (1.5 miles), potentially offering access to public water and sewer. The property is divided between the interstate creating a unique single- or multi-development site. Featuring beyond excellent highway access with two I-71 on-off ramps located on the north and south property borders, the site boasts favorable topography and robust electric infrastructure.