Regional & State Partners
The Crawford Partnership is proud to partner with the following regional and state organizations for economic development:
Making an Impact in Crawford County
The Crawford Partnership employs a comprehensive countywide approach to achieve its priorities and to enhance the livelihood of Crawford County through strategic, action-oriented economic development.
With direct access to U.S. Rt. 30 and many state routes, Crawford County is conveniently located and uniquely positioned for economic success now and for years to come. The Crawford Partnership takes a multi-faceted approach to promote economic growth by building strong relationships with public and private-sector leaders, leveraging and connecting resources, problem-solving, and recognizing the importance of community development to bolster the quality of life for Crawford County’s workforce.
Our economic development priorities are:
- To support retention and expansion of existing businesses that operate in and serve Crawford County
- To continue development, training, and retention of a quality local workforce
- To attract new business and industry
- To support the development of passionate entrepreneurs.
Reliable Logistics in Crawford County
U.S. Rt. 30 is an east-west four-laned limited access freeway connecting to several major highways and interstates. U.S. Rt. 30 has a 93% travel reliability, per the Ohio Department of Transportation, which is the highest in the state. Due to reliability travel can be measured in minutes versus miles.
Crawford County is part of a region that is within 500 miles of major population centers or 60% of the U.S. population. This positions our county to be a day’s drive to much of the United States and a variety of markets.
Our county is accessible to major east coast, great lakes, and Ohio River ports. The area is well served by rail lines with major carriers including CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, Chicago, Fort Wayne, & Eastern Railroad, and Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway Co.
There are also five major airports within a two-hour drive.
- Port Columbus International Airport – 76 minutes from county seat
- Cleveland Hopkins International Airport – 87 minutes from county seat
- Akron-Canton Airport – 90 minutes from county seat
- Port Galion-Crestline County Airport – 20 minutes from county seat
- Mansfield Lahm Municipal Airport – 34 minutes from county seat
With direct access to U.S. Rt. 30 and many state routes, Crawford County is conveniently located and uniquely positioned for economic success now and for years to come.
Educational Resources in Our Region
The U.S. Rt. 30 region encompasses several area colleges, universities, and trade schools. The Crawford Partnership and Crawford County works especially close with North Central State College, and the local branch – Crawford Success Center, and The Ohio State University – Mansfield.
Universities, Colleges, & Trade Schools:
The Ohio State University
North Central State College
North Central State College – Crawford Success Center
Heidelberg University
Tiffin University
University of Findlay
Walsh University
Ashland University
Kent State University
Ohio Northern University
College of Wooster
Marion Technical College
Pioneer Career & Technology Center
Madison Adult Career Center
Capital Affordability
The wage differential is below the national average, and may create an advantage to operations along the U.S. Rt. 30 Corridor. There is a displaced labor pool that represents a workforce that could be retrained. Ohio is known for its productive and competitive workforce, low cost of living, low taxes, and attractive energy costs. These factors contribute to Crawford County being an affordable place to do business.
Natural Resources
The county is known for its productive topsoil and flat land. Crawford County is home to an abundance of land and water (Sandusky and Olentangy Rivers). In addition, there is accessibility to natural gas (Marcellus and Utica Shale) via the Rover Pipeline.
Sites Available
Ohio Crossroads Industrial Center
Owned by the Crawford County Development Board, this 44+ acre site is competitively priced at $10,000 per acre. In addition to being certified by SiteOhio as shovel-ready for new development, 22 acres of this site is also certified by Austin Consulting for Food and Beverage manufacturing.
The property is located within Bucyrus City limits, is visible from, and less than a one-mile drive from US Highway 30. The site’s ample utilities and excess water and sewer capacities– 2.3 MGD and 1.4 MGD respectively–make it especially prime for new development, and particularly in the food and beverage sector. In addition, our business climate and logistics are a true asset– this site is within an 8-hour drive of 65% of US businesses.
The SiteOhio authentication process identifies sites in Ohio ready for development on day one. All sites are construction ready with utilities to the park boundaries including water, sewer, electricity, natural gas and fiber. Each site undergoes a usability audit to ensure the site is intuitively positioned for optimal access, allowing businesses to hit the ground running and get to market faster.
The Crossroads Industrial Center was awarded the 2016 Austin-AEP Shovel-Ready Site Designation for the Food and Beverage Sector for its site preparation and due diligence effort. Crawford County is one of only five sites with this certification, which signifies that the site meets or exceeds the requirements for food processing, including transportation, infrastructure, and utility requirements.
View All Listed & Available Sites in Crawford County
Ohio’s Business Climate
State Incentives
Ohio has been recognized as one of the Top 5 business climates in the nation and is 2nd in the nation in both total number of new corporate facility projects and most qualifying projects per capita.
Making a commitment to eliminate a burdensome tax system, Ohio in 2005 implemented full-scale, sweeping tax reform. Ohio’s new business taxation model reduced tax burden by 63 percent over a five-year period leading to 2010, the first year reform was fully implemented.
Ohio’s new taxation system means businesses can:
- Reduce operating costs – No tax on inventory or corporate income
- Enhance productivity – No tax on investments in machinery and equipment
- Enjoy a level playing field – All companies taxed the same low rate
- Boost return on investment – No tax on product sold to customers outside Ohio
- Reward entrepreneurship – First $1 million in gross receipts are tax-free; companies with sales between $150,000 and $1 million pay only a $150 flat fee
Ohio boasts an impressive variety of incentive offerings to align with an expanding company’s financial needs. State and local tax incentives, grants and low-interest financing offer businesses the opportunity to reduce risk while encouraging investment in Ohio.
Information provided by our partners at RGP Northwest Ohio & JobsOhio.
Learn more about Ohio’s economic development incentives here.
Local Incentives
The Crawford Partnership serves as your dedicated resource to identify and connect you with local incentives through relationships with local government and leaders. Through strategic partnerships, we are committed to building effective solutions for your business and your industry. A number of local incentives are available, including:
Municipal Income Tax Credit
The Municipal Income Tax Credit can serve as an effective tool to assist businesses looking to invest in Crawford County. It may grant refundable or nonrefundable credit against tax on income to a taxpayer to foster job creation in the City. It shall be measured as a percentage of the new income tax revenue the City derives from new employees of the taxpayer.
Community Reinvestment Area Program (CRA)
Community Reinvestment Areas are areas of land in which property owners can receive tax incentives for investing in real property improvements. The Crawford Partnership will work on your behalf with local government to determine the appropriate abatement value and time period.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit | Designated Community Resident
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit program provides federal tax credits to Ohio employers that hire individuals from one of several target groups. Credits range from $1,200 to $9,600, based on the target group and the number of hours worked. This is localized by a target group for designated community residents, which can provide up to $2,400 per employee.
Opportunity Zones
Created by a 2017 federal tax bill, Opportunity Zones’ intended outcome is to encourage investment and economic growth. Investors recognize a tax benefit to maximize capital gains.
We’re Here to Help
Contact the Partnership via email at partnership@crawfordpartnership.org or call 419-563-1809.
Our Investors
Our work would not be possible without the support of these generous investors who have a shared vision for the success of Crawford County.
