The Economic Edge: Q1 2026

THE ECONOMIC EDGE

RICHLAND COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

ProjectHighlight:Richland CountyPortAuthorityOfftoa StrongStart CommunityMomentum:What areCommunityImprovement Corporations,orCICs? RichlandCountyLaunches “RICHLANDUNITED2050” PlanningInitiative EconomicImpactAwards UpcomingJobFairs AreaNews&Recognition BytheNumbers AsktheExpert

Spring at Kingwood Center Gardens supply capabilities becoming increasingly important, Richland County is in a unique position to benefit. Strengthened by excellent efforts from JobsOhio and TeamNEO, the Buckeye State is aiming to become #1 across the board.

WelcomeBack,Spring!

In February, the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development team joined partners from JobsOhio, TeamNEO, and elected offices in Parma to hear JobsOhio President J P Nauseef assess the state of Ohio economic development efforts

In his presentation, Nauseef shared economic wins from the 14-county TeamNEO area, a subdistrict of parent organization JobsOhio, and specifically highlighted Richland County expansion projects by Charter Next Generation (CNG) in Lexington and Ontario and R S Hanline & Company in Shelby

Looking toward 2030 and beyond, he said JobsOhio is working to elevate key industries and to promote Ohio’s energy resources as a competitive advantage.

Nationally, Ohio is currently ranked #5 in new job creation, #2 in business cost, and #1 in infrastructure With highway access, site availability, and resources like skilled workforces and plentiful water

And Richland County, from its manufacturing wins to its vibrant small business community, will undoubtedly continue to be a big reason why!

Buc-ee’s Travel Center Planned for Mansfield

National travel center Buc-ee’s has announced plans for a new Mansfield location, bringing significant investment, jobs, and regional visibility to Richland County

ProjectHighlight

RichlandCountyPortAuthority OfftoaStrongStart

Since the Richland County Commissioners created the Richland County PortAuthority on June 11, 2026, it has closed three deals in Richland County that have generated an estimated $32 million of projects in the area The Port is one of over 60 port authorities in the State of Ohio, and its Board is pleased to already be so active

Port authorities are created under Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 4582 and operate as separate governmental entities governed by independent boards The incentives they provide typically include sales tax exemptions on building materials and the issuance of debt to support economic development projects

Ports in their early stages, such as the Richland County PortAuthority, often

The three projects closed by the Port so far include:

• Avita Health System:The Port helpedAvita secure tax-exempt financing for high-tech medical equipment at the Jody M Baker Cancer Center, located atAvita’s South Campus in the former Sears wing of the Richland Mall.

• Industrial Commercial Properties (ICP):The Port provided a sales tax exemption on building materials for the construction of a 456,000square-foot industrial building that will house Charter Next Generation’s planned expansion on a 25-acre portion of the former GM site, now known as the Ontario Commerce Center

• Adena C provided

Moving Richland County Forward

These inaugural projects, spanning healthcare innovation, large-scale industrial expansion, and speculative development, demonstrate the immediate value of the Richland County PortAuthority By reducing financial hurdles for local businesses, we are helping ensure that vital capital remains in our community to fuel continued growth

As we look ahead, the Port remains committed to utilizing its statutory tools to keep Richland County competitive, adaptable, and ready for the next generation of economic opportunity We are proud of this strong start and even more excited about the projects to come

WhatareCommunity ImprovementCorporationsor CICs?

These public-private entities are allowable under Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Chapter 1724 to promote industrial, economic, commercial, and civic development They are often, though not always, registered as a non-profit organization

CICs are utilized across the state (300+) in different capacities and in different ways. Here in Richland County, four municipalities are using CICs Lexington and Shelby own the oldest CICs in the County, formed in 1966 and 2013, respectively More recently, in 2025, Ontario and Mansfield have formed CICs to help carry out their economic development goals.

Amy Hiner, board chair for the Ontario CIC, says, “In 2024, the city gathered community feedback through surveys and focus groups to develop a comprehensive plan based on resident priorities One recommendation was to establish a CIC to spur economic development in Ontario. In 2025, a diverse, public-private board was formed to advance the plan in collaboration with Ontario Local Schools, City Council, residents, local businesses, and the Chamber In the coming months, you can expect a social media presence to keep the community updated on our projects and progress ”

Mansfield’s CIC is focused on property acquisition and development Mayor Jodie Perry indicates, “We started the Mansfield Community Improvement Corporation to give our community a stronger tool to go after site control from an economic development standpoint One of our main focus areas is improving the entryways into Mansfield.This has been a conversation for decades and we believe the CIC can help us make noticeable improvements ”

CICs are another powerful tool in the kit to move our communities forward with special powers that include acquiring and managing real estate for development, providing financing and loans to businesses, entering into contracts and administering grants, and partnering with government and private entities We are excited to partner with our communities and CICs to help perpetuate this important work!

RichlandCountyLaunches“RICHLANDUNITED 2050”PlanningInitiative

Richland County leaders have launched RICHLAND UNITED 2050: Smart Growth, Planned Well, a collaborative initiative designed to guide land use, development, and infrastructure decisions across the region for the next 25 years

The project brings together Richland County, the City of Mansfield, and the City of Shelby, with facilitation from the Richland County Regional Planning Commission. Together, these partners will create a comprehensive land-use plan that establishes a shared vision for how the community will grow through 2050

Although land-use planning can sound technical, its effects are visible in everyday life. It helps determine where new housing is built, how transportation networks function, and which green spaces are preserved By coordinating planning efforts across jurisdictions, the initiative aims to prevent land-use conflicts, use public resources more effectively, and create a predictable environment for residents and businesses

Local leaders say the plan will provide long-term stability while supporting economic development, infrastructure improvements, and quality-of-life priorities throughout the county

Community participation will play a key role in shaping the final plan. Over the coming months, project leaders will host public open houses, attend community events, and gather feedback through online surveys Residents, businesses, and stakeholders are encouraged to share their ideas and priorities for the future of the region

Once complete, RICHLAND UNITED 2050 will serve as a guiding framework for decision-makers and community partners, helping ensure that growth across Richland County is thoughtful, coordinated, and aligned with longterm community goals

More information, meeting schedules, and engagement opportunities will be available through the project website as the process moves forward.

EconomicImpactAwards

RecognizingBusinessesDrivingLocalGrowth

Four Economic ImpactAwards were presented at the RichlandArea Chamber & Economic DevelopmentAnnual Meeting, held at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center on February 11, 2026

Charter Next Generation

NG, as their neighbors in both Lexington and Ontario call them, is a leading anufacturer of specialty films and sustainable material science solutions primarily for e food industry.Through a significant $106 million investment, CNG is expanding its perations in both Lexington and Ontario by adding advanced production lines and panding warehouse capabilities They expect to add 125 jobs while retaining more an 1,200 positions

Michael Byrne Manufacturing

Based in Mansfield, Michael Byrne Manufacturing produces horizontal auger boring equipment and trenchless tooling solutions for underground projects To solidify its market position, the company recently purchased one of its main competitors.The result is a wider array of products for a much more robust marketplace.

The Hanline Group

Based in Shelby,The Hanline Group is a food manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain solutions company specializing in fresh produce and value-added products across the U S Hanline recently committed $45 million toward facility reinvestment and the addition of 30 new jobs!

ISO-certified, full-service metal stamping and fabrication shop committed to high-level competition The company was recently awarded two long-term defense contracts expected to double production.To meet these needs, Weiss reinvested over $1 million in production equipment and workforce needs

These four companies have each made significant investments in their employees, processes, and facilities. By honoring these organizations, we are recognizing the role businesses play in economic and community development Congratulations to all four dedicated manufacturers for their well-earned Economic Impact awards! Every dollar invested and every job created is a win for Richland County!

EmployMePalooza

EmployMEpalooza flips the traditional job fair, with students hosting booths while employers visit to explore talent, career interests, and opportunities.

March 24

RichlandAcademy of theArts 75 N Walnut Street

Mansfield, OH

3:00-5:00 PM Register

EmployMePalooza

Visit students at Mansfield Senior High as they host booths and showcase their skills while employers explore local talent. Health Care

Zach Jones (419) 525-6701

April 16

Mansfield Senior High 124 N Linden Road

Mansfield, OH

3:00-5:00 PM

A"quick connect" style job fair where candidates and employers make brief interactions and can schedule longer interviews.

NECIC 134 N Main Street

Mansfield, OH

3:00-5:00 PM May 14

Contact Tionna Perdue

Newman Technology, Inc. Selects Mansfield to Grow its Capabilities

Automotive supplier expands Mansfield operations, strengthening advanced manufacturing capacity in Richland County

ByTheNumbers

9 Straight years, Richland County Commissioners passed a balanced budget

GetInvolved

$2,020,079

Honoring leadership, service, and lasting contributions to business, community, and people across Richland County

Amount of sales tax shared in 2025 with Richland County’s 27 political subdivisions.

Learn more about Richland United 2050, the Comprehensive Land Use Plan guiding how our county grows over the next 25 years This community-driven effort will help shape housing, infrastructure, conservation, and economic development Read the full story on page 3 of this newsletter, explore the plan, and discover ways to share your input Your perspective can help guide thoughtful, coordinated growth across Richland County

$100,245,682

Total amount of sales tax shared with subdivisions since 1989

AsktheExpert:

Recognizing decades of leadership, service, and mentorship strengthening organizations and communities across the county

Whatdoesitallmean?

Afiscally responsible county with a strong record of sales tax support is a great indicator of economic health and growth potential.These numbers show a favorable trajectory, which indicates both tourism and local workforce spending are contributing to sales for Richland County’s small businesses and national retailers

WherearethingswiththeDowntownMansfieldMainStreet Beautification?

The good news is that Mansfield is on track to complete the project by the October 31, 2026 deadline The even better news is that a big part of the project included upgrading water and sewer lines that were over 100 years old!

Public safety and infrastructural improvements were two big factors in driving this project forward When done, the improvements are also expected to increase downtown visitation, promote business growth, and increase area investment

In the coming months, we will see brick crosswalks and new sidewalks installed, pedestrian and traffic signal improvements, and reengineered drainage solutions for storm runoff

Eachquarter,astaffmemberanswersa reader-submittedquestionorsharesa perspectiveonwhereRichlandCounty isheadednext.Submityourquestionto dclark@chooserichland.com

AboutUs

The Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development is an organization focused on strengthening the regional economy through business retention, expansion, attraction, and community collaboration We connect site selectors, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to resources and opportunities across Richland County and beyond to help them thrive in our region!

Let’s Connect!

EllenHeinz,President&CEO

DonnieClark,EconomicDevelopmentProjectManager

JessicaGribben,Economic&CommunityDevelopmentDirector

ClintKnight,WorkforceDevelopmentDirector

SandyMessner,Marketing&CommunicationsDirector

BarrettThomas,Sr.EconomicDevelopmentDirector

TomVanderhorst,FinanceSpecialist