By J.P. Nauseef
President and CEO, JobsOhio
The Lake to River Economic Development region closed 2025 with results that speak to Eastern Ohio’s growing strength as an advanced manufacturing and energy hub.
From 2021 through 2025, this four-county region attracted 145 economic development projects representing $6.7 billion in capital investment. Those projects created 7,685 new jobs, generated $350 million in new payroll, and just as importantly, helped retain more than 21,050 at-risk jobs – a sixfold increase over the previous five-year period.
Behind those numbers are real outcomes: families earning steady paychecks, local stores staying busy, manufacturers operating at capacity, and communities seeing renewed confidence in their economic future.
Major investments continue to reshape the region’s industrial footprint. Kimberly-Clark committed $800 million to expand operations in Warren, adding nearly 500 jobs in tissue manufacturing. Vallourec announced up to $48 million in facility upgrades in Youngstown, bringing on 40 workers to produce steel products for the energy sector. Companies like PlastPro 2000, Transglobal Door, Ursa Major Technologies, and MAC Trailer expanded their footprints.
Each of these projects created ripple effects well beyond the factory floor – supporting construction jobs, equipment suppliers, logistics providers, and local service businesses hired staff to meet demand from new workers and their families. When investment lands in Eastern Ohio, the impact is felt across entire communities.
JobsOhio’s Vibrant Communities Program funded downtown improvements across the region. In East Liverpool, crews converted two historic buildings into mixed-use space for retail, offices, and apartments. Notably, True North moved its headquarters into the historic downtown, adding 55 high-tech jobs and plans to add 25 more over the next several years. The Youngstown Business Incubator is expanding space for startups, while East Palestine is moving forward with new retail, restaurant development, and a permanent outdoor community plaza. These projects create construction jobs while preparing communities for the next wave of growth.
Lake to River Economic Development welcomed Dani Robbins as CEO in November. Robbins inherits strong momentum thanks to the stewardship of Alexa Sweeney Blackann, who stood up for the organization and proved the Mahoning Valley is ready to win.
Looking ahead, several initiatives will shape the next phase of growth. JobsOhio launched an aggressive 2030 strategic plan, including a new Energy Opportunity Initiative that will invest $100 million over five years into energy infrastructure statewide. Site readiness remains a top priority as well. Companies want shovel-ready parcels with utilities already in place. JobsOhio and Lake to River are preparing additional sites that meet the demands of modern manufacturers.
Workforce development presents both obstacles and opportunities. JobsOhio is partnering with companies and technical colleges to match training programs to current needs in advanced manufacturing. Keeping Ohio’s talent pipelines full is a major focus.
These regional gains mirror Ohio’s broader economic performance. In 2025, Ohio ranked fifth overall in CNBC’s Top States for Business – our highest ranking ever – while placing first nationally for infrastructure investment for the third straight year, second for cost of doing business, and first in the Midwest for business climate. Those rankings match what companies tell us when they choose Ohio: our state offers reliable infrastructure, reasonable costs, predictable policies and a superior quality of life.
The Lake to River region embodies those strengths. Eastern Ohio has the industrial base, the workforce, the infrastructure, and the development savvy to compete for major projects. With continued investment in sites, infrastructure, and training, the region will keep winning projects in 2026 and beyond.
