Ohio Scores ‘B’ in Logistics, Manufacturing

MUNCIE, Ind. – Ohio ranks a solid overall B grade when it comes to manufacturing and logistics compared to other states, according to a new report issued by the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University.

The report card measures the health of the manufacturing sector in each state according to three metrics: the share of total income earned by manufacturing employees, the wage premium paid to manufacturing workers relative to other states, and the share of manufacturing employment per capita.

Other factors, including tax climate, global markets, sector diversification and productivity and innovation were also measured in the annual report card.

According to the survey, Ohio’s grade remained unchanged from last year at B when measuring manufacturing performance across the state. In terms of logistics, however, the study showed improvement from a B+ to A during the same period.

Ohio scored a C- in human capital, unchanged from last year; a D relative to worker benefit costs, down from a C- in 2017; a C for the state’s tax climate, unchanged from a year earlier; a B- for its global reach, down from a B in 2017; a B for sector diversification, an improvement from a B-; and a C for productivity and innovation, downgraded from C+ last year.

Neighboring states such as Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky scored an overall A for manufacturing and logistics this year, according to the report.

Pennsylvania and West Virginia each received an overall grade of C.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.