Your Partner in Advanced Manufacturing
Lake to River partners with industry leaders to align sites, talent, and resources for long-term growth in Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing.
The Lake to River region is a hub for advanced manufacturing, with jobs in the sector 214% above the national average. With expertise in metal fabrication, plastics, and industrial machinery, combined with unparalleled access to markets and infrastructure, the region supports innovation and growth for businesses of all sizes.
Source: Lightcast, 2025.4
Located midway between Chicago and New York, the Lake to River region offers:
A major win for the Mahoning Valley, the newly announced Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense in Youngstown strengthens Northeast Ohio’s role in these high-growth sectors.
Led by America Makes and the Youngstown Business Incubator, the hub will serve as a catalyst for research, talent development and national defense innovation. From an economic development standpoint, this new asset enhances the broader ecosystem we collectively rely on to attract investment, support business expansion and create opportunities throughout the entire four-county Lake to River region.
Rising Tides is a collaborative initiative designed to help manufacturers thrive in today’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape. By partnering with regional experts, industry leaders, and educational institutions, Rising Tides delivers resources, training, and connections that strengthen innovation, expand opportunities, and build a more competitive manufacturing ecosystem in Ohio.
A third-generation, family-owned leader in sand cores and molds since 1959, Humtown revolutionized casting with its 3D sand printing (binder-jetting) technology. As the first conventional core shop to commercialize this process, they now offer hybrid production—tooling and tooling-free—enabling faster turnaround, reduced costs, and no tooling delays. Recognized as the 2020 Manufacturer of the Year by the National Association of Manufacturers.
Based in Youngstown, JuggerBot designs and builds industrial-scale 3D printers using pellet- and filament-fed extrusion systems. Their large-format "Tradesman" series supports production-level additive manufacturing, including advanced materials like carbon-fiber polycarbonate. Undergoing rapid expansion (acquiring a 24,000 sq ft facility) and backed by a $4M military contract, they are scaling U.S. manufacturing capabilities.
Vallourec North America operates a fully integrated, Made-in-America seamless tube facility in Youngstown. Suppliers of premium steel pipes to energy, industrial, automotive, and construction sectors, their Youngstown plant leverages scrap recycling and strong R&D ties. As part of a global €5.1B company with ~17,000 employees, they continue Youngstown’s legacy in precision steel production.
The Lake to River region leads the way with:
Lake to River offers businesses in the Advanced Manufacturing sector robust resources, including:
Incentives and Grants: Programs to support investment and expansion.
Technical Expertise: Assistance with process optimization and technology implementation.
Market Connectivity: Access to 12 of the top 30 largest U.S. markets within one day.
