Lake to River is home to a diverse economy built on strong regional assets. From advanced manufacturing and logistics to food and agribusiness, these industries drive growth, create opportunities, and shape the future of Eastern Ohio
As the official JobsOhio regional partner for Eastern Ohio, Lake to River works directly with businesses, site selectors, developers, and community leaders to match opportunity with place. Whether you are expanding an existing operation, evaluating available industrial sites in Ohio, or exploring a new market entry, our team brings the regional knowledge and statewide network to make it happen.
This is not a region reinventing itself from scratch. It is a region that never stopped building, and is now doing it smarter, faster, and with greater purpose than ever before.
Our team works with businesses and their advisors to identify, evaluate, and advance sites across the Lake to River region. From initial site screening to infrastructure assessment and connection with local government partners, we streamline the site selection process so companies can make informed decisions faster.
Lake to River’s core mission as an Ohio economic development organization is to grow the regional economy by attracting new investment and helping existing businesses expand and thrive. That means proactive outreach to companies in our key industry sectors, as well as ongoing engagement with businesses already operating in the region to ensure they have the support they need to stay, grow, and compete.
A business is only as strong as the people who power it. Lake to River connects employers with workforce development resources across Eastern Ohio, including training providers, educational partners, and talent recruitment initiatives. Whether a company needs to reskill an existing workforce or build a pipeline of new talent, our regional workforce coalition is designed to help.
Navigating the landscape of local, regional, and state incentives can be complex. Our team has the expertise to help businesses identify and access the programs that best align with their investment and hiring goals, from JobsOhio grants and loans to local enterprise zone agreements and tax increment financing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lake to River is the official JobsOhio regional partner for Eastern Ohio, combining statewide resources with deep local market knowledge. We manage site selection, workforce connections, and incentive navigation for six strategic industries, ensuring businesses access both comprehensive support and industry-specific expertise.
The Lake to River region excels in advanced manufacturing, automotive and electric vehicles, primary and fabricated metals, energy and chemicals, food and agribusiness, and logistics and distribution. Each sector benefits from the region's strategic location, skilled workforce, and infrastructure—we'll help you identify which aligns with your investment goals.
Our team works directly with site selectors and business advisors to expedite the process. From initial screening through infrastructure assessment and local government coordination, we streamline evaluation so you can make informed decisions faster than industry standard timelines.
Business expansion is our core focus. We engage with existing businesses to ensure they have the resources to stay, grow, and compete. We address everything from workforce pipeline expansion to infrastructure upgrades to support your growth trajectory.
