Economic development organizations attract new employers to the region
As 2024 comes to a close, it also caps a big year for development in the Dayton region. Many projects announced this year will begin construction, and projects already underway are set to open in 2025, bringing new jobs for residents in the area and boosting local economies. And as we start the New Year, there is no better time to shine a light on the work being done to bring new projects to the Dayton region, the investments coming and the impact these projects will have for the area.
Promoting Ohio
Many of the large projects grabbing headlines are the result of collaboration on behalf of JobsOhio, the state’s private economic and business development corporation. JobsOhio builds relationships with companies by tailoring and implementing programs and services that meet the specific needs of companies looking to establish or expand their presence in Ohio. A network of seven regional partners and countless local economic development organizations across the state all work together to make these deals happen. The Dayton Development Coalition (DDC) is the Miami Valley’s regional site developer for JobsOhio, representing a 12-county area in western Ohio.
JobsOhio uses profit from the sale of spirits in the state to help create incentives and other offers to support development. The region focuses on companies that operate in targeted industries, which are aerospace and defense, agriculture and food processing, health care, technology, advanced manufacturing, automotive, logistics and distribution, and military/federal agencies. The DDC also offers advocacy and initiatives to help strengthen local businesses already part of the greater Dayton community.
“Every project we support in the region is important, because the jobs they create mean opportunities for our community,” says Julie Sullivan, executive vice president of Regional Development for the DDC. “We want to build a diverse, vibrant economy that has a variety of opportunities for people in a wide range of careers at various points in their career. We want a local economy that helps our young people see the region as a place they can build a career and enjoy their lives.”
Top Projects of 2024
Each year, the DDC assists dozens of companies with site selection services, all the while aiming to boost local economies through income tax revenue and sustainable livelihoods for families via robust job creation.
“Each company has its own specific criteria for site selection,” Sullivan says. “We find that companies value our friendly business climate, affordable quality of life, our logistical advantages and our educated, skilled workforce. We also have strong industry ecosystems for advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and logistics and distribution. For defense contractors, Dayton often means being in the same community as their client—and proximity matters.”
The final progress report for 2024 will be released early in 2025; however, Sullivan shared several projects that are sure to be highlights from this year.
Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC): SNC opened its first 100,000-square-foot large aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in 2023, and this year, SNC Aviation Innovation and Technology Center (AITC) opened the second such space. The aerospace company also broke ground on two additional MRO facilities as part of its ongoing growth in the Dayton region and in support of critical national security projects.
“We are thrilled to continue expansion of our state-of-the-art Aviation Innovation and Technology Center in Dayton and the Miami Valley,” says Mark Williams, SNC senior vice president of Strategy. “Our continued growth in the region allows SNC to harness the significant existing infrastructure and skilled talent pool that are necessary to deliver the transformative solutions our customers demand. Furthermore, these state-of-the-art facilities are dedicated to ensuring our military aviation community has the capability and resources to meet the growing demands for many years to come.”
Westrafo America: Westrafo America, a privately held Italian electromechanical and electrical transformer manufacturer, announced it will establish its first North American production facility in Trotwood to serve the U.S. market. Westrafo offers integrated solutions for the energy industry, including power transformers and distribution transformers; photovoltaic, wind, hydrogen and energy storage; and various types of industrial applications.
“Building on the principles that have guided our growth, such as innovation, sustainability and strong customer focus, we believe it is crucial to invest in the country that is focusing more than any other on the development of an efficient and sustainable grid,” says Westrafo CEO Alberto Cracco.
The 231,000-square-foot Trotwood site will create 230 new jobs producing Westrafo’s medium and high-voltage transformers and renewable energy systems. “The company has been exporting products to the U.S. since 2019 and can currently count on an installed base of more than seven gigawatts (GW) in the U.S. market,” Sullivan says. “The company decided to invest directly in the U.S. heartland to supply an American product to local customers.” Production is expected to start in July 2025. It’s expected to reach a production output of 12 GW per year starting from 2027.
Accelevation/First Flight Commerce Center: Ohio has been gaining traction as a data center powerhouse, and the streak continues with Accelevation, a vertically integrated infrastructure manufacturer and professional services provider. The company announced a new $26 million facility at First Flight Commerce Center, located at the southern end of Washington Church Road in Miami Township. This 264,214-square-foot building marks the first major development at the site and will bring more than 100 new jobs.
Michael Rubiera, president and CEO of Dayton-based Accelevation, says that since January 2021, the company has grown from 25 employees to over 300. “We have expanded our manufacturing footprint from under 30,000 square feet to soon over half a million with the addition of First Flight,” he says. “This new facility will allow us to hire hundreds of new employees to support the high-growth demands of our customers in the data center market.”
First Flight Commerce Center was also awarded a JobsOhio Ohio Site Inventory Program grant in 2023. “When a company like Accelevation decides to grow their businesses in Ohio, it is essential for our region to keep pace by creating additional inventory ready for business investment and job creation,” Sullivan says. “Without a site, there is no opportunity.”
MedShip LLC: JobsOhio, the Dayton Development Coalition, Preble County and local elected officials celebrated the grand opening of MedShip’s new downtown Camden headquarters in September. “The investment is the most significant within the village of Camden in decades, completing the demolition of two blighted buildings, establishing a new 12,000-square-foot facility, and bringing jobs supporting logistics and distribution in the critical medical supply industry,” Sullivan says.
The new headquarters provides an anchor catalyzing additional investments in the rural Preble County village. “This journey has been a testament to growth and opportunity,” says MedShip COO Ryan Jarrell. “Due to growth, we expanded our facility to accommodate not just our original vision, but the workforce that has grown beyond our expectations. With 86 of our 93 employees based here, we look forward to seeing our company and Camden thrive together.”
What’s Next for Miami Valley Residents
Although the timeline for site prep and build-out can take months—if not years—Sullivan says employee recruiting efforts kick off before the doors open. “Companies often have plans for workforce recruitment and training, and we can connect them with local educational institutions and training programs,” she says. “Many companies post available jobs on their company’s career page. Projects can take a year or two to ramp up hiring.”
