As we enter the 21st century, the Springfield/Clark County economy continues to strengthen and diversify. Information and data management are becoming a larger part of our economy at new and expanding facilities for LexisNexis, the Ohio Supercomputer Center and the Assurant Solutions. Our over-200 manufacturers represent the best in advanced manufacturing in almost every industrial sector and they are continuing to make new investments to remain internationally competitive. And our farmers and agriculture community are currently doing very well in traditional diversified crops and livestock production.
Over 200 research companies and organizations operate within a 30-minute radius. The largest area research facility, Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), functions as the development, engineering, and logistics center for the US Air Force and is located 20 minutes west of Springfield, employing 1,600 civilians from Clark County. WPAFB receives approximately 40% of the US Air Force’s $2.5 billion research budget and works in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Air Force Institute of Technology.
A strong economy is the key to any community’s success, and Springfield/Clark County is doing a noteworthy job of retaining existing businesses and drawing new companies to the area. Attributes such as a readily-available skilled workforce, employer-focused training programs, convenient location, varied transportation facilities, and plentiful water supply make this area a natural choice for businesses of all types. Local businesses continue to include manufacturing and distribution, and are branching out, encompassing more technology-based opportunities.
Springfield/Clark County has always been a manufacturing town, and the industry still plays a major role in the local economy. The International Truck and Engine Corporation, founded in Springfield and respected world-wide, is a former producer of farm machinery that now manufactures trucks, motors, truck-related merchandise and school buses. Moyno Industrial Products, a division of Robbins & Myers, Inc., produces specialized fluid-handling equipment, parts, and accessories. Eagle Tool & Machine provides precision machine parts to the aerospace industry.
While located just outside of Clark County in nearby Marysville, OH, Honda of North America provides jobs to more than 800 local residents. Honda has four plants in Ohio, employs over 13,000 Ohioans, and provides work for 150-plus suppliers in the state, including local companies. The Honda motorcycle plant was the company’s first North American production facility and currently produces the Goldwing, Valkyrie, Shadow, and Four-Trax all terrain vehicles. The automobile plant manufactures the two- and four-door Accord models as well as the Acura CL and LT models. Honda has committed fully to Ohio and Clark County—the company strives to give back to the community through scholarships, grants, and other community service programs.
A number of other international companies have chosen Springfield/Clark County as their home in the U.S. Rittal, a German-based corporation, manufactures electrical and electronics enclosures. Yamada North America produces steering racks, steering pinions and columns, water and oil pumps, and die-castings for Honda of North America at its Clark County facility.
Distribution continues to be a growing portion of the Springfield/Clark County economy. Employing many in the region, companies including U.S. Express and Werner Enterprises operate large trucking terminals out of Clark County. Companies also use local facilities to house regional distribution centers. Aldi, Bob Evans, Dole Fresh Vegetables, Eby Brown, Gordon Food Service, and M & M Restaurant Supply house and ship their goods to areas encompassing several states with some serving the entire Eastern United States. Reiter Dairy of Springfield, LLC, has expanded its production and distribution facilities, providing more local job opportunities. Steel distribution continues to be an expanding local industry. The Target Stores distribution center located in neighboring Madison County provides yet another strong employment opportunity to area residents. Target’s undertaking was the fifth largest building facility project in America when announced.
Speedway SuperAmerica, LLC, headquartered in Enon, and Assurant Solutions are just two of the many other nationally-known companies that operate in Clark County. Providing over 900 and 1,000 jobs, respectively, these firms provide opportunities in many areas, offering employment options to those with diverse levels of skills and education. LexisNexis, a national leader in legal, business, and news documentation, now operates a local data management and research center while the State of Ohio established a branch of the Ohio Supercomputer Center, bringing more technology-based jobs to the area.
Springfield/Clark County’s physical location and facilities provide convenience when it comes to receiving raw materials or shipping finished products. Corporate business parks are available throughout the area and include PrimeOhio and PrimeOhio II, located on the eastern edge of the county. Directly accessible from Interstate 70 at State Route 41, PrimeOhio is a completed 350-acre park; PrimeOhio II is an adjacent 400-acre site that is expected to be available to new tenants by the end of 2004. Both sites have city utilities available. AirPark Ohio, located south of the city on State Route 68, offers sites for industry and distribution. Two new industrial parks situated in the western portion of the county will be ready for development by the end of 2004. Information relating to all available industrial sites and buildings is available from the Springfield/Clark County Chamber of Commerce.
