Findlay, Ohio has been ranked the second best micropolitan community in the U.S. for new and expanding facilities for 2012 by Site Selection magazine, the official publication of the Industrial Asset Management Council.

The magazine ranked 576 of the nation’s micropolitan areas, cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people which cover at least one county. The Findlay/Hancock County region has ranked well for many years, and moved up from a 6th place ranking in 2011.

In addition, the State of Ohio claimed the second place spot in the 2012 Governor’s Cup with 491 projects, after coming in first in 2011 with 498. The state has won the Governor’s Cup six times in the last nine years, and placed second twice.

“Findlay-Hancock County is proud to again be ranked as one of the top micropolitan communities in the United States, and to contribute to Ohio’s success in winning the 2012 Governor’s Cup Award,” said Tony Iriti, Findlay•Hancock County Economic Development Director. 

“We are grateful for the efforts of our community’s business and public sector leaders as well as our economic development partners that strive to make Findlay and Hancock County a great place to live, work and play.”

The Findlay•Hancock County Economic Development Office compiled and submitted 18 projects that met Site Selection’s qualifying criteria.

Among those that qualified was Nissin Brake expansion, representing a $20 million investment, 125 new jobs and 320,000 sq. ft., the Ball Metal plant expansion, a $14.5million investment that created 30 new jobs, the Findlay Products expansion, which created 61 new jobs and was 50,000 sq ft., the Whirlpool Corporation expansion that resulted in 114 new jobs, and several others, making the total qualifying investment in Hancock County more than  $120 million, with 722 new jobs created and more than 1,424,000 sq. ft. of new space.

“Hancock County has made amazing progress in the last few years,” said Findlay Mayor, Lydia Mihalik. “Our move to the second spot in the nation for new and expanding facilities clearly demonstrates that our hard work and collaboration is paying off. Findlay and Hancock County is a great place to do business!”

“The Economic Development team has worked hard to gain momentum in the community, and we are seeing those results,” said John Haywood, The Findlay•Hancock County Alliance President and CEO. “Thanks to the synergies created with other state and local entities, community partners and businesses, we will continue to see excellent outcomes.”

Phil Riegle, Hancock County Commissioner, is also encouraged by the news. “This is just a glimpse of what’s in store for Hancock County”, he said. “We’ve got a solid plan in place, and bright future ahead.”

For more information, please contact the Findlay•Hancock County Economic Development Office at 419-422-3313 or visit FindlayHancockED.com.

The Findlay•Hancock County Alliance is a partnership bringing growth and prosperity to the Findlay/Hancock County community. Through a strong economic development focus, leadership programs, business building initiatives and volunteer opportunities, the Alliance helps position its community among the best micropolitan communities in the United States. The Alliance is a blend of the area’s best resources including the Findlay•Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development and the Hancock County Convention & Visitors Bureau.