The Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County is the one-stop centrally managed economic development organization for Ashtabula County, Ohio. The Growth Partnership boasts a track record of successfully aiding both new and existing companies to thrive in Ashtabula County for over 20 years as a non-profit supported by the contributions of and collaboration with our trustees in the private and public sectors.
Ashtabula County is truly a community that is "moving forward" as was documented at our annual Best of the County Awards dinner. This simple phrase incompasses much of what is occurring in Ashtabula County and reinforces the bright future the county has:
* Ashtabula County has long-time companies that are moving forward with new products, expansions and new employees.
* Ashtabula County has several long-term initiatives and projects that promise to move the county forward in the form of relationships with LEEDCo., the Erie Inland Port Project, and Aloterra's efforts to create a biomass energy hub using Miscanthus grass....just to name a few.
* SPIRE Institute continues to move forward with rapid expansion of their facilities with their newly completed aquatic center.
* Kent State University Ashtabula has moved forward with the first degree programs in the state geared toward the expanding wine industry.
Ashtabula County also offers a low cost of living, a rural/small town environment close to big city amenities in Erie, PA or Cleveland, a highly skilled and affordable workforce, deep harbor ports, and is linked to the country by the interstate highway system.
The area is the cradle of the reinforced fiberglass composite industry in the U.S. and produces more polymers and plastics per capita than anywhere in the country. There is also a significant cluster of companies in the chemicals industry that utilize the availability of affordable raw water from Lake Erie. Although most businesses are U.S. based, Ashtabula County has a large international presence of Norwegian, Japanese, German, British, Canadian, and most recently Taiwanese manufacturing plants.
Ashtabula County has plenty to offer away from business and manufacturing as well. The breathtaking coastline in Ashtabula County is home to four pristine beaches. Along with our sandy beaches, we offer a number of marinas with boat launches and charter captains ready to take you and your group out for a walleye, perch or bass excursion. The refreshing lake breezes dull the feel of the July sun beating down through imperial white clouds. Donning your favorite flip-flops and your new sunglasses, you can enjoy an award-winning bottle of Ashtabula County wine or an alfresco meal on one of our outdoor patios.
Lake Erie not only provides numerous water sports and pristine beaches, it is the reason Ohio consistently ranks in the top 10 US states for wine production. A unique microclimate that is a mere six miles wide and 22 miles long grow over sixty-five percent of the states overall grape production. Perched atop the remnants of glacial beaches and covered with vines planted over generations, the Lake Erie and Grand River Valley growing regions are second to none.
Ashtabula County is also home to eighteen covered bridges, and is affectionately known as the “covered bridge capital of Ohio." Boasting the longest covered bridge in the United States and the shortest, this is a must stop for a fall getaway. Make sure to mark your calendars for the second weekend in October when the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival will host their annual event. This is one year you do not want to miss. These are just a few of the highlights the county has to offer visitors and residents alike.
So come to Ashtabula County, whether it be to LIVE, WORK, or PLAY!