Ohio’s Governor's Cup Top Micropolitan Ranking #3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Disclaimer: This is an invitation-only event. RSVP is required due to venue capacity limitations.

Lydia Mihalik, Director of Ohio Department of Development

DOVER, OH – March 25, 2025 – The Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC) is proud to announce a special event recognizing the county's outstanding achievement as a Top 3 Micropolitan nationwide. The Ohio Department of Development, led by Director Lydia Mihalik, will issue a Governor's Proclamation to commemorate this prestigious ranking. The official proclamation ceremony will take place on Friday, April 4th, at 10:00 am at the ProVia manufacturing facility, located at 10190 State Route 21, Strasburg, OH 44680. This esteemed proclamation specifically honors the collaborative spirit and unified economic advancement of Dover, New Philadelphia, and the entire Tuscarawas County region.

The robust partnerships and collective vision shared by these communities have been instrumental in cultivating the thriving economic environment that has garnered this national acclaim. This unified approach underscores the region's commitment to fostering a business-friendly atmosphere and driving sustainable growth.

According to the US Census there are 538 Micropolitan statistical areas. A micropolitan area, as defined by leading industry publications such as Site Selection magazine, is a region centered around an urban cluster with a population between 10,000 and 50,000 that serves as an economic hub for the surrounding communities. Tuscarawas County's exceptional ranking as a Top 3 Micropolitan signifies its superior performance in key areas of economic development, including job creation, capital investment, and business expansion, when compared to similar regions across the nation. This notable recognition comes from Site Selection magazine's highly regarded 2024 rankings, a widely respected benchmark within the economic development sector.

Demonstrating remarkable progress, Tuscarawas County has ascended from a ranking of 17th to an impressive 3rd in the United States within just one year, highlighting the significant strides made in its economic landscape. This achievement also reflects the overall strength and effectiveness of Ohio's economic development strategies, as the state consistently achieves high rankings in national comparisons for attracting business investment and fostering economic growth.

ProVia’s location in Strasburg has been selected as the venue for this important event due to the company's exceptional contributions to Tuscarawas County's economic vitality. Among the local projects that met the three qualifying criteria for the Ohio Governor's Cup, ProVia demonstrated the highest performance metrics in each category. These criteria, which are crucial indicators of economic impact, include significant employee growth, substantial square footage expansion, and considerable capital investment. ProVia, a well-established manufacturer of professional-grade exterior building products such as doors, windows, siding, stone, and roofing, has a significant presence and long-standing commitment to Tuscarawas County. Their dedication to growth is demonstrated by their Strasburg facility, which now operates over 1,000,000 square feet with a plan for continued growth to enhance their window production capabilities. Their expansion, coupled with their continuous efforts in creating job opportunities and investing in the local community, positions ProVia as an outstanding representative of Tuscarawas County's economic success story. Furthermore, ProVia's core values, align well with the positive image of the region that the TCEDC seeks to promote.

The Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation encourages other businesses within the county that are undertaking significant economic development projects to seek recognition by submitting their information for the annual Ohio Governor's Cup. Companies interested in potentially hosting similar celebratory events in the future are invited to annually submit their projects through the Ohio Governors Cup submissions page on our website: https://www.tuscedc.com/ohio-governors-cup-submissions. Projects that meet one or more of the following criteria are eligible for submission: the creation of 20 or more new jobs; the addition of 20,000 or more square feet of new or expanded facility space; or a capital investment of $1 million or more. By submitting your projects, you contribute to Tuscarawas County's overall economic profile and increase the potential for future recognition in prestigious rankings like the Governor's Cup, which are often highlighted in national publications such as Site Selection magazine. The deadline for submitting projects for the 2025 Governor's Cup is November 25, 2025, so we encourage companies to document and submit their successes.

Jon Elsasser, Chairman of the Economic Development Finance Alliance of Tuscarawas County

"We’re extremely proud of this national recognition—it really speaks to the hard work, innovation, and collaboration that define our local business community," said Jon Elsasser, Chairman of the Economic Development Finance Alliance. "Having Director Mihalik here, along with the Governor’s Proclamation, at ProVia—a company that truly represents growth and investment in Tuscarawas County—makes this celebration even more special. We encourage all our local businesses to keep pushing forward and to share their successes for future Governor’s Cup rankings."

About the Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation:

The Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening and promoting economic development throughout Tuscarawas County. The TCEDC offers a range of resources, financial tools, and support services to commercial businesses and builders within the county, serving as a primary point of contact for economic growth initiatives. The organization manages the Economic Development & Finance Alliance (EDFA) and the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) of Tuscarawas County.

Media Contact: James C. Shively, Business Development Director, Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation, jcshively@tuscedc.com, 330-401-3623