Crawford ranked 16th nationwide on economic development indicators
Crawford County, for the second year in a row, achieved its best ranking ever in a national economic development ranking, according to Site Selection magazine.
Site Selection’s recently published rankings for large, private economic development projects in 2023, and Crawford County placed 16th out of 542 micropolitan counties in the US, according to a Crawford Partnership news release.
Local estimates of the significance of the ranking
This places the community in the top 3% of communities nationwide, and in the top 10% of Ohio’s 29 micropolitans.
Crawford County Commissioner Tim Ley said the achievement is a motivator for the community to continue working together toward "an even brighter future."
“Our collective efforts have led to this remarkable national recognition for Crawford County,” Ley said.
Bucyrus Mayor Bruce Truka said attaining the high ranking for a second year in a row is a testament to the community's resilience and hard work.
“It’s an exciting time for Bucyrus and Crawford County, and we are just getting started on this path to greater achievements," Truka said.
Galion Mayor Tom O’Leary said the ranking will help sustain Galion’s future growth and prosperity.
"Once again, Crawford County businesses demonstrate what a great place this is to live and work,” he said.
Site Selection's ranking history
Site Selection has been annually ranking states and cities since 1978 and top non-metro counties with an urban center between 10,000 and 50,000 people, also known as micropolitans – since 2004.
This is the fifth time since 2010 that Crawford County, which for this study includes Bucyrus-Galion micropolitan statistical area, has been nationally ranked. Last year, Crawford County placed 22nd.
The ranking depended on the number of projects in the area. Crawford County was ranked 16th along with 10 other counties that also worked on five projects, just as Crawford County does.
Crawford qualifying projects are expansions by Eagle Crusher, Hord Family Farms, Wurm’s Woodworking, Tramec Sloan and the JBS Development industrial building in Galion.
Other communities highlighted
Findlay, working on 25 projects, was ranked first this and last year. Cullman, Alabama, was ranked second, and Angola, Indiana, was ranked third. Both Cullman and Angola improved their ranking since last year from third and ninth respectively.
Hancock County (Findlay), Defiance County, Seneca County (Tiffin), Sandusky County (Fremont) and Van Wert also made it to the top 50 list for growing micropolitan counties in the United States, according to the Crawford Partnership release.
President and CEO of the Regional Growth Partnership, Dean Monske, said the achievement for Crawford County highlights the dynamic economic landscape of Northwest Ohio.
“It's a reflection of our strategic collaboration and innovative approach to fostering economic growth,” Monske said.
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Crawford 16th nationwide on Site Selection economic development list
