Lake County
Lake County is known for its diverse economy, home to over 600 manufacturing firms along with thriving wine and nursery industries. Although geographically the smallest of Ohio’s counties, Lake County ranks 11th in population with approximately 229,582 citizens. The County possesses a highly skilled workforce, and a strong emphasis on quality education, with teachers in Lake County averaging the highest wages in the state. Lake County also has the lowest percentage of residents living below the poverty line. With 31 miles of Lake Erie shoreline and two rivers, Lake County boasts superb recreational opportunities. Additionally, Lake County offers a robust agricultural sector featuring some of the most fertile soil in the region. Its nursery and wine industries are nationally recognized thanks to the excellent climate.
Equipped to meet your needs
232,000 PEOPLE
Living in Lake County
85,000 workers
in the robust workforce of Lake County
600+ Manufacturing
corporations in Lake County
31 MILES
of coastline containing tourist attractions, beautiful parks and superb beaches
NO TAXES
on corporate or franchise profits, new machinery and equipment, or inventory
$3.5 BILLION
Annual shipping on the Lake Erie coming to or originating from Ohio alone is over 40 million tons worth approximately $3.5 billion
Recent Economic Development Achievements
Avery Dennison
Former ABB Inc. Site Redevelopment
Lake County Executive Airport Terminal Building Project
Lake Erie College
Headlands Punderson State Parks
Reimagination Project
Lakeland Community College
MUM Industries
Opportunity Lake County
Notable Higher Ed. / Vocational Training Institutions
Lake County Sites & Buildings
Program Spotlights
Opportunity Lake County
Our mission is to serve the community by delivering workforce development resources and highlighting all of the opportunities Lake County, Ohio offers. Opportunity Lake County is a collaboration of community leaders dedicated to serving the current and future workforce through education, training, and career advancement. Learn more.
Transit GO
Offer your employees a benefit they can use every day. It’s getting harder to access a qualified workforce. Competitive benefit packages can often help recruit & retain employees, so Laketran is launching Transit GO – a transit benefit program for Lake County employers. Laketran, the Lake County Commissioners and Alliance for Working Together have joined together to provide free transit benefits to participating employers in Lake County. Employers that enroll in program can offer their employees free transportation to work using Laketran Local Routes to ensure they have access to employment. Learn more.
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing
PACE is a means of financing energy efficiency upgrades or renewable energy installations for buildings. It allows commercial property owners and developers to obtain low-cost, long-term fixed-rate financing that is paid back through annual assessments on the organization’s property tax bill. Learn more.
Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)
A restricted-access site within the United States that is legally considered outside of Customs territory for the purpose of tariffs or duties, so goods may be brought into site duty-free and without formal customs entry. The purpose of the FTZ program has ben to expedite and encourage foreign commerce within the United States. The benefits are to reduce, defer, or eliminate duties, reduce merchandise processing fees, weekly entry, and no import quotas. Lake Development Staff can direct you to the local Zone administrators. Learn more.
Capital Lease Bond Financing
The Lake Development Authority is designed to promote economic development by assisting capital investments made by public, private, or nonprofit entities. Port Authority projects include infrastructure projects, land acqusition, construction projects and renovation of existing buildings. Learn more.
CROP Loan
The CROP Loan program was created and is aministrated by Lake Development Authority for the purpose of providing affordable short-term financing for Agro-Businesses in Lake County. Learn more.
Ohio Enterprise Zone Program
The Ohio Enterprise Zone Program is an economic development tool created by the State, administered by municipal and county governments, that provides real property tax exemptions to businesses making investments in Ohio. They allow local officials to negotiate with businesses to encourage new business investment in the zone. The Lake County Board of Commissioners have established the Lake County Enterprise Zone, and the Lake Development Authority is the program administrator. Learn more.
Tax Increment Financing
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is an economic development mechanism available to local governments in Ohio to finance public infrastructure improvements and, in certain circumstances, residential rehabilitation. TIFs are implemented at the local level and may be created by township, municipality or county. Payments derived from the increased assessed value of any improvement to real property beyond that amount are directed towards a separate fund to finance the construction of public infrastructure defined within the TIF legislation. Learn more.
Career Bound
Watch the video to learn more.
Think Manufacturing
