Contact:

Anthony P. Iriti

Director

Findlay•Hancock County Economic Development

419.348.1922

airiti@FindlayHancockED.com

Findlay Again Ranked Top Micropolitan Community in the U.S. in 2015

Local Economic Development Projects top the national chart at 26 projects in 2015

(FINDLAY, OH, March 1, 2016)— For the second consecutive year, Findlay, Ohio has been ranked the top micropolitan community in the U.S. for new and expanding facilities by Site Selection magazine, the official publication of the Global FDI Association and the Industrial Asset Management Council. The magazine ranked 575 of the nation’s micropolitan areas, cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people which cover at least one county. Since 2000, only four small towns in America have ranked in the top 10 at least 10 times. Findlay is one of them.

“Findlay-Hancock County is proud to be ranked the top micropolitan community in the United States again this year,” said Tony Iriti, Findlay•Hancock County Economic Development Director. “With the ongoing efforts of our community’s business and public sector leaders as well as our economic development partners and regional workforce we will continue to see great results.

The Findlay•Hancock County Economic Development Office compiled and submitted 26 projects that met Site Selection’s qualifying criteria. Among those that qualified were the One Energy LLC wind turbine project, representing a $20 million investment, Hamlet Protein’s plant expansion, a $13 million investment, Freudenberg NOK’s expansion, a $4 million investment., Plumbline Consulting’s IT staff expansion resulting in 20 new jobs, Mid-Ohio Development’s construction of a 71,400 square foot facility and Findlay Warehousing expanding their facility by 79,920 square feet.

“Hancock County has made amazing progress in the last few years,” said Findlay Mayor, Lydia Mihalik. “Being named the nation’s top micropolitan community for the second straight year clearly demonstrates that collaborative efforts are paying off.”

“Our Economic Development team has worked hard to gain momentum in the community, and enhance its focus throughout the region,” 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 continue to make Findlay and Hancock County a great place to live, work and play.”

Phil Riegle, Chairman, Hancock County Commissioner added “I am not surprised our community is ranked #1 for the second year in a row after being ranked in the top 10 at least 10 times since 2000. We have a bright future ahead.”

Additional information can be found online www.siteselection.com. Site Selection is also available via Site Selection Online

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

A formal presentation of the award with Site Selection will take place on March 10, 2016. Additional details to follow.