Ohio is no longer just a participant in America’s manufacturing resurgence, it’s setting the model for how states can rebuild industrial strength. With record-setting projects, strategic investment, and a workforce ready to meet the demands of advanced manufacturing, Ohio offers a blueprint for other regions looking to attract and sustain growth.

From Supply Chain Risk to Onshoring Opportunity

The 2020 pandemic underscored the dangers of overreliance on overseas supply chains. Shipping delays, tariff risks, and rising costs forced companies to rethink sourcing strategies. Onshoring became a survival tactic.

Ohio has been ahead of the curve, aligning infrastructure, policy, and workforce training to create one of the most attractive manufacturing environments in the country.

The Numbers Behind Ohio’s Manufacturing Surge

Between 2020 and 2023, Ohio manufacturing experienced:

• 8.5% growth in GDP
• 5.8% growth in employment
• 13.5% increase in average weekly wages

These gains reflect not only recovery, but sustainable growth fueled by long-term investments.

A Magnet for Mega Projects

Ohio’s approach to incentives, infrastructure, and workforce development has paid off:

• #3 nationally in mega projects for three consecutive years
• $20 billion in capital investment in 2024 alone
• 600 completed deals in 2024
• Only state ranked in the top five for projects per capita seven years in a row

High-profile investments like Intel’s $20B semiconductor facilities and Honda/LG’s EV battery plants are proof that Ohio has mastered the playbook for attracting next-generation manufacturing.

Talent at the Core of Growth

At the heart of Ohio’s blueprint is its talent pipeline. With 5 R1 research universities, more than 49 technical centers, and 131,000+ higher education degree completions in 2023 alone, the state produces a steady stream of engineers, technicians, and skilled workers.

This balance of high-level research capacity and technical training creates a workforce ready to meet the challenges of automation, semiconductors, and clean energy manufacturing.

Why Ohio Is the Model

Other states may compete on incentives or location, but Ohio’s success comes from its holistic approach:

• Cost Advantage: Ranked #2 in cost of doing business
• Productivity Edge: #1 in labor productivity in the Midwest since 2013
• Quality of Life: 8.1% below national cost of living average and #3 in Moody’s housing affordability index

The result is not just short-term wins, but a long-term ecosystem that makes Ohio a blueprint for U.S. manufacturing growth.

Sources

• CBRE, Made in Ohio: Manufacturing Report (Q2 2025)
• Oxford Economics (2023 Data, via CBRE report)
• JobsOhio (Q2 2025 Report)
• National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) – Ohio Manufacturing Facts (2024)
• U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (2024 GDP data)
• Intel Press Release (2022): Intel Invests in Ohio to Build Semiconductors
• Honda Newsroom (2022): Honda and LG Energy Solution to Build EV Battery Plant in Ohio