Pike County
Chamber of
Commerce
 
12455 St. Rt. 104
Waverly, Ohio
45690
 
740.947.7715

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Economic Development in Pike County

Pike County is a beautiful, rural community in Southern Ohio just 30 miles from the Ohio River. It's a community that, in recent years, has put together a strong record of development and growth.

One key to that success: a rare combination of the economic advantages a rural location offers and the access to transportation often found in only more developed regions.

Reaching the Market

Pike County sits right in the middle of this country's economic heartland. Within 500 miles, you'll find more than 50 percent of the nation's consumers and industrial facilities.

But unlike many communities of its size, Pike County has the infrastructure in place to offer relocating or expanding companies access to virtually every mode of transportation they need to bring materials in and ship finished products out.

Start with the highways. The county is at the crossroads of Routes 23 and 32, both four-lane highways. Head north on Route 23 for about an hour and there's the state capital Columbus-and I-70, a major interstate linking the East Coast to the Rocky Mountains. From Columbus, of course, I-70 and other interstates provide easy access to industrial centers such as Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and others.

A half-hour south of the county on Route 23 is Portsmouth, an industrial port city on the Ohio River. There, terminals offer easy access to the river, which carries more than 200 million tons of cargo to the US and world markets each year.

Pike County's other major highway, Route 32, The Appalachian Highway, is often called Ohio's "undiscovered highway." This four-lane route links Pike County to the large Cincinnati market and I-75 known as "automotive alley."

Several Class I railroads serve the county and its industrial parks. And, for air transportation, there's an international airport and a large, cargo-only airfield located an hour north in Columbus; Pike County also has its own airport.

Who's Who in Pike County

Major employers in the region include the paper, automotive components, modular housing, and fuel enrichment industries.

The county's plentiful hardwood resources, coupled with its central location, has led to impressive growth in the cabinetry and furniture industries. One manufacturer, for example began operation in Waverly in 1987 with 75 people. Today, Mill's Pride employs more than 3,000 people in the country, shipping its cabinets and wood products to retailers throughout the nation.

Mill's Pride continues to grow, recently adding a one-million sq. ft. warehouse and a 300,000 sq. ft. manufacturing operation. Another 400,000 sq. ft. facility is in the works. The expansions alone will create an additional 600 jobs.

Broken Ground

The growth of Mill's Pride helped Pike County fill its first industrial park and led to the development of a second, Zahns Corner, in which this cabinetmaker currently occupies 160 acres.

There is, however, still room for development with 140 acres remaining and an additional 700 acres adjacent. Zahns Corner is Enterprise Zoned and fully serviced with all utilities. Additionally, the site offers competitive rail rates with access to both CSX and Norfolk Southern lines. Its location, one-mile from the intersection of north-south US 23 and east-west Route 32, provides excellent road transportation opportunities as well.

An Industrious-And Industrial-Work Force

Pike County can offer businesses a large, skilled work force. With the end of the cold war, the weapon's grade activity at the gaseous diffusion plant in Piketon has declined. This facility, currently utilized for electric power uranium enrichment, will potentially be phasing down operations over the next few years.

Should this occur, the more than 1,500 employees- most of which are young engineers and professionals- will be on the market for a new source of employment. This resource of labor possesses skills in metallurgy, chemistry, engineering, and electronics, to mention a few.

That's not to say that the entire work force is skilled. Unemployment in the region typically exceeds the state average.

In addition, hundreds of county residents leave the community each day for jobs in other communities. When given an opportunity to work where they live, many of them become available to local employers. As was demonstrated to Randall Homes, when they received 200 applicants for 25 positions.

A Winning Combination

Pike County and its communities have a lot to offer to employers and employees, but those natural advantages are magnified by two important plusses: Ohio and Appalachia. Because the State of Ohio, already a leader in economic development, has developed a special set of incentives available to employers locating or expanding in the state's river crescent.

Helping keep the work force current and competitive are strong local education and training resources. Nearby Shawnee State University, for example, not only offers four-year degree programs, but it also works closely with local companies to develop specific skills through its Tech Prep program. Additionally, the university offers classes at the Vern Riffe-Pike County Joint Vocational School in Piketon.

This vocational school actively partners with industry. Working with Brown Corporation, a direct supplier to the Ford Motor Company, a 71-hour pre-employment training program was developed. Of Brown Corporation's 200-plus employees, 90-95 percent have completed the program.

There's also an Ohio University branch just north of the county, in Chillicothe. And the main campuses of Ohio University and The Ohio State University are within easy commute.

A Great Place to Live

Pike County's location, access to transportation, available work force, and educational resources are strong economic plusses for companies planning relocation or expansions.

Just as important to potential employers, and their employees, is the region's Quality of Life. Its location in the Appalachian Foothills is one of its strongest selling points.

The cost of living is low, the crime rate almost nonexistent, and the neighborhoods small and friendly. But don't jump to the conclusion that there is nothing to do.

There are four seasons of outdoor fun, including boating, fishing, hiking and hunting at private facilities and at two large state parks. Try the PGA rated, Big Beaver Creek Golf Club, recently sited as "one of the places to play" by Golf Digest. Not to worry, if you miss the bright lights, you're only one to two hours from Columbus and Cincinnati and all the metropolitan excitement they have to offer.

A Rare Blend

Pike County offers access to markets; competitively priced development property with mult-model access; a skilled, available work force; training resources to meet your current and future needs; and a relaxed lifestyle near the action.

For More Information

To learn how your company and its people can take advantage of Pike County's rare blend of economic and life style opportunities, contact Pike County Community Development at 116 S. Market St., Suite 103, Waverly, Ohio 45690. Phone 740-947-5808. Fax 740-941-4370. E-mail pikecomm.@midohio.twcbc.com, or contact the Pike County Chamber of Commerce at P.O. Box 107, 12455 State Route 104, Waverly, OH 45690. Phone 740-947-7715. Fax 740-947-7716. E-mail mail@pikechamber.org.

Pike County Industrial Site Offerings

Site One: Zahns Corner Industrial Park
Address: Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative
1864 Shyville Road
Piketon, OH 45661
Location: Two miles east of Waverly and 1.8 miles west of State Route 32 (Appalachian Highway)
Nature of terrain: Level
Flood Plain Information: Out of 500 year flood plain
Utilities:
Rail: CSX
Gas: Pike Natural Gas main transmission line
Electric: American Electric Power (13.8 KV)
Sewer: Piketon Village Sewer
Water: Piketon Village Water
Unlimited aquifer for industrial use on property
Tax incentives are available
Available acreage: Varying tracts from five to 20 bordering State Route 220. Within the park proper two 50-acre sites are ready, with an additional 100 acre site expected to be available in 2003 on a Brownfield Redevelopment. An additional 90 acres is under option.
Contact Person: Greg Simonton
Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative
1864 Shyville Road
Piketon, OH 45661
Phone: 740-289-4861
Fax: 740-289-4591

Site Two: Beaver Development Zone
Beaver, OH 45613
Location: West side of Beaver Village extending for two miles west along State Route 124 to the intersection of State Route 335 and State Route 32 (Appalachian Highway).
Nature of Terrain: Level
Flood Plain Information: Out of 100 year flood plain.
Utilities:
Gas: Pike Natural Gas main transmission line
Electric: American Electric Power (two 138. KV substations)
Sewer: Beaver Village sewer
Water: Beaver Village water
Available Acreage: A total of 800 acres is available. A site analysis and conceptual design for the Development Zone is available for review at the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.
Tax incentives are available.
The entire development zone is in an area that has no zoning.
Contact Person: Blaine Beekman
Pike County Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 107
Waverly, OH 45690
Phone: 740-947-7715
Fax: 740-947-7716

Site Three: Jim Neir Industrial Park
Address: U.S. Route 23 South
Piketon, OH 45661
Location: Five miles south of U.S. Route 23 - State Route 32 (Appalachian Highway)intersection.
Nature of Terrain: Level
Utilities:
Gas: Pike Natural Gas
Electric: American Electric Power
Water: Owner - provided
Sewer: Owner - provided
Acreage available: Ninety acres in an existing industrial park. Owner prefers to build and lease. Has constructed three 15,000 square foot buildings plus a 100,000 square foot warehouse on site.
Contact person: Jim Neir
Overhead Door Company
507 S. Main St.
Piketon, OH 45661
Phone: 740-289-3925

Site Four: Piketon Industrial Site
Address: 2710 Shyville Road
Piketon, OH 45661
Location: Within Piketon Village proper
Description:
14,000 Sq. feet building, five years old
20' height at eaves, 24' at peak
1200 amp, 440 volt 3-phase electric
2 - 20' wide by 14' high ground level doors
One standard dock height door.
Acreage: 46 acres, 33 buildable
Owner will consider lease or sale of all or part.
Contact Person: Blaine Beekman
Pike County Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 107
Waverly, OH 45690
Phone 740-947-7715
Fax 740-947-7716