Your Economic Development Organization
We’re in the business of growing business.
The Stark Economic Development Board is the county’s lead economic development organization, focused on supporting business growth, attracting investment, and strengthening regional competitiveness.
We serve as:
- The local partner to JobsOhio and Team NEO
- A connector to capital, incentives, and development resources
- A facilitator of site selection, infrastructure coordination, and project execution
Since 2017, Stark Economic Development Board has supported record levels of job creation, payroll growth, and capital investment across Stark County.
How we Support Projects
Stark Economic Development Board provides a coordinated approach to business expansion and location decisions. Our economic development organization services include:
- Site identification and evaluation
- Incentive coordination at the state and local level
- Infrastructure and utility coordination
- Support for environmental, zoning, and regulatory processes
- Access to financing tools and development resources
For companies and site selection consultants, this provides:
- A single point of contact
- Reduced project friction
- Coordinated execution across jurisdictions and partners
A Legacy of Success as a Leading Economic Development Organization
Four decades of making business stronger.
The Stark Economic Development Board, Inc., is a private, non-profit business organization formed by business and community leaders in 1985 to engage in economic development activities, coach prospective businesses, and achieve business success for Stark County, Ohio.
Now in its fourth decade, Stark County’s economic development organization has one purpose on which we focus all of our efforts: to grow businesses in Stark County. We help existing businesses grow and expand, attract new companies to our community, and help entrepreneurs start new businesses. Stark Economic Development Board is a conduit to funding sources for businesses through the Stark County Port Authority, and as the local Team NEO/Jobs Ohio Partner. In these lead roles, we help businesses grow through access to private equity and bond financing, State of Ohio job creation, and training grants. We also assist with local Foreign Trade Zone and community incentives to help businesses succeed. Stark Economic Development Board provides site selection, real estate development, funding for environmental remediation, and zoning regulatory compliance support for businesses.
Thrive in Stark County
Stark Economic Development Board is our area’s economic development service provider, educator, and advocate.
As Stark County’s lead economic development organization, Stark Economic Development Board has played a key role in transforming the region into a thriving business hub. Since 2017, we’ve led a county-wide initiative to boost local business success while putting our Rust Belt history behind us. This has resulted in five years of record-breaking job creation, new payroll, capital investment, and state support.
Beyond business success, Stark County’s tourism has surged, with the City of Canton showcasing its Pro Football Hall of Fame events along with the $900 million Hall of Fame Village project. The region has also seen increased visitor numbers due to its parks, festivals, and events, while the Akron-Canton Airport now offers a growing number of nonstop flights to major cities.
It’s an exciting time to be in Stark County! This region has never been better positioned to capitalize on growth and development opportunities. Stark Economic Development Board is dedicated to build upon recent successes and help stakeholders recognize opportunities the community has for future success. Our efforts are based on a thorough understanding about how workforce, community development, housing, and commercial development influence a region’s economic development competitiveness. Together, we will formulate an aspirational vision for the community’s future while rallying the collaborative support of countless stakeholders to make it a reality.