Located in the southeastern part of the state, Washington County is not only the oldest county in Ohio but also one of its most ideally situated, bordered by the rushing waters of the Ohio River and crisscrossed by several major waterways, including the Muskingum River. KEY ECONOMIC DRIVERS Boasting an excellent location, top notch school districts, as well as many quality of life amenities, County Commissioner Charlie Schilling says one of Washington County’s greatest assets is its strong workforce. He shares, “There’s a lot of talent and a great work ethic within our workforce. Right now, we’re working to provide the infrastructure needed to be able to attract development, but I feel like our workforce is one of the real benefits that we have.” Schilling notes that agriculture has long been a cornerstone of the region, and manufacturing has become a vital sector in recent years. “We have companies that work with NASA, and companies that provide parts for companies all around the world,” he touts.“Right now, we’re working on some infrastructure and also site preparation in order to provide more space for our local businesses, to not only grow, but to be able to attract other industries as well.” Healthcare is another economic driver, and Memorial Health Systems is the county’s largest employer, with approximately 3,500 employees. Schilling mentions a collaboration between Memorial,Akron Children’s and the Mayo Clinic Care Network to improve healthcare offerings throughout Washington County and the Mid Ohio Valley region, including a $125 million project to open a 50 bed children’s hospital in Belpre. WELCOMING COMMUNITIES Washington County is also committed to enhancing its community spaces. The city of Marietta is home to a popular trail along the river, providing outdoor recreation opportunities for walking and cycling. “I think each one of our cities and our villages have a nice vision of what outdoor recreation looks like,” describes Schilling.“Our villages seem to be able to attract a crowd anytime they have a festival of sorts.” Washington County is also an attractive tourism destination and has taken steps to build on this reputation in recent years. Schilling applauds the efforts of Governor Mike DeWine and the Appalachian Community Grant Program which has provided significant funding to the region, enabling cities like Marietta and villages like Beverly to enhance their tourism infrastructure. 131 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11 WASHINGTON COUNTY, OH
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