CantonINCSTARK COUNTY, OHIO GOOD FOR BUSINESS

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CantonINCCanton Inc. is an economic development publication produced through a collaborationof the Canton Regional Chamber ofCommerce and The Repository.

CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Dennis P. Saunier President & CEOdennys@cantonchamber.org (330) 456-7253Steven J. Katz Senior Vice Presidentkatzcrcc@cantonchamber.org(330) 458-2062Jessica A. BennettDirector of Marketing & Eventsjessb@cantonchamber.org(330) 458-2071Denise A. BurtonDirector of Sales & Membership deniseb@cantonchamber.org(330) 458-2067Kathy D. Irwin Director ofAccounting kathyd@cantonchamber.org(330) 456-7253David C. Kaminski Director ofEnergy & Public Affairsdavidk@cantonchamber.org(330) 458-2059Michael P. Gill Director ofCanton Development Partnership mikeg@cantonchamber.org(330) 458-2090John R. Kiste Executive Director ofCanton/Stark County Convention &Visitors’ Bureau johnk@visitcantonstark.com(330) 458-2080Joanne K. Murray Director of Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festivaljoannem@cantonchamber.org(330) 458-2050Eric Smer Director of ystark!(330) 458-2302erics@cantonchamber.orgFran Wells Director ofLeadership Stark Countyfranw@leadershipstarkcounty.org(330) 458-2094

Pam & Jim GriffithAlexis de Tocqueville Society members

GIVE. ADVOCATE.VOLUNTEER.LIVE UNITED™

Want to make a difference? Find out how.

VISIT WWW.UWSTARK.ORG

8 CEO Message

10 Local attractions

15 Economics

17 Neighborhoods

24 Site selections

47 Small business

52 Growing in Stark

57 Health care

62 Education

26 Energy

31 City info

33 Manufacturing

38 Transportation

41 Deep roots

66 Food

70 Area resources

72 Development

resources

74 Final look

CONTENTS

CantonINCREPOSITORY/GATEHOUSE OHIO MEDIAChristopher T.White Publisherchris.white@cantonrep.com 330-580-8428James A. Porter General Managerjim.porter@cantonrep.com 330-580-8444Therese D. Hayt Executive Editorteri.hayt@cantonrep.com330-580-8310Scott Brown Managing Editorscott.brown@cantonrep.com330-580-8343Maureen Ater Director of Marketing maureen.ater@cantonrep.com330-580-8451Patrick Mackie Business Development patrick.mackie@cantonrep.com330-580-8430Robert McCune Presentation Editorrobert.mccune@cantonrep.com330-580-8337Kevin Whitlock Chief Photographer kevin.whitlock@indeonline.com330-775-1139

CantonINC is published by GateHouseOhio Media. 500 Market Ave. S, Canton,OH 44702; 330-580-8300. CantonINCis protected by federal copyright law,which gives CantonINC exclusive rightsto reproduce or authorize reproduction of its materials.

Executive Committee,Canton Regional Chamber ofCommerce, Board of DirectorsChairman of the Board: Karen M.Brenneman, Hall, Kistler & Company LLP;Sr.Vice Chairman: Philip D. Fracassa,The Timken Company;Vice Chairman: BrianBelden, The Belden Brick Company;ViceChairman: John A. Murphy, Jr., Day KettererLtd.;Vice Chairman: William C. Shivers,Huntington Bank;Treasurer: D.William Allen,Pro Football Hall of Fame; Immediate PastChairman: Rick L. Haines, AultCare;President & CEO: Dennis P. Saunier, CantonRegional Chamber of Commerce; CorporateSecretary: Steven J. Katz, Canton RegionalChamber of Commerce

CONTRIBUTORSStan Myers, Scott Heckel, Julie Botos,Michael S. Balash, Bob Rossiter

220 Market Ave. N, CantonTues.-Fri. 9:30-5:30, Sat. 9:30-3:00

330.455.5555www.julzbyalan.com

• Certified Bench Jeweleron Staff

• Complete Jewelry Repairs& Restoration

• Pearl & Bead Restringing• Hand & Machine

Engraving• Complete Watch Repairs,Batteries, Crystals, Bands

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AD INDEX2 Innis Maggiore3 University of Akron4 Pro Football Hall of Fame4 Eckinger ConstructionCompany5 United Way of Greater Stark County6 Propel Marketing7 Julz by Alan Rodriguez9 Chesapeake Energy12 Stark Business Journal13 The M. Conley Company14 NEO Medical University14 Integrity Technical Services, Inc16 Mercy Medical Center19 Pro Football Hall of FameEnshrinement Festival20 Canton Palace Theatre20 Standard Plumbing & Heating Co.21 Hammontree & Associates, Limited21 DNS Insurance, Inc.22 ARTS in Stark24 Beaver Excavating Company25 Canton Stark CountyConvention & Visitors’ Bureau25 Day Ketterer LTD.,Attorneys at Law28 Young Truck Sales Inc.29 NAI Spring29 Stark County District Library31 Selinsky FORCE31 Canton Charge32 The Huntington National Bank

35 Dominion36 WKSU36 DeHoff Realtors 37 Aultman Hospital39 The Employment Source40 Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce43 Premier Bank & Trust43 Eckinger Construction Company45 The Furbay Electric Supply Co.46 Canton DevelopmentPartnership49 Malone University50 Building Industry Association of Stark County 50 Utica 201451 The Repository53 Renkert Building 54 The Workshops, Inc.55 CSE Federal Credit Union56 Leadership Stark County & ystark!60 Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce60 Eckinger Construction Company61 Kent State University at Stark64 Stark State College65 Aultcare68 Community One Credit Union69 Peoples Services, Inc.71 Canton Sign Co.71 University of Mount Union73 The University Center73 DeHoff Development75 Grabowski & Co.76 Midwest Industrial Supply, Inc.

For information about how to advertise in this publication, please call Patrick Mackie, business development manager, at 330-580-8430 or email patrick.mackie@cantonrep.com.

We are excited tounveil the secondissue of Canton Inc.,continuing our

mission of showcasingCanton/Stark County as aprime destination for your business.

Once again, we’ve included featurestories about our area companies andthe people who work every day makethem prosper. You’ll meet CEOs ofarea manufacturers and discoversmall businesses run by forward-thinking entrepreneurs. Inside aresteadfast and growing companies,alongside newer businesses workingin emerging industries.

Again, we are featuring oil and gasdevelopments in the region on ourcover, with Canton, the Utica Capital,at the center of it all. In our first issue,we told you that exploration into theregion’s shale deposits could be agame changer. Now, just a year later,we believe that there has never beenmore truth to that statement.

You’ll be charmed by our neigh-borhoods — not to mention our highhome purchasing power and lowcost of living. We host world-classattractions and events, and our cul-tural access is immense and grow-ing. And with six outstanding col-leges and universities here, you’llsee that we’re up to the immensechallenge of providing talentedemployees and trained workers forinnovative companies.

A community is defined by its peo-ple. As you read through the comingpages, you’ll see that the people of

Canton are hardworking, innovativeand welcoming.

Both of us came to this communi-ty from other parts of the country.But while Canton isn’t our “home-town,” after years of watching theHall of Fame City and surroundingcommunities grow and evolve, weare each proud to call Canton/StarkCounty home. We hope this issuehelps you see what we see: Cantonis a wonderful place to live andwork.

Dennis P. SaunierPresident & CEOCanton Regional Chamber ofCommerce

Chris WhitePublisherThe Repository & GateHouse OhioMediaC

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CEO MESSAGE CantonINC

DESTINATIONFOR STARK COUNTY BUSINESSES

DENNIS SAUNIER AND CHRIS WHITE

COMMITTED TO OHIO’S PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES

FUELING AMERICA’S FUTURE®

chk.com | NYSE: CHK

Ohio’s bountiful shale resources are creating

an influx of new jobs, and Chesapeake Energy

Corporation is filling those jobs with Ohioans. From

drilling to staffing our regional field offices, we’re

committed to hiring local employees, contractors

and vendors. Last year, Chesapeake helped energize

Ohio’s economy by investing approximately $3.3

billion in the state. At a time when Ohio is leading our

nation’s economic recovery, Chesapeake is proud to

be a part of the American dream in Ohio.

CANTONCHARGEWith a few detours, the original Huntsville (Alabama)Flight team landed in Canton in2011 when it was bought by theCleveland Cavaliers and renamed the CantonCharge.The NBA D-League basketball team calls the CantonMemorial Civic Center its home arena. Not only do the playersperform on the court, but they are also active throughout thecommunity.Visit the Canton Charge website atwww.nba.com/dleague/canton to buy tickets, check their schedule,learn more about the players and shop at the team shop.

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BY JOAN PORTER

ATTRACTIONS CantonINC

Home to both national attractions and tucked-away treasures, Stark County abounds with options to suitevery taste. From the well-known Pro Football Hall of Fame to the thriving downtown arts district to the amazing parks and recreation —these pages hold just a sampling of allStark County has to offer.

Welcometo Stark County

CantonINC ATTRACTIONS

CANTON PALACETHEATRE

Built in 1926, the Canton Palace Theatre is a fine example of acommunity effort that has restored the theater to its original glory. Settle

into a comfortable seat and savor the ambiance of a Spanish courtyard ona midsummer night as the clouds float across the sky.While you wait for

your show to begin, listen to the strains of the theater’s original Kilgenpipe organ.This multi-purpose entertainment venue is busy throughout

the year with professional productions, ballets and films.Visit www.cantonpalacetheatre.org for more information.

FAWCETTSTADIUM

Resting in the shadow of the Pro Football Hall of Fame inCanton, Fawcett Stadium was named the best place to watch

high school football in 2002 by The Sporting News. For more than20 years, Fawcett Stadium has hosted the Ohio High School Athletic

Association’s state football finals, but that era is drawing to a close, atleast temporarily.The 2014 and 2015 state finals will be played at

Ohio State. No decision has been reached as to where thechampionship games will be played after 2015.

CULTURALCENTERFOR THEARTSWhen it comes to the arts,Canton has it all. Enjoy yourfavorite arts all within one building— the Cultural Center for the Arts.Here, you will find performances by theCanton Ballet, Canton Symphony,Voicesof Canton, Inc. and the Players GuildTheatre. And let’s not forget the CantonMuseum of Art, with its permanentcollection and changing exhibits.This placeis an art lover’s dream come true! Tolearn more about each of theseorganizations and their shows, visitwww.artsinstark.com and click on“Cultural Center.”Canton Ballet photo courtesy of Studio 7

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CANTONARTSDISTRICTThe outdoor murals, painted trashcans and recycled sculptureswelcome visitors to DowntownCanton’s Arts District, an eclec-tic mix of studios, galleries,theaters and restaurants. Fromphotography to paintings,ornaments to pottery andjewelry to wearables — if it’sart, you will find it here. Food,music and movie festivals areheld in the arts districtthroughout the year. On thefirst Friday of each month,venture downtown toenjoy an evening of art,live music and streetperformers.Visitwww.cantonartsdistrict.comfor more information.

ATTRACTIONS CantonINC

PRO FOOTBALLHALL OF FAMEThe Pro Football Hall of Fame inCanton is an awaiting paradisefor sports fans. Check outthe busts and informa-tional kiosks of the267 NFL playerswho have beeninducted into theHOF since it openedin 1963. From theSuper Bowl gallery andtreasured artifacts to the museumstore and interactive game areas, it’s allfootball all the time at the Hall ofFame.The $27 million “Future 50”expansion and renovation project —the largest in the Hall’s history — isunder way, with a grand openingscheduled for August 2013 to coincidewith the Hall of Fame’s 50th anniver-sary.Visit www.profootballhof.com formore information.

GOLF COURSESWith over 20 golf courses scattered throughout the countryside, there is little won-der why Stark County is considered Ohio’s Golf Capital. Each course has its ownatmosphere depending on its location and design.That atmosphere can range fromback-to-nature to private retreat and everything in between. Rolling hills, tree-lined

fairways, water hazards, sand traps — it’s all there. Stark County’s golf courses offernine, 18, 27 and 36 holes. Some have clubhouses, pro shops, snack bars, swim-ming pools, picnic shelters and banquet facilities. Many offer sets of tees makingthem senior- and lady-friendly while still providing a challenge to the moreadvanced golfer.With such a variety of terrains, designs and levels of difficulty,there is a golf course for every player in Stark County. For a look at StarkCounty’s golf courses, go to www.visitcantonstark.com/golf.

www.mconley.com

The M. Conley Company1312 Fourth St. SeCanton, Oh 44707

800.686.6001 [phone] 330.588.2572 [fax]

Over100years

Janitorial Supplies & Equipment

Packaging Materials & Equipment

Food Service Packaging & Supplies

Equipment Rentals & Service

CantonINC ATTRACTIONS

SHOPPING IN STARKFrom shopping centers to indoor malls, fromspecialty food stores to multi-service grocerystores, from consignment shops to departmentstores, and from boutiques to flea markets, StarkCounty has it all when it comes to shopping.Serving as the anchor to the Belden Village retailarea,Westfield Belden Village, with its shops andeateries, has attracted shoppers from StarkCounty and neighboring communities for over40 years. Just up the road is The Strip, a shoppingcenter that includes a supermarket, homeimprovement store, clothing stores, a discountdepartment store, a movie theater and anassortment of great places to eat.Travel a littlenorth of Canton to Hartville for a different shop-ping experience at the Hartville MarketPlace,where you will find 110 shops indoors and 12acres of flea market and antique space outdoors.Here, you can buy home décor, antiques, col-lectibles, clothing, tools, pet supplies, meats,cheeses, fresh produce and much more. Formore information about shopping in StarkCounty, visit www.visitcantonstark.com/shopping.

CANTON CLASSIC CAR MUSEUMIt’s clearly the cars that attract visitors to the Canton Classic Car Museum.Theseantique beauties span the first 70 years of the 20th century and include cars madeby Marmon, Pierce-Arrow, Packard and Cadillac. And there is even a Holmes builtin Canton. But don’t let the name of the museum fool you.There is much more tothis museum than cars.Think vintage toys, vintage advertising, political campaignmemorabilia, items from the long-gone Meyers Lake Amusement Park andreminders of Canton’s past. For more information, visit www.cantonclassiccar.org.Still got a hunger for history? Don’t miss the William McKinley Presidential Libraryand Museum and the National First Ladies’ Library in Canton, the Hoover HistoricalCenter in North Canton and the Ohio Society of Military History in Massillon.

ATTRACTIONS CantonINC

GATEWAY TO AMISH COUNTRYTake a day or two to travel the winding roads through Stark County’s southwesterntip into Ohio’s Amish country, where neatly kept farms scatter the rolling countrysideand friendly businesses fill the small towns along the scenic byways.There, you will findshops packed with handcrafted Amish furniture, quilts, fabrics, food and gifts; restau-rants that tempt diners with the aromas of down-home cooking; and wineries thatentice visitors with tours and samplings of local wines. Museums and working farmsprovide visitors with insights into the daily lives of the Amish. If you are making this anovernight, there are plenty of inns and B&B’s to welcome travelers for a restful night’ssleep in the peaceful countryside.

STARKPARKSIf getting close to nature iswhat you like, then spendsome time in any of the7,000 acres that make upthe 13 parks belonging toStark Parks.The park sys-tem throughout StarkCounty offers walking,bicycling and equestriantrails along with a varietyof events, activities andeducational programs atits centers. Boating, fishing,geocaching, letterboxing,questing and orienteeringare all part of the parkexperience. More informa-tion may be found atwww.starkparks.com.

CUYAHOGA VALLEYSCENIC RAILROADAll aboard for a scenic round trip through theCuyahoga Valley National Park and into StarkCounty.Travel the historical rails that first trans-ported coal from south of Canton to the growingindustries in Cleveland. Chug your way throughthe ever-changing terrain along the route thatcarried goods to and from merchants, farmersand factories for over 100 years.Take your seaton the train for scenic excursions, wine and beertastings, brunches and lunches, children’s pro-grams, and murder mysteries. From April throughthe fall, one-way tickets are available for bicyclistson the Ohio-Erie Canal Towpath Trail. For moreinformation, event and excursion schedules, andto purchase tickets, visit www.cvsr.com.

CantonINC ECONOMICS

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INCOME AND COST OF LIVINGMedian household income:

$44,999Median home value:

$128,000 Median rent:

$622/MO.Cost of living:

14% LOWER than U.S. average

Unemployment rate:

6.7%

AverageJanuary low:

33degrees

Average July high:

82degrees

WEATHER

HOUSEHOLDSCanton population 72,919

Stark County population 374,868

Median resident age 40.6

Age 17 and under 23.4%

Age 18 to 24 8.7%

Age 25 to 44 24%

Age 45 to 64 28.2%

Age 65 and over 15.8%

EDUCATIONHigh School grad or higher:

88.5%Bachelor’s degree:

20.7%Graduate or professional degree:

6.8%WORKFORCETotal workforce: 191,456Average commute: 21 minutes

MAJORINDUSTRIESEducation, health care and social assistance:

24.5%Manufacturing:

18.3%Retail trade:

11.6%Arts, entertainment, recreation,accommodation, food service:

9.1%Professional, scientific,management:

8.6%

MAJOR OCCUPATIONSManagement, business, science and arts:

31%Sales and office:

25.3%Service:

19.2%Production, transportation and material moving:

16.7%

MAJOREMPLOYERSAffinity Medical CenterAlliance Community HospitalAultman Hospital Canton City Schools Diebold, Inc.Fishers Foods Freshmark Inc.GE CapitalMercy Medical Center Nationwide InsuranceNickles BakeryRepublic Engineered ProductsShearer’s Foods Stark County Government Stark State College The Timken Company

SOURCES: U.S. Census Bureau, OhioDepartment of Development, NOAA and the

National Weather Service, United StatesDepartment of Labor (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

ECONOMICSSTARK COUNTY

(1.4% lower thannational average)

PARKS &TRAILSStark County Parks include

7,000acres of land,

80+miles of walking/bicycling trails and

38miles of equestrian trails, in addition to the parks maintainedby cities and townships

Building for the FutureMERCY MEDICAL CENTER: Quality, Accessible and Affordable Care

E m e r g e n c y D e p a r t m e n t R e n o v a t i o n & E x p a n s i o n P r o j e c t

AWARD WINNING CENTERS OF EXCELLENCEMercy Heart Center50 Top Cardiovascular - Truven Health Analytics 2013 Report(Only Stark County Hospital. Mercy’s 6th Year!)

U.S. News Best Hospitals - 2012 - 13 Cardiology - U.S. News & World Report

Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) - Platinum Performance Achievement AwardAction Registry® - American Heart Association

Mission Lifeline Gold Award - American Heart Association

Emergency Services/Trauma CenterLevel II Trauma Center

Emergency Chest Pain CenterNATION’S FIRST Accredited Chest Pain Center

Mercy Cancer CenterOutstanding Achievement AwardCommission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons

Mercy Stroke CenterGet With The Guidelines (GWTG) Stroke - Gold Plus Performance Achievement AwardAmerican Heart Association/American Stroke Association

Mercy Rehabilitation ServicesAccredited by CARF - Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission

facebook.com/cantonmercycantonmercy.org

BuildingForTheFuture CantonInc 13 indd 1 5/2/13 8:39 AM

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HOUSE&HOME

LIVING IN STARK COUNTY:

BY JESS BENNETT

Aplace where your business will flourishmust also be a place where your people will flourish. Canton and theStark County region enjoy one of the

most affordable housing markets in the nation,from new, up-and-coming neighborhoods nearactivities for families and singles, to grand damehistoric allotments, resplendent with architecturalflourishes and wooded lawns.

Urban style apartments are on the rise indowntown areas, while quaint, charming starter

homes dot neighborhoods in every corner ofthe county.Canton’s a cornucopia of realtyoptions at every price range.

The median home cost in Stark County is$128,000, and the median rent is $622 per month.With a cost of living 15 percent lower than thenational average, hassle-free commutes, andneighborhoods packed with history and ameni-ties, Canton is the perfect destination for yourbusiness and the people who make it happen.CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

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NEIGHBORHOODS CantonINC

ALLIANCELocated in the eastern part of StarkCounty, Alliance is the official homeof the Ohio State Flower — thescarlet carnation. Alliance celebrateswith an annual Carnation Festival,packed with 10 days of events thatbring thousands of visitors to theCarnation City. Alliance is also thehome to Glamorgan Castle, HainesHouse, and The University ofMount Union.

CANAL FULTONCanal Fulton is conveniently locatedin northwest Stark County. This oldcanal town is home to a historic dis-trict boasting more than 100 siteslisted on the National HistoricRegister. Climb aboard the St.Helena III, an authentic reproductionof a horse-drawn canal boat. Travelalong an original section of the Ohioand Erie Canal by bike, hike orcanoe on the Towpath Trail. Quaintshops and restaurants are abundant inthis picturesque village.

CANTONCanton is experiencing an exciting downtown renaissance, with a vast arrayof art galleries, studios, restaurants and attractions flourishing in a beautifullymanicured downtown corridor. The city offers more than 50 unique neighbor-hoods, including gorgeous historic allotments as well as urban style living inthe center city. The Hall of Fame City is home to national attractions includ-ing the Pro Football Hall of Fame, First Ladies National Historic Site,McKinley Presidential Library, Museum and Monument.

McKINLEYMONUMENT

CantonINC NEIGHBORHOODS

The arts are everywhere with theCanton Symphony, Canton Ballet,Players Guild Theatre and Canton ArtMuseum, just to name a few, and theCanton Arts District comes alive onFirst Fridays when thousands turn outfor the arts and culture extravaganza.The Canton Memorial Civic Centeralso brings the area national musicacts, trade shows, sports events, andmore. Canton is full of history andheroes, and is the site of the found-ing of professional football.

This year, the Pro Football Hall ofFame Enshrinement Festival willcelebrate 50 years of honoring thelegends of professional football byconducting the world-renowned fes-tival celebrating the annualenshrinement of football players,coaches and contributors into thePro Football Hall of Fame. TheEnshrinement Festival activities,attended by nearly 700,000 people,annually produce an economicimpact of over $31 million for theCanton/Stark County area and $56million for the State of Ohio.

EAST CANTONEast Canton is located five miles east ofCanton along Route 30, and is home toClearview Golf Course, a site on the NationalRegister of Historic Places. The course wasbuilt in 1946 by William Powell, who encoun-tered racial discrimination on the golf course.After returning home from World War II, hedecided to build his own place to play, wherepeople of all colors would be welcomed.

LAKE TOWNSHIP,HARTVILLE,GREENTOWN AND UNIONTOWNNestled in the northern corner of StarkCounty is Lake Township, which consists ofHartville, Greentown, Uniontown, Aultmanand Cairo. These charming villages are brim-ming with unique shops, restaurants, bou-tiques, art galleries and B&Bs. Family enter-tainment includes miniature golf, swimming,parks, trails and three scenic golf courses.Enjoy wine tasting, homemade pies, and afarm market. It is the splendor of simplepleasures that Lake Township has to offer.

CLEARVIEWGOLF COURSE

Stark County’s first choice

for installation and service

of commercial and industrial

HVAC systems, piping and

plumbing, and full-service

boiler and chiller work.

For design-build work,

installation or service,

contact us at 330.453.9191

www.standardpandh.com

Standard Plumbing and Heating435 Walnut Ave., SE, Canton, Ohio 44702

EXCELLENCE IS STANDARD

Standard Plumbing & Heating has worked on nearly

every Stark County landmark and institution.

Looking for a unique, historic venuefor your next business meeting, team buildingor other corporate event?From a meeting for 15 to a meeting for 1500,the Canton Palace Theatre has you covered!

Offering:a built-in 55ft projection screenHD LCD ProjectorWiFiand all the atmosphere you could ever want!

For more information call 330-454-8172.

605 Market Ave., Canton, Ohio 44702cantonpalacetheatre.org info@cantonpalacetheatre.org

CantonINC

JACKSON TOWNSHIPJackson Township is the county’s retailcenter. Westfield Belden Village Mall andThe Strip shopping areas comprise morethan 140 restaurants and an ever-expanding retail and commercial center.The park system consists of eight parksand approximately 300 acres. There arefive private country clubs and more than30 public links in the area. JacksonTownship is the home to Stark StateCollege and Kent State University at Stark,the largest regional KSU campus.

LOUISVILLEA 10-minute drive northeast of Cantonwill bring you to the lovely community ofLouisville. Known as “Constitution TownUSA,” Louisville hosts a week of activitiesduring September that center around ournation’s constitution. Featured during thisfestive time are a queen’s pageant, balloonlift-off, fireworks and parade. Louisvilleoffers five city parks where all types ofrecreational activities can be enjoyed.

MASSILLONMassillon, known for its epic sports tradi-tion, retains the flavor of its past as itenjoys economic resurgence. The MassillonMuseum displays art and a chronology ofthe community, including this summer’sSnap! In the Photobooth with Warhol andFriends. The castle-like Five Oaks Mansionanchors historic Fourth Street, a neighbor-hood known for architectural gems thatspan a century of design excellence. Andthe Legends of Massillon provides 27 holesof first-rate public golfing. In addition,wooded hiking and biking trails intersectin the community.

MINERVANestled in the Appalachian foothills on thehistoric Lincoln Highway, the Village ofMinerva offers a unique, relaxing small-town atmosphere. A rich history includingthe Lost French Gold Legend and originalbrick sections of the Lincoln Highwayawait you. You’ll cherish downtownMinerva, with its brick streets, quaintshops, cheese makers, the Haas Museumand murals. Challenging golf courses,parks and trails, and great family and finedining are also available.

FIVEOAKS

NEIGHBORHOODS CantonINC

NORTH CANTONThe original home of the Hoover Vacuum Cleaneroffers an excellent environment for family and forentertainment. The beautifully kept parks offer walk-ing paths, picnicking, skateboarding or swimming in amagnificent public pool. New allotments and long-time housing staples alike about in North Canton.Spend an evening of culture at the Playhouse, visitthe Hoover Historical Center, or indulge in some greatfood any night of the week, and you will understandthe big entertainment value of a small town.

NAVARRE, BREWSTERAND WILMOTDeemed the “Gateway to Ohio’s Amish Country,” thesouthwest tip of Stark County offers gently rollingfarmlands dotted with these quiet villages. Navarreis the home of Nickles Bread, and Brewster boaststhe headquarters of both Brewster Dairy andShearer’s potato chips. Wilmot is home to the AmishDoor Restaurant & Village and the WildernessCenter, consisting of 1,700 acres of land, streamsand prairies. Though these villages may be small,over half a million people visit this area a year.

NORTHCANTONMAINSTREETFESTIVAL

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CantonINC NEIGHBORHOODS

NEARBY ATTRACTIONSIN NORTHEAST OHIOAkron Art Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 milesAkron Zoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 milesCleveland Browns Stadium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 milesCuyahoga Valley National Park, Brecksville . . . . . . 41 milesGreat Lakes Science Center, Cleveland . . . . . . . . 60 milesHale Farm and Village, Peninsula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 milesPlayhouse Square, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 milesProgressive Field (home to Cleveland Indians) . . 60 milesQuicken Loans Arena, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 milesRock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . 60 milesStan Hywet Hall and Gardens,Akron . . . . . . . . . . 28 miles Trumpet in the Land, New Philadelphia . . . . . . . . 30 milesUniversity Circle Museums, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . 58 milesWarther Museum, Dover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 miles

23

ENERGY CantonINC

AKCAN INDUSTRIAL PARKLocation: North Canton, OhioAcres available: 15Highway access: I-77Zoning: Light industrialRail access: NoDevelopment contact: Dan DeHoff, DeHoffRealty, (330) 499-8153

ALLIANCE COMMERCE PARKLocation: Alliance, OhioAcres available: 75Highway access: U.S. Route 62Zoning: Light/heavy industrialRail access: YesDevelopment contact: Jim Stout,Coastal Pet Products, (330) 821-2218

CANTON CENTURY PARKLocation: Canton, OhioAcres available: 65Highway access: I-77Zoning: Heavy CommercialRail access: NoDevelopment contact:Bryce Custer, (330) 966-8800

EASTRIDGE COMMERCE PARKLocation: Canton, OhioAcres available: 85Highway access: U.S. Route 62Zoning: Light industrialRail access: NoDevelopment contact: Bob DeHoff, DeHoffDevelopment, (330) 499-8153

ELM RIDGE INDUSTRIAL PARKLocation: Canal Fulton, OhioAcres available: 25Highway access: state Route 21 and I-77Zoning: Light industrialRail access: NoDevelopment contact: Ken Schalmo orFred E. Etheridge, Schalmo Properties Inc.,(330) 854-4591

FORD PROPERTYLocation: Canton, OhioAcres available: 70Highway access: U.S. Route 30

Zoning: Heavy industrialRail access: YesDevelopment contact: Fonda Williams, Cityof Canton, (330) 489-3258

HARTVILLE INDUSTRIAL PARKLocation: Hartville, OhioAcres available: 13Highway access: state Routes 43 and 619Zoning: Light industrialRail access: Some potentialDevelopment contact: Mayor's office,Villageof Hartville, (330) 877-9222

MASSILLON REPUBLICLocation: Massillon, OhioAcres available: 300Highway access: Route 21 and Route 30Zoning: Heavy IndustrialRail access: YesDevelopment contact: Steve DePetrios, BearManagement (330) 493-3377

INDUSTRIAL LAND AND BUSINESS PARKS

MILLER ILocation: Massillon, OhioAcres available: 120Highway access: state Route 21 and U.S. Route 30Zoning: Heavy IndustrialRail access: YesDevelopment contact: Bob Sanderson,Massillon Development Foundation and MillerFamily Trust, (330) 833-3148

MILLS BUSINESS PARKLocation: Canton, OhioAcres available: 25Highway access: I-77Zoning: Light IndustrialRail access: NoDevelopment contact: Dan DeHoff, CantonCommerce LLC, (330) 499-8153

NAVARRE PROSPECT PARKLocation: Navarre, OhioAcres available: 300Highway access: U.S. Route 30Zoning: Light IndustrialRail access: YesDevelopment contact: Perry Township,(330) 833-2141

NOVA EASTLocation: Massillon, OhioAcres available: 25Highway access: U.S. Route 30Zoning: Light IndustrialRail access: NoDevelopment contact: Jon Calazza, BeaverExcavating, (330) 966-8800

PORT JACKSONLocation: North Canton, OhioAcres available: 9Highway access: I-77Zoning: Light IndustrialRail access: NoDevelopment contact: Lisa Gould, Akron-Canton Airport, (330) 668-4000

Looking for more information, or for detailsabout industrial buildings and service sectorproperties? Contact Steven J. Katz, senior vicepresident, Canton Regional Chamber ofCommerce at 330-458-2062.

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BY DAVID KAMINSKI

CantonINC ENERGY

27

Though early in its development, theUtica shale in Northeast Ohio is beingseen as one of the richest sources ofshale oil, gas and natural gas liquids in

the United States.

Canton and Stark County named itself the UticaCapital, and with good reason. It is not because theCanton area is where the most wells are beingdrilled. In fact, relatively few are here. Most of thewells are being drilled in rural counties to the eastand southeast of Canton. However, Canton hasbecome the business headquarters for most of theUtica activity.

Canton’s role in Utica exploration started withChesapeake Energy’s choice of Canton in 2010 asits Ohio headquarters. Chesapeake’s workforce inthe Utica has grown to 590 Ohioans. To furtherdevelop its Ohio operations, Chesapeake is buildinga corporate campus on nearly 300 acres in

Louisville, Ohio, about two miles east of Canton. Itwill feature an 86,000-square-foot office tower, a55,000-square-foot receiving and maintenance build-ing and a 6,000-square-foot repair shop.

In addition to being the home for Chesapeake,Canton and Stark County have become the Uticaaddress for several engineering and professionalservices firms that are designing well pads, roads,pipelines and other infrastructure.

Then there are the billions of dollars in projectsthat are under construction in a phase of shaledevelopment known as midstream. Midstream is anetwork of pipelines and processing plants thatdeliver the hydrocarbon product from the wells tothe marketplace, as well as the series of processingplants that purify the wellhead resource by dividingit into its component products. In the Utica, thoseproducts include methane, butane, ethane, propaneand pentane.

ENERGYBUILDINGCanton, Stark County front,center for Utica Shale boom

COVERSTORY:

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Access Midstream, which has its Ohioheadquarters in North Canton, Ohio, ispart of a three-way partnership that isbuilding a system of pipelines and pro-cessing plants in the northern Utica valuedat $900 million when the project wasannounced in early 2012. The partners ofAccess Midstream are Momentum M3Midstream and EV Energy Partners.

One of the processing plants being builtby this partnership is in Kensington, south-ern Columbiana County. It is scheduled togo on line in the second quarter of 2013.Frank Tsuru, president of Momentum M3,told a Crain’s Cleveland Business shalesummit audience this year that the buildoutwas on a “very aggressive” schedule, buthe praised the state of Ohio and the localgovernments for their cooperation. He alsosaid, “We have had a great experience withthe workforce in Ohio. It is a highly capa-ble and willing workforce.”

Another major midstream project,announced in late 2012, is valued at $1.5 bil-lion. It is called Blue Racer, and it is a jointventure between Caiman Energy II, withUtica offices in Uniontown, about 15 min-utes north of downtown Canton on Interstate77, and Dominion, parent of Dominion EastOhio Gas, which has a significant presencein Canton and throughout Stark County.

Brent Breon, vice president of businessdevelopment for Caiman, says that forevery $1 invested in Utica exploration, 15to 35 cents is invested in midstream infra-structure. So as the exploration and produc-tion companies like Chesapeake Energycontinue to develop wells — with develop-ment costs ranging from $6 million to $10million per well — midstream investmentswill continue throughout the Utica.

And these are only two of many midstreamprojects under construction in the Utica.

Stark County’s trustedsource for Building & RemodelingUse our members for your next project!

Contact us for a listof members

330-494-5700biastark.com

To dramatize the need for the midstreambuildout, one only needs to compare thenumber of horizontal wells drilled so far inthe Utica to the number of those wells thatare actually producing. At the end of first-quarter 2013, there were 588 wells grantedpermits by the Ohio Department of NaturalResources, and 282 drilled, but only 81 inproduction.

“In order for Utica to reach its fullestpotential, processing capabilities need tocatch up to drilling. While we have morethan 50 wells in production, that numberwould double if not for processing con-straints,” said Keith Fuller, senior director ofcorporate development and governmentaffairs at Chesapeake Energy in Canton.“The anticipation is that by the end of thisyear, more pipeline will exist and processingplants will come on to allow for a significantincrease in production. If processing devel-ops as scheduled, the forecasted potential ofthe Utica will start to take shape for us andour partner landowners,” Fuller said.

Meanwhile, the indirect economic effectsof the Utica exploration and midstream build-out are being felt in numerous ways. Oneexample would be the construction of newhotels to temporarily accommodate the Uticaworkforce that is coming into Ohio. To pickan example: At one interchange in southernCanton, along Interstate 77, where little morethan a truck stop existed for several years, thetruck stop has been closed. It is beingreplaced by a Pilot Flying J center, and at thatsame intersection, at the same time, threenew hotel projects have been announced.

As if this weren’t enough reason tobecome interested in Canton and StarkCounty as an energy center, there are theresearch and development centers into alter-native energy that operate here.

LG Fuel Cell Systems operates a researchcenter on the campus of Stark State Collegein suburban Canton that is prototyping amegawatt-size fuel cell system that couldpower a subdivision or a shopping center.

Near the Akron-Canton Airport, theTimken Co. has developed a wind energysimulation laboratory to conduct field testson the bearings and seals that Timken man-ufactures for the wind energy business.

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ENERGY CantonINC

1 Horizontal wells start like aconventional gas well. The well

is drilled vertically to the desireddepth. Depths of 6,000 to 8,000feet are required to reach the gasdeposits in the Utica Shaleformation in eastern Ohio.

2At various depths, multiplelengths of steel casing are

cemented into place to preventany fluids used in drilling andfracturing from contaminatingaquifers and other geologiczones.

3After drilling vertically to thedepth that reaches slightly

above the shale, a special drilltool (mud motor) is installed, thistool allows drilling companies togradually turn the wellborehorizontally-and push into theshale, sometimes as much as5,000 feet.

4Explosives are lowered intothe bottom of the well. When

the explosives are detonated,holes are blasted through pipe,cement, and shale. Smallfractures are created in thetargeted area of the shale.

5Next, a fluid mixture of sand,water and chemicals is

injected into the newly createdfractures at high pressure. Themixture is necessary to createfissures in the shale throughwhich the gas can escape. Thefracking mixture is typically 99

percent water and sand (or othergranulated material) andapproximately one percentchemicals. The fracturingrequires between three millionand five million gallons of waterper well and 5,000 to 6,700gallons of chemicals are used perwell.

6After capturing gas from thewell, drilling companies

recover portions of the fracturingfluid, which is treated and/orrecycled for future drillingprojects. The well is prepared forproduction. Energy companiesreturn to monitor and maintainthe site.

Seismic exploration is used to help the drilling companies locate andaccurately drill. This is now the most prevalent geophysical technique usedin the search for hydrocarbons. Seismology refers to the search for depositsof crude oil, natural gas and minerals by the recording, processing, andinterpretation of artificially induced shock waves in the earth.

Horizontal well drilling

Seismic exploration

HOW HORIZONTAL DRILLING WORKSHydraulic fracturing, combined with horizontal drilling, is a process in which water, sand and chemicals are injected into theearth at high pressure to release trapped gas. Horizontal wells have the ability to reach a much wider area of rock and thenatural gas that is trapped within the shale formation.

Geophones

VIBRATION TRUCKThe source of the vibration is a

large vehicle carrying special equipmentdesigned to create a large impactor series of vibrations.

■ A mix of water, sand andchemicals is injected in thecracks. The sand is used to keepfractures open.

■ Fracturing process uses multiple steps to extract natural gas andoil, within a shale rock formation thousands of feet beneath theearth’s surface.

Thousandsof fracturesare created

GASRETURN

FRACFLUID

PIPE

1

RECORDINGTRUCK

Thevibration datais picked upby a seismic recording truck.

3

SHOCKWAVESThe seismic waves move

through the earth's crust andinteracts differently with varioustypes of underground formations.

2

Water is pumped in6,000 to 9,000 psi Pumped in

sand holds thecracks open

Selinsky Forceoffers unsurpassedcustomer serviceand wide-rangingcapabilities inindustrial construction,plant maintenance,refractory, rigging andhauling, equipmentrental and pulverizerservices.

With our diverseportfolio we canservice all of yourIndustrial,Construction andOil & Gas needs.

4244 Mt. Pleasant St. NW, Suite 100, North Canton, OH 44720

for more information call - 330-477-4527

www.selinskyforce.com

CONTACT INFOALLIANCE Mayor: Alan C.Andreani / Alliance Area Chamber:www.AllianceOhioChamber.org / AllianceArea Development Foundation:www.AllianceADF.com / City of Alliance:www.CityofAlliance.com

CANAL FULTON Mayor:Richard Harbaugh / City of Alliance:www.CityofCanalFulton-oh.gov / CanalFulton Chamber: www.DiscoverCanalFulton.com

CANTON Mayor: William J.Healy II / City of Canton: www.CantonOhio.gov / Canton Regional Chamber:www.CantonChamber.org

JACKSON TWP. Board ofTrustees President: James N.Walters / Jackson Township: www.jacksontwp.com / Jackson/Belden Chamber:ww.JBCC.org

LAKE TWP. Board of TrusteesPresident: John Arnold / LakeTownship: www.laketwpstarkco.com /Lake Township Chamber: www.lakechamber.com / Lake Township Develop-ment Foundation: www.LTDF. org

LOUISVILLE Mayor: Patricia Fallot/ City of Louisville: www.LouisvilleOhio.com / Louisville Area Chamber:www. LouisvilleOHChamber.com MASSILLON Mayor: KathyCatazaro-Perry / City of Massillon:www.MassillonOhio.com / MassillonArea Chamber: www.MassillonOHChamber.com / Massillon Development Foundation:www.MassillonDevelopment.com

MINERVA Mayor: James Waller /Village of Minerva: www.ci.minerva.oh.us /Minerva Chamber: www.MinervaChamber.org

NORTH CANTON Mayor:David J. Held / City of North Canton:www.NorthCantonOhio.com / NorthCanton Area Chamber of Commerce:www.NorthCanton Chamber.org

PLAIN TWP. Board of TrusteesPresident: Scott Haws / Plain Township:www.PlainTownship.com / Plain TownshipChamber: www.PlainTownship.com

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CantonINC MANUFACTURING

BY JOAN PORTER

Manufacturing companies require skilled workers to be successful and business leaders recognize that. In northeastOhio, there is a vast pool of both currently skilled workers andthose eager to learn a skill. Our two featured companies have

tapped into that pool to build and grow their businesses. One, MillerWelding of Tuscarawas Township, acknowledges the importance of itsemployees to build machinery and offer the best customer service possible. The other, SPSI of Hartville, offers a program for apprentice welders and pipe fitters, two trades in demand not only for SPSI but also for an area experiencing growth in the oil and gas industry.

TAPPING INTOMANUFACTURING

SKILLSPSIPutting Ohio back towork is SPSI’s focus.And they obviously havebeen effective at doingjust that.

In the last two years,this world-class pipingsystems company hasgrown its workforcefrom about 150 people to230 and has expanded itssales from $20 million to$45 million.

What has helped is thecompany’s nationallyaccredited two-yearinternal apprentice pro-gram in welding andpipe fitting. The programis part of the company’splan to have 80 to 90percent of their employ-ees be local hires.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

SPSI

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MANUFACTURING CantonINC

While many of its employeesare local, much of SPSI’s busi-ness extends beyond NortheastOhio to other states, Canada andeven India where power genera-tion and petrochemical indus-tries need the process, powerand nuclear piping systemsmade by SPSI.

Further growth is anticipatedwith the oil and gas boom asexisting refineries are upgradedor new ones built. The compa-ny’s location in Hartville, its topquality products and excellentcustomer service as well as itshighly trained workforce giveSPSI a clear advantage as theenergy business continues todevelop in Ohio.

ABOUT SPSIPresident: Thomas BachLocation: 1160 Sunnyside St.,HartvilleProduct or services: Specialized fab-

ricator of process, power andnuclear piping systems used prima-rily in the domestic and interna-tional power generation and petro-chemical industries.Number of employees: 230Years in Stark County: 30Website: www.scottprocess.com

THOMAS BACHTitle: PresidentYears at compa-ny: 32 with CICGroup, Inc., par-ent company ofSPISYears as presi-dent: 3About Stark:“Stark County is agreat area — good transportation,great people with a great workethic, great colleges. Because weare in the energy business, therefineries, power plants and oil andgas industries in the surroundingarea make Stark County a greatlocation or us.”

BACH

MILLER WELDMASTERA single fabric welding machine built in thegarage of his home set Alvin L. Miller on theroad to building a business.

That machine proved to be so successfulthat a few years later his wife and son joinedhim in the garage, building and servicing fab-ric welding machines for customers in theUnited States.

Today, Alvin’s son, Scott Miller, is theowner and CEO of Miller Weldmaster. Thecompany employs 85 people and services 100nations across the globe.

Over half of its sales are outside the U.S.,where the company has 20 international dis-tributors scattered throughout numerous coun-tries and regions. Wherever a machine is sold,Miller Weldmaster provides one-stop servicefrom application and installation to customerservice and support.

Although the company has faced interna-tional competition over the years, Miller said,“... we have prevailed. Our people adapt andlisten to our customers by offering productsand services our industry is asking for.

MILLER WELDMASTER

It’s ABOUT living yourBEST LIFE right herein STARK COUNTY

aboutstark.com330.580.8352

AboutLiving your best life

Stark County

Our customers are the reason for our exis-tence, but our people are the reason for oursuccess. If you take care of your people,your people will take care of the customer,and the customer will take care of thecompany.”

It is that kind of thinking that makesWeldmaster a successful company and helpedearn Miller the Ohio Chapter’s 2012 TiEInternational Entrepreneur Award. The awardrecognizes the contributions of an internation-al entrepreneur to the local economy.

From that very first welding machinebuilt in the garage, the company has grownto manufacture 10 standard product lines ofwelding equipment and offers custom engi-neered automation converting solutions.Miller Weldmaster’s customers fabricatetarps, tents, environmental and farm prod-ucts, inflatable boats, pool and pond liners,canopies and awnings, military and con-struction products, billboards and manyother products.

ABOUT MILLERWELDMASTEROwner and CEO: Scott MillerLocation: 4220 Alabama Ave.,Tuscarawas TownshipProduct or services: Heat welding and con-verting machinery for thermoplastic industrialfabricsNumber of employees: 85Years in Stark County: 30Website: www.weldmaster.com

SCOTT MILLERTitle: Owner and CEOYears at Company: 27Years as CEO: 13About Stark: “We havebeen very fortunate to belocated in Stark County,where I believe true entre-preneurial spirit continuesto exist. I see this from thedrive, focus and passion ofour people at Miller Weldmaster who continu-ally strive to be the first choice globally of allindustrial fabric welding equipment solutions.”

MILLER

OTHER AREA MANUFACTURERS

KOCH KNIGHTPresident: Michael GraeffLocation: 5385 Orchard View Dr., SE, East CantonProduct or service: Leader in acid proof sys-tems for large industrial customers.Also sellsceramic and plastic packing for pollution controlequipment.Number of employees: 78 in CantonYears in Stark County: 16Website: www.kochknight.com

HYDRODEC NORTH AMERICACEO: Ian Smale; General Manager, GlobalOperations: David RobertsonLocation: 2021 Steinway Blvd., SE, CantonProduct or service: Hydrodec collects, man-ages, and processes used transformer oil up to2,000 ppm PCB content. Hydrodec manufac-tures high quality SuperFine transformer oil andbase oil for a range of lubricant applications.Number of employees: 28 in CantonYears in Stark County: 5Website: www.hydrodec.com

MORGANENGINEERINGSYSTEMS, INC.President and CEO: Mark L. FedorLocation: 1049 South Mahoning Ave.,AllianceProduct or service: Material handling equip-ment for the metals and mining industry.Primary products are electric overhead travelingcranes and industrial automation/robotics inte-gration including all Level 1 and Level 2 hard-ware and software development for all metalsand mining equipment.Number of employees: 110 full- and part-timeYears in Stark County: 142Website: www.morganengineering.com

RTI ALLOYSCEO: Dawne Hickton of RTI International MetalsLocation: 1935 Warner Rd. SE, CantonProduct or service: Produces titanium ingotsand sends them to RTI Niles to forge into small-er shapes and roll out into plates and sheets tobe sold to other companies for use in aero-space, industrial and other applications for cus-tomers around the world.Number of employees: 70Years in Stark County: 16Website: www.rtiintl.com

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TRANSPORTATION CantonINC

Need to fly for business?Need to rely on truck-ing for business? Howabout rail access for

business? You can get whereyou want to go, and get itwhere it needs to be, fromCanton and Stark County.

Beginning with air travel for busi-ness, the Akron Canton RegionalAirport, now featuring service fromSouthwest Airlines, served 1.86 mil-lion total passengers in 2012. It alsohad the 15th lowest average airfareof any airport in the country. Inaddition to Southwest, CAK isserved by AirTran, Delta, USAirways and United Express.

Destination cities from Akron-Cantonare Boston, New York, Philadelphia,and Washington, D.C., in the Northeast,Charlotte, Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa andFort Myers in the Southeast, Detroitand Chicago in the Great Lakes region,and Denver in the West.

Like many business sectors, airtravel has been boosted by the explo-ration of the Utica Shale.

“There is no doubt that Utica shaleenergy creation is propelling businessat the Akron-Canton Airport,” saidPresident and CEO Rick McQueen.“Corporate and commercial trafficincreases as new companies move intothe area. Wealth is created, generatingnew local air trips. Plus, with the addi-tion of Southwest Airlines at CAK,

our future is very bright indeed.” The convergence of Interstate 77

and U.S. Route 30 in Canton, as wellas the proximity to east-westInterstate 76 and the Ohio Turnpike,make Canton a robust center formotor carriers and warehousing logis-tics companies. Here is a look at justthree companies that operate from theCanton-Stark County crossroads.

Peoples Services is a transporta-tion, warehousing and product han-dling company that began 99 yearsago in nearby Massillon and now isheadquartered in Canton.

“We’re committed to this area,”said Doug Sibila, president and CEO,and third-generation leader of thisfamily company.

BY DAVID KAMINSKI

GETTINGYOUTHERE

TRANSPORTATION

A F F I L I AT E D PA R T N E R

CantonINC TRANSPORTATION

In addition to Ohio, it hasfacilities in Virginia and WestVirginia, North and SouthCarolina, and Tennessee. Thesefacilities constitute more than4.5 million square feet of publicand contract warehousing space.

Peoples services are trucktransportation and logistics,warehouse management,transloading, specialized bulkpackaging, handling of chemi-cals, order fulfillment, andpolymer milling and blending.It is particularly adept at han-dling, packaging and warehous-ing hazardous materials.“We’re the largest ‘hazmat’space provider in NortheastOhio,” Sibila said.

Stark County also is home toKenan Advantage Group, thelargest tank truck hauler inNorth America. KAG operates100 terminals and 100 satellite

locations. Its primary business isfuel delivery, but it also trans-ports specialty products fromchemicals to food-grade prod-ucts, as well as industrial gases.

“For over 20 years, we havebeen strategically headquarteredright here, in Stark County. I usethe word ‘strategic’ because thatis exactly how we feel about ourlocation in Stark County,” saidDennis Nash, CEO and co-founder of Kenan AdvantageGroup. “We have the ability torecruit talented young profes-sionals from exceptional localcolleges while also attracting vet-eran leadership from the commu-nity that exemplify tremendousvalues and work ethic.”

The company has formed anew division, KAG EnergyResources, to meet the needs ofthe oil and gas explorationindustry in the Utica shale.

Though it has served theCanton market for a number ofyears from a facility inCleveland, Old Dominion FreightLines responded to growing busi-ness in Canton by building a 70-door distribution center at theMills Business Park in Canton. Itis in its second year of operation.

“The Canton Service Center isa vital part of Old Dominion’snationwide network. The LEED-certified facility is convenientlylocated near Interstate 77 andservices a wide range of cus-tomers in the region, includingCanton’s strong base of manu-facturing and retail companies.We look forward to being part ofthe Canton community for yearsto come,” said Don Benner,manager of Old Dominion’sCanton Service Center.

And finally, if you need tomove goods in and out of Canton

and Stark County by rail, there isWheeling & Lake Erie Railway,headquartered in Brewster insouthwest Stark County. Theregional railroad’s 80 miles oftrack in Stark County providesconnections to Norfolk Southern,CN and CSK rail systems. Itmoves about 21,000 carloads offreight in and out of StarkCounty every year.

W&LE is positioned to servethe shale gas and oil explorationin Ohio and Pennsylvania, par-ticularly the midstream phase."We always have been focusedon midstream buildout" in theMarcellus and Utica, saidJonathan Chastek, assistant vicepresident of business develop-ment. This would involve trans-portation of pipe for pipelinesand the tanks and other equip-ment required for midstreamprocessing.

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LONG-TIME BUSINESSES

BY JOAN RENNER

Area businesses have adapted to all sortsof challenges: DLH Industries’ main customer moved production overseas inthe 1970s. M. Conley started out as a general store, but lost customers to big

chains. Gregory Industries lost its meansof production when a fire destroyed itsgalvanizing line. Here are eight area businesses that have survived change,some for more than a century.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

MEETING THE CHALLENGE

OHIOGRATINGS, INC.

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DEEP ROOTS CantonINC

OHIOGRATINGS, INC.

“Make it right and ship when prom-ised,” has been a winning formula forOhio Gratings Inc.

Founded in 1970 by father-and-sonteam Harold and David Bartley, thecompany started out as a distributor forBlaw-Knox.

Owned and run by David Bartley’ssons, CEO John Bartley and ChairmanDavid Bartley II, the company nowmanufactures and sells its own alu-minum and steel gratings, occupies312,000 square feet in Perry Township,and employs more than 300 people, saidDavid Bartley II.

The gratings, which are used in fenc-ing, sunscreens, pallet racks, walkwaysand other applications, are sold nation-wide and abroad, said Bartley.

Ohio Gratings also offers “press-lock”grating, a thinner grating with variablespacing in either direction.

Employees still participate in the com-pany’s profit-sharing cash bonus plan,set up by Harold Bartley.

“To have employees working for usfor 40-plus years, 35-plus years intoday’s environment, that is so rare,”said Bartley.

ABOUT OHIOGRATINGS, INC.CEO: John BartleyLocation: 5299 Southway St. SW,Perry TownshipNumber of employees: More than 300Years in Stark County: 43Website: www.ohiogratings.com/index1.asp

DAVID BARTLEY IIPosition: Chairman, Ohio GratingsYears with Ohio Gratings: 25 full-time.(David Bartley II started cleaning officespart-time at age 16. His brother, CEO JohnBartley, started developing inventory-costingcomputer programs at age 12.)Years as chairman: Eight“We’re very close to all of our suppliers, allthe raw material we need is very local, andclose by, and there are wonderful people todraw from for employment.” David BartleyII, chairman, Ohio Gratings Inc.

DLH INDUSTRIESIn 38 years, DLH Industries has

grown from one employee and an injec-tion molding machine to a companywith more than 500 employees in Ohio,Michigan and Tennessee.

The private company designs and pro-duces plastic air and fluid handlingassemblies, largely for the automotiveindustry. The company produces its owninjection molds and assembly fixtures,enabling them to put prototypes inclients’ hands quickly.

DLH has employees on-site at automo-tive companies full-time, so they canrespond to clients’ needs, from design ofa product to its final installation. Thisyear, DLH was named GM global suppli-er of the year for the sixth year in a row.

DLH saw double-digit growth as a per-centage of sales between 2011 and 2012.

In fact, DLH Industries is looking forskilled employees in mechanical andplastic engineering to join its workforce,said John Saxon, chairman and chiefexecutive officer: “We are always look-ing to attract engineering talent.”

ABOUT DLH INDUSTRIESCEO: John Saxon, Chairman and CEOLocation: 2422 Leo Ave. SW, Perry TownshipProduct or service: Designs and producesplastic air and fluid handling assemblies, forautomotive and other industries.Number of employees: More than 500

Years in Stark County: 38Website: www.dlh-inc.com

JOHN SAXONTitle: Chairman and CEOYears at DLH: 9.5 years (hired in asPresident and COO)Years as CEO: Five years“We have excellent resources in this area.We have Stark State, we have Akron U closeby and we have a long history and traditionof plastic and specifically automotive produc-tion in this area … traditionally we’ve had avery loyal work force.”

THE TIMKENCOMPANY

In recent years The Timken Companyhas invested more than $500 million atits Stark County steel facilities toimprove productivity, expand productrange and increase capacity.

In addition, Timken expects to open anew $42 million office at the company’sJackson Township global technologycenter. Roughly 500 employees inTimken’s Bearings and PowerTransmission group will join colleaguesalready at the center.

The company, once synonymous withtapered roller bearings, has diversifiedinto industries such as wind energy,power transmission, and mining.

Diversification has paid off: Netincome for 2012 rose nine percentover 2011.

JOHN SAXON,DLH INDUSTRIES

ABOUT THETIMKEN COMPANYCEO: James W. Griffith, President and CEOLocation: 1835 Dueber Ave. SW, CantonProduct or service: Tapered roller bearings, steelalloys, gear boxes, components for wind energy,mining, and power transmission industries.Number of employees: Roughly 20,000 worldwide; 4,425 in Stark CountyYears in Stark County: 112Website: www.timken.com

JAMES W. GRIFFITHTitle: President and CEOYears at Timken: 29 yearsYears as CEO: 11 years“The story of 2012 actuallybegan many years ago forThe Timken Company.Withthe strategic, fundamentalchanges made over the pastdecade, we have molded astronger, more resilientcompany. Even as 2012 testedso many, our results for the year demonstratethat our strategy is serving us well.We continueto focus on long-term value creation for ourcustomers and our shareholders by evolving inkey markets, diversifying our business portfolioand leveraging our core strengths. In the end,performance counts.”

THE TIMKENCOMPANY

GRIFFITH

DEEP ROOTS CantonINC

MARATHONPETROLEUMCOMPANY LP

Canton is home to one ofMarathon PetroleumCompany’s seven refineries, andits closest to the Utica Shale.

The Canton facility hasadded a permanent truck rackthat can handle 12,000 bar-rels of oil per day, and isexpandable to 24,000 barrels.

Marathon is designing anaddition to the plant to processcrude from the Utica Shale,said Ohio Division RefiningManager Brad McKain.Marathon expects to havecapacity for 25,000 barrels ofUtica product per day by theend of 2014.

McKain said the refinery willlargely be substituting Uticacrude for other products,rather than increasing overallcapacity dramatically.

Marathon Petroleum alsoplans to deliver crude by truckand barge to the Marathonplant in Catlettsburg,Kentucky.

Marathon has representa-tives working with the StarkState College Oil and GasAdvisory Council to identifyand address the need for skillsin the oil industry.

“We want to make sure weare a processor of choice forthe producers,” said McKain.

ABOUT MARATHONPETROLEUMCEO: Gary R. HemingerLocation: 2801 23rd St. SW, CantonProduct or service: A widerange of crude oils. Gasoline,diesel, asphalt, heavy fuel oil,propane, and sulfur. Crude distilla-tion, catalytic cracking, catalyticpolymerization, hydrotreating,reforming, alkylation, and sulfurrecovery.

Number of employees: 360, and300 additional contract employeesYears in Stark County: 81(Local refinery built in 1931, wasacquired by Ashland Inc. in 1948when Ashland merged with AlliedOil company;Ashland Inc. formedjoint venture with Marathon in2005, which dissolved in 2008; in2011, Marathon Petroleum separat-ed from Marathon Oil.)Website: www.marathonpetroleum.com

BRAD McKAINTitle: Ohio Refining DivisionManagerYears at Marathon: 29 yearsYears as manager: McKain startedat the Canton refinery in Jan. 2013.“I think we’re well-positioned totake advantage of the new oppor-tunities. It’s what we do, it’s righthere in our backyard … There’s alot of prospects and opportunitiesto take advantage of, and we’rereally excited to be a part of it.”

BELDEN BRICKBelden Brick President and

CEO Robert Belden said he isoptimistic, despite a slow year.

Growth in 2012 was rough-ly half the 3 percent experi-enced in 2011. The 128-year-old company has had toadjust, running one plant onlysix months of the year and let-ting certain kilns lie dormantat two other plants.

Belden Brick is adjusting to

changing demand. It recentlypurchased a thin-brick panelsystem to make brick veneer. Itis also experimenting withindustrial options, such asbricks for aluminum smelters.

The company is interview-ing potential partners to helpexploit the mineral and gasrights the company holds onor near the Utica Shale.Eventually, Belden said, hiscompany might be able to sup-ply all of its energy needsthrough such a partnership.

ABOUT BELDEN BRICKCEO: Robert BeldenLocation: 700 Tuscarawas St.W,CantonProduct or service: Makes anddistributes bricks, with a 250 millionstandard brick equivalent capacity.Has administrative offices inCanton, and six plants in nearbyTuscarawas County. Operates sixplants through its out-of-state sub-sidiary, Redland Brick, and has twodistributorships.Founded (as Diebold Fire BrickCompany) in 1885.Number of employees: Roughly700 — 450 in Stark County area.Years in Stark County: 128Website: www.beldenbrick.com

ROBERT BELDENTitle: President and CEOYears with Belden Brick: 30Years as CEO: Five

“I amhopeful that thisenergy boomthat the wholecountry is see-ing, particularlythe Utica Shale,will be a long-term positive forthis area and will

help us get back to where we liketo be as a business community.”

GREGORYINDUSTRIES

A factory fire in the 1980sopened up opportunities forGregory Industries.

T. Raymond Gregory movedthe steel products producerfrom Brooklyn to Canton in1957. He wanted to be closerto a customer base of steelproducers and manufacturers,said Gregory’s grandson, MattGregory, vice president ofoperations.

The company began galva-nizing, in a small way, in the1980s. A narrow galvanizingline enabled the company toproduce galvanized fence posts.

BELDEN

MARATHONPETROLEUM

GREGORYINDUSTRIES

CantonINC DEEP ROOTS

Then, the fire occurred, destroying thegalvanizing line. When Gregory Industriesrebuilt in another location, it added widergalvanizing lines, expanding its productofferings.

Today, Gregory Industries uses a contin-uous galvanizing process to produceguardrails, cable barriers and fencing; theysell and service steel throughout NorthAmerica. Gregory Industries employsroughly 150 people at its two plants, inCanton and Canton Township. “It’s a greatplace to do business,” said Gregory.

ABOUT GREGORYINDUSTRIESCEO: Steve GregoryLocation: 4100 13th St. SW, CantonProduct or service: Continuous galvanizedand roll-formed steel products, such asguardrails, cable barriers, and fencing products.Founded in 1957 in Stark County. (It is rooted ina Brooklyn, NY steel company founded in 1896.)Number of employees: Roughly 150

Years in Stark County: 56Website: www.gregorycorp.com

M. CONLEY CO.M. Conley Co. has adjusted to the times

for more than 100 years.“We actually started as a general store,

back in the 1890s,” said CEO BobStewart III.

As chain stores began to sprout up, M.Conley Co. decided to specialize in paper andpackaging products, said Stewart, a mem-ber of the company’s fourth generation.

“We actually service three markets:Janitorial, paper, packaging supplies,”Stewart said.

The last category ranges from mailpackaging to food service packaging.

M. CONLEY CEOBOB STEWART III

M. Conley doesn’t just supply, butworks with companies to meet theirneeds, whether it’s installing a product,or retrofitting machinery to the cus-tomer’s specifications.

M. Conley has an office in NorthCarolina and operates in several othersouthern states, largely to serve the plantsof Canton-based Timken Co.

“People have tried to entice us to moveto different industrial parks outside of thearea, but this is our home,” Stewart said.

ABOUT M. CONLEYCEO: Bob Stewart IIILocation: 1312 Fourth St. SEProduct or service: Provides paper, packagingand janitorial supplies.Number of employees: Roughly 100Years in Stark County: At least 103 (M.Conley incorporated in 1910; it existed as ageneral store some years before that.)Website: www.mconley.com

H-P PRODUCTSH-P Products was founded in 1945 to

make gas conversion burners for coal fur-naces in households. Today, the companymakes engineered tube bends for the auto-motive, construction and agriculturalindustries at two Louisville plants.

Residential central vacuum systems,including brand names such as DirtDevil® and VACUFLO®, are produced atthe company’s Jackson township plant.Roughly 35 to 40 percent of new homesin North America have these systemsinstalled, according to Amy Wesely, H-PProducts marketing manager.

Employment at the three plants and cor-porate headquarters totals 375 people,said Wesely.

ABOUT H-P PRODUCTSCOO: Allen Green, President and ChiefOperating OfficerLocation: 512 W. Gorgas St., LouisvilleProduct or service: Makes engineered tubebends and residential central vacuum systems.Number of employees: 375Years in Stark County: 68Website: www.h-pproducts.com

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CantonINC SMALL BUSINESS

Whether it’s suppressing dust,cutting red tape for big

companies or servicing smallindustries, one transformer ata time, Stark County’s smallbusinesses keep profitable byfinding a need and filling it.One thing leads to another.

MIDWESTINDUSTRIALSUPPLY

In 1975, Bob Vitale startedMidwest Industrial Supply, sellingde-icing and anti-icing agents toutility companies.

Noticing that clients needed anenvironmentally-friendly dustsuppression agent, he developedSoil-Sement, a polymer emulsionthat broke down into harmlesscomponents.

Today, Soil-Sement isMidwest’s main products, certifiedby environmental agencies in theUnited States and Canada.

The family-owned companysells its products through distribu-tors abroad; it both distributes anddirectly implements the product inNorth America. It serves coal, oil,gas and industrial concerns, toname a few.

BY JOAN RENNER

FINDING, FILLINGSMALL BUSINESSES

A NEED

Midwest is also developing soil-sta-bilization processes for unpavedroads, and the substrate of pavedroads, that can address problems asvaried as washout, frost heave, andindustrial traffic.

The company is in the process ofcommercializing this product, saidcompany president Steven Vitale.

“We look at this as something that istruly game-changing, not only for theindustry, but for Midwest,” he said.

ABOUT MIDWESTINDUSTRIAL SUPPLYCEO: Bob VitaleLocation: 1101 Third St. SE CantonProduct or service: Environmentally-friendly dust control, soil stabilizationand de-icing.Number of employees: 67Years in Stark County: 38

CONTINUED ON PAGE 48

MIDWESTINDUSTRIAL

SUPPLY

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SMALL BUSINESS CantonINC

BOB VITALETitle: CEOYears as CEO: Bob Vitale founded thecompany 38 years ago.About Stark County: “Stark Countyhas a very favorable business climate;starting with the support of the Chamberof Commerce, the Stark DevelopmentBoard, and we love the access to the high-way and rail systems, north, south, east,and west; it’s very easy to get our rawmaterials in and ship our finished productsout. It’s a very good area to attract capa-ble and talented people.”

HILSCHER-CLARKE

Hilscher-Clarke and its four sub-sidiaries provide electrical contractingservices, mainly in Ohio, but also inother states and countries to meet theneeds of its Stark County clients.

Electrical construction is the com-pany’s core service, but the companyis flexible. During the 2008 economicdownturn, the company turned to theexpertise of its older employees, offer-ing specialty services other companieswere phasing out.

CEO Ronald Becker said the com-pany is seeing a significant amount ofbusiness from suppliers to companiesexploring the Utica Shale.

“I really think that the lion’s shareof the work is 18 to 24 months away,”said Becker.

Hilscher-Clarke is on the lookoutfor new electrical engineers and

designers to help make their client’smost challenging requests reality.

“The message has always been,‘We’ll figure out a way to get it donefor you,” said Becker.

ABOUT HILSCHER-CLARKECEO: Ronald BeckerLocation: 519 Fourth St. NWService: Provides electrical contractingservices both as Hilscher-Clarke and assubsidiaries State Electrical EngineeringCompany, LLC,Advanced ElectricalTesting, LLC, ET Electrical Company, LLC,and CTC Technologies, LLCNumber of employees: About 300Years in Stark County: 112:Two elec-trical contracting companies formed inde-pendently in 1901; the two merged in1912.The company was bought andrenamed by employees Walt Hilscher andRoy Clarke in 1926.Website: www.hilscher-clarke.com

RONALD BECKERTitle: Chairman and CEOYears at Hilscher-Clarke: 28Years as CEO: 10 yearsAbout Stark County:“Stark Countyhas the complete package: Jobopportunities for a densely talentedand trained workforce that has agood work ethic, five major collegesand universities that support the train-ing needs of our local businesses and indus-tries. ...There are many business profession-als, economic development groups, and localgovernments that work well together behindthe scenes to help retain/expand existingbusinesses all the while helping to attractbusinesses to Stark County.”

YOUNGTRUCK SALES

Young Truck Sales is one of fourbusinesses with roots in Young WhiteTruck Sales, which started in 1954 asa dealer for White Motor Co.

Today, the family-owned companyhas four offshoots: Young Volvo,Young Truck Sales, Young Leasing,and JayMac Body & Frame. Openseven days a week, the businesses selland lease new Volvo, Freightliner andIsuzu trucks, sell used trucks, rehaband repair heavy duty trailers, trucksand recreational vehicles, and sellparts in a three-state area.

The company is now run by third-generations cousins Craig Young,president, and Robert Young, vice-president.

HILSCHER-CLARKE

YOUNGTRUCKSALES

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The company is adding 16 service bays tothe 10 already at its Volvo franchise, as wellas expanding and improving the franchise’sparts operations, said Craig Young. The newbays will be compressed- and liquid-naturalgas certified — a service the Utica Shaleboom makes potentially profitable.

“I really see it in the next five yearsgrowing to about a quarter or a third of thetruck market in our area,” Young said.

ABOUT YOUNGTRUCK SALESPresident and DealerPrincipal: Craig YoungLocation: 4970 Southway St.SW (Young Truck Sales); 2230Shepler Church SW (YoungVolvo and Young Leasing);1801 Ivydale SW (JayMacBody & Frame); 3406 NavarreRd. SW (Young Trailer Rehaband Repair)Products and services: Sells and leasestrucks, repairs trucks, trailers and recreationalvehicles, and sells parts.Number of employees: 114Years in Stark County: 59Website: www.youngtrucks.com

CONTRACTORCONNECTION, INC.

Maria Maculaitis started her businessin 2000 to act as a purchasing agent,helping large companies get around redtape to buy items ranging from bullhornsto trucks.

Today, she says, Contractor Connection,Inc. is a $2 million-a-year business thathelps companies with purchasing, equalopportunity employment, constructionwork, appliance installation, industrialcleaning, and property maintenance.

Maculaitis has a knack for creatingwin-win situations. For example, shetakes in chips and logs from area treefirms eager to get rid of them. Then shesells the wood chips by the truckload asboiler fuel.

Through this, she met Scott Brenner,owner of Arbortech Tree Care.

“She stalked me for wood chips,” saidBrenner.

YOUNG

Brenner and Maculaitis are partners in“Endors Arborist and Rope Supply.” Theyplan to open a website —www.endorstreegear.com — by May 18,

and a physical store later this year.

ABOUTCONTRACTORCONNECTIONPresident and founder: Maria MaculaitisLocation: 400 Schroyer Ave. NWService: Purchasing, industrial cleaning, construc-tion work, appliance installation, property mainte-nance, and equal opportunity employment.Number of employees: FiveYears in Stark County: 13Website: www.ContractorConnectionInc.com

TRANSFORMERASSOCIATES

Transformer Associates collects and ana-lyzes insulating fluid for transformers.

“We test that oil, similar to when you goto a doctor, they test your blood,” saidRodney Herndon, president and CEO of theCanton-based company.

Herndon’s employees can diagnose faultsthat may be occurring in the transformerfrom the pattern of gases present in the oil.Transformer Associates can repair leaks,treat the oil to remove unsafe gas and con-taminants, do some transformer repairs,and advise clients.

Herndon has built up to testing “in thethousands” of transformers, mostly ownedby smaller businesses. He estimate 95 per-cent of his client base is outside of Ohio,many in the Chicago, New York andAlabama areas.

“I’m from this area, and my employeesare from this area, so for now we’re goingto stay put,” Herndon said.

TRANSFORMERASSOCIATESCEO: Rodney HerndonLocation: 831 Market Ave. N., CantonService: Collects, analyzes and treats trans-former insulating fluid.Number of employees: About 6Website: http://transformerassociates.com

“The best contractors in Stark Countybelong to the Building Industry Associationfor many reasons…Integrity, Credibility,Education, Training, Networking. When youuse a BIA Member on your new home orremodeling project you’re insuring that yourhome is built by industry leaders dedicatedto safe, affordable housing built to thehighest standards. Call us for a list ofmembers.

330.499.5700biastark.com

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GROWING IN STARK CantonINC

Stark County is a great place to grow up,especially for some businesses. Growingarea businesses say the county is a goodplace to locate and expand. They cite a

skilled labor pool with a good work ethic, helpfulpublic officials, and community fixtures such asschools, hospitals, and business developmentboards for why they remain in the area.

VXI GLOBAL SOLUTIONSVXI Global Solutions opened its Canton facility in

August 2011 with 500 employees offering telephone salesand technical support.

Today, it has roughly 1,200 employees in Canton, andexpects to end the year with roughly 1,500 employees at thedowntown site, said Greg Ouimet, regional vice president.

AGOODPLACE TO

BY JOAN RENNER

GROWING BUSINESSES

EXPAND

CANTON MAYORWILLIAM J. HEALY IIWITH VXI GLOBALSOLUTIONS CO-FOUNDER DAVID ZHOU

The Los Angeles-based company offersinternational call center services, includingsales, customer service and technical sup-port, in several languages.

In Canton, VXI Global Solutions hirespeople with specific technical and computerskills, as well as sales and customer serviceexperience.

With growth come challenges. VXI hasironed out parking issues and has designateda smoking lounge in the back of the building.

Ouimet said the company was “verypleased” with the Canton operation, partic-ularly the cooperation between the compa-ny and city government.

“That’s one of the reasons we’ve contin-ued with the growth that we’ve had. It’sone of our best performing sites,” he said.

ABOUT VXI GLOBALSOLUTIONSCEO: Eva WangLocation: 401 Cleveland Ave. NW, CantonProduct or service: Full-service call center

operation providing international sales, techni-cal support and customer service in several lan-guages. It also has an array of business services,ranging from data entry to lead generation anddevelopment software for call center needs.

Number of employees: Roughly 1,200 inStark County. Globally,VXI Global Solutionsemploys roughly 10,000 people worldwide.

Website: www.vxi.com

ALTERCARE OFOHIO INC.

Forty years ago, Gerald and Sue Schroerbought their first rehabilitation and skillednursing facility in Westerville, Ohio.

Today, Altercare Inc. owns 17 facilities inOhio and one in Michigan, and is part ofthe Schroer Group, a Stark County-based

CantonINC GROWING IN STARK

Conveniently located in the heart ofdowntown Canton with ample parkingand reasonable rates to meet youroffice needs. Call Becka Kasapis at330.452.9406

THE RENKERT BUILDING306 Market Ave., N.Canton, OH 44702

330.452.9406

ALTERCARE,NORTH CANTON

GROWING IN STARK CantonINC

enterprise that includes AvalonFoods, run by Andrew Schroer,and Absolute Health Services,run by Andrew’s brother JerrySchroer Jr.

Altercare’s clients are mostly 65and older. Ninety percent ofclients return home after rehabili-tation, said Altercare PresidentGreg Colaner.

The company is investing $1.5million to enhance the dementiacare and rehabilitation services inits Millersburg facility. It is alsoadding a 17-bed transitional careunit to its Lancaster facility, forshort rehabilitation stays afteracute events.

Altercare of Ohio is looking foropportunities to add existing,stand-alone rehabilitative facilitieswith capacity for 80 to 100 resi-dents, Colaner said.

ABOUT ALTERCAREOF OHIO, INC.About Altercare of Ohio Inc.President: Greg ColanerAddress: P.O. Box 2289, 330 E. Maple St.North CantonEmploys: 2,300Product or service: Runs 18 rehabilitationand skilled nursing facilities in Ohio andMichigan.Number of employees: 2,300Years in Stark County: 40Website: www.altercareonline.com

GREG COLANERPresident, Altercare of OhioHow long at company: 26 yearsHow long in current position in company:Has been either President or Chief OperatingOfficer for seven years.Stark County “has very strong high schools,great secondary education, and very forward-thinking hospital administrators …. We’re abig fan of the schools, employees and thehospitals here in Stark County.”

AGILE NETWORKBUILDERS

When the Ohio Department of Public Safety neededto update its communications system, Agile NetworkBuilders saw an opportunity.

The Canton–based company is building a networkthat links private and public towers and fiber, increasingcapacity and reducing costs for the state. When com-pleted, the network will allow Agile Network Buildersto reach up to three million address points with quickly-installed, easily expanded wireless access.

The network is already operating in Canton,Cleveland, Columbus, and Carroll County.

The company is now expanding into Harrison andJefferson counties as it focuses on businesses drawn tothe booming Utica Shale region.

“All of those businesses need connectivity,” saidChief Executive Officer Robert Brick.

Chief Technical Officer Kyle Quillen expects thestatewide project to be complete in roughly 24 months.

“We have a pretty impressive customer list already,”he said.

CantonINC GROWING IN STARK

Since January 2010, the company hasexpanded from three — founders Quillen,Brick, and Mark Dowd — to 15 people today.

ABOUT AGILE NETWORKSCEO: Robert BrickLocation: 213 Market Ave.NW, CantonService: Telecommunicationsand broadband serviceNumber of employees: 15Years in Stark County:Two-and-a-half (by May 2013,it will be two years, fivemonths.)Website: www.agilenetworkbuilders.com

EMERGENCYMEDICINEPHYSICIANS

From six physicians and an administrativeassistant in Massillon, Emergency MedicinePhysicians has grown to about 1,200employees, including roughly 800 clinicians.

Formed in 1992, EMP provides emergencymedicine services in 14 states, but, unlikemost similar groups, each of their physicianshas equal ownership in the company.

“We’re one of the largest physiciangroups in the country,” said CEO Dr.Dominic Bagnoli, one of EMP’s founders.

EMP takes care of back-office logisticsfor its physicians, allowing physicians toconcentrate on their practice. EMP’s rangeof services include medical billing, a third-party collection company, a medical mal-practice insurance company, telemedicine(providing medical services over theInternet), and training and education ofphysicians.

Bagnoli noted that EMP is well-posi-tioned as the country turns its attention tolowering health care costs, providing betteroutcomes, and offering better patient expe-rience.

“I think we’re going to grow rapidly,”he said.

ABOUT EMERGENCYMEDICINE PHYSICIANSCEO: Dr. Dominic BagnoliLocation: 4535 Dressler Rd. NWService: A physicians group with EmergencyMedicine Physicians in 14 states; Servicesinclude medical billing, third-party collections,medical malpractice insurance, telemedicine.Number of employees: 1,200Years in Stark County: 21Website: www.emp.com

DR. DOMINIC BAGNOLITitle: CEOYears at EMP: 21 Years as CEO: 8“The work ethic, the cultureof the people, the commit-ment to the organization, Ithink it’s hard to find in otherparts of the country ….When ... the employees comeevery day knowing they’re help-ing, it gives them purpose to their job, and Ithink that’s why we’ve been so successful.”

BRICK

BAGNOLI

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CantonINC HEALTH CARE

Stark County’s four hospitals have had a busy year. Two new emergency departments, a dedicated observationunit, and a palliative care program are

only some of the choices that are available or

will be offered soon to residents. Read on tofind out what Affinity Medical Center,Alliance Community Hospital, Mercy MedicalCenter, and Aultman Hospital have in store for this coming year.

BY JOAN RENNER

BUSYYEAROFHEALTH CARE

CARING

AFFINITYMEDICALCENTER

AULTMAN HOSPITAL

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HEALTH CARE CantonINC

AFFINITYMEDICAL CENTER

Affinity Medical Center ofMassillon expanded its pain manage-ment department to meet growingneed, and relocated it from the hospi-tal’s main campus to JacksonTownship in March 2012.

The hospital also celebrated thefirst anniversary of its dedicatedorthopedic and spine center. Affinityhas seen a nearly 12 percentincrease in orthopedic cases in thepast year, said Susan Koosh, vicepresident of marketing and commu-nity relations.

In July, the hospital plans to openits new, 24-room emergency depart-ment, a 50-percent expansion. Itplans to open a third cardiac catheter-ization lab later this year.

Catheterization lab procedureshave increased more than 50 percentin the last year, Koosh said.

Affinity continues to offerwomen’s services (excluding birthdelivery), occupational health andin-patient senior mental health. It isone of 12 teaching facilities affiliat-ed with the Ohio UniversityHeritage College of OsteopathicMedicine.

ABOUT AFFINITYMEDICAL CENTERLocation: 875 Eighth St. NE, MassillonYears in Stark County: 103CEO: Ron BiermanWhat makes it special: AffinityMedical Center is Stark County’s onlyfor-profit hospital, with access to a net-work of 135 hospitals leased, operatedor owned by Tennessee-basedCommunity Health Systems.Licensed beds: 266Number of employees: 779Satellites: Seven physician offices, a painmanagement center, and a therapy facilityin Stark County; an additional therapyfacility/fitness center in Orrville.Accepts: All major insurance programs.Affinity works with out-of-network patientsthrough its Affinity Access program.Website: www.affinitymedicalcenter.com

RON BIERMANTitle: CEOYears at Affinity: 5Years as CEO: morethan 20, at varioushospitals“The healthcare indus-try continues toevolve, as do the med-ical and surgical needsof the patients we carefor. Affinity Medical Center is dedicatedto providing safe, high quality, compassion-

ate care while taking a proactive approachto bringing technology and services toour local community that best meet theirneeds.The residents of Stark County arefortunate to have access to exceptionalphysicians, hospitals and healthcare servic-es as a whole.We are honored to care forthose who put their trust in us.”

ALLIANCECOMMUNITYHOSPITAL

Alliance Community Hospitalrecently added palliative care forpatients facing terminal or chronicconditions. The team of doctors andnurses — the hospital hopes to add achaplain this year — helps patientsand their families make educatedchoices about treatment before a cri-sis forces them to act.

This is one of the last steps tobecoming a designated Planetree hos-pital, said Samantha Phillips, the hos-pital’s public relations specialist. Thehospital has been affiliated withPlanetree’s patient-centered philoso-phy since 2002, and hopes to becomea full member next year.

In other developments, the hospi-tal’s orthopedic and sports medicineaffiliate opened a new, expanded andhandicap-friendly office last year.

ALLIANCECOMMUNITYHOSPITAL

BIERMAN

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CantonINC HEALTH CARE

Alliance Community features anacute care center, a nursing home,and an assisted living center inAlliance, as well as an urgent carecenter in Louisville. It offers generalsurgery, wound care, maternity serv-ices, some cancer treatment, andextensive therapy programs. It offersarea high school students job-shad-owing and volunteer opportunities tohelp with career education.

ABOUT ALLIANCECOMMUNITY HOSPITALLocation: 200 East State St.,AllianceYears operating in Stark County: 113CEO: Stan JonasWhat makes it special: Alliance isOhio’s only Planetree-affiliated hospital.Planetree is a patient-oriented philosophyLicensed beds: 204 (includes 68 skillednursing beds in affiliated nursing home and10 beds in the center for rehabilitation)Number of employees: About 1,000Accepts: All major insurance plans, willtreat out-of-network patientsWebsite: www.achosp.org

STAN JONASTitle: CEOYears at ACH: 16Years as CEO: 16“We are blessed with avery talented and dedi-cated medical commu-nity; it is a communitythat cares about thosewho are less fortunateand encourages and assists those in need,and personally it is a great place to workand share lifelong friendships.”

AULTMANHOSPITAL

Aultman Hospital recently openeda 16-bed observation unit for evalua-tion and expedited testing of short-term patients.

The hospital has opened a newtraining center, and Aultman Collegeopened its own anatomy and physi-ology labs for the college’s nursingstudents.

Doctors now enter orders and pre-scriptions directly into the computersystem instead of writing them out.The new system has reduced transcrip-tion errors by 90 percent.

Aultman has begun planning andfundraising for a new cancer center.The hospital has also begun an $18million upgrade to its infrastructure,to ensure patient safety.

Aultman remains committed to thehospital’s Vision 2020 program,aimed at improving Stark County’shealth by 2020.

Aultman educates up to 20,000people a year with its Wellness OnWheels van, gives out free bike hel-mets to Stark County first graders,and performs roughly 300 to 400 freecancer screenings a year on its cancerscreening day.

ABOUT AULTMANHOSPITALLocation: 2600 6th St. SW, CantonYears in Stark County: 121Aultman Health Foundation CEO:Ed Roth

What makes it special: Aultman Hospitalis Stark County’s oldest and largest hospital— and the only one that vertically inte-grates an insurance provider, a hospital andcolleges of nursing and radiology.Licensed beds: 808Number of employees: About 5,000(includes hospital, colleges, insuranceprovider)Satellites: 18 facilities in three countiesAccepts: AultCare insurance plans. Non-AultCare patients can be admitted throughAultman’s “Yes,You Can” program.Website: www.aultman.org

ED ROTHTitle: CEO,AultmanHealth Foundation“The people (of StarkCounty) are very com-mitted to this commu-nity. ... It’s a very caringcommunity.When youdo things like trying toraise money for an initia-tive … we at Aultman are always amazedat how they really step up to a cause, andmake it happen.”

MERCY MEDICALCENTER

Mercy Medical Center is beginningan Emergency Department expansionand renovation.

The Catholic hospital, owned by theSisters of Charity Health System, plansto more than double the square footageof its current department, going from33 beds to 48, and adding a dedicatedX-ray facility and a new triage areawith five treatment spaces.

MERCY MEDICAL CENTER

JONAS

ROTH

“We’ve outgrown current capacity, and itwill make for a more efficient and betterpatient experience,” said Cindy Hickey,administrative director for marketing andpublic relations.

Last fall, the hospital opened Mercy St.Paul Square, located in the old convent areaof the former St. Paul’s Church.

The facility offers primary care, pediatric,dental, and behavioral health services, withextended evening hours, to Canton’s under-served northeast end residents.

Mercy closed its 30-bed psychiatric unitin February. It continues to offer outpatientbehavioral health services.

Mercy’s specialties include heart, emer-gency, vascular emergency and cancer andstroke care, a dental residency program,robotic surgery and a 39-bed regional reha-bilitation area.

ABOUT MERCYMEDICAL CENTERLocation: 1320 Mercy Dr. NW, CantonYears in Stark County: 104CEO: Tom CecconiWhat makes it special: Mercy Medical Centeris Stark County’s only Catholic hospital, and theonly one that offers a dental residency program.Licensed beds: 523Number of employees: About 2,500Satellites: Eight facilities in three counties,including main hospitalAccepts: All major insurance plans. Mercyworks with out-of-network patients through its“Your Choice” program.Website: www.cantonmercy.org

TOM CECCONITitle: President and CEOYears at Mercy: 11Years as CEO: 10“By staying true to our 100-year-old mission of providingquality and affordable healthcare to the whole person,Mercy has become both aneconomic driver in our community and arespected social institution by providing healthcare to persons at all levels of our community.I take the responsibilities of staying true tothat mission while managing Mercy’s resourcesas the third largest employer in Stark Countyvery seriously.”

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EDUCATION CantonINC

Canton and surrounding Stark Countyprovide education that is right-sized forbusiness. You will see no better exam-ple than the rapid development of cer-

tificate and two-year degree programs in oil andgas technology that have been developed atStark State College over the past year. These pro-grams are designed to meet the workforceneeds of the Utica Shale energy exploration.

Stark State formed an Oil and Gas Business AdvisoryCouncil comprising local energy industry leaders andother professionals interested in growing Utica Shalebusiness. It used the knowledge of the council members,as well in-house knowledge of oil and gas, to developtraining degree programs tuned to the needs of explo-ration and production companies such as Chesapeake

Energy, which has its Ohio headquarters in Canton.Not only that, Stark State joined two-year colleges in

Texas and Pennsylvania to offer a ShaleNet US trainingcurriculum that will be the same at any of the four partici-pating colleges, thereby giving the industry and studentsuniformity and geographic flexibility to fill training needs.

Finally, Stark State received a $10 million grant fromthe state of Ohio to develop a downtown Canton campusaround oil and gas career training. Development of thecampus will begin this year.

If the graduation of men and women with two-year associ-ate’s degrees is a measure of a community preparation fornew-economy jobs, you should know about Stark County’srecord of achievement.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 64

AULTMAN COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES, affiliated with the Aultman Health Foundation of Canton,with 314 students, offering associate’s degrees in nursing and radiography.

BY DAVID KAMINSKI

TRAININGTHEEDUCATION

WORKFORCE

STARK STATE COLLEGE, suburban Canton, more than 230 majors,15,670 credit and 3,000 non-credit students. Satellite campuses inthree counties.

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY ATSTARK, about 11,000 students, with18 bachelor’s degree programs thatcan be completed without transfer toKent’s main campus.

UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION, Alliance, religious affiliation United Methodist, morethan 50 majors, including a bachelor’s degree program in engineering. About 2,200 students.

MALONE UNIVERSITY, Canton, religious affiliation Evangelical Friends, 53 undergraduatemajors, 13 graduate programs. About 2,400 students.

WALSH UNIVERSITY, North Canton, religious affiliationRoman Catholic, more than 50 undergraduate majors, eightadvanced-degree programs, nearly 3,000 students.

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The number of adults aged 18 to 24 withsome college education or an associate’sdegree is 51.9 percent in the city of Canton,47.5 percent in all of Stark County. This com-pares with rates of 45.4 percent for Ohio and45.6 percent for the nation.

Canton is also home for AultmanCollege of Nursing and Health Sciences, atwo-year degree granting institution.

There also are a variety of opportunitiesto earn a four-year bachelor’s degree.Canton and Stark County are home to fouruniversities: Malone in Canton, Walsh inNorth Canton, Mount Union in Allianceand Kent State University at Stark in subur-ban Canton. Kent Stark is the largestregional campus in the Kent State system.

Public school students are prepared forcollege and encouraged to begin buildingtheir college careers through a number ofprograms, chief among them is dual credit,where high school teachers qualify asadjunct professors at local colleges andoffer college-level classes for college credit.

According to the Stark EducationPartnership, an institute of research and col-laboration funded by community businessesand foundations, Stark County high schoolstudents have earned or could claim creditfor the equivalent of 14,359 three-hour col-lege courses.

“We strive to become the most educatedcounty in the United States. Every step we take,such as helping students earn college creditswhile they’re still in high school, leads us closerto our goal,” said Dr. Adrienne O’Neill, presi-dent of the Stark Education Partnership.

As for basic success in completing highschool, 11 of Canton and Stark County’s 18public high schools had on-time graduationrates in excess of 90 percent, and six werein excess of 95 percent. This compares witha state average of 78 percent.

Interested in how Canton and StarkCounty students measure up against the restof the country? The Stark EducationPartnership reports that the 2012 class fromCanton and Stark County’s high schools, onaverage, surpassed the average nationalscore in all areas of the ACT collegeentrance exam: English, mathematics, read-ing, science and the composite score.

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FOOD CantonINC

In Stark County, food is a family affair. Whether producing nuts, candy ormilk and cheese, the

companies spotlighted hereare still family-owned. They workhard to stay true to their rootsand to attract the next generation of customers.

MINERVA DAIRYMinerva Dairy uses about 500,000

pounds of milk a day to produce40,000 pounds of cheese and 60,000pounds of butter per week.

All products are natural, with noadditives. Minerva is one of a handfulof dairies in the country that do nottreat their butter to produce a uniformcolor, said Treasurer Venae Watts.

Minerva has increased its butter

production almost 9-fold in the lastfive years, and hopes to expand it to100,000 pounds a week. It has addedIlios Greek Yogurt Butter, with lessfat, cholesterol and sodium, andfewer calories, than traditional butter.

About 90 percent of MinervaDairy’s products are sold under pri-vate labels. The rest is sold at thecompany’s store, through theInternet, and at various area stores.

MINERVA DAIRY

BY JOAN RENNER

APLACEATTHE FAMILYFOOD

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Watts and her brother, companyPresident Adam Mueller, are the fifthgeneration in the family-owned andoperated business.

“It’s more a way of life than it is ajob,” said Watts. “We’re an extensionof the family farm.”

ABOUT MINERVA DAIRYCEO: Phil MuellerLocation: 430 Radloff Ave. MinervaProduct: Natural butter and cheeses.Number of employees: 65Years in Stark County: 68.AWisconsin-based dairy family business,dating back to 1894, bought an existingdairy in Stark County in 1935.TheWisconsin and Ohio operations separat-ed decades ago; the Wisconsin businessclosed in the last 10 years.Website: www.minervadairy.com

PHIL MUELLERTitle: CEOYears at company: More than 50.(Mueller started at the family-owneddairy when he was 12 or 14, said daugh-ter Venae Watts.)Years as CEO: 37

“Our location in Ohio situates us wellwith a large number of independentfarms in the area so our milk supply doesnot need to travel long distances.Wealso have an advantage with logistics toreach the markets on the East Coast, ascompared to our competitors inWisconsin.There is a readily-availablework force because we are within com-muting distance from Alliance andCanton.We often hear from companiesin our industry how difficult it is to getresumes because of their rural locations.”— ADAM MUELLER, PRESIDENT

HEGGY’SNUT SHOP

Success is a simple recipe forHeggy’s Nut Shop at 3200 W.Tuscarawas St.: “Keep the qualityhigh, be friendly with the customers,and give them good service at a fairprice,” said President John Tucker.

The business has changed littlesince it was founded in 1950. Thediner-style restaurant still grinds itsown beef and makes its own soupand ice cream. The nuts are roasted

daily and displayed in glass cases atthe restaurant entrance. Candies fromBen Heggy’s Candy Co. are sold onpremises.

The business, which is still ownedby the family of co-founder BillHeggy, goes through roughly 150,000pounds of nuts a year.

The company has adapted to mod-ern times. Heggy’s Nut Shop shipsall over the country, Tucker said,mainly to Internet customers. Tuckercredits former Stark County resi-dents with the strong demand, par-ticularly in Florida, Heggy’s largestdistribution area.

“They still have to have theirHeggy’s fixes,” he said.

ABOUT HEGGY’SNUT SHOPPresident: John TuckerLocation: 3200 W.Tuscarawas St.Years in Stark County: 63Number of employees: Five full-time,35 part-timeWebsite: https://heggysnutshop.com

HEGGY’SCANDY

FOOD CantonINC

JOHN TUCKERYears at company: 45Years as president: 30“I’ve lived here all my life. I really enjoy thepeople, everyone’s friendly.We have a lot ofloyal customers who have been with us allalong:We have second- and third-generationfamilies still coming in. It’s a nice place to liveand raise a family.”

BEN HEGGY’SCANDY CO.

Ben Heggy’s Candy Co. was founded in1923 by an uncle of Heggy’s Nut Shop co-founder Bill Heggy.

The candy is still made and sold in thecompany’s original downtown building —Ben Heggy’s childhood home. It is run byHeggy’s sons-in-law, Richard Wollenberg,president, and Robert Seymour, secretary-treasurer. Between them, they have 112years’ experience at the company.

The business buys ready-made chocolateand adds it to confections made on premis-

es, turning out roughly 400,000 pounds ofsweets a year. Chocolate season runs fromlate-August through Christmas — when thefactory produces up to 80,000 pieces ofcandy a day — up until Easter.

Roughly 65 percent of the business iswholesale, mostly to stores in Stark County,but also as far away as Columbus andZanesville. Retail and Internet sales makeup the rest of the business.

“We haven’t changed the formula,” saidSeymour. “We use good raw material — wedon’t try to bypass it.”

ABOUT BENHEGGY’SCANDY CO.President: RichardWollenbergLocation: 743 ClevelandAve. NWProducts: Up to 400,000pounds of candies and roast-ed nuts a year, includingcaramels, crèmes,chocolate-covered pretzels,

chocolate Easter bunnies, and almond bark.Employees: 20 full-time, 20 seasonalYears in Stark County: 90Website: www.heggys.com

RICHARD WOLLENBERGTitle: PresidentYears at company: 59Years as president: About 10-12“I think (Stark County) is still a growing com-munity. ... I just think with all the business thatwe have, with Timken, what they’re doing, it’sgrowing.”

HEGGY’SNUTS

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CantonINC FOOD

OTHER AREA FOODPRODUCERS

BREWSTERDAIRYLocation: 800 S.Wabash Ave.,BrewsterMakes: Swiss cheese and cheesebyproductsWebsite: www.brewstercheese.com

FRESH MARKLocation: 1888 Southway StreetSE, MassillonMakes: Bacon, ham and hot dogs,some beef and turkey products.Website: www.freshmark.com

SHEARER’SFOODSLocation:692 N.Wabash Ave.,Brewster (Headquartered at 100Lincoln Way E., Massillon)Makes: Pretzels, potato chips, cheese

curls, tortilla chips and other snacks.Website: www.shearers.com

BIERY CHEESELocation: 6544 Paris Ave. NE,LouisvilleMakes: Processes, packages anddistributes cheesesWebsite: www.bierycheese.com

MID’S PASTASAUCELocation: 620 N. Main St., NavarreMakes: Pasta and pizza saucesWebsite: www.mids.cc

HARRYLONDONLocation: 5353 Lauby Road,North CantonMakes: Chocolates under theHarry London, Fannie May andFanny Farmer labels.Website: www.harrylondon.com

HEINZ FROZENFOODSLocation: 1301 Oberlin Ave. SW,MassillonMakes: Frozen foodsWebsite: www.heinz.com

SUPERIORDAIRYLocation: 4719 Navarre Rd. SW,CantonMakes: Milk products, ice cream,orange juice, fruit drinks, chip dipWebsite: www.facebook.com/pages/Superior-Dairy

CASE FARMSLocation: 1925 30th St. NE, CantonMakes: ChickenWebsite: www.casefarms.com

FRITO-LAY INC.Location: 4030 16th St. SW, CantonMakes: Pretzels and snacksWebsite: www.fritolay.com

NICKLES BAKERYLocation: 26 N. Main St., NavarreMakes: Breads, rolls, cakes, donutsWebsite: www.nicklesbakery.com

SHEARER’SFOODS

CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCEThe Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization ofnearly 1,600 institutions and individuals dedicated to the advancement of the eco-nomic, industrial, professional, cultural and civic welfare of Stark County. Since1914, the Chamber has worked to advance business and develop communitythrough partnerships, programs, services and events to achieve economic growthfor Canton/Stark County. www.CantonChamber.org, 330-456-7253.

CANTON DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP The Canton Development Partnership, a department of the Canton RegionalChamber of Commerce, is a coalition of area development organizations and citygovernment that share an interest in downtown Canton’s continual improvement,revitalization, image and quality of life for its citizens. Partner organizations include:Canton Regional Chamber, Downtown Canton Special Improvement District,Downtown Canton Land Bank, Canton Tomorrow, Inc., and City of Canton.www.DowntownCanton.com, 330-456-7253.

CANTON/STARK COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS’ BUREAUThe Canton/Stark County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, a department of theCanton Regional Chamber of Commerce, is here to assist you in your travels toour area.Whether you are organizing a tour group, a convention or sportingevent, we have professional staff members ready to assist in your planning.TheCVB services the community by attracting tourists, convention and meeting plan-ners and sporting events to the Stark County area and operating the Tourist andVisitor Information Centers. www.VisitCantonStark.com, 800-552-6051.

CITY OF CANTONCanton is home to well known national landmarks such as the Pro Football Hallof Fame, the William McKinley Presidential Library and National Monument, andthe National First Ladies’ Library and Research Center. Mayor William J. Healy II isaggressively pursuing new companies and businesses to the city. Canton has a widevariety of attributes that make the city a smart location for companies of allshapes, sizes and industries, and the city has programs that provide incentives forbusiness location, relocation or expansion. www.CantonOhio.gov, 330-489-3283.

IDEACROSSINGIdeaCrossing® is a free online resource that connects entrepreneurs in NortheastOhio with the resources necessary to turn innovative ideas into thriving compa-nies, and established businesses into growing ones. By connecting entrepreneurswith vital resources, as well as providing private online collaborative environmentsfor their engagement, IdeaCrossing can help facilitate connections between entre-preneurs, investors, business mentors, and service providers.www.ideacrossing.org/neohio/crc

SHALEDIRECTORIES.COMShaleDirectories.com is an online directory that connects oil and gas industryoperators, their employees and families with local business. ShaleDirectories.comprovides a comprehensive list of local businesses that can serve the E&P compa-nies and oil field service companies in the Marcellus and Utica Shale region.www.shaledirectories.com.

CANTON/STARK COUNTY BUSINESS AND ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

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RESOURCES CantonINC

EDUCATION,LEADERSHIP,WORKFORCEDEVELOPMENTLEADERSHIP STARK COUNTYLeadership Stark County, a department of theCanton Regional Chamber of Commerce,engages and educates Stark County’s commu-nity leaders through a range of programs tai-lored to meet business and communityneeds. LSC works with community organiza-tions to identify, prepare and position gradu-ates for leadership within these organizations.The result is a core of motivated leaders witha lifelong commitment to community trustee-ship. www. LeadershipStarkCounty.org, 330-456-7253.

STARK CO.EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTERThe Stark County Educational ServiceCenter is committed to meeting StarkCounty school district needs by providingquality educational support and services formore than 60,000 diverse, wide-ranging stu-dents in Stark County.www.StarkCountyESC.org, 330-492-8136.

STARK EDUCATIONPARTNERSHIPThe Stark Education Partnership, Inc., is anon-profit education reform support organi-zation in Stark County, crossing the lines of 17public school districts.The partnership collab-orates with educators, business, communityand civic leaders to create and respond toopportunities that will add substantial andmeasurable value to education.www.EDPartner.org, 330-452-0829.

YSTARK!ystark!, a department of the Canton RegionalChamber of Commerce, is Stark County’sdynamic young professional initiative.Theorganization works to attract, retain andengage young professionals, ultimately develop-ing an involved and educated workforce forarea businesses through programs, networkingopportunities, educational engagement. yStark!program highlights include the “Twenty under40” awards, the Fellowship Program with localbusinesses and Canton Entrepreneur Launchgrants. www.ystark.org, 330-456-7253.

SHALEMART.COMLocal source for Ohio shale andother related business directories.ShaleMart.com focuses on providinglocal resources for the shale andenergy worker market. Users are themen and women employed in theshale job industry who needresources and are often new to thearea. www.shalemart.com

STARK AREAREGIONAL TRANSITAUTHORITYSARTA provides more than 2.4 millionrides a year in Stark County throughFixed Route and Proline services. Itsgoal is to ensure that Stark Countyresidents including employees, stu-dents, seniors and disabled individualshave access to a quality transportationsystem that is both reliable and afford-able. www.SARTA Online.com, 330-47-SARTA.

STARK COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSThe Stark County Association ofRealtors®, proudly serving theRealtors®, homebuyers, and homesellers of Stark County, Ohio, strivesto enhance the ability and opportuni-ty of its members to conduct theirbusiness successfully and ethically, andto promote the preservation of theright to own, use and transfer realproperty. www.StarkRealtors.com,330-494-5630.

STARK COUNTYBUILDING INDUSTRYASSOCIATIONThe Building Industry Association ofStark County is a nonprofit tradeassociation affiliated with the OhioHome Builders Association and theNational Association of HomeBuilders. Chartered in 1945, the BIArepresents and promotes the inter-ests and concerns of the buildingindustry and the community.Theorganization provides Stark Countyconsumers and businesses with adirectory of member builders.www.BIAStark.com, 330-494-5700.

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STARK COMMUNITYFOUNDATIONStark Community Foundation has beenthe community's trusted partner in giv-ing for nearly 600 individuals, families,businesses, and communities that havecreated funds to impact the lives of oth-ers through the most effective philan-thropy possible. Since 1963, theFoundation has granted more than $111million to nonprofit organizations. StarkCommunity Foundation ranks in the top10 percent of community foundations inthe United States today.www.StarkCF.org, 330-454-3426

STARKENTREPRENEURSHIPALLIANCEThe Stark Entrepreneurship Alliancecoordinates and provides assistance tosmall, technology-based companies thatare seeking to grow, or to potentialentrepreneurs judged to have highpotential new start-ups.The Alliance isa partnership between StarkDevelopment Board and several otherregional development organizations.

STARK COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCESASSOCIATIONWhether you are new to the HumanResources field or have many years ofexperience, Stark County HumanResources Association is a local startingpoint for networking, information, pro-fessional development and continuedsupport of excellence in HumanResources.The organization, founded in1944, is an affiliate of the Society forHuman Resource Management.Stark.SHRM .org, 330-451-8670.

STARK COUNTY PORT AUTHORITYThe Stark County Port Authority helpsto provide the Greater Stark Countyarea with an economic developmenttool for new capital investment, jobcreation and retention.The organiza-tion helps create and preserve jobsthrough a wide variety of financing, realestate and foreign trade zone pro-grams. www.Stark CoOhio.com,330-453-5900.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT JOBSOHIOJobsOhio is a private, nonprofit corporationdesigned to lead Ohio’s job-creation efforts bysingularly focusing on attracting and retainingjobs, with an emphasis on strategic industry sec-tors. JobsOhio is your ambassador. www.Jobs-Ohio.com, 614-224-6446.

MAGNETMAGNET, the Manufacturing Advocacy andGrowth Network, supports, educates andchampions manufacturing, with the goal oftransforming the region’s economy into a pow-erful, global player.The organization helps manu-facturers adopt innovative techniques, increaseproductivity and global access. www.magnet-work.org, 800- 669-2267.

BUSINESS NETWORKThe Regional Business Network aggregatesresources to bring Stark,Tuscarawas and sur-rounding county businesses specialized services,funding through grants and loans, and staffingthat options any company can access and use todo business better. www.RegionalBusinessNetwork.org, 855-669-4726.

SCORESCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated tohelping small businesses get off the ground,grow and achieve their goals through educationand mentorship. www.CantonRegional.SCORE.org, 330- 244-3280.

SBDC The Small Business Development Center atKent State University at Stark is a fully fundednonprofit organization devoted to helpingsmall businesses grow and individuals start newsmall businesses through training programs andconsultation sessions. www.CantonSBDC.org,330-244-3290.

MINORITY BUSINESS The Stark County Minority BusinessAssociation fosters development and growthof minority-owned businesses.www.TheABCDinc.com, 330-455-6385.

EMPLOYMENT SOURCEThe Employment Source is northeastern Ohio’spremier workforce development and trainingcenter, connecting job seekers with employersby providing numerous resources.www.ESwork.com, 330-433-9675.

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RESOURCES CantonINC

REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTFUND FOR FUTUREThe Fund for Our Economic Future is a collaboration of philanthropic organizations and individualsthat have united to strengthen the economic competitiveness of Northeast Ohio through grant-making, research and civic engagement. www. FutureFundNEO.org, 216-456-9800.

JUMPSTART, INC.Jumpstart provides intensive assistance and service to Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs, and selective-ly invests in the highest potential companies. www.JumpstartInc.org, 216-363-3400.

TRADE CONSORTIUMThe Northeast Ohio Trade & Economic Consortium is a multicounty regional economic develop-ment partnership that works collaboratively in the region with the goal of attracting capital invest-ment and jobs to Northeast Ohio through the administration of Foreign-Trade Zone 181.www.NEOTEC.org, 330-672-4080.

DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTWorking with partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the nonprof-it sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow and retain busi-nesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. www.Development.Ohio.gov,800-848-1300.

TEAMNEOTeamNEO serves companies and site consultants by acting as the single point of entry into the 16-county Cleveland Plus region, and then works with counties and communities to ensure seam-less attraction into Northeast Ohio. www.Cleveland PlusBusiness.com, 216-363-5400.

STARK COUNTY SAFETY COUNCILThe Canton Regional Chamber, with supportfrom the Ohio Bureau of Workers’Compensation, administers Stark CountySafety Council, one the top councils out ofmore than 80 in the State of Ohio.The SafetyCouncil provides a forum for safety and healthinformation, education and networking inStark County, through leadership, innovation,facilitation, programs and support.www.StarkCountySafetyCouncil.org, 330-456-7253.

STARK DEVELOPMENTBOARDThe Stark Development Board is a private, non-profit corporation created to help local compa-nies grow and expand. In addition, they activelyseeks to attract new business investments toStark County, one of the most economicallyviable areas in Northeast Ohio, as well as toadvocate for workforce development.www.StarkCoOhio.com, 330-453-5900

STARK REGIONALPLANNING COMMISSIONStark County Regional Planning Commissionimproves the quality of life in Stark Countyand its communities through an effectiveregional forum characterized by communica-tion, collaboration, facilitation and planningassistance.The organization includes metropol-itan planning, community development andengineering departments.www.Co.Stark.OH.us, 330-451-7389.

TECHNOLOGYACCELERATOR ALLIANCEHoused on the campus of the University ofMount Union,TA2 looks to incubate companiesto that of successful enterprises while connect-ing students to the real world environment ofstart up, early stage, and successful businessoperations.TA2 accommodates both physicaland virtual companies along the start up andearly stage business development process.www.techalliance2.com, 330-829-6804

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