Findlay Ranked Top Micropolitan Community For 11th Year In A Row
(From Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development)
For an unparalleled 11th time, Findlay has been ranked the Top Micropolitan City in the U.S., a distinction placing it above 543 qualifying communities. Through those years, a remarkable $2.5 billion of capital has been invested.
“We are getting into some pretty incredible numbers and statistics,” said Chris Keller, executive director of Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development. “The key to our success is our commitment to the Findlay Formula – bringing all stakeholders to the table – to unite for a common goal. And we place heavy importance on supporting the development and retention of our existing businesses.
“It is very exciting to attract new businesses, and we work toward that and celebrate that, but at our core we are only as strong as our legacy companies,” Keller told WFIN.
The Top Micropolitan distinction is awarded by Site Selection Magazine, official publication of the Global Foreign Direct Investment Association and the Industrial Asset Management Council. To determine the Top Micro for 2025, Site Selection ranked 543 micropolitan statistical areas with a population of 10,000 to 50,000. Rankings are measured on projects meeting one or more of three criteria: $1 million or more invested, 20 or more jobs created, or 20,000 or more square feet constructed.
For 2024, FHCED submitted 24 projects that amounted to about $415 million invested in the community, nearly 600,000 square feet constructed, and 269 jobs. All qualifying projects came from companies already doing business here. Over 11 years, there has been $2.5 billion invested, 316 projects, more than 5.5 million square feet constructed, and 12,270 jobs created.
“Receiving this prestigious award for the 11th time is a testament to the unique collaboration between the city, county, economic development office, and other local stakeholders to foster an deal climate for growth and stability,” said Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn. “We will always strive to attract new businesses, but especially looking at the numbers this year, our community’s commitment to supporting local companies shines through.”
The largest expansions included in 2024 data are projects underway by Ohio Logistics and Kreate. In the fall, Ohio Logistics – which provides transportation and logistics services – began construction on a new $15.8 million, 208,000 square foot warehouse facility. Kreate, a vertically integrated design, manufacturing, and distribution company, broke ground on a new $13 million, 187,500 square foot facility, the first of three new facilities planned in the next two years.
“We want to continue to invest in Findlay and we see opportunity for it,” said Nick Reinhart, owner of Kreate. “This new facility and the two on the way reflect our continued investment in a community we call home, and we’re proud to play a role in Findlay’s great distinction as Top Micropolitan.”
Kreate currently operates two manufacturing sites and seven distribution centers nationwide. As a product development company, Kreate’s focus is to reimagine product categories for today’s consumers to bring the best of the best to the market.
Gary Daughters, senior editor for Site Selection Magazine, praised Findlay leaders for this impressive accomplishment: “Findlay’s eleven-year run as Site Selection’s Top Micropolitan is without precedent,” he said. “Findlay sets the standard for how teamwork breeds success in economic development.”