A Letter from the WEDC President and Board Chair

As we look ahead to 2026, we are energized by the momentum Wayne County has built and the opportunities that lie before us. The Wayne Economic Development Council enters the year focused on our strategic priorities: strengthening connections, supporting our business community, and advancing the issues that matter most to the county’s long-term competitiveness.

Strategic Priority: Cultivating, Connecting, and Aligning Networks

In the year ahead, WEDC will continue to cultivate and align networks within and beyond Wayne County, as strong relationships are at the core of economic success. This includes strengthening partnerships with Team NEO and JobsOhio and continuing to foster collaboration with local economic development partners and our peers throughout the state.

Wayne County will continue to have strong representation at a leadership level within the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA), as WEDC’s President will serve as Board Chair in 2026.

The WEDC will also remain engaged in policy discussions, advocating for state and federal resources that support local businesses and critical infrastructure. As we know, more than 80% of the county’s growth comes from existing businesses. At the same time, we are committed to deepening investor and stakeholder engagement through meaningful events and targeted communication, ensuring our partners remain informed, connected, and involved.

Supporting Business Development

Business retention and expansion remain central to our mission, and the WEDC will continue proactive outreach to traded-sector employers through our BizConnects meetings. With plans to connect with more than 50 businesses across the county, our goal is to help companies thrive by linking them to local, state, and federal resources that support expansion, workforce needs, and other growth-related projects.

WEDC will also continue managing county-wide projects, including Enterprise Zone applications and Community Reinvestment Area initiatives, to support responsible and strategic development throughout Wayne County. On the attraction side, we will continue to respond to leads from JobsOhio while working to address current limitations in available site and building inventory.

Driving Key Issues for Competitiveness

To position Wayne County for long-term success, we will focus on a defined set of issues critical to the county’s competitiveness. This includes completing a county-wide future site strategy that identifies and prioritizes areas suitable for industrial growth. With limited site and building inventory, proactive planning is essential to ensure Wayne County remains competitive and ready to respond to future business attraction and expansion opportunities.

Equally important is strengthening Wayne County’s workforce and talent pipeline. In 2026, we will continue promoting Wayne County to future talent while collaborating with educators and employers to align workforce needs through initiatives such as Vital Connections, the Wayne County Schools Career Center Best in Workforce Senior Breakfast, STEAM Camp, and our Work in Wayne website. In addition, WEDC will support community development efforts related to housing, childcare, transportation, and overall quality of life, while providing reliable data, research, and reporting to inform decision-making and track progress.

As we begin 2026, we are grateful for the continued support of our investors, partners, and community leaders. Together, we are building momentum and positioning Wayne County for progress, prosperity, and possibility.

Sincerely,
Maribeth Burns
President
Wayne Economic Development Council

Andrea Russell
Site Leader, Akron Brass Company
Chair, WEDC Board of Directors