Some communities grow for growth’s sake, but the people of Carroll County, Ohio have an unusual awareness of the type of community they live in, the kind of community they want to be, and the path they must take to get there.
Carroll County is a true Appalachian community, with a quality of life rich in the assets of community and humanity paired with a low cost of living. Perhaps that’s why its residents are so clear that the goal is to strike a balance in development, ensuring that the area’s agricultural legacy remains part of their future while welcoming the growth that preserves their way of life.
Rich in community
One of the biggest draws to Carroll County, Ohio is its small-town charm and easy way of life.
At a time when many people are raising their own families away from the community where they were born and raised, there is a stark realization that it takes a village to raise a child. For many, that village no longer exists, but in Carroll County, this approach still holds true. According to Carroll County Economic Development Director, Lynda Wickline, “One of the things that Carroll County does well is community. We are a close-knit community, and it’s one of those old-fashioned places that’s a great place to raise a family.”
With a deeply rooted sense of community and a small-town feel, marked by picturesque lakes, rolling hills and forests, and trails like the historic Great Trail as a backdrop, Carroll County continues to be a preferred one-tank trip for those living nearby for the very same reasons that people continue to call it home. An outdoor playground, it is perfect for those drawn to four seasons of fun, particularly those who value every minute spent in the great outdoors—but also those who enjoy festivals, food, and history.
For Chelsa Slutz, Director of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, “It’s based around outdoor activities, local homestyle food, recreational activities that you can go out and do. That’s what we’re strong in and what we’re known for.”
It’s for this very reason that growth in Carroll County must be deliberate and carefully thought through as locals seek to preserve the way of life and sense of community that are so much a part of its identity. As Wickline explains, “We are working to find that perfect business that comes here and fits into our community.”
Rich in assets
Without question, some of the greatest assets Carroll County possesses are the sense of togetherness and the collaborative approach to advancement that shows itself in the community. However, many other reasons also make the county an attractive focus for serious investment.
Of particular importance is that it sits atop the natural gas and oil of the massive Utica Shale play. As a premier drilling location, given its condensate window and the number of permits it holds, Carroll County continues to benefit from an abundance of natural resources. Completed in December 2017, the Carroll County Energy Power Plant is a 750 MW, $900 million investment, and a fine example of regional activity.
Small but mighty, the strongest sectors in the county include construction, education, and agritourism, with the potential for a growing manufacturing base, given the availability of workforce. In fact, many operations are working to bring their manufacturing in-house, demonstrating that expansion activities are underway.
Further to expansion, new investments are making their way into the community. Most recently, Carroll County became home to Dango & Dienenthal USA Inc., which chose Carrollton for its U.S. sales headquarters, a strong indication that the area is on the radar of companies in search of a solid community to invest in and call home.
Logistically, the county is proximate to major metros like Pittsburgh and Cleveland, but the absence of a four-lane highway can be a detriment, which is why, as the county looks to improve transportation of goods and workforce in the region, the current activity around Route 30 is so timely and relevant.
“The Route 30 project we’re working on has been in the process for many, many years, but we are starting to see that they’re buying the property. They’re getting things going to where we have better access to the highway, making it a more direct route,” Wickline explains. The improvements will benefit businesses and residents alike.
She adds, “From Carrollton, which is the hub of our county, it’s a 45-minute drive in any direction to bigger cities like Steubenville, New Philadelphia, and Canton, but once they open up that highway, it’s going to shorten that by 15 minutes.” The northern parts of the county will benefit even more, which should hasten development and investment in the region.
Rich in untapped potential
From the fossil fuels that lie beneath to the natural beauty on the surface, countless facets draw people to Carroll County. The low cost of land and living is surely one of the strongest draws, while the way of life has proven attractive to those looking for life away from the big cities while still enjoying proximity to urban amenities.
“We’re kind of off the beaten path. So, if you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle, we’re a good location,” says Slutz.
The area is also home to a growing Amish population who come for the affordability and way of life, to which they contribute through agriculture, food, and their own unique culture and lifestyle.
Amongst all this, there is also a drive to retain existing residents by ensuring that they take full advantage of the benefits already available to them in the county. From Wickline’s perspective, “Our goal is to get people to stay in the community instead of moving out into the bigger cities, which a lot of the Appalachian areas are finding difficult to do. We’re working diligently to keep those young folks here.”
Land acquisitions are underway to make good on some of the county’s goals, which include development opportunities for future investment as well as housing, which is a need nationwide, and quality-of-life improvements to ensure that families, including their furry members, have a place to go.
The county is working to secure a grant to build a dog park adjacent to the dog pound, which will hopefully have a two-fold impact: it will enrich the lives of those in the community while improving the outcome for shelter pets who deserve a better life. This, of course, is the ultimate goal of economic development—to improve community outcomes through mindful growth.
In Carroll County, Ohio, ongoing investments and developments are dedicated to one overarching goal: thoughtful, considered development that will ensure that the quality of life and the area’s endowments are sustained. The idea is to continue to build on what is already in place, buoyed by the knowledge that Carroll County has something special to offer residents and businesses, and that opportunities to grow must enrich the community’s way of life and its vision of the future.
