Blazing Trails

Businesses have choices.  By some estimates 10,000 to 15,000 economic development organizations compete annually for a comparatively small number of corporate investment and site selection projects.  It’s a buyers market, and many communities struggle to be competitive and distinguish themselves from the rest.  In Zanesville and Muskingum County businesses will find the people, property and cost structure they need to be successful on a major interstate corridor. We are less than an hour from the nation's 16th largest city yet enjoy all the benefits of a hometown lifestyle and work environment.

Zanesville-Muskingum County is more than competitive - it is a regional economic leader. Please read below how Zanesville-Muskingum County’s history of blazing trails has evolved into modern innovation, investment and regional economic development leadership.

 

STEMM Center  

Ebenezer Zane & John McIntire – the National Road

In the 1790s, shortly after the original 13 colonies became the first 13 states of the United States, and when the Ohio Country was untamed frontier, Col. Ebenzer Zane and his son in law John McIntire blazed Zane’s Trace, the original pioneer trail into the Northwest Territory.  They founded what was to become Zanesville at the confluence of the Muskingum and Licking rivers.  Zane’s Trace later became the National Road, the first federally funded highway in America. For more information, visit the Touring Ohio Web site. 
     
John Glenn  

John Glenn, Jr. – First American to orbit Earth

New Concord, located in Muskingum County, was the boyhood home of John Glenn, Jr., and he graduated from Muskingum College before becoming a Marine Corps aviator, decorated war veteran, NASA astronaut, and U.S. Senator.

For more information about John Glenn's NASA career, visit the NASA Web site.
     
The Wilds - Giraffe  

The Wilds – Reclaimed land from our industrial history reborn for conservation.

The Wilds is reclaimed strip mine land converted into one of the largest and most innovative wildlife conservation centers in the world. Located on nearly 10,000 acres in southeast Ohio, The Wilds is home to rare and endangered species from around the world living in natural, open-range habitat, as well as home to hundreds of indigenous species. Global partnerships have been formed with renowned zoologists. 
Visit the Wilds Web Site
     
Avon Products job site  

Business Growth - A Top of Micropolitan Community for new and expanded corporate facilities

The City of Zanesville and Muskingum County have partnered and made long-term investments for a brighter future.  Three business parks have been developed by the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority (ZMCPA) and become a foundation for economic development.  Site Selection Magazine has routinely ranked Zanesville-Muskingum County in the top 10% of micropolitan communities for new and expanded corporate facilities as measured in the annual Governor’s Cup competition.  The latest project, the EastPointe Business Park, is home to one of Ohio’s first Job Ready Site certified for manufacturing.  The 295-acre site owned by the ZMCPA features a 100-acre compacted pad and utilities in place.   In 2009, AVON Products, Inc., opened a 660,000 distribution center here, joining the 1.2 million square feet Dollar General facility.  The New Bakery Company of Ohio, Inc., and The Bilco Company also operate in the park. 
     
STEMM Center  

Advanced Energy/STEMM – Training Tomorrow’s Work Force

The array of post-secondary educational offerings here in Muskingum County is one of our greatest assets.  Muskingum University, Ohio University – Zanesville, and Zane State Community College are educating over 5,000 college students here.  Mid East Career & Technology Center provides 500 full-time-equivalent students adult technical training, including programs offering transferable college credits.   One of the most exciting developments is the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine center planned for the campus of Zane State.  Zane State and its collaborators have also just announced a $3-million initiative to train advanced energy workers. Visit our Education & Training page for more information.