By BRYAN SCHAAF

Staff Writer

ORRVILLE "When people ask, 'Is our economy in Wayne County growing,' the answer is yes," Wayne Economic Development Council President Rod Crider told guests at the WEDC's annual meeting Tuesday morning at The Pines Golf Course & Restaurant in Orrville.

"You don't always see it, but it's important to point out that in comparison to other areas we're doing really, really well."

Crider reported that 2007 was another banner year for the WEDC, highlighted by his announcement that for the second year in a row Wayne County was ranked as the No. 1 micropolitan area in the Midwest by Site Selection Magazine regarding the number of new projects and expansions.

In addition, the county ranked third nationally, trailing only Lexington-Thomasville, N.C., and Statesville-Mooresville, N.C.

Crider said the county saw 37 new projects a year ago, which contributed $146 million in capital investments.

Those investment numbers are up from $105 million in 2005 and $108 million in 2006.

Of the 37 new projects or expansions in the county, 17 met the Site Selection ranking criteria of at least a $1 million investment and 50 new jobs created.

"Wooster and Wayne County are not only among the most competitive locations for industrial companies in Ohio, they rank among the top locations in the entire U.S. when compared to communities of comparable size," said Ron Starner, general manager of Conway Data and Site Selection Magazine. "Wayne County has consistently shown an ability to outperform the vast majority of micropolitan areas in the U.S. by targeting the right companies, helping existing industry grow and serving as an effective tool for job retention and expansion."

According to a release from the WEDC, the companies that completed or announced investment projects last year included American Augers, Bekaert, Bosch Rexroth, Collier Well Equipment, Johnson Brothers Rubber Co., Morton Salt, OARDC, PFI-Orrville, Preferred Airparts, Quality Castings, Santmyer Oil Co., Speed France, Stonecraft, TechniGraphics, JM Smucker Co., Walnut Creek Foods and the Westerman Companies.

In addition, Crider said projects in 2007 carried an average annual wage of $32,000, or about $15.40 per hour, adding, "If we raise our per capita income, that's how you grow wealth in Wayne County, and that is economic development."

Wayne County's economic strength rating, which was 47th a year ago, rose to 39th out of 577 micropolitans according to an annual study performed by Policom Corporation.

In 2005, the county's ranking was 82, and in 2004 it was 140th.

Crider thanked the many investors in the audience for helping the WEDC exceed its fundraising goal of $1.5 million through its Growing and Quality Future Campaign, which is a four-year effort to fund economic development in Wayne County.

Crider said by the end of the campaign, $1.89 million had been raised.

"It really prides us that the support was as strong as it was," said Crider, who added that new funding allowed the WEDC to have double the budget to work with than in past years. "We've very pleased. Our county's economy has continued to strengthen. I think most significant to me is that the number of new investors in us increased by 35 percent. ... The number of activities and wages that we're bringing to the county are higher than the average across the country, so we are achieving our goal of quality job growth."

Reporter Bryan Schaaf can be reached at 330-287-1645 or bschaaf@the-daily-record.com.