Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) held its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 3rd, in Chillicothe, Ohio, sharing the impact made across Southeast Ohio in 2025 and celebrating the accomplishments of local economic development partners and regional businesses.

The event welcomed over 200 guests at the Bell Manor in Chillicothe. Honored guest speakers included JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio Energy and Chemicals Managing Director Matt Cybulski, Centrus Energy Corporation Enrichment Operations Plant Manager Matt Snider, and OKLO Corporate Chief John Hanson.

The event kicked off with a welcome from Tammy Eallonardo, Economic Development Director of the Greater Chillicothe & Ross County Development, and Eric Braun, President of Shawnee State University and member of the OhioSE Board of Directors. “We are in a position to attack economic development from a position of strength,” said Braun to the crowd.

OhioSE President and CEO Matt Abbott then shared an overview of the organization’s impact over the past year. OhioSE experienced growth again in 2025, adding new team members, programs, and initiatives to better serve the Southeast Ohio region. Last year, OhioSE in partnership with JobsOhio and local economic development partners, assisted 25 company expansions and new locations, creating 822 jobs and leveraging $1.6 billion in fixed asset investment.

“Those jobs represent $64.5 million in annual payroll flowing into the communities of southern and eastern Ohio,” said Abbott. “These are strong wages that support families and strengthen local economies.”

Jason Kester, Regional Development Director for Agracel, Inc., then took to the stage to announce the winners of the 2025 OhioSE Annual Awards, recognizing outstanding economic development efforts within the region.

For Project of the Year, Centrus Energy Corporation was honored for expanding advanced uranium enrichment operations in Piketon, positioning Southern Ohio as a critical hub for domestic nuclear fuel production and energy security. Finalists Fox Tank Company and U.S. Bridge Corporation were recognized.

For Small Business Project of the Year, Midwest Air LLC was honored for expanding agricultural drone sales and application services from Peebles, helping farmers adopt precision agriculture technology across the region. Finalists Good Boy Bakery and Milo’s Whole World Gourmet were recognized.

For Community Development Project of the Year, The Coshocton Collaborative was honored for redeveloping a historic downtown building into a hub for coworking, entrepreneurship, and maker space that supports innovation and local businesses. Finalists Athens Armory and Midtown Market were recognized.

For Building Development Project of the Year, the Jackson-Grandview Builders was honored for constructing a new speculative industrial building in Jackson that expands modern space options for growing manufacturers. Finalists the ACPA Manufacturing Spec Building at Bill Theisen Industrial Park and the Marker Spec Building at National Road Business Park were recognized.

For Best Workforce Culture, Kraft Foods Group Inc. and Intermountain Electronics were recognized for fostering workplace cultures that focus on growth and opportunity and give employees a voice. Finalist EZ Grout Manufacturing was recognized.

For Partner of the Year, the Ross County Paper Mill Response Task Force was honored for mobilizing an extraordinary public-private partnership to respond to the Chillicothe Mill closure, support displaced workers, and position the site for future redevelopment. Finalists Building Bridges to Careers and the Muskingum County Commissioners were recognized.

For Local Economic Developer of the Year, Mollie Fitzgerald of Athens County was honored for leading strategic initiatives that align infrastructure, workforce development, and business attraction to support long-term growth in Athens County. Bill Arnett of Guernsey County and Tiffany Swigert of Coshocton County were recognized.

Three local economic developers were recognized for their efforts to conduct Business Retention and Expansion visits in their counties: Bill Arnett, Executive Director of the Cambridge-Guernsey County CIC, Gwynn Stewart, Community Development Director for Noble County, and Sam Brady, President and CEO of the Jackson County Economic Development Partnership.

“We congratulate all of our award recipients,” said Abbott. “Recognition like this reminds us that economic development isn’t just about statistics or announcements – it’s about people. People who are building businesses, creating jobs, and investing in the communities that make this region special.”

Looking ahead, Abbott said the organization will focus on stronger regional alignment and greater collaboration. He revealed the outline of OhioSE’s new strategic plan, which focuses on four core strategic priorities: Regional Leadership, Talent, Competitive Assets, and Economic Development.

“But ultimately, the goal of this plan is something very simple,” he said. “Unity. Bringing together the strengths of our communities, companies, and organizations across southern and eastern Ohio.”

The strategic plan also lends a heavier focus on the energy industry, as a topic that continues to surface in conversations about the future of the region. “Energy has long been a defining part of the economy of southern and eastern Ohio,” said Abbott. “It supports our industries. It shapes natural conversations. And it continues to create opportunities for economic growth across our region. Energy will remain an important part of the discussion about how our region competes and grows.”

Abbott then introduced Matt Cybulski, who facilitated a panel discussion on the growth opportunities in Southern Ohio within the nuclear energy industry with Centrus Energy Corporation Enrichment Operations Plant Manager Matt Snider, and OKLO Corporate Chief John Hanson.

JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef gave the keynote address, speaking to the region’s economic development momentum, leadership in advancing the state’s energy infrastructure, support for the Chillicothe community, and key pillars of JobsOhio’s five-year strategic plan. “OhioSE and its partners across 25 counties are a critical driver of Ohio’s economic resurgence and its position as the Midwest’s leading state for GDP,” said Nauseef. “Over the past six years, the region has experienced nearly a 150 percent increase in economic development projects, fueled by strong collaboration and alignment with Ohio’s energy and manufacturing industries.”

View the original release

Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) is the JobsOhio Network Partner for southern, eastern, and southeastern Ohio, providing economic development work and resources in 25 rural counties. Geographically the largest of the seven regions across the state, OhioSE partners closely with regional development districts, local economic development offices, state agencies, and other entities to expand, retain, and attract businesses in the counties they serve.