Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) held its first annual Fall Prosperity Forum on Thursday, September 18th at Zane State College, celebrating the economic impact made across Southeast Ohio over the past five years and sharing a vision for the future.

The event welcomed 140 guests from across the region, who enjoyed presentations by keynote speaker J.P. Nauseef, President and CEO of JobsOhio, and Matt Abbott, President and CEO of OhioSE.

“The industrial tailwinds we see statewide are driving economic momentum in the Ohio Southeast Region, which has doubled the number of total projects since 2019 compared to the previous five years,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “Enterprises are choosing Southeast Ohio for ready sites, reliable power and water, and low business costs, while more families are attracted to the region’s vibrant, revitalized Main Streets and quality of life.”

Abbott recognized OhioSE’s founding members and current board members, thanking them for carrying the torch for Southeast Ohio and shaping the organization.

“Thirteen years ago, a group of visionary leaders came together with a bold idea: that Southeast Ohio could chart its own course, build its own future, and compete on a global stage,” said Abbott. “Your guidance, your leadership, and your continued commitment are what make it possible for us to build on that legacy.”

Abbott then spoke to the goals the organization has exceeded since it completed its last strategic plan in 2019, the Economic Prosperity Plan. “In the last five years, we’ve helped bring in nearly $4 billion in new investment to eastern and southeastern Ohio. That’s 74 times more than we planned when we set our strategic vision,” said Abbott.

The organization’s goal was to complete 670 business retention and expansion visits; it completed 1,919 visits within the five-year time frame. A goal was set to develop two shovel-ready sites and construct three speculative buildings. OhioSE helped develop three shovel-ready sites and build ten speculative buildings.

“We set out to support 41 business expansions with 11,500 jobs retained, 825 new jobs created, and $54 million in capital investment,” said Abbott. “Instead, we supported 244 projects, with 5,715 new jobs created, 31,030 jobs retained, and $3.95 billion in capital investment.”

Abbott shared that the organization is partnering with The New Growth Group to update its strategic plan for the next five years. Attendees were invited to participate in a brief survey sharing their input on where they’d like to see the region grow and strengthen.

“These strategies are not just ideas on paper. They are pathways to real projects, real jobs, and real returns,” said Abbott. “Each new project brings financing needs. As new companies locate here, they bring families and those families need doctors, hospitals, and clinics. Every expansion means building, renovating, or developing. Each of us plays a direct role when projects move forward – from powering growth, to designing and building, to financing and servicing expansion.”

Nauseef then took the stage, speaking to Ohio’s state-wide transformation since 2011, covering the programs companies across the region have used to expand and grow, as well as the direct, indirect, and induced impacts. He concluded by sharing JobsOhio’s new five-year plan, JobsOhio 2030, “Let’s Grow, Together.”

The Fall Prosperity Forum marked not only a celebration of progress but also a call to action for the future. With record-setting achievements behind them and bold new strategies ahead, OhioSE and its partners remain committed to ensuring Southeast Ohio is a region where businesses can grow, families can thrive, and communities can prosper. As Abbott emphasized, the work ahead will require collaboration, innovation, and vision—but together, the region is well-positioned to build on its momentum and shape the next chapter of growth.

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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.