From region to region, the needs of Ohio’s economy change — for some, such as ours, support for smaller employers might end up playing a larger role than waiting for that one home-run giant employer to materialize. Fortunately, it seems the folks at Ohio University understand that, and the school’s Innovation Center is being recognized as the 2022 Entrepreneurial Support Organization of the Year in the rural category by the International Business Innovation Association.

“Ohio University takes very seriously our mission to facilitate economic growth in the region we serve. We are grateful to be acknowledged for our service to Athens County and the region and we are proud of all that Stacy Strauss and her staff continue to achieve.” OU President Hugh Sherman said.

Strauss describes the Innovation Center’s job as providing “top-notch business development services, connections to resources and newly renovated facilities to tech and tech-enabled startups which, all combined, foster tangible economic development through entrepreneurial support in our region.”

According to the center’s data, in 2021 it supported 249 jobs, which generated approximately $18 million in employee compensation and $49.7 million in economic output in Athens County. They do that in partnership with company founders and their employees, who are determined to make it work — in Athens County, Ohio; not Silicon Valley or Seattle.

It is a solid partnership that is doing good things now, and could mean great things down the road. As we offer congratulations to OU’s Innovation Center, it is encouraging to know there is more to come.