Overview of Business in Lake County

Situated on the southern shore of its namesake, Lake Erie, Lake County, Ohio, is in the middle of the country’s largest concentration of consumer and industrial markets. It is in the center of a 500-mile circle containing half the nation’s population. Companies that manufacture and distribute products couldn’t find a better location. And, you couldn’t ask for more business opportunities in general.

The lake contributes in a big way to the area’s economy. The Fairport Harbor port, at the mouth of the Grand River in northeastern Lake County, is the nearest international shipping facility. The Port of Cleveland generates more than $350 million in income for Ohio, shipping between 14 and 18 million tons of cargo each year.

Lake County has a diversified economic base consisting of agriculture, manufacturing, scientific research and retail. In fact, Mentor is the sixth-largest retail center in Ohio. Products made in Lake County range from paper, plastics and machinery to chemicals, clothing and award-winning wines.

Ohio's north coast is nationally known as a nursery capital. The good soil and a microclimate moderated by Lake Erie make it perfect for growing everything from grapes to corn. Full of orchards, garden centers, vineyards and nurseries, agriculture plays a large roll in the county’s economy. Fresh produce, plants and flowers can be found at retail nurseries and at roadside stands every summer.

Home to major corporations such as Lincoln Electric, Avery Dennison, Gould Electronics and Parker Hannifin, Lake County is the perfect place for business. It is centrally located with access to public transportation and major interstates creating numerous opportunities for businesses to develop and tap into the region's growing technology and service sectors. The proximity of local, regional and international airports also gives the area access to the world.