Plans for a High Tech Corridor in Southeast Ohio

Southeastern Ohio could undergo an economic revolution in the near future.

Community leaders are currently working on a regional economic development project to create a high tech corridor in our area. Former president of Zane State College and current Executive Director of the Southeast Ohio High Tech Corridor Project, Dr. Paul Brown, stopped by the Zanesville Noon Rotary Club’s weekly meeting Tuesday to discuss this initiative to bring new business and industry to Southeastern Ohio.

“For a long time we’ve talked about how can we grow, and how can we do more of the same things that we’ve been successful doing before, like manufacturing and distribution, but we’re talking now about how can we transform the area by bringing sectors in here that haven’t been here before,” Brown said.

Brown said Southeastern Ohio is a prime area for economic development, as there are vast natural resources, enviable highway systems, public and private investments, as well as abundant educational assets. He said the project is still in the early stages, but they are making progress.

“We’ve done a lot of research about other successful high tech parks throughout the country, and we’ve learned what’s made them successful and what businesses are looking for,” he said.

Brown said the vision of the project is to develop Southeastern Ohio as a great place to do business.