TIFFIN, OHIO – March 14, 2024 – The Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership (TSEP) celebrated a year of extraordinary accomplishments and outlined ambitious goals for the future at its 2024 Annual Meeting, held on March 13th at Heidelberg University. The event highlighted the community's sustained growth and success, positioning the Tiffin-Seneca Micropolitan Area as a thriving economic force in the region.
President & CEO Aaron Montz announced during the meeting Tiffin earned the 13th position among nearly 600 Micropolitans in the United States for large economic development projects, according to Site Selection magazine. This achievement marks the 12th consecutive year that Tiffin secured a spot in the top 8%, underscoring the community's strong and robust economic outlook.
Over the past year, the Tiffin-Seneca area witnessed over $109 million in new investments, generating 213 new jobs and retaining over 1,100 positions. The cumulative impact of the last decade amounts to an impressive $830 million in announced investments and the creation of more than 3,400 new jobs, demonstrating not only economic growth but opportunities for the community to prosper.
In 2023, TSEP exceeded two of its three internal goals, with 81 Business Retention and Expansion visits, 213 newly created jobs, and $109 million in capital investment—setting an all-time high for the organization and the Tiffin-Seneca area. For 2024, the organization has set even more ambitious goals of 100 BR&E visits, 250 new jobs, and $80 million in capital investment.
“What we have been able to achieve in Tiffin and Seneca County going against a strong headwind has been nothing short of amazing,” said Montz. “We lack many of the features you see in other, successful communities. We have no four lane highway, little rail accessibility, no major drivers of tourism, yet time and time again, we rise to the occasion, punching well-above our weightclass and continuing to defeat the odds which are stacked against us.”
On the industrial front, Tiffin has welcomed new players like Aldridge Electric, creating 25 high-paying jobs, and witnessed major investments in machinery and equipment several by key manufacturers, including Webster Industries, American Plastics, and TPC Food Service. National Machinery, which is headquartered in Tiffin, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year and shows no signs of slowing down. The retail sector is also experiencing growth, with ongoing developments at the Tiffin Mall and Westgate along with new businesses from Downtown Tiffin to the villages enhancing local options to dine, shop, and experience.
TSEP has facilitated four new studies, including the Rural Broadband Task Force and Study, Rural Housing Impact Analysis, Entrepreneurship Strategic Plan, and the Sandusky-Seneca Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
In addition to the annual recap and insights into 2024, several local companies and individuals were named recipients of key awards from the organization:
- Church & Dwight – 2024 Economic Development Award
- Randy Waire – Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
- Magnificent Maid/Dustin Ritchie – Outstanding Business Award
- Dale Thornton – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Nikki & Dan Reineke – Partnership in Development Award
- BSFC (Ballreich’s) – Special Recognition Award
As TSEP looks toward the future, it acknowledges that none of these achievements would be possible without the collaborative spirit and determination of the community. Tiffin-Seneca County continues to thrive because its leaders and workforce pivot and alter their sails in the face of challenges. As the community heads into 2024, there is confidence that it will build on the successes of the last decade, ensuring a prosperous and exciting future for Tiffin-Seneca County.
About the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership
Started in 1983 as the Seneca Industrial and Economic Development Corp. (SIEDC), the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to driving positive economic, downtown, and community development in Tiffin and Seneca County, Ohio, which consistently ranks among the top communities nationally for economic development. Learn more about the great things going on in Tiffin and Seneca County at www.tiffinseneca.org.
About Downtown Tiffin
The revitalization of downtown Tiffin began in 2011, when a group of community members came together to for “Tiffin Tomorrow”, with the goal of promoting and encouraging economic development in downtown Tiffin, and creating plans, programs and actions to ensure long-term vitality and prosperity. In 2014, the city of Tiffin contracted with SIEDC to act as the downtown organization and “Tiffin Tomorrow” came under the SIEDC umbrella as the “Downtown Development Committee,” which serves as the governing board of the downtown organization. In 2015, Tiffin joined Heritage Ohio’s Ohio Main Street Program. For more information visit www.downtowntiffin.org .
