Highland County Ohio-Economic Development

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. As a reminder, our office will be closed today in observance of the holiday.

05/22/2026

Exciting update from our partner, GROW! Highland County.

🚨 UPDATE • UPDATE • UPDATE 🚨

Grow Highland County is entering an exciting new chapter focused on investing directly into our local businesses and community growth! 🌱

More information regarding the new Hometown Business Grant Program and upcoming grant opportunities will be released soon. Funds raised through the annual golf outing will now help support local businesses with projects such as equipment purchases, marketing, technology, licensing, building improvements, and more.

Stay tuned for additional details, eligibility information, and application announcements coming soon!

Together, we’re continuing to build a stronger future for Highland County. 💚

05/03/2026

⭐️National Small Business Week ⭐️
The time we celebrate the entrepreneurs , the dreamers and those who bring life and vitality to our downtowns and communities!
Shop small, dream big, and watch your community thrive!

To learn more, click https://www.sba.gov/nsbw

04/22/2026

Another great Highland County Legislative Day at the Ohio Statehouse! A day full of connection, learning, and advocating for the future of our county. With strong participation from local government, manufacturing, finance, education, small business, and community development, Highland County was proudly represented.

We had the pleasure of hearing from •State Senator Shane Wilkin
•State Representative Bob Peterson
•Ohio Governor’s Office of Appalachia Director John Carey
•Bricker Graydon Wyatt attorneys John Flis and Andrew Hinton
•The Montrose Group, LLC Principal, David Robinson
•Ohio Department of Agriculture Assistant Director Tracy Intihar
•America 250-Ohio Executive Director Todd Kleismet
•Scott Ryan of JobsOhio.
Their insight and collaboration are invaluable as we work to make Highland County a place where people want to live, work, learn, and play.

This event wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors. These organizations believe in our county and the work being done to move it forward—we are truly grateful.

Southern Hills Community Bank
City of Hillsboro, Ohio
The Highland County Chamber of Commerce
First State Bank
Greenfield Research
Huhtamaki - New Vienna
Seal-Tite
Southern State Community College
The Merchants National Bank
JobsOhio/OhioSE

04/01/2026

What a night for Highland County! 🎉

Over the past six weeks, participants in Highland County’s first 'Ignite Appalachia Small Business Bootcamp & Pitch Competition' have put in the work—refining ideas, strengthening business plans, and preparing for their moment. Last night, they stepped up and delivered, pitching their businesses to a panel of judges for a chance at prize funding.

Their passion, preparation, and determination were on full display—and it’s clear they’re ready to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

This program wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our partners and community. Your time, talent, and investment make opportunities like this happen, and we are truly grateful.

Congratulations to our WINNERS!
First Place - Blooming Hills Florist OH/Emily Layman
Second Place - Ink & Thread Collection, LLC - Jocelyn Ursell
Third Place - Slick Coatings - Tyler Rumpke

👏 Thank you to our facilitators, mentors, judges, and sponsors who made this program a success!

FACILITATORS:
Kelly Gordon, Director, WBC of Central Appalachia
Bonnie Barker, Program Director, WBC of Central Appalachia

MENTORS:
Jim Schroeder, Esq., Schroeder Law Group
Lindsay Cloud, President, Southern Hills Community Bank
Jamie King Wheeler, Executive Director, The Highland County Chamber of Commerce

JUDGES:
Ashlie Webster
Bonnie Barker
Austin Sanders-Williams

SPONSORS:
City of Hillsboro, Ohio
Grow! Highland County Ohio
ECDI
The Merchants National Bank
The Highland County Chamber of Commerce

03/18/2026

Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities. They are the sponsors of our children’s teams and the familiar faces who know their customers by name. Today, we celebrate the Small Business Development Centers that strengthen our communities by supporting entrepreneurs, one dream at a time.

OSU South Centers Business Development Network

03/03/2026

Attention barn owners! Would you like to display a piece of American history? Contact us for more information today.

02/24/2026

Internships create meaningful opportunities for students to explore career paths, build skills, and grow with confidence. We are incredibly proud of our intern, Janyia Hudson, who is completing her senior year of high school and has been named a deserving recipient of the AAARC Scholarship. This achievement reflects her hard work, dedication, and bright future ahead. Janyia plans to use this award to continue her studies this fall — and we can’t wait to see all she accomplishes next.

02/05/2026

If you’ve ever said “I’ve had this business idea but don’t know where to start”… this is for you.

The FREE Ignite Appalachia Entrepreneur Bootcamp & Pitch Competition is coming to Highland County — and there are only a few spots left.

It’s a super supportive, 6-week program where you’ll get FREE training, mentoring, and real help turning your idea into a plan (plus a chance to pitch for seed money 👀).

📍 Hillsboro, OH
🗓 Tuesdays, Feb 24 – March 31 | 6–8 PM
⏰ Apply by Feb 17
👉 Learn more & apply here:

https://www.letsrepower.org/bootcamp

01/19/2026

Our office will be closed today, Monday, January 19, 2026 in observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
We will reopen on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 7:30 a.m.