Community Profile
Live, Learn, Lead
The City of Oberlin is a leader in the progression of a more diversified economy. Our business attraction efforts include development initiatives focused on innovative investment, job growth, and promoting increased collaboration. Our community is home to several hi tech start up companies as well as traditional manufacturing. Your business would benefit from Oberlin’s fuse of commercial, intellectual and scientific activity. This blend lends itself to an augmented comprehensive design of public/private partnerships. Through our existing relationships with Oberlin College and local & regional businesses we have created a community of support to benefit your business.
Oberlin is also supporting sustainable development, home to several LEED-certified projects currently in progress. The City is a leader in developing a diverse economy and focusing on sustainability. In 2001, City Council adopted Resolution 01-08, its sustainability policy. Since then, the City and the community have taken the lead in sustainable initiatives: Oberlin has a renewable power portfolio that includes electricity generated by wind and hydroelectric dams on the Ohio River. By 2014, 22% percent of our electricity needs will be met by renewable sources. These commitments to sustainability and renewable power generation make Oberlin an ideal home for any business.
As a public power community, Oberlin provides reliable electric power at low cost. Like many surrounding communities we have access to local, State and County incentive programs. To set Oberlin apart the City has developed new program initiatives to maintain and advance Oberlin’s business attraction and retention efforts. This includes the Oberlin’s Revolving Loan Fund, Oberlin Business Incentive Program, the Oberlin Building Improvement Loan Program, and changes to Oberlin’s Tax Code related to unqualified stock options. Our community offers a well-educated workforce, available sites for growth at attractive prices, and a location that is convenient to transportation networks.
The next few years will bring new development to Oberlin, innovation that will continue our leadership in environmental sustainability, and a spirit of cooperation and partnership with organizations in and around our region. This is truly a great time to be in Oberlin!