CHILLICOTHE — Over 200 leaders gathered at the Bell Manor in Chillicothe on Tuesday, March 3, as Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) celebrated a year of historic investment and job creation across the region.
The annual meeting, hosted in the heart of Ross County, served as a showcase for the “position of strength” the region now occupies in the state’s economic landscape.
Ross County in the Spotlight
The event opened with a warm welcome from Tammy Eallonardo, Economic Development Director of Greater Chillicothe & Ross County Development. Ross County’s collaborative spirit was a recurring theme throughout the evening, particularly when the Ross County Paper Mill Response Task Force was honored as Partner of the Year.
The task force was recognized for its “extraordinary public-private partnership” in responding to the Chillicothe Mill closure, focusing on supporting displaced workers and prepping the site for future redevelopment.
A $1.6 Billion Impact
OhioSE President and CEO Matt Abbott reported that 2025 was a year of significant expansion. Partnering with JobsOhio, the organization assisted 25 company expansions and new locations.
- Job Creation: 822 new jobs were established across the region.
- Capital Investment: Companies leveraged $1.6 billion in fixed asset investments.
- Economic Flow: These positions represent $64.5 million in annual payroll injected into local communities.
Nuclear Energy: The Future of Southern Ohio
A major highlight of the meeting was the focus on energy as a regional cornerstone.
- Project of the Year: Centrus Energy Corporation took home the top honor for its advanced uranium enrichment operations in Piketon, a project that secures Southern Ohio’s role in domestic nuclear fuel production.
- Nuclear Panel: Leaders from Centrus and OKLO joined a panel discussion regarding the burgeoning nuclear energy industry and its potential to shape the regional economy for decades.
The Road Ahead: Unity and Talent
JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef delivered the keynote address, noting that the 25-county OhioSE region has seen a nearly 150 percent increase in economic development projects over the last six years.
Abbott concluded by unveiling a new strategic plan centered on four pillars: Regional Leadership, Talent, Competitive Assets, and Economic Development. The ultimate goal, he stated, is “Unity”—bringing together the disparate strengths of southern and eastern Ohio to compete on a global scale.
