SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP — The economic power and potential of four counties were celebrated as the Lake to River economic development agency marked its first anniversary.

More than 300 attended its inaugural annual meeting Thursday morning at The Lake Club, where Kimberly-Clark served as the centerpiece of the event.

As part of a $2 billion investment in its North American operations, the personal care and hygiene product producer announced May 1 its intention to construct an $800 million advanced manufacturing facility in Warren and Howland townships.

“This is by any standard, a once-in-a-generation kind of project that comes along, but it changes the narrative for the region about what kind of projects are possible,” said Chuck George, Lake to River board of directors chairman. “These kinds of results just don’t materialize. It takes alignment. It takes execution.”

Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties form the geographical boundaries of Lake to River, a private, nonprofit organization. At the start of 2024, the counties were affiliated with Team NEO. The 18-county group was affiliated with the Cleveland market.

“In order for us to compete in Columbus, we had to have our own identity,” said state Rep. Nick Santucci, R-Niles, who serves as House Majority whip and Lake to River Caucus chair. “The Lake to River group establishes that.”

In pursuing a regional identity, Santucci also touted the efforts of fellow state representatives Sarah Fowler Arthur, R-Ashtabula; Tex Fischer, R-Boardman; Monica Robb Blasdel, R-Columbiana; Lauren McNally, D-Youngstown; and David Thomas, R-Jefferson.

“I said, ‘Let’s get together. Let’s support businesses. Let’s write grant help support. Write letters of support for grants, things like that, so that we can be one unified voice,” Santucci said.

“I think that that’s been the sole key in this whole puzzle, is just giving ourselves a little bit of space to grow and thrive.”

With Gov. Mike DeWine’s backing, Lake to River joined JobsOhio, the state’s private economic development corporation, as its seventh partner.

However, the four-county partnership has been in place for some time, according to Greg Myers, executive director of Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County.

“Economic development is the ultimate team sport,” he said. “A number of us have been working together for years right along this border, recognizing the strengths of our region, recognizing the opportunities that are here for us to take advantage of economic growth for the betterment of everybody here in this room within our communities.”

It’s important to continue the momentum, said Alexa Sweeney Blackann, Lake to River’s interim CEO.

“Our dedicated team has been laser-focused on our mission, site development, business attraction and expansion and workforce growth.

“The level of collaboration we’ve experienced this past year is unmatched, and it’s already helping to transform our region today.”

Like Kimberly-Clark, discussion of the $62.2 million Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense sparked excitement among the event’s speakers. Announced at the end of February, the project is expected to generate 450 new jobs within four years with a financial impact of $161.6 million. The Youngstown Business Incubator and America Makes – National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute are among the partners involved.

“(We) definitely need to continue the growth business attraction, bringing new state-of-the-art equipment into the region, as well as attracting companies,” said Stephanie Gaffney, the incubator’s vice president of manufacturing programs.

“We are already in discussion currently with four or five companies both across the U.S., plus, outside of the U.S. We have a Swiss drone manufacturer that’s looking to come to the region. They really see value in advanced manufacturing, and this building will help this region become an epicenter of aerospace and defense.”