• Easy access to profitable markets lowers your costs of doing business.
• A strong supply chain across numerous key industries improves your efficiencies and profits.
• An abundant, skilled labor supply improves productivity, quality and profit.
• Public-private support eliminates obstacles, accelerates start-up and feeds business growth.
• Ohio’s perfect balance between professional and personal life attracts and retains the best talent for your company.

The Ohio Department of Development’s Small Business Development Center’s 1st Stop Business Connection and the U.S. Small Business Administration provide FREE state-level information needed to get started or continue on your entrepreneurial journey.

Thrive In Mercer County- Access To Markets (Click Here for Strategic Market Maps)

For additional information on starting your business in Ohio, please visit The Ohio Business Gateway, and visit Ohio InSite to find specific sites and buildings that will meet your business needs.

Thrive In Mercer County- State Tax Reform

Reduce operating costs with the lowest taxes in the Midwest.

Making a commitment to eliminate a burdensome tax system, in 2005 Ohio implemented full-scale, sweeping tax reform. Ohio’s new business tax model means a reduction in tax burden of up to 63% by 2010, the first year the reforms are fully implemented.

Ohio’s new taxation system means businesses can:
• Reduce operating costs – No tax on inventory or corporate income
• Enhance productivity – No tax on investments in machinery and equipment
• Attract talent – Shrink labor costs through a 21% reduction in personal income tax
• Enjoy a level playing field – All companies taxed at the same low rate
• Boost return on investment – No tax on product sold to customers outside Ohio
• Reward entrepreneurship – First $1 million in gross receipts are tax-free

With these reforms, Ohio and Counties such as Mercer County will become even more competitive. Ohio’s favorable business climate and high quality of living, combined with low business and personal costs, make us an increasingly viable location for business growth.

Learn more about Ohio’s Aggressive State Tax Reform
Learn more about Lowering Operating Costs with Ohio’s Tax Reform
Compare operating costs in Ohio to other States

State Taxes

Ohio is executing tax reform that is substantially lowering the cost of doing business – with the lowest taxes in the Midwest by 2010.

Corporate Income Tax – None

Corporate Franchise Tax – Currently 5.1% on the first $150,000 of net income and 8.5% on net income exceeding $150,000. This tax will be completely phased out by 2010 and replaced with the Commercial Activities Tax

Gross Receipts Tax – The Commercial Activities Tax (CAT) is 0.26% on sales within the State of Ohio. Sales outside of Ohio are exempt. The first $1 million in eligible sales are exempt from the CAT. This tax is being phased in through 2010 to replace the Corporate Franchise Tax.

Personal Income Tax – Nine bracket system with a bottom bracket of .0587% for income under $5,000 and a top bracket of 5.925% for income over $250,000. This reflects a 21% reduction through 2009.

Sales and Use Tax – 5.50% on taxable purchases

Sales and Use Tax on Production Machinery & Equipment – Exempt

Learn more about Ohio’s Tax Rates

Local Taxes

Mercer County has some of the lowest tax rates in the U.S. They help our local businesses reduce their operating cost and increase profitability.

Total tax rates for business operations in Mercer County

Sales and Use Tax – 7.0% (state and county)

Income Tax – 2.5% (city and school district)

Real Estate Tax – $41.61 per $1000 of tax value with 35% assessment (city, county, school & township)

Mercer  County Taxes

Sales and Use Tax – 1.5% on taxable purchases

Personal Income Tax – None

Real Estate Tax – $11.75 per $1000 of tax value with assessment at 35%

Thrive In Mercer County- Transportation

Highways:

• Interstate 75 North and South – 15 Miles East via Ohio 29/US 33  (4-Lane Highway)
• Ohio Route 127 and Ohio Route 29 intersect Mercer County
• U.S. Route 33 East and West – 3 miles.

Air:

• LakeField Airport located in central Mercer County with 5,180 ft. of lighted paved runway.
• Dayton International Airport-Fifty miles south.

Rail:

• R.J. Corman Railroad has interchanges with Norfolk Southern Railroad that have rail connections to all of North America.

THRIVE IN MERCER COUNTY – Workforce

A Skilled, Trained and Available Workforce

Mercer County has an skilled, trained and available workforce.  Our workers will add value to you business. In a recent survey of local companies, owners and supervisors rated our workforce attendance, retention and productivity as “Excellent”  Workers in Mercer County have an extremely strong work ethic and dedication.   These are the benefits your company can expect from the workers of Mercer County and the surrounding area.

Mercer County is located centrally in the West Central Ohio region.  This means your business will be positioned to take advantage of the knowledge, work ethic, and productivity of the nearly 350,000 workers in the region.

Wages and benefits paid to our workers are very competitive. Click here to download Mercer  County Current Wage Survey Data

Finding the right workers

WorkingEd.com – West Central Ohio’s Human Resource Tool
Finding the right people for your company’s employment needs can be challenging. The economic development agencies in West Central Ohio have taken a proactive approach in addressing that challenge. WorkingEd.com is an initiative for our region to assist companies in their effort to locate, search, and contact area college graduates for employment. WorkingEd.com is a FREE service that uses a unique search option allowing employers the ability to drill down into specific skill sets while searching for the right employee.

Workforce Training and Resources

There are numerous business training tools to support targeted workforce continuing education.

Ohio’s Workforce Vision: The State of Ohio has set a priority to be a national leader in talent development. Ohio’s Department of Jobs & Family Services offers a variety of business training tools to support targeted workforce continuing education. The Ohio business community can take advantage of several free and financial assistance opportunities designed to stimulate the availability of educated labor to serve industry-specific needs.

Employers and workers in Mercer County can access services through two Ohio Jobs and Family Services Offices:

Mercer County One Stop
Central Services Building.
220 W. Livingston Street, Room B272
Phone: 419-568-6409

Learn more about area’s Regional One Stop offices
Learn more about Jobs & Family Services workforce programs

Training Programs

Ohio’s Investment Training Program
The Ohio Investment Training Program (OITP) provides financial assistance and technical resources for customized training to help new and expanding Ohio businesses succeed. OITP provides up to 50% reimbursement to fund instructional costs, materials, and training-related activities. The program emphasizes manufacturing and other select employment sectors that depend on significant training and capital investment to create and retain jobs.

West Central Ohio Manufacturers Consortium (WCOMC)
WCOMC is comprised of a group of manufacturers throughout West Central Ohio dedicated to improving the region’s manufacturing workforce. The consortium has worked closely with Rhodes State College to develop a Manufacturing Pathways Certification Program that prepares workers for the high-tech positions required in today’s modern manufacturing workplace. WCOMC is an excellent example of regional businesses working together to find solutions to workforce issues.

West Ohio Training Partners
The consortium was formed to respond to a need from high demand industries in the region for skilled workers. It has developed a comprehensive regional training network to deliver advanced manufacturing training to current and displaced workers. The training programs are industry driven and designed to meet the needs of employers in West Central Ohio. Training is delivered on-site, on-line, or on-campus. Employers select what works best for them.