Union County Charges Ahead: How Ohio’s Fastest-Growing Hub is Electrifying the Future

by Manny Larcher

From $1B Honda EV Revolution to Smart Mobility Labs — Inside the Economic Surge Reshaping Industry and Community

Driving Innovation: The EV and Mobility EpicenterUnion County cemented its status as Ohio’s innovation powerhouse in 2024, fueled by landmark investments and strategic collaborations. Honda’s $1 billion overhaul of its Marysville, East Liberty, and Anna plants stole headlines, positioning the region as the core of Honda’s North American EV production. For the first time globally, the Marysville plant will assemble EV battery packs, enabling hybrid, electric, and combustion engines to roll off the same U.S. assembly line.

Meanwhile, the Transportation Research Center broke ground on a $25 million Impact Laboratory—a 66,000 sq ft playground for testing electric and autonomous vehicles. Slated for completion in 2026, it anchors the county’s "Smart Mobility Corridor," now home to 70+ automotive companies.

Community & Collaboration: Fueling Inclusive GrowthBeyond tech, Union County prioritized livability and opportunity:

• Housing & Workforce: The Economic Development Partnership (EDP) spearheaded critical talks on affordable housing while connecting 400+ students with manufacturers via "Crafted in Union County."
• Ridesharing Wins: The Union County Rideshare Program (Uber subsidies) served 250+ riders, with 50+ regular users.
• Festifair Boom: Main Street Marysville’s festival exploded from 167 to 233 vendors—a 40% surge.

Global Ties & Education SynergyInternational partnerships thrived:

• Celebrated 11 years with Japan’s Friendship City, Yorii, with student exchanges engaging 86 youths since 2015.
• 20 Japanese companies now operate locally, supported by a weekly Japanese Language School drawing 400+ students.

Key Developments Powering ProgressMajor 2024 projects set the stage for sustained growth:

• The Silos at Water & Light ($110M mixed-use)
• Pioneer Park ($7.5M flex/office space)
• TRC Impact Lab (retaining 500 jobs)
• Marysville East & South: 1,000+ acres of master-planned business parks targeting tech and industrial tenants.

By the Numbers, 2024’s Impact:
✅ 37,563 total jobs
✅ 30 business retention visits
✅ $1B Honda investment in EV manufacturing
✅ 233 vendors at Festifair

The Road Ahead
With Honda’s EV hub accelerating, smart mobility labs rising, and community programs bridging opportunity gaps, Union County isn’t just growing—it’s redefining the future of industry and innovation in the heartland.

Explore the full report here.
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