If you’re looking for a job in manufacturing, Ohio is one of the best options for you in the entire United States. At the current moment, Ohio ranks 3rd in the United States in total manufacturing jobs. Many of Ohio's major cities also serve as manufacturing hubs, with each city having its specialty in that regard. For example, Akron is well known for its rubber factories and Canton has a very big imprint when it comes to turning out roller bearings.
Cincinnati is a huge aviation partner, rolling out more jet engines per capita than any state in the Union. Both Youngstown and Steubenville turn out steel in mass quantities for a wide variety of industries. Toledo has a fantastic foothold in both the glass and auto part industries, while Cleveland battles its economic downturn with contributions to the steel, auto part, and auto assembly industries. When it comes to manufacturing key parts for a wide swath of niches, Ohio has very few parallels despite being considered a “Rust Belt” state by some critics.
Manufacturing isn't the only key element of the Ohioan economy, though. The farming community in Ohio is a lot bigger than one might think, and agriculture plays a huge role in the financial health of the Buckeye State. Did you know that Ohio is well known as a leading producer of limes both in the United States and around North America? It is the fourth largest lime producer in the nation!
Ohio also has strong yields and distribution imprints for oats, corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, apples, grapes, peaches, strawberries, and specialty nursery and greenhouse effects. Ohio is a big contributor to the national pork and veal industries as well. And if you're looking for a bag of sand, gravel, or crushed stones at your local hardware store for landscaping purposes, there's a good chance that bag was produced somewhere in Ohio.
The tourism industry is also big bucks for the Buckeye State. Visitors to the State of Ohio bring just under $40 billion a year to the economy. One of the major attractions which draw people in from all over is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A sprawling shrine to all things music in the heart of Cleveland, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame brings in tourists year-round and also brings a groundswell into the Cleveland economy every year when they induct new acts into the Hall of Fame.
Other tourism attractions within the State of Ohio include Perry's Victory International Peace Memorial, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, the Native American burial grounds at Mound City Group National Monument, and the restored domiciles of five different presidents – Grant, Taft, Harding, Hayes, and Garfield. The state of Ohio is rich in history, but American and transplanted from the large numbers of European immigrants which made Ohio their home in the 19th and 20th Centuries.
Going back to one of those tourist attractions, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is another huge draw when it comes to bringing in visitors from all over the United States and the world. It's also emblematic of Ohio's love affair with the game of football. If you're a college football or sports fan in the slightest, a visit to Ohio State's Buckeye Stadium (or Horseshoe as it's affectionately referred to thanks to its shape) is an absolute must. On any random Saturday in the fall, Columbus stands as the center of the football universe with over 100,000 fans packing into the venerable Buckeye Stadium.
Football isn't the only sport synonymous with the State of Ohio. Ohio has six professional sports teams across the four major American sports. In addition, it's home to many more collegiate squads across many different sports, semi-professional teams, and professional squads in sports like soccer and lacrosse. If you're a sports junkie and are looking for someone to root for or something to watch on any given day on the calendar, making a home base in Ohio is definitely not a bad move.
Are you looking to travel to and from Ohio for business or pleasure? Ohio is a pretty large transportation hub, with 11 total airports – five international, four domestic, and two under the auspices of the military. Among the international airports within the State of Ohio, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Dayton International Airport, and John Glenn Columbus International Airport are among the most well-trafficked airports in the region. One international airport not counted is the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport because it's technically in Hebron, Kentucky. However, it serves as the major aviation hub for the city of Cincinnati.
If you're shipping a car or a truck into Ohio for moving or play, you'll be happy to know that Ohio is the main artery for several east-to-west highways, byways, and other transportation corridors. When the Lincoln Highway came to the Buckeyes State in 1913, it brought a boom in both population and industry. If you jump on that highway somewhere in the State of Ohio, you can go as far East as New York City or as far West as San Francisco. If you're a fan of cross-country treks but want a state with a relatively low cost of living, Ohio is calling to you.
And if you’re a college student who is considering Ohio for a four-year degree or a specialty certificate, you’re in luck. Three different Ohio universities rank among the top 100 in the U.S. News & World Report’s listing of the best research universities in the United States – Case Western Reserve University, Miami University, and Ohio State University. And if you’re looking for a liberal arts degree of some sort, Kenyon College, Denison University, and Oberlin College all land in the top 50 of a separate U.S. News & World Report ranking.
If you've read this far into the ins and outs of the State of Ohio, you're probably already living in the Buckeye State or are considering it as a future home. So, why not learn a little bit of trivia about Ohio to wow family, friends, and the locals with your anecdotes. First, let's look at some of the official living and inanimate symbols of the State of Ohio:
Here are some other cool bits of Ohio trivia for you to show off with at your next dinner party or get-together:
Ohio wasn’t officially recognized as a state until 1953. While it was declared as a state all the way back in 1803, the official paperwork for its statehood wasn’t given the Presidential Stamp of Approval until President Eisenhower made it official. He, of course, made sure to date the declaration with the original 1803 listing.
Are you a big movie buff? Then, you’ll be delighted to know that the award-winning Shawshank Redemption was filmed in Mansfield at the Ohio State Reformatory. In addition, scenes in Air Force One were also shot at the Reformatory. The site is now accepting public tours.
Jerry Springer, anyone? Before becoming one of the most infamous talk show hosts of the 1990s, Springer served as the mayor of Cincinnati. After his show ended its syndication run, Springer considered a Senate campaign but feared he would have a hard time gaining support due to the edgy content he helped to produce.
To sum things up, Ohio is an absolute hotbed of manufacturing power and historical relevance. Shipping your car, truck, or van to the Buckeye State is your big chance at exploring everything that this state has to offer. From great food at restaurants in Columbus and Cleveland to sites of interest in places like Canton and Akron, the roads of Ohio are calling to you. And some good stuff awaits at the end.
