Defiance - 2003 Community & Resource Guide

The Defiance County Economic Development Office says the Defiance area has Attitude, Atmosphere and Access going for it when it comes to attracting new business and industry.

According to the website for the economic development office (www.defecon.com), “[Defiance’s] aggressive pro-business attitude has attracted many businesses and industries to our community. We are sensitive to your needs: site preparation, infrastructure and workforce training. We provide what you need to succeed in today’s global economy.”

The office points out that the Defiance area offers a relaxed lifestyle with a superb quality of life. Abundant community services include excellent healthcare, higher education, recreational activities and close proximity to additional amenities in nearby metropolitan areas.

In terms of access, 47 percent of North American industrial bases are within 500 miles, or one day’s travel, of Defiance. With both dry- and cold-storage facilities available, logistics firms provide expediting, freight brokerage, warehousing, cross-dock solutions and consolidation services to the region. The Defiance area provides an abundant supply of fresh water and high-quality electrical energy and natural gas.

Defiance is the commercial and industrial hub of the six-county Northwest Ohio area. It is conveniently located within a one-hour drive of Toledo and Fort Wayne. Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit and Chicago are all within an easy drive of Defiance.
An excellent system of state and U.S. highways serves the transportation needs of the community. Intersecting in Defiance are state routes 18, 15, 66, 281, 424 and 111, and U.S. 24, a major route between Fort Wayne and Toledo.

The Ohio Turnpike (Interstate 80/Interstate 90) spans the state from east to west and is only 25 miles north of Defiance.

The Toledo Express and Fort Wayne International airports, served by several national and international airlines, are located one hour away. The Defiance County Airport features a 4,200-foot PLASI-lighted runway with instrument approach, and provides facilities for corporate and private aircraft.

The Maumee and Western and CSX railroads serve Defiance industry. Eleven truck lines provide intrastate and interstate shipping. The Port of Toledo, a gateway for global trade located on Lake Erie, is only 50 miles away.

Defiance County has a workforce of over 20,000, and many industries draw employees from the entire region. The talented individuals of the local workforce pool range from trained management and clerical personnel to skilled tradespeople and semi-skilled craftspeople.

The Defiance area hosts a diverse mix of manufacturing firms and agribusiness companies, many internationally known. The largest employer is General Motors Powertrain, with approximately 2,800 employees. This modern gray iron and modular foundry recently added the “lost foam” process of aluminum addition. The plant produces quality castings for the automotive industry.

Johns-Manville operates three plants in Defiance that produce fiberglass insulation and molded products. The company employs more than 900 area residents.

Three companies in Defiance process food products. Brown’s Bakery is a wholesale bakery, while Arps Dairy processes dairy products. Diehl, Inc. produces a wide variety of dairy and non-dairy food products for an international marketplace.

Defiance firms are quality suppliers to the automotive industry. End products include the precision hardened and ground components made by Defiance Precision Products. Defiance Metal Products and Defiance Stamping Company produce parts for the trucking industry. The list of Defiance manufactured products goes on: robotics, metal stamping and fabrication, mechanic’s hand tools, electrical control systems, metal component cabinets, and rebuilt engines.

The Defiance County Economic Development Office works closely with the private and public sectors to enhance the retention and expansion of jobs in the area. The office is funded through the Defiance County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) and is available for issuance of industrial revenue bonds, enterprise zone applications and other economic development assistance. Information on sites, labor, transportation and other factors may be obtained by contacting the Defiance County Economic Development Office at 197-2B-1 Island Park Avenue, Defiance, Ohio 43512; or by telephone (419) 784-4471.