Dover Economic Development Opportunities Report July 2024
Available Properties in Dover, Ohio
Welcome to the City of Dover, Ohio, population 13,231. If you spend one day in Dover, you will see evidence of a high quality of life. Dover is known for its strong sense of community and friendly atmosphere, where residents take great pride in the city, participate in local events and activities, and support each other, creating a tight-knit community feel. With a strong education system, exceptional utilities, convenient access via interstate highways, rails, and airports, plus a diverse available workforce, Dover is poised for future growth.
Why Dover
Located in Tuscarawas County, Dover is within 500 miles of half the population of the United States and Canada and more than half of all manufacturing in the United States. The city is adjacent to Interstate 77, providing strategic access to a large number of markets. Dover is centrally located within four major commercial airports and has immediate access to railways owned by R.J. Corman Railroad Group.
The city boasts a robust park system, including a mile-long riverfront park and a connection nearby to the 100-mile-long towpath trail. There are many golf courses located in and adjacent to the city, and the Tuscarawas River offers adventurous canoe rides and great fishing. Dover also serves as a gateway into the heart of Amish country and is centrally located between Cleveland, Columbus, Youngstown, and Pittsburgh. The Dover area provides many other recreational opportunities: The Professional Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, is about 20 minutes away, and the community is close to several wineries and breweries. Dover’s rich history makes it a great, safe place for travelers of all ages. A visit to the Tuscarawas County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau website is a must for more information about living and doing business in Dover.
Downtown Dover features charming shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants and is a great place to explore local businesses, find unique gifts, and enjoy a meal or coffee in a cozy setting. The historic J. E. Reeves Victorian Home & Carriage House Museum offers a glimpse into Dover’s past with guided tours of a beautifully preserved Victorian home. Visitors can learn about local history, architecture, and Victorian-era life. The Dover Public Library provides a range of services and resources, including books, digital media, educational programs, and community events, and is a hub for learning, literacy, and cultural enrichment.
The city recognizes the importance of providing an environment conducive to education and the progress of the city’s youth and future workforce. Dover City Schools offers a strong educational experience and recently constructed a new state-of-the-art high school. The community offers private schools and a robust career center just minutes away. Regarding higher learning, one can further their education through an impressive array of nearby institutions, such as Kent State University—Tuscarawas Campus or any of the other many colleges and universities within 50 miles of Dover.
Dover is located in Northeast Ohio, where the regional population exceeds 4 million people, and is home to many college graduates. With all these factors in place, it is easy to see that Dover indeed means business.
Dover works for you; Dover works for business!
Dover is poised for future growth with convenient access via interstate highways and airports, exceptional utilities, and an excellent available workforce. The city is the proud home of approximately 1,000 businesses and is committed to supporting the growth of existing companies and welcoming new entities to the community. The city provides reliable, affordable utility services and has multiple fiberoptic providers to accommodate high-speed communications. Utilities are well maintained, and Dover is constantly focusing on working with partners to ensure competitive energy costs.
The city is forging ahead with a robust strategy to bolster its talent pool in advanced manufacturing, with a keen emphasis on expanding the cadre of engineering, technology, and maintenance professionals accessible to local industries. The Tuscarawas Valley Industry Section Partnership is central to this collaborative initiative, where local companies unite forces to cultivate a skilled workforce tailored to the future. Education and industry leaders have also launched the Multi-County Advanced Manufacturing Corridor, further amplifying the region’s commitment to preparing a highly capable workforce and developing a comprehensive blueprint for a manufacturing-focused pipeline. These initiatives underscore the area’s unique proactive stance in addressing future workforce needs while highlighting a commitment to innovation and sustainability in industry development. In addition to its workforce initiatives, Dover works to incentivize new housing development to ensure that a housing supply that supports local workforce demands.
Dover also enjoys a history of cooperation with various regional political subdivisions to provide an effective and competitive array of financial resources, including business loan programs, tax incentives, and other options to assist new investments in the city. City leaders are committed to supporting the growth of existing businesses and welcoming new entities to the city’s commercial districts and industrial parks. The area is well-served by the Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation. Business training options are also available at the nearby regional campus of Kent State University, which provides standard and customized training programs.
Industries in the City of Dover are diverse and range across a broad spectrum of manufacturing, health care, and professional services. Some of the businesses that are proud to call Dover home include:
- Allied Machine and Engineering
- Zimmer Biomet Orthopedic Care
- Meteor Sealing Systems
- Novogradac and Company LLC
- Deflecto LLC
- Extreme Trailer LLC
- Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital
- Dover Hydraulics
An example of the city’s economic development prowess is the recent announcement that Germany-based Schaeffler, a motion technology company and manufacturer of rolling element bearings for automotive, aerospace, and industrial uses, plans to establish operations in Dover. This initiative is projected to create more than 450 jobs by 2028. Schaeffler plans to construct a new 400,000-square-foot manufacturing facility to produce automotive electric mobility solutions, including electric axles for light and medium-duty vehicles. Team NEO Chief Executive Officer Bill Koehler is quoted as saying, “Schaeffler’s investment is a tangible, continuous affirmation of the strengths of the Northeast Ohio region through their renewed and increased financial commitment here…We are grateful for the Schaeffler’s commitment to the region.”
The City of Dover has what it takes to help businesses succeed in a competitive world. Industries, institutions and retail locations in Dover count on a consistent supply of public electric power, available at affordable prices. Dover Light and Power, the city’s municipal electric utility, operates a power plant that has served homes and businesses in Dover since the plant opened in 1910. It has been consistently upgraded and sustained, and the public power system is accountable to its customer-owners — the businesses and citizens who live and work in Dover and pay city taxes. In addition to its own local generation, Dover Light and Power also has a significant portfolio of renewable energy resources.
A reliable electrical power supply with affordable pricing — independent of the major electrical utility companies — has been a huge benefit for companies seeking competitive business costs. A low-cost natural gas purchasing program and fiber optic options further enhance this advantage.
Why not check out Dover? If you are looking for a place to locate or expand your business, a visit to Dover would be time well spent. Come and see all that there is to offer! The city has proven to be a successful mix for many and is open to businesses and people looking for that special right location for them. You, too, will find that Dover means business!
Site opportunities include:
- 60 acres of industrial space
- 74 acres of industrial space
Public Power and AMP
Public power utilities are not-for-profit, community-owned electric systems that work to provide the highest-quality, most reliable power to residents and businesses. They are part of the communities and focus on what is best for the people and businesses they serve.
American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) is the nonprofit wholesale power supplier and services provider for 132 Members, including 131 municipal Members in the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia; and the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation, a joint action agency in Smyrna, DE. On behalf of its Members, AMP deploys a diverse renewable generation portfolio along with environmentally responsible programs and services as part of a corporate commitment to sustainability.
For more information about our member communities and programs, visit searchampsites.com.