Wapakoneta Economic Development Opportunities Report January 2025

Available Properties in Wapakoneta, OH

Wapakoneta, Ohio, is a vibrant economic development hub, blending a rich historical heritage with a forward-thinking approach to growth. Nestled in the heart of Auglaize County, this community has strategically positioned itself as a thriving destination for businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors. Wapakoneta continues to build on its legacy of innovation, exploration, community pride, and being first—driving opportunities that benefit all who work, live, and play here.

Location, Location, Location

Strategically located at the convergence of Interstate 75 and US 33, Wapakoneta is a central hub for accessing America’s Midwestern markets, putting it at the center of the 12-county West Central Ohio region. With its prime positioning, businesses in Wapakoneta are just a day’s drive of more than 50 percent of the U.S. and Canadian populations and all manufacturing sites across North America. Additionally, the city is conveniently located within a 300-mile radius of a population exceeding 9 million. This makes Wapakoneta not just an ideal location for reaching domestic markets but also a key gateway for exporting products to Canada and Mexico.

Ohio’s robust supply chain network spans several critical industries, from automotive and advanced manufacturing to aerospace, agribusiness, logistics, polymers, and financial services. Wapakoneta’s accessible location to key transport routes allows seamless integration into these networks, optimizing operational efficiencies and bolstering bottom lines.

After more than a decade of planning and steadfast investment to create a world-class industrial park, the City of Wapakoneta has succeeded in its mission with the West Central Ohio Industrial Center (WCOIC). With more than 300 acres of shovel-ready sites, WCOIC is now one of the nation’s largest rail-served, shovel-ready industrial parks.

WCOIC—a strategic hub for companies looking to capitalize on location, infrastructure, and industrial amenities—is centrally located between Chicago, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. Its location puts the center within a day’s drive of more than 50 percent of North America’s population and its manufacturing companies. With its access to robust transportation networks, interstate highways, and proximity to major cities, the Center offers businesses a competitive edge in logistics and distribution. WCOIC’s strategic location connects businesses with the Midwest’s strong supply chain across numerous key industries, thereby increasing efficiency and profits and lowering the cost of doing business.

Situated conveniently near major highways, this industrial park is not just a cornerstone for Wapakoneta’s economic development but also a pivotal asset for the broader West Central Ohio region. Known for its business-friendly environment, the center is equipped with modern utilities and is surrounded by a skilled labor force, making it a prime location for manufacturing, warehousing, and other industrial operations.

The Wapakoneta Area Economic Development Council plays a critical role in promoting the city’s economic development. Its initiatives have been instrumental in attracting businesses, fostering a supportive environment for local enterprises, and elevating Wapakoneta as a hub for progress and opportunity. WHYWapakoneta, the council’s slogan, underscores the collaborative spirit that defines the community’s success through partnerships and proactive strategies.

Why Wapakoneta?

With a long, proud tradition of farming and manufacturing, the people of Wapakoneta and west central Ohio have a strong work ethic, enjoy what they do, and take great pride in their work. Many Wapakoneta-based companies employ several generations of the same family.

Because of its strategic location and supportive business environment, many companies have chosen to locate in Wapakoneta, including:

• Millers Textile Services
• Flex Machine
• Pratt Industries
• Ohio Green House
• G.A. Wintzer and Sons Co.
• Cheeseman Transport
• Washington Penn
• Whitefeather Foods, Inc.

The logistical advantages offered by Wapakoneta’s prime location can be a significant catalyst for your business success.

Education is important to Wapakoneta and west central Ohio, which is served by six four-year universities, five two-year technical and community colleges, and five regional career centers.

Wapakoneta is the hometown of aviator and astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon. The community is also home to the Armstrong Air & Space Museum, which serves as a repository of Ohio’s aeronautical history and a monument to its contribution to aviation and space exploration.

The City of Wapakoneta maintains several parks, sports facilities, and playgrounds. Heritage Park is located on the south side of the Auglaize River near downtown and is home to the Farmer’s Market, which is active on Saturday mornings from June through October. Belcher Park is located behind the downtown area along the river’s north bank and features a playground and a boat ramp to provide access to the Auglaize River. There are more parks to explore and enjoy throughout the city.

The residents of Wapakoneta are served by a community-owned, not-for-profit public electric utility governed by the local city council. Business is conducted openly, and community citizens have a direct say in utility decisions and policymaking. Citizens know where their power comes from and how and why decisions affecting their utility bills are made.

Wapakoneta is currently undergoing a $15 million upgrade to its municipal electric distribution system and a $95 million upgrade of its water and wastewater treatment facilities. As a public power community, Wapakoneta provides excellent and dependable service at highly competitive rates. The city recently adopted a revision to its industrial rate schedule, providing a one cent/kilowatt-hour (kWh) discount for new electric loads. The city’s continued investment in infrastructure improvements and dedication to competitive rates are how Wapakoneta helps companies succeed.

Why not explore the many opportunities in Wapakoneta? Call Josh Bloomfield, with Wapakoneta Area Economic Development Council at (419) 738-6807, or stop into 30 E Auglaize St., in downtown Wapakoneta to see all this city has to offer.

Site opportunities include:

West Central Ohio Industrial Center

• 300+ acres – with sites as small as 5 acres, up to 165 acres currently available

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 more than 130 Members in the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation, a joint action agency with eight Delaware municipal members. Combined, these Member municipal electric utilities serve approximately 650,000 customers. AMP Members receive their power supply from a diversified resource mix that includes wholesale power purchases through AMP and the open market and energy produced at AMP and Member-owned generating facilities utilizing fossil fuel, hydroelectric, solar, wind, and other renewable resources.

For more information about our Member communities and programs, visit searchampsites.com.