Northeast Ohio region received most capital investment in 2014

Staff report

COLUMBUS

Northeast Ohio received the most capital investment in the state for the third quarter of 2014, according to a report from JobsOhio.

The state’s economic- development agency will release its annual report for 2014 Monday.

The region, which includes the Mahoning Valley, received $248 million in capital investment during the third quarter last year. Also, 2,295 jobs were retained, and 777 jobs were created.

“We’re always looking to grow jobs and capital investment,” said Matt Englehart, a JobsOhio spokesman.

Statewide, there were 54 projects that retained 8,232 jobs, created 5,000 jobs, and with $676.7 million in capital investment.

In the third quarter of 2013, there were 61 projects that retained 6,161 jobs, created 3,835 jobs, and with $708 million in capital investment.

Among the projects completed in the third quarter last year was the new Lordstown facility of Ontario-based Matalco Inc., an aluminum-billet manufacturer, which would create 60 jobs.

“We’re not surprised by the results of the third-quarter capital investment in Northeast Ohio because of Matalco’s announcement to invest what has grown to more than $100 million in a new aluminum re-melting facility in Lordstown,” Sarah Boyarko, vice president of business expansion of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, said in a statement. “This investment is the result of the Regional Chamber’s aggressive international attraction efforts and ongoing partnerships with Team NEO [Northeast Ohio] and JobsOhio.”