About Portage County

Portage County was born of transportation and in the beginning was acknowledged for its strategic location. It still is. I-80 (Ohio Turnpike), with two interchanges, and I-76 bisect the county in an east-west direction. I-480 provides quick access to the Cleveland metro area and I-90. I-76 provides access to the major north-south routes of I-77 and I-71.
 All major modes of transportation are easily assessable. The commercial airports of Akron-Canton, Cleveland Hopkins International and Youngstown are within a one-hour drive.
 
While centrally located in the center of Northeast Ohio’s manufacturing heartland, the county retains its rural environment. Portage County's gently rolling topography houses over 152,000 people. Major cities include Aurora, Kent, Ravenna and Streetsboro.  

 
Once noted for the high quality of its manufactured glass and for the output of its more than 50 cheese plants, Portage County’s growing business base now hosts a range of industry producing an array of products, from toys to lamp bulbs to aircraft components. Metalworking, Plastic & Rubber Products and Printing/Publishing lead the county’s manufacturing sector.

Portage County is home to over 2500 businesses. Nearly 400 are involved in manufacturing or distribution. Metalworking, Plastic & Rubber Products and Printing/Publishing lead the county’s manufacturing sector.

Agri-business, with 719 farms, average over $33,000 each in annual sales. Major business employers include General Electric, The Step2 Company, Deluxe Business Systems, St Gobain Performance Plastics, Lucas Aerospace, Parker-Hannifin, Gougler Industries, The Press of Ohio, McMaster Carr Corporation, Automated Packaging, Davey Tree Expert Company and DaimlerChrysler Mopar Distribution Center.