Huron County again among nation's top micropolitans

NORWALK — Huron County continues to rank among the top micropolitan areas in the country for business investment, landing at No. 17 in the latest Site Selection Magazine rankings. The recognition marks the second consecutive year the county has finished inside the Top 20 among micropolitan communities, which include cities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000. According to the Huron County Growth Partnership, the county recorded nine qualifying business projects in 2025. Those projects accounted for about $29.9 million in capital investment, created 110 new jobs and helped retain more than 1,000 existing positions. Norwalk Mayor Dave Light said the recognition shows the community's efforts to strengthen both the local economy and quality of life have been paying off. "Three years ago, we celebrated being number 83. We're certainly doing something right," Light said. Although Huron County dropped from No. 7 in last year's ranking, local officials note the county actually had more qualifying projects in 2025 than it did the previous year, reflecting how competitive economic development projects have become across the region, according to the news release. Most of the projects cited involved existing businesses expanding their operations through new equipment, facility upgrades or gaining additional manufacturing space. One of the year's new projects came from Sealcore LLC, an Italian-based manufacturer that produces sealing products and specialty polymers. The company broke ground last year on its first United States manufacturing facility in Norwalk, a project expected to add about 20 jobs. Another major project came from Norweco and Norwalk Precast Molds, known collectively as The Norwalk Companies. The business expanded its existing facility by nearly 200,000 square feet, creating a 25-acre campus that includes manufacturing, warehousing and office space. Norweco has operated in Norwalk since 1906 and manufactures water and wastewater treatment systems used worldwide. Light said continued investments in infrastructure and community amenities have helped position the city and county for continued growth. "We are investing in our infrastructure while tending to quality-of-life issues that attract and retain businesses and people," Light said. The release also points to the county's proximity to Cleveland, Toledo and Columbus, along with access to interstate highways and other transit networks, as factors that make the area attractive to employers considering expansion or relocation.