A tale of two economies: Mercer, Monroe counties’ success and struggle offer lessons for Ohio – Cleveland Plain Dealer

By John Caniglia, The Plain Dealer, and David Knox, Your Voice Ohio

In Ohio’s western breadbasket, amid thousands of acres of lush Mercer County farmland, grows an economic engine that is fueled by small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies that are cultivating new businesses and steadily growing older ones.

Throughout the county’s cities and the villages, help-wanted signs as prevalent as street markers offer notices of job openings for machinists, welders and other trades. In a state hard hit by years of economic downturn, Mercer County stands out: It has one of the most prosperous economies in Ohio and is among its leaders in job growth. It boasts the state’s lowest unemployment rate: 2.5 percent in September. It has held that title for 30 consecutive months.