Portage Development Board

05/21/2026

Portage County Business Spotlight:

Renewable Lubricants celebrates 35 years of manufacturing in Ohio.

Visits and proclamations from local dignitaries commemorate the anniversary.

05/18/2026

Our team was grateful to attend NEO Rising on May 14 and be part of the conversations around Foreign Direct Investment and the exciting growth happening across Northeast Ohio.

Congratulations to Marki Huston, CEO of Veiga, and Patrick Mohorcic, Executive Director of the Lake Development Authority, on their well-deserved awards and recognition.

There are so many great things happening across our region, and that progress is only possible because of the collaboration and commitment of organizations, leaders, and communities working together. We’re proud to play a small part in Northeast Ohio’s continued success alongside so many great partners.

05/15/2026

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to attend the NAIOP Awards of Excellence Ceremony, and Portage County made its mark.

Congratulations to Veiga LLC on its nomination for 2025 New Construction Project of the Year, and to The Davey Tree Expert Company for taking home the award for 2025 New Construction Project of the Year.

These projects showcase the innovation, investment, and continued growth happening right here in Portage County. We’re proud to see local companies leading the way and putting our community on the map.

05/07/2026

We had the chance to attend Design Innovation Day at Kent State University last Friday, and it was truly inspiring to see so many ideas come to life.

From the pinning ceremony to the projects showcased throughout the DI Hub, each one reflected thoughtful collaboration and real-world impact.

It was a great reminder that meaningful solutions come from creativity, resilience, and people working together across disciplines.

Grateful to have this kind of innovation happening right here in our community.

05/04/2026

Help spread the word as we celebrate In-Demand Jobs Week: a statewide celebration of the jobs, industries, and skills that are powering Ohio. This year, the celebration will take place May 4-8, 2026.

Throughout the week, community leaders across Ohio are encouraged to team up and create inspiring events and activities that spark excitement, highlight career opportunities, and build awareness among students and job seekers.

Use this link https://topjobs.ohio.gov/week to view events from the 2026 In-Demand Jobs Week. You can also check out our page Portage Is Hiring to stay up to date on job opening in Portage County.

04/29/2026

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of attending the Limitless Art Show, hosted by the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities. This inspiring annual event celebrates original works created exclusively by talented local artists.

The evening was filled with connection, creativity, and joy. We enjoyed listening and learning more about the artists and even picked up some amazing art pieces to take home.

Events like this are a powerful reminder that creativity truly knows no bounds. Its possibilities are, indeed, limitless.

04/28/2026

Last week we held our Annual Board meeting. We were grateful to welcome our largest audience yet, with 47 attendees joining us.

During the meeting, we shared updates on our strategic plan, highlighted local business success stories through testimonial videos, and unveiled our annual report.

We also marked an important leadership transition, as we welcome our New Chairman Joey Arnold. Joey is the 5th Chairman of PDB.

We extend our sincere thanks to our outgoing chair Sandra Reid, for her service, dedication, and continued commitment to strengthening Portage County.

04/16/2026

Sneak peek 👀

Our annual report is officially in its final stages. One of our team members got a behind-the-scenes look straight from the printing press as it all came to life.

It’s been months of planning, designing, and preparing… and we can’t wait to share it with you.

04/15/2026

This week, our Communications Specialist Megan had the opportunity to attend the Coffee Hour with In Transit. It featured an engaging and insightful session centered on the buyer journey and how marketing strategies can effectively support each stage.

A big thank you to the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce for organizing such a valuable event. We’re excited to join more sessions in the future!

03/27/2026

What a night at Grow the Pie! 🌟

Thank you to everyone who came. Your support sparked connections, conversations, and momentum for a thriving Portage County.

Special thanks to The Davey Tree Expert Company for hosting, KeyBank for their support, and Taproot for providing the pies!

From PDB’s history and impact to our vision for growth, the evening was full of insight and inspiration. This is just the first slice. Stay tuned to see how you can keep building a stronger, more vibrant community with us!