Business and Government of Akron Ohio

Take a new look at one of Ohio’s most livable and interesting cities. Take a look at Akron.

Akron is an international city, with residents from around the world who add to the diversity and vitality of our community.

Business is flourishing in Greater Akron, and our future holds even more promise with our newly designated Biomedical Corridor downtown. This initiative puts Akron in the forefront of developing a new identity launched from its fine reputation as innovators in medicine, biomedical research, materials handling and more.

Long an industrial and manufacturing giant, we will now open our doors to businesses affiliated in just about every way with the field of health care and biomedical research. Equally exciting will be the new downtown housing and amenities created for the people who work at the three hospitals already located within the biomedical corridor.

Downtown Akron also boasts a billion dollars of new investments including the National Inventors Hall of Fame, a new library, Canal Park stadium and Lock 3 Park, which is home to summer concerts and winter ice skating alike.

Add to this the exciting new Northside Loft condominiums that offer a beautiful, cascading view of the scenic valley north of downtown, and visitors will understand why Akron continues to be one of Ohio’s most rapidly evolving cities.

Newsweek magazine has touted Akron as one of America’s "Hot Tech Cities of the Future" with just cause. For more than 100 years, Akron was the rubber and tire capital of the world, and we are now a center of research and advanced manufacturing. This is where every super-engineered tire for the Indy 500 is assembled, and where the wheels of NASCAR are made.

Akron is also fertile ground for sports fans and participants, and we’re proud of our standing in athletics for all ages. Sports Illustrated picked Akron’s All-American Soap Box Derby as Ohio’s best sports symbol, and for 50 years, the Firestone Country Club has been home to world-class, professional golf. We have a championship professional baseball team—the Eastern League champion Akron Aeros (AA Cleveland Indians), and we are proud of the world-class runners who come to our city for the Roadrunner Akron Marathon, now one of America’s premier races.

We also have wide-open spaces. Perched at the edge of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park—along the nearly 100-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail that goes through the center of town—is a cyclist’s paradise that puts city-dwellers within a bicycle ride of Blossom Music Center, the summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra.

With all of the exceptional educational opportunities, diverse neighborhoods and ample offerings of arts, parks, and recreation, once you visit Akron you may never want to leave.

Come home, to Akron.

Donald L. Plusquellic, Mayor

Business of Akron

The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development serves as the direct liaison for the City of Akron to the business community. Our goal is to create attractive opportunities for existing Akron companies to successfully grow their businesses and to assist companies and entrepreneurs looking to start-up or relocate new business operations in the Akron area. To meet this goal, our staff philosophy is to think outside the box and provide businesses with creative economic development opportunities, alternatives, solutions, and assistance to meet their specific needs and goals.