Learn more about the JEDISO Region of South-Central Ohio

Abundant woodlands and people who can turn timber into profit

South Central Ohio’s JEDISO Region is where the Appalachian foothills emerge from the land, and our counties are blanketed in tree-lined hills that have long been a source of high-quality timber and natural beauty. Those carefully managed woodlands provide a renewable source of white oak, red oak, maple, and other woods that have been the backbone of our local economy for centuries. It’s no surprise that many forest products industries have established operations here.

The natural resources are only part of the story. Local residents have grown up with respect for the land, along with the work ethic that’s always been at the center of the timber industry and farming. For generations, they’ve not been strangers to hard work and self-motivation, and that spirit lives on in today’s workforce. The JEDISO Region draws upon a 16-county labor shed that’s home to more than 327,000 people, many of whom are experienced woodworkers and craftspeople. Local education providers constantly renew the workforce pipeline by helping young people develop and sharpen skills in carpentry, industrial maintenance, management, building and property maintenance, HVAC-R, and other in-demand fields.

We’re also centrally located for consumers of forest products, within a single day’s drive (600 miles) of more than 176 million people in eastern North America. And thanks to a network of Interstate-caliber divided highways in every direction that offers fast access to Interstates 64, 70, 71, and 77, it’s easy for local producers to connect with those consumers. For larger shipments, we have sites with direct rail service and access to truck-to-train transload sites. And our area’s utility providers offer plenty of capacity at remarkably affordable rates.

JEDISO Largest Employers

CompanyIndustry/ProductLocationNumber of Employees
Adena Health System Healthcare and Robotic Orthopedic Surgery Center Chillicothe, Ohio2700
KenworthManufacturer of heavy-duty Class 8 trucksChillicothe, Ohio2400
Fluor BWXTDecontamination & Decommissioning Piketon, Ohio1900
Veterans Administration Medical CenterFederal healthcare facilityChillicothe, Ohio1520
Bellisio FoodsFrozen foodsJackson, Ohio1230
Ohio Dept. of CorrectionsCorrectional InstitutionChillicothe, Ohio1100
Pixelle Specialty ProductsCarbonless forms and specialty papersChillicothe, Ohio900
G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers, Inc.BottlingFranklin Furnace, Ohio350
Kirchoff AutomotiveGlobal Tier 1 automotive supplierWaverly, Ohio320
General Electric AviationEngine test and final assembly facility for aircraftPeebles, Ohio305
Taylor Lumber WorldwideCut stock, resawing lumber, and planingMcDermott, Ohio270
Big Sandy Furniture & DistributionFurniture wholesale and logisticsWheelersburg, Ohio250
Riffle Machine Works, Inc.Truck components, 3PLChillicothe, Ohio205
Ohio Valley VeneerHardwood floors and wood productsPiketon, OH200
OSCO Industries, Inc.Gray iron foundry specializing - green sand & shell moldingPortsmouth, New Boston, Jackson, Ohio170
General MillsFrozen foodsWellston, Ohio160
Speyside Bourbon CooperageNew bourbon casksJackson, Ohio160
Sun Coke EnergyCoke for steel mill blast furnacesFranklin Furnace/ Haverhill, Ohio160
Geiger Brothers Mechanical ContractorsMechanical ContractorsJackso, Ohio150
Appalachian Wood FloorsHardwood floors and wood productsPortsmouth, Ohio120
Rural KingFarm and home products retail and distributionWaverly, Ohio120
Innovative Solutions Unlimited, LLC (InSolves)Consulting/staffing: D&D for high security operationsPiketon, Ohio100
Rocal, Inc.Sign manufacturingFrankfort, Ohio100
Vitatoe Industries, Inc.Truck/Aircraft maintenance, components, and paintChillicothe, Ohio90
Consolidated Metco, Inc.Truck interior componentsChillicothe, Ohio85
MHC Kenworth Road Ready CenterTruck aftermarket services; NG conversionChillicothe, Ohio85
Vinyl Kraft Windows and DoorsWindow and door manufacturerNew Boston, Ohio85
PetlandInternational headquarters Chillicothe, Ohio70
Tri-America ConstructionIndustrial fabrication and constructionWheelersburg, Ohio70
InfoSight CorporationBarcoding equipment/Engineered technologiesChillicothe, Ohio65
Infra-MetalsStructural steelNew Boston, Ohio60
Speyside Bourbon CooperageBourbon barrel stavesWaverly, Ohio60
AluChemProcesses tabular aluminaJackson, Ohio53
Herr Foods, Inc.Snack food manufacturingChillicothe, Ohio50
Montgomery TruckingTrucking & LogisticsJackson, Ohio50
BrenMarFabrication & Manufacturing SupportJackson, Ohio50
SoleChoice, Inc.Manufactures shoe laces and polishesPortsmouth, Ohio45
Foill, Inc.General contractorWaverly, Ohio35
Brown-Forman CooperageStave millWellston, Ohio32
Zebu Compliance SolutionsMedical billing and compliance softwarePortsmouth, Ohio30
OCI Fine Appalachian OaksToasted oak chips & alternatives for wine makersWaverly, Ohio26
Iron City Pipe & SupplyRegional distributor of a broad line of pipesJackson, Ohio22
Montgomery Machine & FabricationMachine and fabricationJackson, Ohio20
Jackson PlasticsCustomized Injection MoldingJackson, Ohio19
Yost LabsMotion and position tracking sensors & softwarePortsmouth, Ohio15
American WarehousingWarehousing & LogisticsJackson, Ohio9
Tim's Wood ShopCustomer Wood Flooring, Doors, Trim MoldingJackson, Ohio9