Southeast Ohio is division of the state that is a specific Workforce Development sector that covers several counties in this rural areas near the Ohio River and the Appalachian Mountains, to the west of West Virginia and Virgina.

Eight counties make up this rural region and are home to over 100,000 workers. Local companies report low employee turnover rates and some problem finding enough good workers to fill certain job vacancies. However, the region is also home to eight recognized, accredited facilities of Higher Learning to prepare youth and adults students for the full range of certifications and training that include short-term certificates, college degrees, medical and law degrees, and a range of PhDs.

A range of attractive Business Assistance funding advantages and Incentives, including tax incentives, are available though State of Ohio business initiatives in the region to bring in new business that will create new jobs. Effective business incentives include those of Enterprise Zones (EZs), Rural Enterprise Zones REZs), a 13.5% Manufacturing Machinery & Equipment investment tax credit and low interest Appalachian Regional Commission loans. The various enterprise zones are supported by federal, state, and county funding sources, with city block grants sometimes also a possibility. These funding sources provide education and training opportunities as well as job coaching and placement, business start-up and expansion assistance, and other services.

This SE Ohio regional economy is largely supported by Manufacturing, Retail, and Government jobs, expanding into other industry sectors as business incentive results gain momentum. Companies anchored in SE Ohio tend to stay in place and not outsource or move overseas, lending stability to an economy that can grow. Alternative Energy and Green-Collar Jobs, and Greenhouse Crops are newer industry sectors on the increase on the Ohio River.

One productive link to jobs and careers in Southeastern Ohio is located at

Jobs at Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center

Southeastern Ohio Government Careers

SEOhioHelpWanted.Com - At this website, job seekers can particiapte in a free Career Assessment survey online, post their resumes, and search for jobs in the eastern central portion and Southeastern Ohio regions of the state.

Top 10 Hot Jobs in Southeastern Ohio

1. Healthcare Therapy & Support Services
2. Registered Nurses (RNs)
3. Healthcare Rehabilitation Services
4. Salespersons and Sales Managers
5. Machine Operators and Assemblers - MFG.
6. Military positions with the National Guard
7. Truck Driving, Shipping & Logistics
8. Engineers
9. Food Preparation & Service
10. Customer Service Representatives

The largest employers in this region of Ohio include energy and manufacturing companies. A sample of large employers, in alphabetical order, includes:

• AEP: energy
• Athens County Government
• Chevron-Philips: plastics
• Dana: castings
• Duke Energy
• Electronic Vision - software
• General Electric
• Hocking Valley Community Hospital
• International Converter
• Ohio University
• Ormet - America's third largest aluminum smelter
• Southern Ohio Regional Medical Center
• Southern Ohio Coal
• State of Ohio Government
• Sun Power: cryogenic coolers
• Thermo Forma

A number of aircraft and auto parts manufactures are also successful in this region. SE Ohio is home to several companies that impact the global marketplace. Many have been awarded the Governor's "E" Award for Exports (eg. Star Engineering, PetroWare; both of Perry County). The SE Ohio industrialized sector is winning recognition as well -- lacier Clevite Heavywall Bearings of Morgan County has been a Supplier of the Year for General Motors.

Industrial Parks have booted local economies. Monroe County is in the process of developing its 100-acre park near County Airport. in Washington County, Wal-Bon built a $3,000,000 bakery In a 70-acre industrial park. Athens County has developed 80 acres f business at Poston Industrial Park, while Perry County works on 150 acres of green property off of I-70. Meigs County is home to Tuppers Plains Industrial Park (an REZ) of 60 acres.

Meigs County also is set to develop 1266 acres at Great Bend on the Ohio River, very near a US Federal Port Authority and international shipping.

The Ohio River Region of Southeastern Ohio is a beautiful vacation, boating, and tourist attraction. Paddlewheel and sternwheel boats provide historic tours along the river in Marietta, while West Virgina is just across the river along I-70.

This region of Ohio contains at least 22 State Parks & Historical Sites, 3 Nature Preserves and 7 State Forests and many areas for hunting and fishing. The region is full of county and community festivals, Native American Pow Wows and history, museums, cave tours, camping, and events such as Parade of the Hill in Hocking County. See the link at Appalachian Ohio Tourism.