Tuscarawas County Economic Development staff, celebrates winning Project of the Year at the Ohio Economic Development Association’s Annual Summit. Other key stakeholders include Bricker & Graydon, Huntington Bank, Ohio Department of Transportation, Schaeffler, and Team NEO.
DOVER, OH / AKRON, OH – October 16, 2025 – The Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC) announced today that the Schaeffler Plant in Dover, Ohio has been named the Project of the Year at the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) Annual Summit in Akron. The award, one of the most highly coveted honors in Ohio’s economic development community, recognizes outstanding and innovative projects that generate significant jobs and capital investment across the state.
The Schaeffler project represents a transformational, $230 million capital investment to construct a state-of-the-art, 265,000-square-foot facility focused on manufacturing the company’s globally successful e-mobility technology for electric and hybrid vehicles. The selection by the OEDA affirms the project’s exceptional success in leveraging public-private partnerships to drive regional prosperity.
Dover Mayor, Shane Gunnoe at the OEDA Annual Summit in Akron, Ohio
“This Project of the Year award is a direct reflection of the power of collaboration between state and local government, our private partners like Schaeffler, and our dedicated workforce,” said Shane Gunnoe, Mayor of Dover. “The Schaeffler project is not just about a building; it’s about generating highly skilled manufacturing jobs, securing Tuscarawas County’s place in the future of the automotive industry, and providing an inspirational blueprint for successful rural economic development.”
Beyond the massive capital outlay and job creation, the project has catalyzed significant investment in the surrounding community, spurring over $4.5 million in public infrastructure improvements and generating workforce funding to support the Tuscarawas Valley Industry Sector Partnership.
The OEDA Project of the Year award specifically seeks to showcase projects that utilize a unique approach to financing, incentives, or local collaboration. The award was presented during the OEDA Annual Excellence Awards Ceremony at the Summit in Akron, Ohio, bringing statewide recognition to the TCEDC and its regional partners.
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About the Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC)
The TCEDC is the leading organization dedicated to fostering economic growth, promoting investment, and retaining and attracting jobs throughout Tuscarawas County, Ohio.
Media Contact:
[JC Shively] [Director of Business Development] [jcshively@tuscedc.com] [330.401.3623]