Delaware County, just north of Columbus, proves the adage "location, location and location."

It is one of the 10 fastest growing counties in the country, and no Ohio county is growing as rapidly.

"We are experiencing phenomenal continual growth here," says Douglas A. Garver, director of the Delaware County Economic Development agency. "It's like a snowball rolling downhill."

Driving this growth is Central Ohio's location within 500 miles of 58 percent of the U.S. population, plus the region's economic stability and industrial diversity.

Finding good workers in this environment can be challenging. But helping the effort is the Delaware County Joint Vocational School, an area career center in which all public school districts participate. Studies indicate that approximately 60 percent of all Delaware County school graduates continue their educational development at two- or four-year colleges and universities. There are 16 colleges and universities readily available within a 45-minute commute from Delaware.

These diverse industries encompass computer and software technology, finance, automotive, and robotic products.

Extraordinary work force

"We have a relatively low turnover rate here," says Bill Damko, vice president of market development for Digital Storage, which has product lines including diskettes, computer magnetic tapes, optical products, removable disk cartridges, and tape backup. "We also benefit from the diversity of the people here. From entry-level workers to seasoned managers, Delaware County has a quality work force from which to choose."

"We have a lot of long-time associates who are committed to the success of this business," he says. "Our associates are dependable and dedicated and want to do a good job."

American Showa is a manufacturer of precision functional components for the automotive industry.

Industrial parks
The Sunbury Industrial Park is one of the many industrial parks found in the county. The others are: Sunbury Commerce Park; Orange Point Commerce Park; Delaware Industrial Park; Polaris Centers of Commerce; and Crown Industrial Park, a new 155-acre industrial park and future home of Jeg's Automotive Mail Order Distribution Center.

All of Delaware County's industrial parks are fully serviced with utilities and access roads. Financing packages also make these commercial and industrial sites attractive.

College ties and balanced growth
In the midst of fast paced growth, Delaware County has managed to maintain a balance between urban and rural development. The county's growth knows no boundaries. Currently, downtown Delaware is undergoing a $2 million revitalization.

The city of Delaware, itself, is home to Ohio Wesleyan University, a private liberal arts college employing 500 with an enrollment of 2,300.

"The university gives the city a college town atmosphere," Garver says. "Yet, people who live here enjoy the benefits of being one-half hour from cultural and sporting events in Columbus."

No doubt, Delaware County is enjoying the spin-off growth from Columbus. But Garver is quick to point out that the county has its own identity.

"Delaware County is not a bedroom community. We have our own unique characteristics and a strong and diverse economic base," he says.

While the county welcomes and prepares for the continued growth, officials, businesses and residents constantly work toward balancing growth with the historic and farmland preservation atmosphere. "This gives us a unique rural and urban environment," Garver says.