Wooster ranks third in national micropolitan list

Wayne County's economic growth recognized with 15 projects in 2025, boosting local business development

Wooster ranked third nationally in “Site Selection” magazine’s Governor’s Cup micropolitan rankings after submitting 15 major business development projects in 2025, placing it among the top 5% of micropolitan areas for economic growth.

City of Wooster

Published March 4, 2026 - 7:00 a.m. Modified March 16, 2026 - 3:46 p.m.

Wooster has again been recognized as a leading micropolitan in the nation, ranking third in "Site Selection" magazine’s Governor’s Cup rankings. This achievement places Wooster in the top 5% of all micropolitan areas in the United States for economic development and business growth.

The annual rankings evaluate micropolitan areas — cities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000 — based on the number of qualifying business development projects within their counties. Qualifying projects must have an investment of $1 million or more, create at least 20 new jobs or involve the construction of a building or addition of 20,000 square feet or more.

The Wooster micropolitan submitted 15 qualifying projects from throughout Wayne County in 2025, just one project shy of second-place Findlay. New to first place was Williston, North Dakota, with 21 qualifying projects.

“Being recognized in this way speaks to the strength and diversity of our local business community,” said Maribeth Burns, president of the Wayne Economic Development Council. “Our continued success is the result of intentional collaboration among businesses, local leadership and organizations focused on creating long-term economic vitality.”

Recent business expansions and investments that contributed to Wooster’s third-place ranking included projects from throughout Wayne County, such as those by Centerra Co-Op, Country Roofing & Exteriors, Deco-Crete Supply, FedEx, Granite Ridge Farms, Ivan Weaver Construction, Jarrett Companies, Luke Engineering & Anodizing, Mull Iron, PRC-Saltillo, Quality Plastics, The Will-Burt Company, The Wooster Brush Company and Wiles Hanzie – Flo Properties.

“This recognition is meaningful, but it also reinforces our responsibility to keep moving forward,” said Burns. “We’re focused on fostering long-term growth and opportunity while building on the partnerships that make success like this possible.”

Ohio leads the nation with 20 cities on the list, totaling 114 qualifying projects. To view the list in its entirety, visit Top Micropolitans of 2025.