Businesses

The City of Barberton is committed to nurturing a thriving business community. Learn more about how we help businesses foster success and find resources for building your business in our vibrant community!

Perks for Businesses

To continue in our spirit of innovation and cultivate a community that is a great place to live, work, and play, the City of Barberton works to support businesses through:

Low Water & Sewer Rates

Investments in Infrastructure

Affordable & Available Land for Development

Comprehensive Business Assistance

Great Incentives & Financing Opportunities

Valuable Public-Private Partnerships

We Invest in Our Businesses

$96,604 to be spent on Economic Development in 2024
$130,000 to be spent on Facade Development in 2024
Find more information about incentives and assistance provided to businesses below, then view available sites and buildings and learn more about starting a business in Barberton.

Incentives & Financing

The City of Barberton offers an assortment of incentives and financing opportunities for businesses of all sizes. All of these opportunities can be tailored to the specific needs of your business, whether that be real property tax exemptions for renovations or new construction, public infrastructure improvements, or financing of specialized equipment and working capital.

Financial Assistance & Public-Private Partnerships

Barberton nurtures its innovative spirit by providing financial assistance and public-private partnerships that benefit businesses. These include:

Barberton Community Development Corporation (BCDC)

BCDC provides gap financing in the form of low-interest loans for fixed asset financing (land, buildings and equipment) and for working capital needs.

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The Southern Summit County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC)

CIC issues Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRB) that can provide businesses 100% of financing for eligible fixed assets. Interest rates are 3/4% to 3% below current market rates and terms are up to 30 years, often with an option to buy the project financed at maturity.

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Barberton Community Foundation (BCF)

BCF is a public charity that supports the City of Barberton and awards grants to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations. Requests from these organizations are reviewed three times a year through three focus areas: education and workforce & economic development; arts and community; and health and wellness.

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Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD)

Offers technical assistance to businesses who are completing State of Ohio 166 and Ohio Treasurer’s Link Deposit low-interest loan applications. They also can assist businesses with SBA 504 and 7a loan applications and EDA Public Work Grants.

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Main Street Barberton

Main Street Barberton is a nonprofit organization in the City of Barberton focused on rehabilitating and revitalizing the downtown area through economic development and growth activities. Learn more about the benefits of partnering with this local organization.

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Continuing the Spirit of Innovation

Since Barberton’s founding in 1891 by noted industrialist Ohio Columbus Barber, Barberton has been an innovative community in industry and new technology. In the 1860s and 70s, O.C. Barber built his father’s match company into one of the largest in the country. Later, Barber brought several factories under the umbrella of the Diamond Match Company and became known as America’s Match King. Barber’s Diamond Match Company was a leading producer of wooden matches in 1891.

Barber developed an elaborate farm complex made up of some 40 brick barns and 400 acres, giving the nation one of the first agracorps and experimental farms. Barber believed farmland could be developed into vibrant industrial communities, and that people would flock to the city to buy land and build homes close to the factories that employed them.

This spirit of innovation continues to thrive in Barberton today. It is a center of research for Babcock and Wilcox Nuclear and Fossil Fuel Divisions and is home to PPG’s manufacturing of Teslin™, a synthetic polymer paper. A diversity of smaller companies also play a vital role in Barberton’s economy.

Contact the Planning Department

Learn how the planning department can help you get started with your new business. We encourage you to reach out!