Union County, Ohio Receives Premier Life Sciences Ready Community Designation by Ohio Life Sciences

UNION COUNTY, OHIO — April 13, 2026 — Union County has been officially designated a Premier Life Sciences Ready Community by Ohio Life Sciences, recognizing the county’s exceptional readiness to support growth in the life sciences industry.

This top-tier designation reflects Union County’s strength in infrastructure, workforce, available sites, and its ability to support companies in industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and advanced research.

“Achieving the Premier designation reinforces Union County’s position as a competitive destination for life sciences investment,” said Eric Phillips, Economic Development Director. “This recognition validates the work being done to ensure our community is prepared for high-growth, high-impact industries.”

What the Designation Means:

The Life Sciences Ready Community program evaluates communities on the factors most critical to life sciences companies. Communities are ranked by readiness, with Premier representing the highest level of preparedness.

For Union County, this designation signals to site selectors, developers, and companies that the community is well-positioned to support complex, high-growth life sciences operations.

Union County is one of just six communities in Ohio to earn the Premier designation. In Central Ohio, New Albany is the only other community to receive the highest posisble rating.

Positioning for Future Investment

The designation will be promoted through statewide marketing efforts by Ohio Life Sciences, increasing visibility among national site selectors and industry leaders. Union County will also be featured on the official program website and in ongoing communications highlighting Ohio’s top life sciences-ready communities.

The life sciences industry continues to experience rapid growth, driven by advances in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and data-driven healthcare. These projects are often high-investment, high-wage operations that require specialized infrastructure, talent, and long-term community support.

By earning the Premier designation, Union County is better positioned to compete for these opportunities. The recognition provides third-party validation that the community can meet the complex needs of life sciences users, helping reduce risk and uncertainty for companies considering new locations.

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Media Contact

Eric Phillips, Economic Development Director

Union County–Marysville Economic Development

ephillips@unioncounty.org | (937) 642-6279

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