Business Opportunities

Business Growth and Potential
In 2002 the Morgan County Improvement Corporation and the Ohio State University Extension secured over $1 million in funding to purchase and refurbish the former Malta windows factory, attracting new tenants and creating 55 new jobs. That same year, Morgan County participated in a regional marketing effort that highlights the county's workforce and sites for business development. The 2000 annual civilian labor force estimates for Morgan County were: total labor force, 4,500; employed, 3,900; unemployment rate, 12.7 percent. Of all workers employed in the county, the largest segment (21.3) percent worked in manufacturing. Tourism also continues to be an important component of the overall economic development strategy for Morgan County.

Major Employers
American Electric Power Company
Genesis/Mark Rest Center
Morgan County Government
Morgan Local Board of Education
Central Ohio Coal Company
Miba Bearings US LLC
Warren's Morgan County IGA
DANA, Inc.
EZ GROUT, Inc.
Hann Manufacturing
Draper, Inc.

Business Support Organizations
Morgan County Chamber of Commerce
Room 147 Riecker Building, P.O. Box 643
McConnelsville OH 43755
(740) 962-3200

Morgan County Ohio State University Extension
155 E. Main Street Room 320
McConnelsville OH 43756
(740) 962-4854

Eastern Ohio Development Alliance
326 Highland Avenue
Cambridge OH 43725
(740) 432-7902

Educational Opportunities

Hocking College
3301 Hocking Parkway
Nelsonville, OH 45764
Phone: 1-800-282-4163
Phone: 740/753-3591

Zane State College
1555 Newark Rd.
Zanesville, OH 43701
Phone: 1-800-686-8324
Phone: 740/454-2501

Mid-East Ohio Vocational School
400 Richards Rd.
Zanesville, OH 43701
Phone: 1-800-551-1548
Phone: 740/454-0105

Ohio University/Athens
120 Chubb Hall
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740/593-5174

Ohio University/Zanesville
1425 Newark Rd.
Zanesville, OH 43701
Phone: 740/453-0762

Tri-County Vocational School
15676 State Route 691
Nelsonville, OH 45764
Phone: 1-800-637-6508
Phone: 740/753-3511

Washington County Career Center
Route 2, State Route 676
Marietta, OH 45750
Phone: 1-800-648-3695
Phone: 740/373-6283

Washington State Community College
710 Colegate Drive
Marietta, OH 45750
Phone: 740/374-8716
www.wscc.edu

Tourism and Lifestyle

Recreation
Morgan County offers an expansive array of outdoor recreational opportunities. Home to four state parks, a national forest, and the largest privately owned park in Ohio, Morgan County provides exceptional camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, or sightseeing.

• AEP ReCreation Land
  Located in the northern Morgan County is one of the area's most important recreational assets, a 30,000 acre reclamation region known as ReCreation Land. The land is owned and operated by the American Electric Power Company and features natural hardwood stands, numerous lakes and ponds and nearly 380 campsites -- all available for public use at no charge. However, permits are required. For more information, contact the AEP Land Management office during business hours at (740) 962-1205 or write American Electric Power, P.O. Box 328, McConnelsville, OH 43756.
  
• Wolf Creek Wildlife Area
  More than 3600 acres in southwestern Morgan County have been set aside as the Wolf Creek Wildlife area. The area is available for public hunting and fishing. For more information, contact the Wolf Creek Wildlife Area office at 961 South State Route 78 SW, Malta, OH 43758.
  
• Burr Oak State Park
  Located on the western side of Morgan County, just 15 miles southwest of McConnelsville, is Burr Oak State Park. The park surrounds a seven mile lake with a 10 HP motor limit. Visitors can stay at the lodge or in cabins while enjoying swimming, hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, camping, golfing, and horseback riding. For more information, call Burr Oak State Park at (740) 767-3570.
  
• The Wilds
  The Wilds is North America's largest wildlife conservation and research center dedicated to preserving endangered wildlife. The Wilds' expansive preserve, encompassing more than 9,000 acres of rolling grassland, dense forest and 150 lakes, was mined by Central Ohio Coal Company and donated by American Electric Power. For more information, write The Wilds at 14000 International Road, Cumberland, OH 43732 or call (740) 638-5030.
  
• Big Bottom State Park
  Located on State Route 266, one mile south of Stockport, the park offers picnic and restroom facilities. For more information, call the Big Bottom State Park office at (740) 559-3030 or (740) 962-3200.
  
• Wayne National Forest
  A tract of 30,000 acres of the Wayne National Forest is situated on the west side of Morgan County. Managed for multiple use by the U.S. Forest Service, Wayne National Forest offers visitors hunting and hiking. For more information, contact the Wayne National Forest at (740) 373-9055.
  
• Muskingum River Parkway
  The Muskingum River Valley, renowned for its scenic beauty, was a major Indian thoroughfare and served as a transportation route into the Northwest Territory. The river takes its name from the Delaware phrase "Moos-kin-gung" meaning "Elk Eye River." This name was given because of the large number of elk that used to roam the river valley. It is an especially popular place to visit during peak fall foliage season.
  

Attractions and Points of Interest

• Morgan County Court House
  Located in downtown McConnelsville, the Morgan County Court House is considered one of the most imposing in Ohio. The Greek Classic building was built in 1858 at a cost of $10,000.  The courthouse is open Monday through Friday.
  
• The Howard House
  This antebellum mansion on East Main Street has long been known as the "Old Howard House." In 1989, Darl and Steve Hann bought the home and spent nine months restoring it to create The Howard House Restaurant. Call (740) 962-5861 for more information.
  
• The Opera House
  Built in 1890 on the foundation of the former Brewster Hotel, the Opera House was the first building in Morgan County to be lighted by electricity. It features two tunnels once connected to hotels across the street. For the past half century, the Opera House has been a movie theatre. It was renovated in 1996. For more information, call (740) 962-3030.
  

Convention and Visitors Bureau
Morgan County Office of Tourism
Room 147 Riecker Building
McConnelsville OH 43756
(740) 962-3200

Airports
Located about three miles from McConnelsville, Morgan County Airport is owned by the Morgan County Airport Authority. The paved runway extends for 3,500 feet.

Health Services
Barbara Murrell, MD
McConnelsville, OH
(740) 962-6111