Kimberly-Clark investment helps Ohio secure 2026 Silver Shovel Award

The U.S. state of Ohio has been awarded the 2026 Silver Shovel Award, a national recognition for excellence in economic development, driven in part by Kimberly-Clark’s US$800 million investment in a new manufacturing facility in Trumbull County.

Presented annually by Area Development magazine, the Silver Shovel Awards recognize U.S. states that successfully attract high-impact projects generating substantial capital investment and job creation. Ohio received the distinction in the category for states with populations between 8 million and 12 million, with Kimberly-Clark’s planned creation of 491 jobs highlighted as one of the project’s key achievements.

“This recognition is another sign that the Mahoning Valley’s momentum is real,” said Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. “From being named the No. 2 hottest housing market in the nation to ranking No. 23 nationally for economic development, we’re proving that working together and a common goal can position our region to attract major investments.”

The Kimberly-Clark project is the result of several years of collaboration among local, regional and state organizations. The initiative began when Sarah Boyarko, then chief operating officer of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and now vice president of economic development at Lake to River Economic Development, introduced the former BDM Steel property to Kimberly-Clark’s site selection team.

The project advanced under the leadership of Shea MacMillan, the chamber’s former vice president of economic development, with support from Anthony Trevena and his team at the Western Reserve Port Authority. Lake to River Economic Development, a regional affiliate of JobsOhio, also played a significant role in securing the investment.

“This recognition is a testament to what can happen when strong partnerships, strategic site redevelopment and a shared vision come together,” Trevena said. “The transformation of the former BDM Steel site into a world-class Kimberly-Clark facility reflects years of coordinated effort and investment in our infrastructure.

“We are proud to have helped position the Mahoning Valley to compete for and win projects of this scale, and this award underscores that our region is not only ready for major industry, but leading the way.”

Local governments also contributed to making the project possible. Trumbull County commissioners, the city of Warren, Warren Township, Howland Township and the Trumbull County Planning Commission worked alongside economic development agencies to provide tax incentives and other measures that supported Kimberly-Clark’s decision to invest in the region.

“Kimberly-Clark’s investment in Trumbull County ranks among the most significant in our region’s history,” said Dani Robbins, CEO of Lake to River. “Sarah Boyarko and her team led the site selection for this project, engaged JobsOhio and other economic and workforce development partners and advocated for the incentives that strengthened the case for locating here, and we’ve stayed at the table since, connecting the company to local suppliers and community partners as it puts down roots here.

“Recognition like this validates the kind of collaboration that keeps landing major projects in the Lake to River region.”