Dayton Region, Ohio: Global Report India

Montgomery County, Ohio, is a welcoming place for international companies. The Dayton Council on World Affairs (DCOWA) recently released “The Global Report of the Dayton Region; Country Profile: India” highlighting the region’s connection with the world’s largest democracy.

The Global Report of the Dayton Region was created to show how the area is impacted by the world and how those connections create an internationally diverse community and a desirable place to work and live.

“Businesses can use the Global Report to highlight the diversity of the Dayton Region, especially when working internationally,” said Erik Collins, Director of Community and Economic Development for Montgomery County. “The goal of this report is to foster more international trade between the Dayton Region and the world. As we have many international companies here, and our companies have expanded across the world, we see this region as a hub of the global economy.”

Because the Dayton Region focuses on collaboration to build and maintain a strong and viable economy, a major strategy is to welcome international companies like those from India to the region. 

“The collaboration among partners is the main reason the Dayton Region is an ideal location for international companies,” said Collins. “Because our organizations and governments work together, companies can enter the U.S. market faster here, with less risk, and lower cost than other areas, making it much easier to locate and immediately start business operations.”

“Having the Dayton Council on World Affairs is a major selling point for our region,” said Collins. “Their work showcases the Dayton Region as welcoming and willing to do business with companies from across the world.”

India has proven to be an important trade partner as highlighted by some key 2020 economic statistics: 

• Imports from India to Ohio reached over $1.4 billion.
• Ohio’s exports to India totaled just over $430 million. 
• In all, 4.3 percent of global imports to the Port of Dayton, Ohio, came from India. 

Additionally, three Dayton Region companies have a total of six international subsidiaries in India and 10 companies, including higher education institutions, employed Indian citizens who were granted permanent employment certification through the U.S. Department of Labor in 2019.

The region’s relationship with India goes beyond economics. Educational and cultural connections between the Dayton Region and India are a major focus of the community. Each year from 2018 to 2020, local universities have had more than 100 undergraduate students and over 400 graduate students from India.

“Every year, the India Club of Greater Dayton hosts IndiaFest, exposing the community to Indian culture,” said Collins. The free family-oriented event features a variety of delicious Indian dishes, Indian cultural entertainment, and vendors selling traditional items of Indian origin. 

Clubs and associations in the Dayton Region with ties to India or its culture include the Dayton Cricket Club, India Club of Greater Dayton, Miami-Valley Area Telugu Association (MATA), Pragati of Dayton, Triveni Mitra Mandal, and Umang Gujurati Association of Dayton, Ohio.

“Welcoming Indian companies to the Dayton Region is something that our community does well,” said Collins. “Whether it's connecting with the over 4,000 individuals who are from India who live here, or getting connected to customers, places of worship, housing, educational institutions, or any resources, it’s comfortable to establish a presence in the Dayton Region.”

Read the full Global Report of the Dayton Region; Country Profile: India for all of the details and resources

Follow Montgomery County, Ohio, Economic Development on LinkedIn.

Learn About the Dayton Region

• The 5-county (Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, and Preble counties) Dayton Region has more than 890,000 people. 
• There are five international airports within 90 minutes of the Dayton Region, with Dayton International Airport being one of Ohio’s four U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Global Ports of Entry. 
• You can reach 60 percent of U.S. consumers in one day’s drive. 
• There are 41 degree-granting higher education institutions within a 60-mile radius.