Ashland County's economy is anchored by manufacturing, with more than 85 manufacturers operating in the region. Charles River Labs, specializing in biomedical research, has emerged as the area's largest employer with hundreds of employees. The county's location just 5 miles from I-71 and an hour from Cleveland, Columbus, and Akron/Canton provides exceptional market access for businesses requiring regional distribution.
The Ashland Business Park recently expanded to accommodate growth, and the city recorded its highest-ever industrial park land sale in August 2024 at $20,000 per acre to a Fortune 500 e-commerce company for 22.4 acres. Team NEO has identified the potential for Ashland County to develop as a medical and additive manufacturing 3D printing corridor. Despite recent manufacturing closures at Pioneer National Latex and Mansfield Plumbing Products, economic development officials report affected workers largely found new positions.
Whether you're expanding a manufacturing facility, developing distribution space along the I-71 corridor, or constructing commercial property to serve the regional economy, Ashland projects benefit from experienced oversight. An independent Owner's Representative ensures that development complexity doesn't compromise your budget and timeline.
Every construction project involves three core parties: the Architect, focused on design and code compliance; the General Contractor, focused on means, methods, and their own profitability; and the Owner, who funds everything but often lacks the technical expertise to protect their investment. This creates what we call the Leadership Vacuum, where no one is truly accountable for the owner's budget and schedule.
DeVore Consulting fills this vacuum. We work exclusively for you, never holding trade contracts or self-performing work. Our role is to translate your business objectives into construction outcomes, providing a single point of accountability from pre-design through project closeout.
We bring disciplined methodology to manufacturing and commercial projects in Ashland County.
Manufacturing and research facilities demand precise budget control. We verify that pay applications reflect work actually completed, analyze change orders to separate legitimate costs from contractor overreach, and model the financial impact of decisions before they're made.
We never build; we only manage. This means our advice is never influenced by a desire to self-perform work or protect a margin. When we flag a problem, it's because it affects your outcome.
Projects in the $500K to $50M range are our specialty. These are often too complex for business owners to oversee part-time but may not attract attention from Cleveland-focused firms.
We support the project types driving Ashland County's manufacturing-focused economy:
Facility expansions for manufacturers ranging from biomedical research to consumer products.
E-commerce and distribution facilities capitalizing on I-71 access and regional connectivity.
New construction and renovation projects serving the regional economy.
Biomedical, 3D printing, and advanced manufacturing facilities requiring specialized construction.
We serve the I-71 corridor including Mansfield, Wooster, and Medina.
The greatest value we provide comes from early engagement, before you've committed to a property or finalized designs. Our Fatal Flaw Analysis investigates infrastructure capacity, rail access, and site conditions while there's still time to negotiate or walk away.
If your Ashland project is already underway and facing challenges, we can help stabilize the situation through rigorous change order review and contractor accountability. But prevention is always more cost-effective than cure.
Schedule a consultation to ensure your Ashland project starts on solid footing.
We provide comprehensive project oversight for business owners and developers who need expert guidance through the construction process. With 20+ years overseeing the design and construction of residential and commercial, we know where problems hide and how to prevent them.
These FAQs are a starting point, but your project has specific goals, risks, and financial stakes. My role is to be your trusted guide.I protect your time and money by simplifying the process, providing experienced oversight, and preventing costly mistakes before they happen.
The Ashland Business Park recently expanded and recorded its highest-ever land sale at $20,000 per acre to a Fortune 500 e-commerce company. The park offers shovel-ready sites with rail access, located just 5 miles from I-71 and an hour from Cleveland, Columbus, and Akron/Canton. We help navigate site development and ensure construction meets park requirements.
Charles River Labs' emergence as Ashland County's largest employer reflects the shift toward biomedical research and specialized manufacturing. This creates opportunities for research facility development and supporting commercial construction. We support projects requiring specialized laboratory or research facility requirements while maintaining cost and schedule discipline.
Team NEO has identified Ashland County's potential to develop as a medical and additive manufacturing 3D printing corridor. This emerging sector creates opportunities for specialized manufacturing facilities. We support projects requiring precision construction for advanced manufacturing, ensuring facilities meet the technical requirements of emerging technology sectors.
Yes. While some firms only focus on large institutional projects, we specialize in guiding small business owners and first-time developers. The need for an owner's rep depends more on your project's complexity than its size. A complex $2M restaurant renovation often has more risk than a simple $5M warehouse. We can help you assess if professional oversight makes financial sense for your specific project .
Depending on scope, fees typically range from 0.5% to 1% of the total construction cost, depending on the project's complexity, timeline, and the specific scope of services you need . Studies have shown this investment typically saves clients 3-5% on total construction costs through rigorous contractor management, change order review, and problem prevention, meaning the service more than pays for itself.
Yes. An owner's rep with a strong financial background is invaluable here. With an MBA in Real Estate Finance, we help you prepare the realistic, bank-ready documents lenders need to see. We create defensible pro formas, validate construction budgets, and manage the loan draw process, which builds essential trust and credibility with your lender.
Yes. Our service doesn't end when the contractor hands over the keys. Our "Phase 4: Closeout" process includes comprehensive warranty management and post-occupancy support to ensure your building functions as intended. We ensure all final documentation and manuals are collected, which is the foundation for your long-term facility management.
Absolutely. While we add the most value by being involved from pre-construction through closeout , we can tailor our services to your specific needs. We are often brought in just for pre-construction planning, to help with contractor selection, or to get a troubled project that's already underway back on track.
Of course. We'll provide you with all the free advice you can handle. But to get started formally, we'll have to make sure our services align with you needs. We'll get to know your project aspirations and put together a proposal. Until we have an agreement no payment is expected.
This information goes to a real human being. Its a great way to learn more and start the conversation without any obligation. We will never provide your personal or contact information to a 3rd party.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
Unordered list
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript
