Norwalk and Huron County jumped from 84th to 7th among top U.S. Micropolitans in 2024, winning 8 expansion and attraction projects. In 2024, community leaders aligned around a vision for proactive economic development, merging the Huron County Chamber of Commerce, Huron County Development Council, and Norwalk Economic Development Corporation into the Huron County Growth Partnership. This unified organization delivered 100 new jobs, retained 400 positions, and saw an 80-year-old manufacturer expand its footprint by 20%.
Persys Engineering, a global leader in semiconductor precision cleaning, announced its first Ohio facility in Norwalk, investing $2 million to create 24 jobs. A Norwalk-based balloon manufacturer (founded 1915) acquired a competitor to become the only latex balloon manufacturer in USA and Canada. The North Central Ohio Industrial Park offers 84 SiteOhio Certified acres with all utilities and due diligence completed. The Firelands Manufacturing Alliance focuses on workforce development across Huron and Erie Counties.
Whether you're developing manufacturing facilities serving the semiconductor or agricultural sectors, constructing speculative industrial space, or expanding commercial property, Norwalk projects benefit from experienced oversight. An independent Owner's Representative ensures that the demands of a top-performing micropolitan don't compromise your budget and timeline.
An Owner's Representative is the only party on a construction project with a fiduciary-style commitment to the owner's interests. In the traditional "triangle" of construction, the Architect focuses on design intent and code compliance, while the General Contractor focuses on means, methods, and their own profitability. This creates what we call the Leadership Vacuum where the owner's budget and schedule go unprotected.
DeVore Consulting fills this void. We work exclusively for you, attending every critical meeting, reviewing every pay application, and scrutinizing every change order.
We bring disciplined methodology to industrial and commercial projects in Huron County.
We never hold trade contracts or self-perform work. Our recommendations are based solely on what serves your interest, not what improves our margin.
We specialize in projects from $500K to $50M, the range where most Norwalk commercial development occurs. These projects need professional oversight but may not attract attention from Cleveland-focused firms.
Manufacturing and specialized facilities demand precise budget control. We verify that pay applications reflect work actually completed and analyze change orders to separate legitimate costs from contractor overreach.
Our expertise spans the project types driving Huron County's manufacturing and agricultural economy:
Facility construction and expansion for semiconductor services, agricultural equipment, and consumer products manufacturers.
Build-to-suit and speculative space construction in the North Central Ohio Industrial Park.
Facilities serving Huron County's significant agricultural sector with over 865 farms.
New construction serving the regional economy and workforce.
We serve communities throughout North Central Ohio including Sandusky, Fremont, and Tiffin.
The ideal time to engage DeVore Consulting is during site selection and pre-construction planning, before you've committed to land or locked in designs. We provide Fatal Flaw Analysis that evaluates infrastructure availability, utility capacity, and site conditions.
If your Norwalk project is already in motion, we can still add value through rigorous contractor oversight and change order management. But the earlier we're involved, the more problems we can prevent.
Contact DeVore Consulting to discuss your Norwalk project.
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 Firelands Manufacturing Alliance brings together manufacturing operations and HR leaders from Huron and Erie Counties, meeting bi-monthly to focus on workforce development. This coordination helps address labor needs across the manufacturing sector. For construction projects, this alliance can help identify workforce resources and training partnerships for post-construction operations.
North Central Ohio Industrial Park offers 84 contiguous acres with SiteOhio Certification, meaning all utilities reach park boundaries and due diligence studies are completed. Located ten miles from Lake Erie and equidistant from Cleveland and Toledo, the park is positioned for manufacturing and industrial development. We help clients capitalize on this development-ready infrastructure.
The Huron County Growth Partnership merged the Chamber of Commerce, Development Council, and Norwalk EDC into a unified organization delivering streamlined economic development services. This coordination contributed to Norwalk jumping from 84th to 7th ranked micropolitan. We work with unified economic development organizations to leverage available resources for your 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. 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.
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. 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 .
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.
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