New businesses cropping up in Ohio

O hio may often be depicted in popular culture as an agricultural state, but it seems to be growing a crop of new businesses this season. The Secretary of State reported that business formation filings have increased in each of the first three months of 2010, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

Jennifer Brunner, Ohio Secretary of State, reports that business activity in Ohio is on the rise. She told the source that the state’s new business filings include initial documents for domestic and out-of-state corporations, limited liability companies, name registrations and more.

Those starting an LLC or forming a company of another type in the state are increasingly turning to the clean tech industries. This may be a wise move as the Clean Tech Group reports that investments in clean technology ventures have dramatically increased in the first quarter of 2010, exceeding $1.9 billion dollars.

This also represents a shift in Ohio businesses as Brunner told the source Ohio has generally relied heavily on manufacturing and the auto industry – dependences which meant it was hit hard by the recession.

Even in the trying economic climate, Site Selection magazine ranked Ohio as the fourth best business climate in the country based on business activity. Entrepreneurs looking to start a corporation, take note.