HANCOCK COUNTY AND THE CITY OF FINDLAY
County Offices
419-424-7044
www.co.hancock.oh.us
Chamber of Commerce
419-422-3313
www.findlayhancockalliance.com
Hancock County covers nearly 534 square miles with sprawling rural townships, quaint villages, and portions of the city of Fostoria in addition to the leading city and county seat of Findlay. Home to several Fortune 500 companies, this thriving area serves as a regional manufacturing, distribution, and employment center as well as an attractive home. Both communications and transportation networks are outstanding, including easy access to Interstate 75 and the Ohio Turnpike (Interstates 80/90). Newcomers will find a delightful mix of progressive conveniences, old-fashioned warmth, and magnificent historic architecture around every corner in the Findlay-Hancock area—recognized as one of the nation’s finest micropolitan centers.
Services
One of the many advantages of living in Hancock County is an award-winning healthcare system that has remained one of Ohio’s most affordable and highly respected for more than 100 years. Blanchard Valley Health System provides integrated, comprehensive care to a regional population in a number of outstanding facilities. Growing along with the community it serves, BVHS is one of the largest employers in the area with more than 2,000 associates. The system is based in Findlay, also the location of its flagship facility, the 150-bed Blanchard Valley Hospital that serves an eight-county region with a full range of services including a Level 2 Special Care Nursery and an accredited Cycle II Chest Pain Center. In addition to its inclusion among the 100 Top Hospitals and consistent Patient Safety Excellence Awards from HealthGrades, BVHS has been recognized by Truven Health Analytics among the 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals. The Commission on Cancer also stamped its approval on Blanchard Valley Hospital’s Cancer Program—a designation given to only one out of four hospitals. The system includes the HeartCare Center, Creighton Dialysis Center, Caughman Health Center, Bridge Home Health & Hospice, long-term and assisted living facilities, medical offices, a regional cancer center, a sleep disorders center, and extensive outpatient services. Bluffton Village and Fostoria are both home to BVHS community hospitals, strengthening the county’s healthcare network by serving local residents and those in surrounding rural areas.
Educational opportunities in Hancock County are equally impressive, anchored by well-managed public school districts and opportunities for private education. The Toledo-based Owens Community College recently completed its $17.7 million Findlay-area campus and dedicated a new $4.2 million Community Education and Wellness Center. Serving nearly 4,000 enrolled students, the Owens Findlay-area campus offers more than 100 associate degree and certificate programs. Career skills and technical training are also available locally at Brown Mackie College. Findlay is the proud home of one of Ohio’s leading universities, known for innovative programs in pre-veterinary medicine, education, business, and health. The University of Findlay is a private institution that ranks in the top tier of US News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” in the Midwest and is recognized as a “Best in the Midwest” by the Princeton Review. In addition to nearly 60 areas of undergraduate study, the university offers graduate and professional programs that include doctorates in education, pharmacy, and physical therapy. The small village of Bluffton that stretches between Hancock and Allen counties is home to another private institution associated with the Mennonite faith, Bluffton University.
Lifestyle
Life in Hancock County is dominated by the youthful college-town energy and expansive amenities in the leading city of Findlay. Unique attractions include the Mazza Museum of International Art from Picture Books on the campus of the University of Findlay. Distinguished as the world’s first and largest teaching museum devoted to literacy and the art of children’s picture books, the museum preserves more than 8,000 original artworks. Another treasure is the Fort Findlay Playhouse that has been showcasing local talent and providing quality entertainment to regional audiences for more than 50 years. The Findlay Light Opera Company is another example of dedication to the arts, providing a venue for local performers and presenting professionally directed stage shows since 1988. The University of Findlay maintains a vibrant performing arts culture, filling the annual calendar with musical concerts, innovative dance, and live-stage theatrical productions.
On a lighter note, the Balloon Fest each August draws enthusiastic crowds to witness the spectacular lift-off of competing hot air balloons. Other weekend activities include tethered balloon rides, helicopter rides over the city, a Kids Fair, a car and motorcycle show, a 5K run, and evening fireworks displays. During the winter months, Hancock Parks hosts sledding adventures, cross-country ski lessons, and ski or snowshoe rentals. The park system also provides opportunities for hiking, picnicking, swimming, boating, cycling, exploring historic sites, public fishing, disc golfing, playing horseshoes or volleyball, and enjoying creative playgrounds. Indoor leisure activities include watching movies, bowling on original 1938 lanes, dining in cozy restaurants, and shopping for unique treasures. Hancock County is filled with family-friendly communities where church, school, and social or civic organizations play an active role in daily life. The housing selection is exceptionally diverse and attractive, from magnificent homes that were built by yesterday’s wealthy magnates to handsome new construction in beautiful residential communities or on spacious rural acreage. From every perspective, the Findlay-Hancock micropolitan area truly is an idyllic place to call home.
Findlay
City Offices
419-424-7137
https://www.findlayohio.com
Chamber of Commerce
419-422-3313
www.findlayhancockalliance.com
The appealing city of Findlay has garnered national attention as a wonderful hometown environment and center of business and commerce—even called a “dreamtown” by Demographics Daily. This area has been repeatedly selected as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People by America’s Promise Alliance for Youth and named among the nation’s most attractive micropolitan areas by Bizjournals. The people who live in Findlay are not surprised by the accolades. They are well aware of the appeal of beautifully restored historic buildings filled with unique shops and restaurants as well as the kaleidoscope of year-round activities and the palpable energy of growing businesses. Findlay’s undeniable charm encompasses well-appointed parks, lovely community spaces, colorful special events, sports tournaments, cultural attractions, fine galleries, family fun centers, grand architecture, one of Ohio’s most respected healthcare systems, a community college campus, and a nationally renowned private university. Few places in Ohio or even in the nation can match Findlay for an unsurpassed quality of life and affordable cost of living.
Fostoria
City Offices
419-435-8282
http://www.fostoriaohio.gov
Chamber of Commerce
419-435-0486
www.fostoriaohio.org
The slogan for the city of Fostoria is “Where good things begin!” This small but appealing city provides a lively hometown atmosphere for local residents including a community hospital, good schools, a wonderful library, and unique attractions. History buffs will appreciate the Fostoria Glass pieces at the local Glass Museum and the new Fostoria RailPark—a symbol of the community’s pride as a Train City USA. Fostoria is dubbed the Iron Triangle because three different railroads converge in the city, a phenomenon that continually draws avid rail enthusiasts. The local history museum interprets the rise of both glass and rail industries in fascinating displays and valuable artifacts. Recreational amenities include wonderful festivals and celebrations, local shopping and dining, rich parkland with sports facilities, the Fostoria Water Park, and area golf clubs. In addition to their leisure value, the golf greens are attracting scores of new residential development from beautiful condominiums to view lots that are ideal for custom single-family homes.
Hancock County Townships
Throughout Hancock County, rural townships provide expanded options for small-town or country living. The county’s agricultural roots are most evident in the scenic Barn Quilt tour, with nearly all of the 17 townships displaying at least one quilt. This lovely countryside also inspired a state “scenic highway” designation along the “pathway of the pioneers” in the Blanchard River Valley. The Old Mill Stream Scenic Byway stretches 52 miles over Hancock and Putnam Counties, linking the Lincoln Highway National Historic Byway to small villages, parks, and landmarks. One of the villages in Hancock County that stretches into Allen County is Bluffton, a Tree City USA community that features the lovely Bluffton University campus and a highly respected hospital within the Blanchard Valley Health System.
