Thread by @GreaterOhio

The final #GOPCThread of 2021 gets in the spirit of the season by highlighting all of the Ohio connections to some of the gifts and traditions of the Christmas season. This month, our #OHCommunitySpotlight features #ChristmasMadeInOhio

This year, when the family comes together to exchange and unwrap presents, you might be surprised to find out just how many of those gifts have #Ohio ties #GOPCThread #ChristmasMadeInOhio

The legacy of #Northeast Ohio’s strength in manufacturing is alive today @Vitamix in #NorthOlmstedTownshipOH. This company, established in #OH in 1948, employs 700 people and makes a grade A blender sold around the world. #GOPCThread #ChristmasMadeInOhio
vitamix.com/us/en_us/

DYK, the iconic turtle sandbox and “world's best-selling car” are made by @LittleTikes, which is headquartered in Hudson, OH? Ohio has all its bases covered when it comes to auto manufacturing #GOPCThread #ChristmasMadeInOhio
autoblog.com/2009/06/10/ame…

Just down the road in Streetsboro, is @thestep2company, which was founded by the Little Tikes’ original founder. They make adorable kid sized kitchens, playhouses, water tables, & more in Perrysville + Streetsboro #GOPCThread #ChristmasMadeInOhio
step2.com/about-step2

Planning on an outdoor adventure? Rocky Brands (@RockyGear, @DurangoBoots, @MuckBootCo, & others) are among the leading suppliers of outdoor footwear. Started as William Brooks Shoe Co. in 1932, employs ≈400 local residents in @nelsonvillecity #GOPCThread #ChristmasMadeInOhio

If that outdoor adventure turns into a camping trip, you can always get an @Airstream_Inc trailer, manufactured in Jackson Center, OH. Trailers have been made at this site since the 1950’s, even breaking ground on a massive expansion in 2018 #GOPCThread
airstream.com/heritage/how-i…

Of course, after Christmas comes the new year, & many people make a resolution to lose weight or get into shape. @RogueFitness, based in Columbus, is a leading manufacturer of strength & conditioning equipment & has invested in the Milo-Grogan neighborhood in the city since 2016

.@RogueFitness’ business model aims to source locally, both through product and workforce, and to advance the Columbus community. The next time you pick up a piece of workout equipment, you may just be holding a Columbus-made product!

roguefitness.com/about-us

Of course, if there is one thing Ohio knows, it's football! Since 1955, every NFL game ball (incl. the Super Bowl) has been made in Ada, OH, at the Wilson Football Factory, which manufactures more than 700K footballs a year #ChristmasMadeInOhio

wilson.com/en-us/explore/…

So chances are that football Santa brought you under the tree, probably came from Ada…

Since we referenced “A Christmas Story”, all true Ohioans know that the 1983 holiday classic was filmed in Cleveland. Since 1997, the “24 Hours of A Christmas Story” on @TBSNetwork has helped to make the film a viewing tradition for many #GOPCThread #ChristmasMadeInOhio

Fans of the film, or just anyone looking to get in the Christmas spirit, can visit the house used in the film. Fully restored & preserved as a museum in the Tremont neighborhood, you can even stay the night there or at the Bumpus House next door achristmasstoryhouse.com

Of course, Christmas is more than just presents. There is also food! #GOPCThread #ChristmasMadeInOhio

Nothing rings in the holidays more than homemade cookies🍪 #KitchenAid stand mixers have been manufactured in #Greenville, OH since 1941. The mixer factory still employs over 1,000 people in @DarkeCountyOhio and visitors are welcome to tour the factory #GOPCThread

Entertaining for the holidays? We bet you’re using bakeware or leftover containers from Anchor Hocking. Originally based in Lancaster, the company was purchased, but a glass plant remains. For a chronicle of its buyout, read @BrianRAlexander‘s #GlassHouse

bookloft.com/book/978125016…

For your holiday desserts, pick up some Velvet Ice Cream at your local grocer! May–October, you can visit its corporate offices at Ye Olde Mill, built in 1817, in Utica. Each year, 150K+ visit the 20-acre historic property & ice cream parlor #GOPCThread

velveticecream.com

Once you wrap up your holiday baking, make sure to clean up the kitchen mess with a @Brillo Pad. Since 1921, the Brillo Manufacturing Company has had a presence in London, OH where the pads are still manufactured today #GOPCThread

brillo.com/about-us/brill…

Already in London? A quick drive down US42 will get you to historic @thecliftonmill, the last of five mills located along the Little Miami River. This time of year, the mill puts on a Legendary Lights display #GOPCThread

Well that just about wraps things up (get it) on the final #GOPCThread of 2021. We will be off next week, but we will return in the new year with more threads about the work we do at GOPC and issues impacting Ohio. From all of us, best wishes for a happy holiday season!