Findlay has been designated the #1 Micropolitan in the USA by Site Selection magazine for an unprecedented eleven consecutive years, with more than $2.5 billion invested and over 12,000 jobs created. This recognition stems from record capital investment, job creation, and construction activity. Marathon Petroleum Corporation, headquartered in Findlay since 1905, operates the nation's largest refining system and employs approximately 2,000 people locally. Cooper Tire and Rubber Company, the Blanchard Valley Health System, and Whirlpool's world-largest dishwasher manufacturing plant round out the corporate anchor presence.
The momentum continues with new initiatives. Marathon Petroleum and One Energy are pursuing the Black Swamp Combinator, an innovation hub for energy technology startups that would leverage Northwest Ohio's historic role as the birthplace of the modern oil and gas industry. A $145 million Sheetz food preparation and distribution facility is expected to create 750 jobs. This level of investment creates sustained construction activity across industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors.
Whether you're expanding a manufacturing facility, developing commercial property, or constructing a corporate or healthcare facility, Findlay's active development environment demands experienced oversight. An independent Owner's Representative ensures that your project competes effectively for contractor attention in a market where major employers are constantly investing.
Architects design. Contractors build. But who protects your budget and schedule? In most projects, the answer is no one with the owner's interests as their sole focus. Architects are primarily concerned with design intent and code compliance. General Contractors focus on their own means, methods, and profit margins. This leaves what we call the Leadership Vacuum where the owner's financial interests go unprotected.
DeVore Consulting fills this gap. We work exclusively for you, attending critical meetings, reviewing every pay application, scrutinizing change orders, and ensuring that what gets built matches what you're paying for. In a competitive market like Findlay, having an experienced advocate ensures your project receives professional attention.
In a market defined by major corporate investment, mid-market projects need disciplined advocacy.
We specialize in projects from $500K to $50M. This is a critical segment often overlooked when major employers dominate contractor attention but too complex for business owners to manage part-time.
We never hold trade contracts or self-perform construction work. This means our recommendations are based solely on what's best for your project, not what benefits our margin.
In an active market, every dollar counts. We verify that contractor bids are complete, review pay applications to ensure you're paying only for completed work, and analyze change orders to separate legitimate costs from scope creep.
Our expertise spans the project types driving Hancock County's economy:
Facility expansions, equipment installations, and operational improvements for manufacturers and industrial operators that must proceed without disrupting production.
Professional office construction and tenant improvements for businesses operating in Findlay's corporate environment.
Supporting Blanchard Valley Health System and other healthcare providers with construction that must meet regulatory standards and operational requirements.
New construction and renovation projects serving the regional economy and growing workforce.
We serve communities throughout Northwest Ohio including Lima, Tiffin, and Fremont.
In an active market, timing is everything. 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, zoning constraints, and site conditions.
If your Findlay 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.
Let's discuss how independent oversight can benefit your Findlay 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.
Blanchard Valley Health System serves as a major employer and healthcare anchor in Findlay. Healthcare construction requires compliance with specialized codes, infection control protocols during renovation, and coordination with ongoing patient care operations. Projects face regulatory inspections and documentation requirements beyond typical commercial work. We ensure contractors understand healthcare-specific requirements and that construction meets regulatory standards.
The Black Swamp Combinator is a proposed innovation hub for energy technology startups, jointly pursued by Marathon Petroleum and One Energy through an Ohio Innovation Hubs Grant application. If successful, this initiative would accelerate energy tech development in Findlay, potentially creating demand for research facilities, office space, and supporting commercial development. We help clients position projects to serve emerging market opportunities.
Marathon Petroleum, headquartered in Findlay since 1905, employs approximately 2,000 people locally and maintains significant operations that require ongoing facility work. When a major employer like Marathon is investing in modernization or expansion, it absorbs contractor capacity that might otherwise serve smaller projects. We help mid-market projects compete for contractor attention and maintain schedule despite the competitive environment.
Findlay's record-setting recognition by Site Selection magazine reflects over $2.5 billion in investment and more than 12,000 jobs created. Corporate headquarters including Marathon Petroleum and Cooper Tire, combined with major manufacturing operations like Whirlpool's dishwasher plant, create sustained construction activity. This economic strength means contractor demand remains consistently high, making professional project oversight essential for mid-market projects.
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. 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 .
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.
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.
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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