Over the years, the City of Oberlin has been attracting the interest of a variety of growing businesses. A neighbor to Cleveland, Oberlin is a direct, 32-mile drive southwest of Cleveland, Ohio via I-480 and US Route 20. This metropolitan convenience coupled with a small hometown feeling has made Oberlin a relocation haven for families. With Oberlin College and a Joint Vocational School, the city offers diverse opportunities for education and training.

In 2004, the City of Oberlin took a large step toward a concerted Economic & Housing Development program. An Economic & Housing Development Officer was brought on staff to work closely with other government agencies in and around Oberlin in an effort to promote the growth and development of the City's economic base. This current coordinator, Tita Reed, plans, organizes and implements programs that assist in the retention and expansion of existing Oberlin businesses and vigorously seeks out new businesses for the City. The goal is to provide an uninterrupted and seamless development process from initial contact to planning and engineering approvals. This is accomplished by guaranteeing open communications links with the business community.