Ravenna, Ohio
The Pulse of Portage County
The City of Ravenna will be having a Community Cleanup again this year. The schedule is attached below. Click on the link for the complete schedule and detailed specifications as to what items are acceptable to place out on your tree lawn. Zehnder Disposal will be the company that the city has contracted with to complete this project. This is only for City of Ravenna residents. If you should have any questions, please call (330) 296-6326.
The City of Ravenna is proud to announce that we have partnered with CivicReady. This alert system will allow the City of Ravenna to issue urgent notifications, emergency instructions, warnings and routine communications to subscribed citizens via email, text message and/or voice alert, to keep citizens safe and informed. This service is completely free to use! For more information, or to sign up, please click here.
Welcome to Ravenna, Ohio
Ravenna’s convenient location in the heart of the northeast Ohio industrial and technology corridor is minutes from cities, interstate highways and two large state universities – perfect commuting distance to greater Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown and surrounding communities.
The City of Ravenna has enacted a one-year Moratorium on storage units, storage facilities, storage pods and self-storage establishments. Click here for Ordinance No. 2023-024 for further details.
All current small business owners and new business startups in 2024 – New Federal filing beginning January 1, 2024 will require new filings for startups and small businesses: if your company has 20 or fewer full-time employees and gross annual sales of less than $5 million, there’s a new federal filing requirement that you need to know about.
The City of Ravenna is currently undergoing a Comprehensive Plan study through the Portage Regional Development Board. This comprehensive plan will provide guidance and drive the direction for the city to grow. The following maps represent various interests that are felt to be most important to the future of Ravenna. Please continue to visit this site for continued updated information and schedule for the next community meeting to discuss these updated maps.
News & Events
News
Commercial Lighting Incentive
If your business is commercial or industrial and you are a customer of OhioEdison/FirstEnergy, you can take advantage of the following lighting incentive for installing LED lighting in your facility.
Report Streetlight Outage
Click here to report a streetlight outage.
Low-Interest Loans Available
Low-Interest loans are now available to Portage Homeowners, Small Businesses, and family farms. A new partnership will provide low-interest loans for improvements to homes, businesses and farms. See full article from the Record Courier and this brochure for more...
New Business News: Economic Activity in Ravenna
If you’re thinking – what a great time to invest in Ravenna! – then you are in good company. There’s a lot of economic activity in and around our city. Check out these recent growth and success stories! New Project Brings New Opportunity Here’s a big project from...
Video: 2022 Heritage Ohio Film Festival: Save Ohio’s Treasures – Riddle Block 9
Rating Action: Moody’s upgrades City of Ravenna, OH’s issuer rating to A1 from A3
The City of Ravenna, OH is proud to announce that Moody’s Investors Service recently upgraded the issuer rating for the City of Ravenna from A3 to A1. This double rating increase is typically not seen by Moody’s, however, the financial strengthening and economic...
Neighborhood Revitalization for Low-Income Individuals
The Neighborhood Revitalization in Kent, OH has a program available for low-income individuals. Please click here for more details.
Portage County Ohio Means Jobs
The Portage County Ohio Means Jobs is a great workforce solutions resource. To learn more about how OMJ can assist your business workforce needs, download the OMJ Business Resource Guide. DOWNLOAD THE RESOURCE GUIDE
Events
Welcome to The Main Street Mile!
The Main Street Mile is a curated one-mile loop that encompasses the heart of downtown Ravenna. The City held a community celebration for the grand opening of the new Main Street Mile on Saturday, October 23rd. To hear more about the Main Street Mile, listen to the Portage County Safety Council’s podcast featuring Chelsea Gregor discussing the creation of this new walking path.
Marlene Watt/Pot O' Gold 5K Walk
Join us on March 15, 2025 for the 20th annual Marlene Watt Memorial POT O’ GOLD Poker run/walk. We will start at the Ravenna City Park, Field of Dreams, 165 Oakwood St. and make our way to different locations throughout downtown Ravenna to “pick up” our poker cards. The top poker hand will win $500. But the fun doesn’t stop there… oh by golly it sure doesn’t! We’ve got shenanigans and prizes for ya’ mate! So come join the fun and support a great cause and celebrate St Patty’s Day! All our friends who register by 2/1/25 will receive a commemorative t-shirt…. and everyone receives a finishers medal!
Same Day Registration: 7:15 – 8:15 a.m.
Goodie Bag pick up after 1pm 3/14 at the RAC or Same day 7:30-8:30am at City Park
Events Starts: 9:00 a.m. Awards ceremony: 10:30 a.m.
Refreshments, music, and goody bags will be available to every one
YOU MUST REGISTER NO LATER THAN FEBUARY 15th TO RECEIEVE A COMMEMORATIVE T-SHIRT.
The history behind the Marlene Watt Memorial Event stems from Marlene Watt who was an advocate for the youth in our community by serving as the secretary at Carlin Elementary School.
All proceeds from the Marlene Watt Memorial Event will go towards the Ravenna Parks and Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund. Since the inception of the Ravenna Parks and Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund many children have been able to attend camp, sports and other great activities who could not have otherwise afforded to do so. The importance of youth recreation can’t be over stated. Recreational activities help develop decision-making skills, cooperative behaviors, positive relationships and empowerment. They learn to act fairly, plan proactively, and develop a moral code of behavior. This play also helps enhance their cognitive and motor skills. Participants tend to be more active, popular, calm, resourceful, attentive and cooperative. Recreation also provides children the chance to learn, consolidate, and practice the skills necessary for further growth and learning. Independent goal pursuits, such as looking for fun and enjoyment, increased participants’ goal attainment in other areas (Estes and Henderson, 2003). This event begins at 9am at the Ravenna City Park. Parking lot closes at 8:40am. All walkers/ runner will line up by 8:50 for instruction and send off.
To register for the event click here.
Easter Eggstravaganza
Summer Celebration
Ravenna Parks & Recreation, the Reed Memorial Library, along with other area agencies, would like to thank everyone for coming. A great time was had by all.
Ravenna Rocks Series
The Ravenna Rocks Concert will happen on August 9, 2025. It will begin at 11 a.m. and go through 9 p.m. If you should have any questions, please contact the Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce. Their phone number is (330) 296-3886.
For more information, please click here to go to their website.
Drive-Thru Trick or Treat at City Park
There will be a Drive-Thru Trick or Treat out at City Park on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10am – 12pm. The event is FREE although you do have to register to participate. To register for this event, click here to be taken to their website. We encourage everyone to get into the spirit by dressing up and having fun! Happy Halloween!!!
Ravenna Chamber of Commerce Halloween Walk & City-wide Trick or Treat
The Ravenna Chamber of Commerce is having their Halloween Walk again on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
The City of Ravenna will be having their Trick or Treat event after the Halloween Walk from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Midnight Madness
The Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce will be having their Midnight Madness again on November 28, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. – 10 p.m. Come downtown to watch the parade and then go into the area to do some local shopping with our Downtown Merchants.
Recycling of appliances, tires, etc. with the PCSWD
Click on the link below to find out what you can recycle at the Portage County Solid Waste District.
Committee Meetings
Community Cleanup – Ward III
Mulch giveaway
Bag & Brush – Ward 1 & 3
Special Council Meeting followed immediately by the Committee of the Whole Meeting
Economic Development
We’re just minutes from major Northeast Ohio & national highways and rail transportation.
The City of Ravenna can help you maximize these business benefits in many ways, including:
- Helping to secure locations from the spacious industrial parkway to historic downtown
- Expediting tax abatements for historical properties
- Introducing you to a business, financial and ready-to-work labor community
- Connecting you to high quality housing to meet all budgets
- Making your business-community relationship seamless and successful
Great Reasons to Love Ravenna
Ravenna Housing
Appealing to a broad range of tastes, ranging from historic homes to new, contemporary developments all within a five square mile area.
Ravenna Recognizes Good Citizens
Ravenna’s Rich History
Ravenna is Family-Friendly
Ravenna is Home to the Port Authority
Ravenna's Historical Buildings
Neighborhood Development Services Home Improvement Grants
As a full-service community development catalyst, Neighborhood Development Services (NDS) facilitates strong community relationships, supports resident-driven groups, and develops socially-conscious businesses to drive communities toward a vibrant future.
NDS’ services include housing rehabilitation, homebuyer education, downtown revitalization, economic development, financing and job creation, revolving loan fund administration, project administration, grant implementation, and real estate development.
For further assistance with Fair Housing or information on how to file a complaint please contact:
Lisa Reeves, CDBG Specialist
Portage County Regional Planning Commission
449 South Meridian Street, 6th Floor, Ravenna, Ohio 44266
Phone: (330) 297-3613
Email: lreeves@pcrpc.org
Residents
Essential information about everyday amenities, special events, park and rec activities, and more.
Business
Development resources for the enterprises that serve greater Ravenna or want to locate here.
Departments
Officials and legislators. Meeting minutes. Boards, city services, permits, ordinances and more.
Community
Need More Information?
The City of Ravenna welcomes your questions, comments and concerns.
We promise to respond promptly.