Southgate Corporation
Bringing Enterprise to Communities for 70 Years
Southgate Corporation has been integral to Central Ohio’s development for 70 years. From constructing post-World War II homes and commercial centers to office buildings and industrial manufacturing facilities, we have brought enterprises to communities in Cambridge, Etna, Heath, Hebron, Marysville, Newark, and the wider Columbus Metropolitan Area.
Southgate Corporation History
Southgate Corporation was founded by John J. “Jack” O’Neill in 1953, originally named John J. O’Neill Building Company. O’Neill served in World War II and graduated from Yale University on the G.I. Bill in 1947. He started the building company after beginning his career in the furniture manufacturing business. Jack became interested in prefabricated homes after reading about National Homes Corp in the Wall Street Journal and worked with local banks to build homes and his company. For over 50 years, O’Neill invested his time and resources in the economic development of Central Ohio.
The John J. O’Neill Building Company’s business boomed thanks to many young families moving to Central Ohio and buying homes. The families were World War II veterans excited about building lives in post-war, commercialized America. They were hardworking and motivated to succeed.
The company responded to the growing demand for housing by building more homes and diversifying its development offerings. The company opened the Southgate Shopping Center in 1960, bringing commercial shopping to Heath, Ohio. Iconic department stores like Sears were happy to locate themselves in the area.
In 1968, Jack read about “The Industrial Park” in the Wall Street Journal and saw the potential for Central Ohio to become a manufacturing hotspot in the Midwest. Southgate Corporation purchased land in Hebron, Ohio, and developed it into what is now known as the Newark Ohio Industrial Park (NOIP). As one of the first industrial parks in the United States, NOIP remains one of the largest developed industrial parks in Ohio and is home to many international and domestic corporations.
Jack’s daily Wall Street Journal had been his instruction manual for successful business ventures for decades, and always in a paper version so he could make quick calculations on the page. After Jack’s passing in 2014, his son Robert became President of the company.
Southgate Corporation’s Current Activities
Over the years, Southgate Corporation has developed houses, condominiums, commercial shopping centers, business parks, and industrial parks in Newark, Heath, Hebron, Etna, Marysville, and Greater Columbus. Our primary focus now is industrial development. We build first-rate, durable, premium-quality manufacturing, storage, and spec buildings. We specialize in 40,000-150,000 square foot buildings. We are a long-time member of the National Association for Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP) and, over the decades, have maintained our position as a leading industrial real estate developer in Ohio.
Central Ohio is the fastest-growing logistical hub in the Midwest. Southgate Corporation has years of experience developing over 75 buildings in this region and developing two of the top 10 largest industrial parks in Central Ohio.
Southgate Corporation has also developed strong relationships with local contractors and building suppliers. We can help you quickly locate your business in one of the most exciting industrial markets in the United States. Whether you are looking for a turnkey spec building or a build-to-suit manufacturing facility, Southgate Corporation is your answer. Southgate provides an attentive, fast, and proactive building process for your growing business.
Community Involvement
Southgate is deeply involved with the growth of Central Ohio, specifically Licking County. We care about bringing industry to the area, creating jobs, supporting affordable housing, and improving the general welfare of our community. One of the reasons we have continued to focus our business in Central Ohio is that we consider ourselves partners in the community. The success of our business directly correlates with the success and growth of Central Ohio.
Southgate Corporation Timeline
1953
John J. O’Neill established his namesake building and construction company and erected prefabricated homes in Ohio in partnership with National Homes.
1957
The John J. O’Neill Company built a National Homes tract project resulting in one of the largest housing developments in Heath, Ohio.
1960
1963
1967
1974
1978
Southgate Development Company develops the 200-acre mixed-use McMillen Business Center in Newark, Ohio.
1981
1987
The 1990s
2000
The first building of the Etna Corporate Park was erected in this 430-acre development in Etna, Ohio. Currently, eleven companies occupy the 6 million square feet in the park. The park offers CRA and Enterprise Zone tax abatements, and the workforce is excellent in this rapidly growing area.
2000 - Current
Southgate Corporation enters the new millennium with nearly a dozen state-of-the-art developments in Etna, Heath, Hebron, and Newark, Ohio.
Robert O’Neill, Southgate’s president and owner, is increasingly involved in community development with C-TEC – trade skills scholarships, The Ohio State University Newark Campus, Central Ohio Technical College, Downtown Newark, Park National Bank, GROW Licking County, the Licking County Foundation, and the Newark Sport and Event Commission, among others.