They say that every company has a story that defines it. A touchstone that the founder and company look back on and say, “That’s who we are, that’s our story.” Summit Locations is no exception. The company mirrors the values and character of its founder and the small Midwestern town he and his team seeks to serve. Values like patience, ingenuity, and service.
OUR STORY
Summit Locations began on a farm in rural Ohio, rooted in the work ethic and values of the Powell family. Our founder, Justin Powell, first went into business at age twelve by raising produce and selling fresh sweet corn from a roadside stand in front of his grandparents’ home. Over the next eight years, with the help of his siblings, that small summer venture grew into a reliable farm-market business. Those seasons spent working the land and serving neighbors taught the Powells the meaning of patience, honesty, and long-term commitment — lessons that would later form the foundation of Summit Locations.
After college, in 2008, Justin found himself entering a difficult job market. Instead of waiting for an opportunity, he decided to create one. His research led him to the outdoor advertising industry, and with no prior experience — only determination and a deep understanding of rural land — he committed to building a company from the ground up. That decision marked the beginning of what would become Summit Locations.
From the start, the company remained a family effort. Justin and his siblings worked the way they always had: side by side, taking responsibility for everything from sales and permitting to construction and maintenance. Their willingness to take calls, knock on doors, handle their own equipment, and learn every part of the business shaped the culture that still defines Summit Locations today. Though the company now spans many states and thousands of displays, the Powells continue to run it with the same grassroots determination and personal touch they started with.
Summit Locations is headquartered in Gordon, Ohio, and serves small towns, rural communities, and growing markets across the country. Even as we’ve expanded, our identity has remained the same: we are a family-run business that values hard work, integrity, and respectful, long-term partnerships with landowners. Because we are landowners ourselves, we understand how important it is to protect your property and make decisions that benefit your family for years to come.
When we partner with landowners, we handle every detail of the process. Summit Locations manages the permitting, engineering, construction, maintenance, insurance, and ongoing upkeep. You retain control of your land, and we provide steady, dependable income in return for using a small portion of your property — typically an area not currently generating revenue. Our goal is to create a partnership that is simple, low-impact, and beneficial for the long term.
If you’re interested in exploring whether your property might be a good fit for a billboard location, we would be honored to talk with you and walk you through the possibilities. Summit Locations was built one landowner partnership at a time, and we would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust as well.