Leadership

Ohio Talks Trade with Canadian Government Officials

This week OMA’s Ryan Augsburger talked about the importance of fair trade with Canadian Members of Parliament.

The Buckeye state exports more than $19 billion of manufactured goods to Canada. A fact page catalogs Ohio’s largest international trading partnership.

The exchange was organized by Douglas George, Consul General of Canada. The delegation consisted of seven members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade as well as staff and representatives of the consulate. 9/28/2017

OMA’s Ryan Augsburger pictured with Hon. Linda Lapointe, M.P. (Liberal Party, Quebec) and Hon. Randy Hoback, M.P. (Conservative Party, Saskatchewan)

Help for Marketing Your Products Internationally

The International Market Access Grant for Exporters (IMAGE) program is designed to help small businesses increase exports and create jobs in Ohio’s economy. The program reimburses at a 50% rate, capped at $12,500 per eligible approved applicant.

Here is more information about the IMAGE program. 9/28/2017

What Are You Doing for MFG DAY?

Ohio has 131 and counting MFG DAY events scheduled!

Started in 2012, MFG DAY has seen participation grow dramatically over the years. Here are the official numbers when it comes to the number of events, the number of attendees, and the how MFG DAY is affecting the public perception of manufacturing.

It’s not too late to plan an event – any day can be MFG DAY! All the resources you need to plan are here. 9/21/2017

DeWine Issues Economic Development Manual

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine this week issued his 2017 Ohio Economic Development Manual. First released in 2015, the manual is a one-stop guide for anyone interested in economic development programs in the state.

The manual is designed to provide users overviews on Ohio laws, tax systems, funding sources, and agencies that play a role in economic development throughout Ohio.

Get the manual here.  9/20/2017

Three 2018 Gubernatorial Candidates Meet with OMA Board

The OMA Board of Directors this week met with three of the four Republican candidates for governor in next fall’s general election: Attorney General Mike DeWine, Secretary of State Jon Husted and Congressman Jim Renacci. Lt. Governor Mary Taylor was unable to attend due to schedule conflicts.

Directors listened to the candidates’ plans for Ohio, specifically plans for growing the Ohio economy and supporting manufacturing. Wide-ranging conversations were had about the issues that impact manufacturing competitiveness: workforce development, taxes, energy costs, environmental regulation, logistics, health care costs, infrastructure, and more.

The board also had a visit from Republican Party Chairman, Jane Timken, who talked about progress in Washington under President Trump and next year’s important state elections. 9/14/2017

Burkland/Timmons Op-Ed: No to Garrett at Ex-Im

In an op-ed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, OMA president Eric Burkland and NAM president Jay Timmons wrote: “(O)ne recent development in our nation’s capital should have manufacturing workers deeply concerned: the nominee to be president and chairman of the U.S. Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank. This one appointment could jeopardize billions of dollars in manufacturing sales and millions of jobs.

“The nominee in question is Scott Garrett, a defeated former congressman from New Jersey. When in Congress, he made it his mission to destroy the Ex-Im Bank. In fact, as a congressman, Garrett voted to kill the Ex-Im Bank every chance he got — more than a dozen times in all. He urged his colleagues to ‘keep the Export-Import Bank out of business.'”

Read why Garrett is not fit for President Trump’s manufacturing agenda and why the Senate should reject him. 9/14/2017

Lieutenant General Murray Visits OMA

Lieutenant General John (Mike) Murray visited the OMA this week to talk about the Army, its soldiers and its contribution to the economy. The visit was one of several in central Ohio in a program aiming to deepen the Army’s engagement with communities, including the business community.

General Murray noted that the Army recruited 80,000 soldiers last year. Forty thousand of those will leave the army in four years and will be looking for employment.

As potential employees these soldiers will know how to work for a large organization, understand sacrifice for a team, be disciplined and show up on time, have been drug-free for four years and make good employees and good citizens.

General Murray is a Kenton, Ohio native (as is his wife), and a proud graduate of The Ohio State University.

See more about soldiers transitioning to civilian life at Solder for Life. 9/14/2017

Trial Bar Goes After Statute of Repose

A ride malfunction at the Ohio State Fair in early August resulted in one fatality and several serious injuries. This week attorneys representing some of the victims told the Columbus Dispatch that Ohio’s tort reform package of 2004 denies their clients justice.

Specifically, the plaintiffs’ attorneys protest the 10-year statute of repose which protects manufacturers from bogus lawsuits.

Acknowledging that the accident is a terrible tragedy, the OMA’s Ryan Augsburger stated that “The 2004 law does not prevent a party from seeking legal remedies against responsible parties whose actions resulted in an injury. The law recognizes that subsequent to delivery of a product the manufacturer loses control over the product, its uses, and the conditions under which the product is used and maintained. So after 10 years, it is more appropriate for parties who have had control of the product to be responsible for any harm. While Ohio law contains a statute of repose to promote manufacturing and innovation, that law does not absolve manufacturers from liability for fraudulent conduct regarding the product.” 9/14/2017

ODE Releases School Report Cards

The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) released school report cards for 2016-17 this week.

“Schools and districts report information for the Ohio School Report Cards on specific marks of performance – called measures – within six broad categories or components. The components are Achievement, Progress, Gap Closing, Graduation Rate, K-3 Literacy and Prepared for Success. The Department gives letter grades on each of the six components and most of the individual measures,” according to ODE. 9/14/2017

Explore Export Opportunities at Cleveland Event Sept. 18-20

In Cleveland next week: resources to support your new or emerging export business.

Meet one-on-one with procurement staff from manufacturing OEMs including: Airbus, Bell Helicopter, Boeing Defense, Rockwell Automation, Telephonics, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles U.S., Ford Motor Company, Global Alliance Automotive, and more.

Also, U.S. government trade experts from Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, The Nordics, Southeast Europe, and more than 10 other markets will be available for meetings.

More here. 9/14/2017