Leadership

Post-Pandemic Record for Ohio Manufacturing Jobs

In December, Ohio added the nation’s second-highest net total of new manufacturing jobs with 4,900. Only Texas (5,500) added more.

As of last month, Ohio was home to nearly 696,000 manufacturing jobs, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If the figure holds, it will be the highest jobs number since September 2019.

For calendar year 2022, Ohio was No. 5 for manufacturing employment growth with 22,800 new jobs, trailing Texas (49,000), California (35,000), Florida (27,400), and Pennsylvania (25,400). 1/26/2023

DeWine, Husted Announce Regulatory Reform Plan

Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted have announced their initiative to streamline the Ohio Administrative Code, which contains the rules adopted by state agencies. When complete, the plan aims to eliminate nearly one-third of the code by targeting duplicative provisions, outdated sections, and unnecessary requirements.

The OMA issued this press release applauding the governor and his team for their commitment to improving Ohio’s business climate. Last year, the OMA worked with legislative leaders to improve Senate Bill 9, legislation to reduce regulatory restrictions. The bill was passed and signed last spring. 1/26/2023

Ohio House Names Committee Chairs

Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) this week announced chairs of House committees, with Rep. Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) chosen to lead the Finance Committee. Other notable appointments include Rep. Darrell Kick (R-Loudonville) for Energy and Natural Resources, as well as Rep. Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) as chair of Ways and Means. 1/23/2023

‘State of State’ Address Set for Jan. 31

Gov. Mike DeWine’s 2023 “State of the State” address will be held at noon Tuesday, Jan. 31. In his address to state lawmakers, the governor is expected to lay out his priorities for his second term, including the new two-year budget. Members can watch the address at The Ohio Channel’s website. 1/25/2023

Rep. Brian Baldridge Nominated as Ag Director

Gov. Mike DeWine has selected state Rep. Brian Baldridge (R-Winchester) to lead the Ohio Department of Agriculture, following the retirement of Dorothy Pelanda. Read more. 1/23/2023

Bricker & Eckler, Graydon Law Firms to Combine

Columbus-based law firm Bricker & Eckler — the OMA’s general counsel — and Cincinnati-based law firm Graydon Head & Ritchey have announced their plans to merge effective April 3. Once merged, the firm will operate as Bricker Graydon LLP. Read more. 1/24/2023

Ohio Gets Solid Marks in Site Selection Comparison

Site Selection magazine has published its annual “State of the States” report, comparing business-related data for all 50 states. As shown on this page, Ohio has the nation’s seventh-largest GDP and is among the nation’s best states for workers’ compensation costs, higher education R&D expenditures, and growth in career readiness certificates earned by adults. 1/23/2023

One-Year Anniversary of Intel’s Ohio Announcement

This week marks the first anniversary of Intel’s historic announcement that it will invest tens of billions of dollars to build leading-edge semiconductor factories in Ohio. (See the OMA’s “Intel in Ohio” page.)

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted this week told ABC 6 in Columbus that site prep is nearly complete and construction of the factories is on track to start this winter. But federal funding, aimed at expediting the project, had not yet arrived.

At this week’s World Economic Forum, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said passage of the federal CHIPS Act was a “turning point” in global competition with China and critical to U.S. manufacturing. As reported by Fox Business, he emphasized the importance of America’s technology leadership to make supply chains more resilient. 1/19/2023

How Artificial Intelligence Is Boosting Supply Chains

OMA Connections Partner BSI has published this insight into how technology is addressing supply chain challenges. The firm encourages logistics professionals to explore integrating artificial intelligence to protect supply chains against current and future global challenges. 1/19/2023

Ohio’s 2024 U.S. Senate Race Gets an Early Start

Although the 2022 general election was just two months ago, the 2024 campaign season is already underway after state Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) announced this week he’s running to contest incumbent U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH). Dolan placed third in last year’s GOP primary for the open U.S. Senate seat won by now-U.S. Sen. JD Vance (R-OH). Hear Dolan’s Jan. 18 interview on 610 WTVN.

Other Republicans are expected to enter the contest. Brown has said previously he will seek a fourth term. 1/17/2023