Leadership

NAM Urges Federal Action on Infrastructure

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is part of a national coalition called United for Infrastructure, established to engage federal policymakers on the need to invest in our nation’s infrastructure. During this election year, the group is actively promoting principles established in the NAM’s “Building to Win” plan — which spotlights the Ohio River’s Brent Spence Bridge in the Cincinnati area as a real-world example of infrastructure in need of repair.

You are encouraged to communicate that action is needed now to improve America’s infrastructure and create manufacturing jobs. The NAM has made available this tool to put you in touch with your federal representatives. 9/15/2020

Ohio School Report Cards Now Available

Report cards for Ohio’s public schools are now available, but they do not contain grades on student performance due to disruptions last spring caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the limited data, it can be challenging to gauge how well a particular school or district is performing. 9/15/2020

Get Ready for Election 2020 With These OMA Resources

There are some fast-approaching key dates for Election 2020. They include:

• Oct. 5 — The last day to register to vote in the November election.
• Oct. 6 — Early in-person voting begins.
• Oct. 31 — Last day to mail absentee ballot requests or get them in your county board of elections drop box.
• Nov. 2 — Last day to get your absentee ballot postmarked. (If the ballot is submitted via the county board of elections drop box, it must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3.)
• Nov. 3 — Election Day! Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Additional election dates and deadlines are included on the OMA’s Election 2020 web page. This site includes the brand new Manufacturing Voter Center — a one-stop shop to share with your employees. 9/15/2020

Never Forget: September 11, 2001

It was 19 years ago, but for those old enough to remember, the images are still seared in our minds. Sept. 11, 2001 saw nearly 3,000 Americans killed and more than 6,000 injured. Among the fatalities were 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers, and 55 military personnel.

In the words of former President George W. Bush, our nation that day saw evil — the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America. Never forget. 9/11/2020

Study: Ohio No. 2 for Aerospace, Aircraft Developers

A new comparison names Ohio as the nation’s second-best state for “aerospace attractiveness.” Pricewaterhouse Cooper’s annual ranking puts the Buckeye State just behind No. 1 Georgia and ahead of No. 3 Washington state for its attractiveness to aerospace and aircraft developers.

Ohio was No. 1 in the tax policy category and finished in the top ten for industry, infrastructure, economy, and labor. “With an (aerospace and defense) workforce of 38,000, Ohio is also the largest U.S. state supplier to Boeing and Airbus,” according to the report. 9/8/2020

Addressing Ongoing Supply Chain Challenges

The pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains worldwide. It has also provided an opportunity for companies to develop forward-thinking strategies to address immediate needs and prepare for continued disruption. This article from OMA Connections Partner Plante Moran provides insight on ways to strengthen your business’ supply chains. 9/10/2020

Ohio Survey: Biden 49%, Trump 45%

Conservative-leaning polling firm Rasmussen Reports says Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden holds a four-point lead — 49% to 45% — over President Trump in Ohio, which historically has been a must-win for Republicans. The poll, conducted Sept. 1-2, found only 3% of Ohio’s likely voters were undecided.

Rasmussen also reported this week that 17% of likely U.S. voters who “strongly approve” of the job President Trump is doing say they are less likely to let others know how they intend to vote.

Meanwhile, the RealClearPolitics average of nationwide presidential polls shows Biden currently leading, including in most battleground states. 9/10/2020

Ohio’s Voting Registration Deadline Is Oct. 5

If you are not already registered to vote in Ohio, you have just a few more weeks — until Monday, Oct. 5 — to do so.

Additional election dates and deadlines are included on the OMA’s Election 2020 web page. Be sure the voice of manufacturers is heard this November! 9/10/2020

General Assembly Finally Passes COVID-19 Immunity Protections for Manufacturers

Ohio lawmakers returned to Columbus this week and finally worked out the remaining issues on House Bill 606 which had languished for three months.

The bill provides legal liability protections to employers and specified providers from lawsuits related to the COVID-19 pandemic. OMA worked to ensure that the bill covered manufacturers that produced PPE and other products in response to the pandemic.

A joint House and Senate conference committee convened on Tuesday to make a final round of revisions, most importantly extending the protections through September 2021. The bill will cover improper lawsuits going back to March when the state of emergency was first declared by Gov. DeWine. The full House approved the conference report Tuesday afternoon and the Senate followed suit on Wednesday. Gov. DeWine is expected to sign the bill soon.

A shout out to members who took the time to let their elected officials know the importance of this legislation. 9/2/2020

Ohio Earns Major Defense Manufacturing Designation

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced yesterday that the U.S. Department of Defense has made a commitment to Ohio’s defense manufacturers and put the state in position to receive a $5 million grant to improve manufacturing processes and train workers for next-generation jobs.

The Defense Department has designated Ohio as a Defense Manufacturing Community, which is a program designed to support long-term community investments that strengthen national security innovation and expand the capabilities of defense manufacturing.

OMA President Eric Burkland said, “The OMA is excited to continue to expand our partnership with the Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership and Ohio Development Services Agency in support of new resources directed to defense manufacturers. We will be working with the endorsed regional sector partnerships in support of current and prospective defense manufacturers.” 9/3/2020