Leadership

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) public policy team traveled to Sugarcreek this week to tour The Belden Brick Company with state auditor and attorney general candidate Keith Faber.

The visit was hosted by Brad Belden, president and chief operating officer of The Belden Brick Company, chair of the OMA Energy Committee and first vice chairman of the OMA Board of Directors. The discussion focused on issues affecting Ohio’s industrial economy, including electric reliability and affordability, PUCO oversight, utility load forecasting, supplemental transmission projects and the need to see House Bill 6-related accountability through to real culture change.

OMA also emphasized that data centers are too often being used as a convenient scapegoat for rising power bills, while the deeper problem is inflated utility forecasts and a regulatory system that lacks sufficient transparency and accountability.

“Visits like this give policymakers a clear view of what is at stake,” said James Lee, OMA managing director of public policy services. “Manufacturers need affordable, reliable energy and a regulatory system that scrutinizes utility claims before customers are asked to pay. Belden Brick is a powerful example of why these policy decisions matter on the plant floor, in communities and across Ohio’s economy.” 5/28/2026

As Ohio lawmakers examine the rapid growth of data centers, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) is urging policymakers to separate fact from fear.

At the first joint meeting of the House and Senate select committee on data centers, state environmental officials told lawmakers that data centers are reviewed under the same permitting frameworks that apply to other industrial, commercial and infrastructure projects. They also said regulators have not identified data centers as sources of “forever chemicals,” and that backup-generator emissions are regulated under state and federal clean air laws.

“Ohio should not build policy around panic,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “Data centers should meet the same rules as everyone else, but they should not be turned into a political scapegoat or used by monopoly utilities to justify inflated forecasts, special tariffs and customer-funded risk. Ohio needs facts, not fear.”

OMA is scheduled to testify before the select committee Thursday, June 11. 5/27/2026

In-person registration has reached capacity for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s (OMA) next Government Affairs Committee meeting, but members may still participate virtually via Zoom. The strong response is a clear sign that manufacturers are closely watching the policy and political decisions shaping Ohio’s economy.

The June 4 meeting will feature Senate President and lieutenant governor candidate Rob McColley, who will provide an update on the Ramaswamy-McColley campaign and discuss Senate policy priorities for the remainder of the legislative session. OMA has also invited David Pepper, Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, to attend and share his perspective with members.

“Our Government Affairs Committee has become one of the places where serious policy conversations happen,” said James Lee, OMA managing director of public policy services. “When in-person registration reaches capacity, it tells you manufacturers are paying attention, showing up and engaging directly on the decisions that will shape Ohio’s economy.”

The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. 5/29/2026

Before members of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) gathered at Cenovus’s Lima Refinery for this week’s Energy Committee meeting, OMA President Ryan Augsburger and Dave O’Neil, OMA director of communications, stopped by The Lima News to talk about what Ohio manufacturers are seeing on electric bills.

The message was plain. Higher costs should not be used to scare Ohio into bad energy policy.

In the interview, Augsburger pushed back on the utility-driven claim that Ohio is facing an unavoidable energy crisis. He said the real concern is whether monopoly utilities are using inflated forecasts and speculative data center demand to justify more spending that customers could be forced to fund, whether the load ever shows up or not.

“The name of the game is to create a false narrative where people believe we’ve got an energy crisis,” Augsburger told The Lima News.

OMA is urging policymakers and regulators to slow down, demand proof and require independent review of utility forecasts before customers are handed the bill. 5/28/2026

Ohio is giving workers, families and employers something many high-cost states cannot, room to grow. A new Wall Street Journal report highlights encouraging momentum in northeast Ohio, where Akron and Cleveland are seeing modest population gains after decades of decline, and where more people are choosing to stay, return or put down roots.

That matters to Ohio’s manufacturing economy. Young professionals are coming home. Families are finding attainable housing. Former industrial spaces are being transformed into hubs for technology, startups and advanced manufacturing. Akron’s former B.F. Goodrich tire factory, once a symbol of industrial loss, now houses the Bounce Innovation Hub and more than 60 small companies. Ohio’s manufacturing legacy is becoming a launchpad for what comes next.

The report also underscores one of Ohio’s biggest advantages, affordability. While many workers are being priced out of coastal and Sunbelt markets, communities across Ohio offer the chance to buy a home, build a career and raise a family without sacrificing opportunity.

“Ohio has the people, communities and cost advantages to win the next generation of manufacturing investment,” said Jessica Borza, managing director of workforce services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “When talent sees a future here, manufacturers do too. This is the kind of momentum that strengthens our workforce, supports investment and reminds the country that Ohio is still where things get built.” 5/26/2026

This Memorial Day, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) honors the Americans who gave their lives in service to our nation.

Their sacrifice secured the freedoms that allow our families, communities and workplaces to thrive. Across Ohio’s manufacturing community, we pause to remember those who did not return home and the families who carry their legacy.

OMA joins manufacturers across the state in gratitude, remembrance and respect for America’s fallen heroes. 5/22/2026

Senate President Rob McColley, a candidate for lieutenant governor, will headline the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) next Government Affairs Committee meeting Thursday, June 4, at the OMA offices and virtually via Zoom.

McColley will provide updates on the Ramaswamy-McColley campaign and discuss key Senate policy priorities for the remainder of the legislative session. OMA leadership and chief counsel will brief members on legislative developments, regulatory activity and policy issues impacting Ohio manufacturers. Members will also hear analysis of Ohio’s primary election results and how they are shaping the November midterms.

“These events are about access, intelligence and influence,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for the OMA. “OMA members will hear directly from key policymakers, get timely political analysis and connect with the leaders shaping Ohio’s manufacturing future.”

The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m., with attendees encouraged to arrive by 9:15 a.m. A networking lunch will follow from noon to 1 p.m. OMA members are also invited to a special Legislative Reception hosted by the Ohio Food & Beverage Manufacturers’ Policy Council the evening before, Wednesday, June 3. 5/22/2026

A proposed constitutional amendment to ban large data centers faces a steep climb to the November ballot after organizers reported roughly 27,000 signatures, just 6% of the 413,000-plus needed by July 1. With only weeks remaining and a typical campaign needing a cushion above the minimum to survive Ohio’s signature-verification process, the effort faces long odds.

But the campaign still reflects a broader reality policymakers should not ignore. Public frustration over data center development is growing, especially around electric costs, water use, land use and pressure on local communities.

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) has been clear that data centers are not the villain. Bad utility planning is. The risk comes when monopoly utilities use speculative or inflated load forecasts to justify costly infrastructure and shift costs onto captive customers.

“Ohio should welcome real economic growth, including data center investment, but customers should not be forced to bankroll utility overbuilding based on projections that may never materialize,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “The answer is not to ban development. The answer is forecast accountability, transparent planning and strong customer protections.” 5/19/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) this week urged lawmakers to support House Bill 105, legislation aimed at bringing greater transparency to third-party litigation funding. OMA Legal Counsel Anne Marie Sferra provided proponent testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, warning that commercial litigation funding can allow outside financial interests to quietly influence lawsuits against businesses.

While defendants have long been required to disclose whether insurance may cover a settlement or judgment, plaintiffs can proceed without disclosing whether someone else has a financial stake in the case. House Bill 105 would help change that by requiring commercial litigation financiers to register with the attorney general, increasing transparency around financing agreements and barring foreign-domiciled commercial litigation financiers from operating in Ohio.

“Ohio manufacturers deserve a civil justice system that is fair, transparent and not quietly influenced by outside financial interests,” said Lindsey Short, OMA managing director of advocacy and energy services. “House Bill 105 is a commonsense step to shine light on third-party litigation funding, protect proprietary business information and guard against lawsuit abuse.”

OMA supports the bill as part of its ongoing work to protect manufacturers from litigation practices that drive up costs, create uncertainty and weaken Ohio’s business climate. 5/20/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) this week urged lawmakers to reject House Bill 301, the Digital Fair Repair Act, warning that the legislation still creates serious risks for manufacturers, customers and connected devices even after recent amendments.

Matt Koppitch, OMA legal counsel and partner at Bricker Graydon Wyatt, testified on behalf of OMA before the House Technology and Innovation Committee, warning that the bill could force original equipment manufacturers to share repair tools and documentation in ways that weaken cybersecurity protections and expose proprietary technology.

OMA warned that the bill could undermine authorized repair networks, increase the risk of counterfeit or poorly calibrated parts, and create new safety and operational concerns for connected devices and industrial equipment. House Bill 301 also would create a private cause of action, raising the risk of class litigation and enhanced damages.

“Right to repair should not become a right to reverse engineer,” said James Lee, OMA managing director of public policy services. “Manufacturers support safe, reliable repairs, but HB 301 goes too far by exposing sensitive technology, weakening quality controls and inviting more litigation.” 5/19/2026

Ohio businesses would gain more certainty in contract disputes under Senate Bill 157, which passed the Ohio Senate this week and now heads to the House. The bill, supported by the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA), would reduce Ohio’s statute of limitations for written contract actions from six years to four years, while reducing the statute of limitations for non-written contracts from four years to two years.

The measure is aimed at encouraging timely resolution of contract disputes and giving employers greater predictability when managing business risks. OMA has supported the bill as a practical legal reform that helps companies operate with more certainty and efficiency.

“Old disputes should not hang over employers forever,” said Lindsey Short, OMA managing director of energy and advocacy services. “Senate Bill 157 gives businesses more certainty, encourages timely resolution and helps Ohio maintain a fairer, more predictable legal climate.” 5/21/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) this week welcomed Ryan McCarty, a University of Dayton political science honors student, as its summer intern through UD’s Statehouse Civic Scholars program.

The program gives selected UD students hands-on experience in state government, public policy and advocacy through summer internships in Columbus, including placements with state offices, agencies, interest groups and lobbying firms.

McCarty, a Pittsburgh-area native, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science and has been active in Bridge UD, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity and mock trial. His background also includes election office experience as a poll worker and leadership roles that emphasize communication, service and problem-solving. He brings plenty of enthusiasm to OMA this summer, though notably less for the Steelers’ decision to run it back with Aaron Rodgers.

“Ryan has already jumped in with the kind of curiosity and energy you hope to see from a summer intern,” said James Lee, OMA managing director of public policy services. “He is getting a front-row look at how public policy affects Ohio manufacturers, and we’re glad to have him on the team this summer.” 5/22/2026

Ohio should demand clear answers from JobsOhio on the recent podcast contract, OMA President Ryan Augsburger writes in a new guest column in The Columbus Dispatch. Public confidence, transparency and performance matter, especially for an organization central to Ohio’s ability to compete.

But Augsburger warns that turning one bad episode into a broader attack on JobsOhio would be a mistake. Major manufacturing projects move fast, and other states are competing every day with incentives, sites, workforce strategies and speed. JobsOhio has helped Ohio stay in that fight, and its model is worth preserving, improving and holding to a high standard.

As Ohio looks toward new state leadership, manufacturers look forward to working with the next governor to keep JobsOhio moving forward in the right direction. 5/14/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) invites all manufacturing members to attend the upcoming Ohio Food & Beverage Manufacturers’ Policy Council and Reception on Wednesday, June 3, at The Athletic Club of Columbus.

The event will offer timely policy insights on regulations affecting daily operations, including 2026 trade impacts, packaging mandates, ingredient bans and new labeling requirements. Attendees will also hear from Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge and JobsOhio’s Tim Derickson on industry growth, state support and available incentives.

“This is a direct line into the policy issues shaping Ohio’s food, beverage and consumer product sectors,” said James Lee, OMA managing director of public policy services. “Trade, labeling, packaging mandates, ingredient restrictions and state support all affect how manufacturers operate, invest and compete. This event gives members a timely opportunity to hear from experts, connect with peers and show lawmakers what Ohio manufacturers make every day.”

Following the 2 to 4 p.m. council briefing, members are invited to a 5 to 7 p.m. reception showcase with members of the Ohio General Assembly. The reception will provide valuable access to lawmakers, peer networking and an opportunity for food, beverage and consumer product manufacturers to feature Ohio-made goods for the policymakers who shape the business climate in Ohio. 5/15/2026

Ohio manufacturing took center stage in Washington this week as Ned Hill, a longtime voice on manufacturing policy and frequent contributor for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA), testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship during a hearing tied to America 250 and the rise of small manufacturers.

Hill’s testimony highlighted manufacturing’s central role in Ohio’s economy, noting the sector accounts for $137.9 billion of Ohio GDP and more than any other private industry. He also emphasized that Ohio’s manufacturing strength depends not only on major anchors, but on the thousands of smaller manufacturers that make up the state’s supply chains.

“Ned Hill understands what makes Ohio manufacturing work,” said Ryan Augsburger, OMA president. “As America prepares to mark 250 years, his testimony reinforced a core truth: manufacturers of every size are driving Ohio’s economy, strengthening American supply chains and building the next generation of industrial growth.”

Ohio’s manufacturing strength is not accidental. It depends on policies that help companies invest, innovate, grow and compete. 5/13/2026

This week, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) testified in support of House Bill 126, urging lawmakers to prevent public nuisance law from being turned into a backdoor litigation tool against lawful products and businesses.

In testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, OMA Legal Counsel Anne Marie Sferra said Ohio manufacturers need a civil justice system that is rational, fair and predictable in order to invest, grow and compete globally. The bill would help preserve that stability by codifying the Ohio Supreme Court’s recent decision in In re National Prescription Opiate Litigation, which made clear that public nuisance claims tied to the sale of a product must be handled under Ohio’s product liability laws.

“House Bill 126 helps maintain Ohio’s stable legal climate and promotes a common-sense civil justice system,” Sferra told lawmakers. “In particular, this bill protects against misuse of public nuisance claims.”

The bill is an important safeguard against lawsuit abuse and legal theories that stretch public nuisance law far beyond its original purpose. OMA urged lawmakers to support House Bill 126 and keep Ohio’s legal climate predictable, rather than allowing product liability disputes to be repackaged as open-ended nuisance lawsuits. 5/13/2026

Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member Anheuser-Busch is investing $5 million in its Columbus brewery, strengthening one of Ohio’s most recognizable manufacturing operations and expanding local production capacity for Michelob ULTRA and Michelob ULTRA Zero. The investment is part of the company’s $600 million Brewing Futures initiative across U.S. operations in 2025 and 2026, aimed at modernizing facilities, supporting domestic manufacturing and building the next generation of skilled manufacturing talent.

The Columbus project includes a new technical skills training center, one of 15 planned nationwide, to prepare workers for high-demand roles in modern brewing and advanced manufacturing. Anheuser-Busch has operated in Columbus for more than 50 years and has invested more than $71 million in the brewery over the past five years.

“Ohio’s strongest workforce solutions start with employers,” said Ryan Augsburger, OMA president. “Anheuser-Busch’s Columbus investment puts that model into action by building technical skills, strengthening an iconic Ohio operation and helping keep Ohio manufacturing competitive.” 5/13/2026

Sherwin-Williams just changed the Cleveland skyline.

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member company has unveiled its new global headquarters downtown, a 36-story, roughly 1 million-square-foot tower that will bring more than 3,000 employees into the heart of the city. The project is a major investment in Cleveland, in Ohio and in the future of one of the state’s most iconic manufacturers.

“Sherwin-Williams did not just build a headquarters. They planted a flag,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “This is what confidence in Ohio looks like. Big investment. World-class manufacturing leadership. Thousands of people coming to work in the heart of Cleveland. That is a skyline-changing statement.” 5/12/2026

U.S. manufacturing continued to expand in April, but rising costs remain a major warning sign for the sector. The latest ISM Manufacturing PMI held steady at 52.7%, marking the fourth straight month of expansion, while new orders rose again and customer inventories remained low. But the report also showed mounting pressure on manufacturers, with the prices index climbing to 84.6%, its highest level since April 2022, and manufacturing employment remaining in contraction.

The report is another reminder that manufacturers are still moving, but they are doing it in a tougher cost environment. Demand is not the problem. The problem is the pile-on of inflation, energy costs, supply chain strain and policy uncertainty that makes it harder to plan, hire and invest.

“Ohio manufacturers have proven again and again that they can compete, grow and lead through difficult conditions,” said James Lee, OMA managing director of public policy services. “The strength in new orders is encouraging, but policymakers need to do their part by avoiding new costs and giving manufacturers the certainty they need to keep investing.” 5/11/2026

The 2026 primary narrowed the field but widened the stakes for Ohio manufacturers.

Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) members joined a special post-primary briefing Wednesday for an analysis of the results, turnout trends and key matchups now shaping the general election.

OMA staff were joined by leading political strategists Brenton Temple of MAD Global Strategy and Joe Rettof of RT Advisors, who offered bipartisan perspective on the races, trends and ballot issues shaping Ohio’s political landscape.

With competitive races for governor, U.S. Senate and the Ohio Supreme Court, along with potential ballot issues on property taxes and data centers, manufacturers are entering a consequential election cycle.

“Ohio manufacturers cannot afford to watch this election from the sidelines,” said James Lee, OMA managing director of public policy services. “This briefing and our post-election report give members the context they need to understand what is at stake, what is coming next and where manufacturers must stay engaged.”

Read OMA’s full post-election report for the races, trends and issues that will shape Ohio’s general election. Members can continue the conversation at the June 4 Government Affairs Committee meeting, featuring Senate President Rob McColley. 5/6/2026