Leadership

Ohio’s 2026 statewide races are taking shape as competitive contests, with Republicans holding an edge, but not a commanding one. Cook Political Report recently moved the governor’s race from Likely Republican to Lean Republican and shifted the Senate race from Lean Republican to Toss Up, signaling that both marquee races are firmly in play.

A recent BGSU/YouGov poll found Republican Vivek Ramaswamy leading Democrat Amy Acton 48% to 47% in the governor’s race, while Republican Jon Husted led Democrat Sherrod Brown 50% to 47% in the U.S. Senate contest. An Echelon poll pointed in the same direction, showing Ramaswamy ahead of Acton 49% to 44% and Husted leading Brown 51% to 45%.

The BGSU poll also found a sour public mood, with 55% of voters saying the country is on the wrong track and 46% saying the same about Ohio. In a memo on the survey, strategy consultant Scott Millburn wrote, “The current data represents a soft warning but not one that rises to a more definitive, uniform, anti-incumbent sentiment.”

Ryan Augsburger, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, said that competitive environment is exactly why these races matter to manufacturers.

“Close races are good for manufacturers because they force candidates to compete for support instead of taking Ohio’s industrial base for granted,” he added. “That creates more pressure to offer serious answers on energy, runaway utility spending, workforce and the cost of doing business.” 4/23/2026

At Wednesday’s Columbus Metropolitan Club forum at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association President Ryan Augsburger argued that Ohio’s data center debate should focus on whether the state is making disciplined, accountable energy decisions as growth accelerates.

Augsburger said the bigger risk is a regulatory structure that rewards utilities for building capital projects instead of demanding accurate forecasts before billion-dollar investments move forward. That leaves manufacturers and other captive customers exposed if projected demand never materializes.

“We’re seeing some downright outlandish future load forecast numbers being bandied about by investors and utilities,” Augsburger said. “These are projections that the utilities did not defend in their proceedings at the PUCO in the last year.”

Augsburger also called for greater transparency and accountability in electricity forecasting as Ohio policymakers debate the future of data center development.

Other panelists included Jeffrey Bielicki, Timothy Chadwick and Christopher Wyche, who brought perspectives from academia, industry and local government to the debate. Other topics included the environmental impacts of data centers and what data centers will look like 10 years from now. 4/22/2026

Longtime Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) board member and past chairman Dave Johnson, chief executive officer of Summitville A Brand of General Shale Brick, has been elected Ohio’s Republican National Committeeman, adding a national leadership post to his long record of service in manufacturing and public life.

“Dave Johnson has long been one of the most respected voices in Ohio manufacturing,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of OMA. “This appointment reflects the leadership, credibility and commitment he has brought to our industry and our state for many years.”

Johnson previously was honored by OMA with the Dan French Legacy Award for exemplary service to Ohio’s manufacturing community. 4/22/2026

Jessica Borza, managing director of workforce services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA), will return to her hometown next month as commencement speaker for East Liverpool High School’s Class of 2026. A 1994 graduate, Borza has spent more than two decades advancing workforce development and connecting students to in-demand career pathways. The ceremony is set for May 24.

“Jessica has dedicated her career to helping people see what is possible and how to get there,” said Lindsey Short, OMA managing director of energy and advocacy services. “There is no better person to deliver that message to the next generation.” 4/24/2026

A coalition of more than 20 organizations, including the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) and major employers across the state, is urging Sens. Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted to support nearly $9 million in FY27 Congressionally Directed Spending requests aimed at strengthening Ohio’s manufacturing workforce pipeline.

In a joint letter, manufacturers said workforce availability remains one of the most significant constraints on growth in Ohio manufacturing, particularly in production and technician roles. The letter backs two OMA proposals: $3 million to implement the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint and $5.92 million to expand Ohio Manufacturing WorkAdvance, a model designed to connect more Ohioans to manufacturing careers while helping employers fill critical jobs.

“Ohio cannot outcompete other states if manufacturers do not have the people to grow,” said Lindsey Short, managing director of energy and advocacy services for the OMA. “These requests are about building a workforce system that matches the scale of the opportunity and gives employers a real shot at filling the jobs they have right now.”

Signers include OMA; AMG Vanadium; Ariel Corporation; The Belden Brick Company; Cenovus Energy; French Oil Mill Machinery Company; American Honda Motor Company; Humtown Products; Mar-Bal, Inc.; The Marzetti Company; Mechanical Rubber; Pentaflex Inc.; Phillips Tube Group; PPG; PRO-TEC Coating Company; The Sherwin-Williams Company; Starr Manufacturing, Inc.; Staub Manufacturing Solutions; William Sopko & Sons Co., Inc.; Summitville Tiles, Inc.; and Zaclon. 4/16/2026

Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member Whirlpool Corp. plans to invest $60 million to expand its manufacturing footprint in northwest Ohio, adding a factory in Perrysburg that could create roughly 100 to 150 jobs in the coming years.

The project will support production of washer and dryer components and strengthen Whirlpool’s long-standing manufacturing presence in the region. The company already operates major appliance manufacturing facilities nearby, including its large washer plant in Clyde.

“Manufacturers invest where they can compete and succeed,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “Whirlpool’s continued investment in Ohio reflects the strength of our manufacturing workforce, supply chains and communities that support making things here.”

The expansion reinforces northwest Ohio’s role as a key hub for appliance manufacturing and highlights the continued momentum of manufacturing investment across the state. 4/13/2026

Following discussion with the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) board of directors, OMA has joined Ohioans to Protect Public Services, a broad-based statewide coalition urging caution around proposals to eliminate local property taxes without a plan to replace the revenue.

The coalition includes more than 65 business, public safety, labor and community organizations, including the Associated General Contractors of Ohio; Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association; Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police; Ohio Association of County Boards of Developmental Disabilities; Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters; Ohio Realtors; and the Ohio State Building & Construction Trades Council.

Coalition members say Ohioans are right to expect serious conversations about property tax reform, but eliminating property taxes outright without a credible replacement plan would create major uncertainty for the services, schools and local systems that communities and employers depend on.

“Ohioans have every right to expect a real conversation about property tax reform,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of the OMA. “What they should not accept is a proposal to eliminate a major funding source with no serious plan for what replaces it.” 4/16/2026

Mark Lamoncha, Ohio Manufacturers’ Assocation (OMA) board member and president and CEO of Humtown Products, has been named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Ohio Small Business Person of the Year, an honor that reflects the strength of Ohio manufacturing leadership.

Lamoncha helped grow Humtown from a Columbiana pattern shop into North America’s leading producer of 3D sand cores and molds. The SBA cited his innovation and long-term vision in announcing the award.

“Mark Lamoncha represents the best of Ohio manufacturing,” OMA President Ryan Augsburger said. “He is an innovator, a builder and a relentless advocate for what is possible when Ohio companies lead with vision, grit and ingenuity. This recognition is well deserved, and Ohio is stronger because of leaders like Mark.”

Lamoncha said the award reflects the work of Humtown’s team and the support of its partners and community. He now advances to national competition, with the national winner to be announced May 4 in Washington. 4/7/2026

U.S. manufacturing delivered an encouraging jolt in March, adding 15,000 jobs after revised February figures showed a smaller-than-initially-reported loss of 6,000. The first February estimate had shown a decline of 12,000 jobs, making March’s gain look even more like a rebound. The latest numbers also mark a sharp year-over-year turnaround. In March 2025, manufacturers lost 5,000 jobs, meaning this year’s March result represents a 400% swing in the right direction, according to Federal Reserve Economic Data. Transportation equipment and fabricated metal products helped drive the gains, while the broader U.S. labor market also added jobs in March.

“This is the kind of report that puts real wind at manufacturers’ backs,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “It shows this industry is still building, still hiring and still creating opportunity. That is great news for workers, great news for communities and a strong reminder that manufacturing remains one of the brightest spots in the American economy.” 4/6/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) Board of Directors met earlier this week to set direction for the year ahead, reviewing association priorities, receiving updates on advocacy, workforce services, legal and operational matters, and adopting the proposed 2026 budget. Prior to the meeting, board members toured Textron Systems, where they had the opportunity to see advanced manufacturing and defense production up close.

The conversation reflected both the demands facing manufacturers and the work OMA is doing to respond. Board members pointed to the importance of a competitive tax and regulatory environment, reliable and affordable energy, a strong pipeline of skilled workers and an association strategy grounded in the real needs of manufacturers across the state. The meeting reinforced OMA’s focus on pairing strong advocacy with practical services that help manufacturers solve problems, strengthen their workforce and stay competitive.

“Ohio manufacturers are not standing still,” said Ryan Augsburger, OMA president. “They are adapting, leading and pushing forward, and OMA is committed to backing them with strong advocacy and practical support where it matters most.”

Augsburger said the board’s visit to Textron Systems underscored that message, offering a close-up look at the innovation, precision and industrial strength driving American manufacturing.

“We are grateful to Textron Systems for welcoming our board and giving us a firsthand look at the kind of advanced manufacturing and innovation that continues to strengthen American industry,” Augsburger said. 3/31/2026

Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member Vertiv is expanding in Ohio, with plans to add 500 jobs at its Ironton manufacturing plant by 2029 as the company grows domestic production of power and cooling equipment. The broader effort includes an approximately $50 million investment across Ironton and Vertiv’s Westerville headquarters campus, with up to 730 jobs planned statewide through 2029. Vertiv said the investment will strengthen U.S. production capacity for technologies used in digital infrastructure and advanced computing environments, with the Ironton project expected to be operational in the second quarter of 2027.

“Vertiv’s expansion is another strong signal that Ohio remains a place where advanced manufacturing, skilled talent and long-term investment come together,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of the OMA. 3/31/2026

A Summit County jury on Tuesday failed to reach a verdict in the corruption trial of former FirstEnergy executives Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling, prolonging one of Ohio’s biggest public corruption cases. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said the state will retry the case, calling the outcome a setback but not the end of the pursuit of justice. Prosecutors alleged the executives helped arrange a $4.3 million payment to former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairman Sam Randazzo as part of the wider House Bill 6 bribery scandal. Ohio Manufacturers’ Association President Ryan Augsburger said the association welcomes Yost’s decision to retry the case.

“We are encouraged Attorney General Dave Yost has made clear this case will be retried,” Augsburger said. “A case of this magnitude cannot simply be left unresolved. The public deserves answers.” 3/31/2026

U.S. manufacturing added momentum in March, with stronger output and healthier order books pointing to a firmer start to spring. S&P Global’s final U.S. Manufacturing PMI climbed to 52.3, up from 51.6 in February, extending the current expansion streak to eight months. The survey found output growth accelerated and new orders rose at the fastest pace since October, suggesting manufacturers carried more traction into the spring than they had earlier in the year.

“That is the kind of report manufacturers like to see with their morning coffee,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “More output, more orders and more momentum is always welcome.” 4/1/2026

Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) President Ryan Augsburger is warning that Ohio should not let speculative data center demand and utility profit incentives drive billion-dollar energy decisions. In a guest column for The Columbus Dispatch, Augsburger argues that utilities have every reason to exaggerate demand because they profit on how much they spend to build, not on how much electricity ultimately moves through the wires.

The column points to an AEP earnings-call admission that should stop lawmakers in their tracks. During the company’s second-quarter 2025 call, an executive told investors that under AEP’s commercial-load protections, “it doesn’t really matter to us financially whether that load is actually coming online or not.”

“That is the whole scam in one sentence,” said Lindsey Short, OMA managing director of energy and advocacy services. “If the utility gets paid either way, customers are the ones carrying the risk. Ohio should not be forced to bankroll massive grid buildouts based on speculative load, inflated forecasts and a business model that rewards overbuilding.” 3/24/2026

PJM Executive Vice President Asim Haque came to the Senate Energy Committee on Tuesday warning of “historic load growth” and pushing lawmakers toward more market intervention, more infrastructure spending and, ultimately, higher costs for customers.

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) said the issue is not whether some new load is coming. It is whether grid insiders are turning speculation into system planning and handing customers the bill.

PJM’s own presentation made the point. The grid operator said it now plans to require demonstrated financial commitment for near-term large loads, identify duplicative requests, add third-party review and give state regulators a chance to weigh in before those projections are folded into the forecast. That is not a sign the old process was sound. It is an admission it was not.

OMA’s February analysis showed why that matters. The report found AEP Ohio’s data center tariff could inflate PJM large-load forecasts by more than 40% per data center, helping turn speculation into system planning. It also cited PJM’s Independent Market Monitor, which found forecasts of unbuilt data centers drove $21.3 billion in capacity costs over three years, compared with just $1.8 billion tied to built data centers.

“Ohio manufacturers have heard this script before: big claims, big urgency and then a bigger bill,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of OMA. “If Asim Haque wants lawmakers to treat this as a historic crisis, he ought to welcome historic scrutiny. Forecasts are not demand, and Ohio customers should not be forced to finance billion-dollar grid buildouts based on speculative, inflated or duplicate load projections.” 3/24/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s (OMA) 2026 Election Guide will be published at the end of summer, giving advertisers a strong opportunity to reach Ohio’s manufacturing leaders and decision-makers as attention turns to the races, districts and political dynamics that will shape the state’s next General Assembly and congressional delegation.

The guide will feature profiles of candidates for state legislative and congressional seats, demographic and economic snapshots of every Ohio legislative district, updated political indices and commentary from House and Senate Republican and Democratic caucuses. It also will include profiles of candidates for the Supreme Court of Ohio and Ohio’s Courts of Appeals, making it a practical resource for readers tracking the people and issues driving Ohio politics.

Advertisers should reserve space by April 17, with ad files due by May 15. Reach out to Nate Mays, director of member services for OMA, for more information.

“The Election Guide is where Ohio politics stops being noise and starts becoming useful,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of OMA. “It is smart, practical and built for people who would rather see the map than listen to the spin.” 3/27/2026

SSP is marking its 100th anniversary year, celebrating a century of American-made manufacturing in Twinsburg. The family-owned company, an Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member since 1989, has built a reputation for quality, safety and long-term investment, with all products made in one U.S. facility and a public centennial celebration planned for September. “SSP’s 100th anniversary is a testament to the kind of excellence, discipline and staying power that define Ohio manufacturing,” said Ryan Augsburger, OMA president. 3/27/2026

Ohio manufacturers got an early warning Thursday as the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) Government Affairs Committee examined the political and policy fights already driving the rest of 2026.

Members heard updates from OMA’s public policy team and counsel, along with remarks from Senate President Pro Tempore Bill Reineke and veteran pollster Robert Blizzard (right), who offered insight into the election cycle, Statehouse dynamics and the issues most likely to drive action in the months ahead.

The conversation centered on protecting Ohio’s competitive energy markets, the growing threat posed by a ballot initiative to abolish property taxes and the legislative risks and opportunities that could affect manufacturers’ costs, investment decisions and long-term competitiveness. The meeting underscored a broader point for members: in an election year, political movement can turn into policy consequences fast.

“Statehouse fights have a way of starting as smoke and turning into fire fast,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for OMA. “OMA’s job is to spot the heat early and make sure manufacturers are ready.” 3/19/2026

AEP can spin this however it wants, but the bottom line is simple: Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) staff found the company’s load forecasts were significantly overstated, and AEP accepted corrected numbers. That is a major validation of what the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) has been warning for months as utilities push new policies and rate structures tied to projected data center growth.

In reviewing AEP Ohio’s proposed Basic Transmission Cost Rider rates, PUCO staff found the utility overstated load growth across several general service classes and counted projected data center demand more than once, including in classes where hyperscale data centers do not belong. OMA said the findings show why utility forecasts cannot be treated as gospel when they can trigger real costs for other customers.

“AEP can spin this however it wants, but the bottom line is simple: staff found the forecasts were significantly overstated and AEP accepted corrected numbers,” OMA President Ryan Augsburger said. 3/17/2026

A new quarterly survey from the National Association of Manufacturers suggests the sector remains broadly optimistic, with manufacturers reporting a stronger business climate even as trade and cost pressures continue to weigh on the outlook.

According to the survey, 46.6% of manufacturers said they are benefiting from the Trump administration’s regulatory reform measures. Just 33.19% cited an unfavorable business climate as a top concern, the smallest share since the association’s first-quarter 2020 survey.

Overall, 75.3% of respondents said they felt somewhat or very positive about their company’s outlook for 2026, up 5.4 percentage points from the fourth quarter of 2025. Trade uncertainty remained the top concern at 70.6%, followed by rising health care and insurance costs at 69.8% and rising raw material and other input costs at 57.5%. The survey also found improved expectations for sales, production, employment and capital spending over the next 12 months.

“Manufacturers are showing real confidence in the business climate, and that matters,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “The opportunity now is to build on that momentum with policies that support investment, growth and competitiveness.” 3/18/2026