Leadership

Supply Chain Index Shows Improvement Since Last Fall

OMA Connections Partner RSM says its U.S. Supply Chain Index rose 21% in February, marking the third improvement in the past four months. Get further insight on supply chain conditions, as well as guidance on navigating inflation, during RSM’s complementary webcast set for noon on Wednesday, March 30. 3/22/2022

TourismOhio Promotes Spring Attractions

Spring is the perfect time to explore Ohio, which is why TourismOhio has published this page of things to do in the Buckeye State. From visiting one of 75 state parks, to trying out local food and beverages, to finding the perfect hiking or biking trail, share this site with co-workers and employees. 3/21/2022

Gov. DeWine, Justice Kennedy Address OMA Board

On March 15, the OMA board of directors held its Q1 meeting at the OMA’s headquarters in Columbus. In addition to being briefed on OMA operations and Statehouse activity, the board heard from Gov. Mike DeWine and Supreme Court of Ohio Justice Sharon Kennedy.

Gov. DeWine thanked the OMA for working with his administration during the pandemic, including efforts to boost Ohio-made PPE supplies and establish workplace safety protocols. He touted TechCred as one of the administration’s first-term workforce successes, and said more young Ohioans must be made aware of careers in manufacturing.

Justice Kennedy, who is vying to become the court’s next chief justice, stressed the importance of strictly following the law and not legislating from the bench. She said Ohio’s pro-business policies could be reversed if the wrong justices are elected. 3/15/2022

Top: OMA President Ryan Augsburger and OMA Chair Dale Laws of Whirlpool Corp. greet Gov. Mike DeWine during his March 15 visit with the OMA board. Bottom: Justice Sharon Kennedy speaks with OMA board members.

OMA-PAC Endorses Justices DeWine, Fischer, Kennedy

In this year’s Supreme Court of Ohio races, the OMA Political Action Committee (OMA-PAC) has endorsed the re-election bids of Justices Pat DeWine and Patrick Fischer. The OMA-PAC has also endorsed Sharon Kennedy as the high court’s next chief justice. Read the news release on this development. 3/16/2022

For a Third Time, Supreme Court Rejects Ohio’s Redrawn Legislative Maps

On March 16, a divided Supreme Court of Ohio voted 4-3 against the state’s redrawn legislative districts. For the third time, Republican Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor joined Democratic Justices Michael Donnelly, Melody Stewart, and Jennifer Brunner in invalidating the maps. Republican Justices Pat DeWine, Pat Fischer, and Sharon Kennedy voted in favor of the maps.

The court ruled that the Ohio Redistricting Commission must adopt another state legislative district plan by March 28. This effectively eliminates any possibility of a full primary on May 3 with all statewide, Ohio House and Senate, and U.S. House candidates appearing on the same ballot. 3/17/2022

OMA Offers Support for Bill to Fight Online Sales of Counterfeit Goods

On March 15, the OMA provided testimony in support for House Bill 272, aimed at preventing counterfeit and stolen goods from being sold online. HB 272 would require online marketplaces to collect and verify third-party sellers’ information. The current version of the bill mirrors federal legislation known as the INFORM Act. 3/16/2022

Site Selection Magazine: Rise of the Silicon Heartland

Site Section magazine has published a feature story on Intel’s $20 billion investment deal in Ohio. According to the publication, “semiconductor plants are now essential national infrastructure” and we can “expect to see more high-tech production centers locate in the interior of the country.”

Meanwhile, in Site Selection‘s annual “Governor’s Cup” contest for economic development, Ohio finished No. 2 behind Texas — for the tenth consecutive year — in overall projects. Ohio registered 507 projects statewide in 2021. 3/15/2022

Intel Invests $50M in Ohio’s Education, Research

In an effort to boost U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, Intel has announced it will invest $50 million in Ohio higher education institutions, as well as another $50 million in national science education programs. Here’s the OMA’s statement on the development.

Meanwhile, Ohio manufacturers interested in becoming an Intel supplier should check the “Intel in Ohio” webpage for forthcoming information, company officials have told the OMA.

And in case you missed it, Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer recently published this editorial by OMA President Ryan Augsburger, who highlighted the expected benefits of the Intel project for Ohio manufacturers. 3/16/2022

Russian Invasion Halts Half of World’s Neon Output for Chips

The global chip shortage is expected to continue into next year, according to the CEO of Micron Technology. Meanwhile, about half of the world’s semi-conductor-grade neon — critical for the lasers used to make chips — could be lost as Ukrainian companies have shuttered operations due to Russia’s invasion. 3/14/2022

The Mainstreaming of 3-D Printing

Additive manufacturing, or 3-D printing, is now a $14.7 billion industry. But some still considered this a niche technology, and large-scale adoption remains limited. A new article by McKinsey & Company explores how manufacturers can take additive manufacturing to the next level. 3/15/2022