News and Analysis
Intel Announcement Is Just the Latest Win for Ohio Manufacturing
January 28, 2022The Columbus Dispatch last weekend published this story highlighting the key role that manufacturing continues to play in Ohio’s economy.
Intel’s selection of Ohio for its leading-edge semiconductor factories is just the latest in a string of manufacturing-related victories for the Buckeye State. Recent announcements from Cleveland-Cliffs, Sherwin-Williams, Peloton, Amgen, American Nitrile, SK Food Group, Airstream, and several other manufacturers prove Ohio continues to be a manufacturing state, said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. 1/24/2022
Ohio Now Has More Riding on Federal Chips Bill
January 28, 2022A new federal report shows the U.S. is facing an “alarming” shortage of semiconductors, raising the prospect of further factory shutdowns. This is prompting more U.S. policymakers — including Ohio’s federal lawmakers — to call for congressional passage of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), which includes $52 billion to increase semiconductor production.
The U.S. Senate passed the USICA last June, but the measure has stalled in the House. House leaders this week introduced the America Competes Act, a $250 billion bill that includes USICA-level funding for domestic semiconductor production. (The National Association of Manufacturers supports the House bill, as well as the USICA.)
During last week’s announcement that Intel had selected Ohio for its new chip manufacturing site, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said passage of the USICA would ensure that the Ohio project is completed in a timely fashion. 1/24/2022
OMA Opposes Union Mandate Bill
January 28, 2022This week, the OMA testified against House Bill 235, a union-supported measure that would establish a new government-imposed quota system requiring Ohio refiners to only hire workers who have completed a certified apprenticeship program, traditionally overseen by organized labor.
HB 235’s “eligibility requirement” would ensure that refineries no longer have the necessary flexibility to hire the most experienced contractors with proven safety records, while creating a $10,000-per-day, per-employee fine.
Rachael Carl, the OMA’s director of public policy services, told the House Commerce and Labor Committee the bill not only unnecessarily inserts government mandates into refinery hiring practices, it could also set a precedent for similar intrusions into other industries.1/27/2022
OMA’s 2022 Policy Committee Meetings Announced
January 28, 2022OMA policy committee meetings provide opportunities for members to work with colleagues, subject-matter experts, policymakers, and government agency staff to gain critical updates and to set policy priorities for Ohio manufacturing.
The OMA has five standing policy committees: Energy, Environment, Government Affairs, Safety and Workers’ Compensation, and Tax and Finance. These committees meet three to four times each year — with both virtual and in-person options.
The OMA has published this schedule of 2022 policy committee meetings. Make sure you’re signed up to receive the information, alerts, and meeting invitations by subscribing to the OMA communities relevant to you. 1/24/2022
Ohio Redistricting Panel Redraws Legislative Maps
January 28, 2022Last weekend, Republican members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission adopted revised legislative maps to comply with an order from the Supreme Court of Ohio. Here’s a summary from the OMA’s general counsel Bricker & Eckler.
However, left-leaning organizations have again filed objections to the four-year maps, claiming they are still gerrymandered to favor the GOP. The groups want the Supreme Court of Ohio to invalidate the legislative maps a second time.
Meanwhile, individuals interested in running for the General Assembly face a Feb. 2 filing deadline for the May 3 primary. The deadline for congressional candidates was moved to March 4 under House Bill 93, which has been sent to Gov. Mike DeWine. 1/27/2022
Survey: Ohio Manufacturers Cite Federal Policies, Workforce Among Top Challenges
January 28, 2022OMA Connections Partner Schneider Downs has published results of its most recent manufacturers’ economic survey. Conducted in November and December 2021 — in conjunction with the OMA — the survey includes responses from Ohio manufacturers. Findings include:
- More than 70% of respondents said the change in the federal executive branch had significantly or moderately impacted their business.
- If federal taxes are increased, 67% of respondents said they would raise prices.
- More than 80% said attracting and retaining a quality workforce was a top challenge for their business, although 68% expected their payroll to increase in 2022.
Here is the summary of the survey results. 1/25/2022
Semiconductor Plant Coming to Ohio, Reports Say
January 21, 2022News outlets have reported that later today (Friday, Jan. 21) there will be an official announcement that a multi-billion-dollar computer-chip manufacturing facility is coming to Ohio. According to the reports, Intel will build the chip facility in rural Licking County.
Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, and officials from JobsOhio say they plan to make a “historic economic development announcement” in Newark at 2:30 p.m. today. Intel has issued a media alert, saying CEO Pat Gelsinger will take part in a webcast (also at 2:30 p.m.) to share details about the company’s “latest plans for investing in manufacturing leadership.”
A major chip manufacturing facility would be a huge win for Ohio manufacturers and their supply chains, and critical for national security. Currently, just 12% of the world’s chips are made in the U.S., with about 80% made in Asia.
The Statehouse News Bureau reports that the Intel project has been described by sources as “the biggest economic development deal for Ohio since Honda built its 4 million square foot manufacturing plant near Marysville in the early 1980s.” Stay tuned. 1/21/2022
Webinar: Grow Your Business With Information Automation
January 21, 2022At 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, the OMA will host a webinar to discuss the rationale for — and implementation considerations of — information automation technologies.
This one-hour learning event, presented by OMA Connections Partner AWH, will focus on mid-market manufacturing companies. It will showcase examples of business automation projects in the areas of cloud technologies, digital commerce, and process automation. Learn more and register. 1/20/2022
MAGNET Spotlighted as Finalist for Federal Grant
January 21, 2022Spectrum News recently reported on the activities of OMA Connections Partner MAGNET — the Cleveland-based non-profit that serves as northeast Ohio’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). As reported earlier, MAGNET is a finalist for a federal grant of up to $75 million to help increase workforce diversity in manufacturing, while fortifying supply chain resilience. The grant would support several projects planned across northeast Ohio. 1/17/2022
Congressional Mapmakers Go Back to Drawing Board
January 21, 2022While Ohio’s primary election is set for May 3 — and candidates must file by Feb. 2 — state leaders must first settle the dispute over district boundaries. That’s because the Supreme Court of Ohio last week invalidated the state’s newly redrawn congressional districts, in addition to striking down new maps of Ohio’s House and Senate legislative districts.
As summarized by the OMA’s general counsel Bricker and Eckler, the court said the maps violated the Ohio Constitution’s prohibitions on partisan gerrymandering.
The Ohio Redistricting Commission has until Saturday, Jan. 22 to remap the boundaries for legislative districts. For the congressional map, the General Assembly has until mid-February. If the legislature fails to do this, the redistricting commission will have an additional 30 days to craft a new congressional map. 1/20/2022