Leadership

At a Glance: AI’s Potential to Boost Productivity

In its latest issue of “The Real Economy,” OMA Connections Partner RSM looks at the three pillars of AI and its impact on productivity.

Meanwhile, this infographic by Visual Capitalist compares humans to AI in the performance of key skills. AI has already matched or surpassed human performance in some categories. 9/11/2023

Lt. Gov. Husted Visits the OMA

On Sept. 6, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted addressed members during the OMA Government Affairs Committee’s Q3 meeting, sponsored by OMA Connections Partner PhRMA.

Husted’s comments were largely focused on the administration’s efforts to boost workforce development. He noted the recent announcements regarding funding opportunities for industry sector partnerships and educational institutions that prepare Ohioans for manufacturing careers.

The meeting also included updates on:

• Issue 2, the OMA-opposed ballot initiative to legalize recreational use of marijuana;
• Efforts to enhance Ohio’s electricity market, as proposed by the OMA-supported Senate Bill 143; and
• Changes made to the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) under the current state budget (see related story in this Leadership Briefing).

The Government Affairs Committee will meet again Nov. 29. Register here. 9/6/2023

Report: Ohio No. 1 for Economic Development

A national publication has ranked Ohio as the top-performing state for economic development, based on investments in corporate facilities and public infrastructure. See JobsOhio’s announcement.

Site Selection’s Global Groundwork Index examined job creation, capital expenditures, and strategic infrastructure development from 2019 through July 2023. During this period, Ohio generated 102,129 job commitments and $62.24 billion in capital investments — largely fueled by investments from manufacturers, including Abbott, Amgen, Ford, GM, Honda and LG Energy Solution’s joint venture, Intel, and others. 9/5/2023

JobsOhio Gets New Board Chair, Bigger Budget

Gov. Mike DeWine has appointed Josh Rubin to serve as chairman of the board of JobsOhio — the state’s private economic development arm. Read JobsOhio’s press release.

Meanwhile, JobsOhio has more than doubled its annual spending on business attraction and expansion since before the pandemic, growing the total to $287 million in 2022, reports say. 9/6/2023

Study: U.S. Manufacturing Boom Could Add 250K Jobs

Roughly 200,000 to 250,000 new manufacturing jobs could be added across the U.S. over the next two years if the labor market can supply the workers, according to a new estimate from Goldman Sachs. The expected jobs growth is attributed in part to the recent federal incentives for the semiconductor and green technology sectors, reports say. 9/6/2023

Ohio Supreme Court Dismisses Challenges to New Congressional Districts

The Supreme Court of Ohio has dismissed lawsuits disputing the 2022 map of the state’s 15 congressional districts, meaning the map will remain in use until after the 2024 general election. Read The Plain Dealer’s story on this development.

Meanwhile, the Ohio Redistricting Commission will meet Sept. 13 to begin drawing new Ohio House and Senate maps for next year following last year’s legal challenges. 9/7/2023

Columbus Files PFAS-Related Lawsuit

The City of Columbus has filed a PFAS-related lawsuit in South Carolina against several major chemical companies, according to reports. The lawsuit is one of many filed by cities across the U.S. seeking monetary damages.

As a longtime supporter of tort reform, the OMA takes a dim view junk lawsuits. OMA staff is closely monitoring this development — and is consulting with its general counsel, Bricker Graydon. 9/7/2023

Ohio’s Legislative Maps to Be Redrawn (Again)

On Sept. 13, the Ohio Redistricting Commission is expected to re-convene to redraw the state’s legislative maps. As reported by Hannah News Service, members of the panel must get their work done before the Dec. 20 filing deadline for all candidates — state, federal and local — so candidates’ names can appear on the March 2024 primary ballot.

New Ohio House and Senate district maps must be redrawn since the Supreme Court of Ohio last year struck down the commission’s new maps. The maps currently being used are among those that were struck down, but a federal court ordered their use for the 2022 election only.

The commission’s new maps might have better odds at surviving a legal challenge since the current Supreme Court of Ohio is thought to be more friendly to the Republican majority following the departure of former Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor. Meanwhile, the court has begun to consider the challenge to the 2022 congressional map. 8/29/2023

Ohio Counties Recognized for Economic Development

In its look at economic development outside of major metropolitan areas, Site Selection magazine has spotlighted the Buckeye State. Two Ohio counties — Hancock (No. 1) and Shelby (No. 8) — are in the top 10 counties for projects per capita. Hancock County recruited 32 projects between January 2022 and March 2023; Shelby County landed 11. The manufacturing sector accounts for multiple projects in both counties. 8/29/2023

Ohio House Not Expected to Reconvene Until October

Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) recently announced updates to the House’s session schedule. Instead of returning to Columbus in mid-September — as previously planned — it’s likely representatives won’t reconvene until mid-October. House committees may still meet during the recess. 8/23/2023