News and Analysis
Ohio Manufacturing Counts!
July 20, 2018
The facts are in and the news is good. Ohio is still powered by manufacturing.
At 17%, manufacturing’s contribution to Ohio’s GDP is greater than any other industry sector.
The average annual wage in Ohio manufacturing is $58,800 and the total manufacturing payroll of $40 billion is greater than any other industry sector.
700,000 Ohioans work in manufacturing, more than one out of every 10 Ohioans.
OMA has prepared Ohio Manufacturing Counts 2018/19 to give Ohioans an understanding of the importance of manufacturing to the state and to the future of the state. The data are from a wide variety of sources and are the most recent available.
OMA will share this publication with members of the General Assembly and media. Please share this resource widely with your elected officials, your employees, and within your community to communicate the importance of protecting and growing Ohio manufacturing.
Please acknowledge our sponsors: Ariel Corporation, Alliance for Working Together, Bricker & Eckler, Carpenter Lipps & Leland, and Fredon Corporation. 7/18/2018
It’s Like Rocket Science
July 20, 2018The Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) is designed to expand Ohio’s leadership in defense and commercial aerospace research, development, and sustainment of unmanned air systems (UASs), personal air vehicles (PAVs), and logistics delivery air vehicles (LDVs).
In funding round three, four collaborative projects were successful in obtaining funding. Read about that here.
OFRN has leveraged $32 million in state funds to attract nearly $120 million in new research awards, and $350 million more in its funding pipeline. OFRN research projects include 11 universities and community colleges throughout the state and 56 industry partners. 7/18/2018
Largest Automated Vehicle Testing Facility in N.A. Coming to Ohio
July 13, 2018Together with Governor Kasich and senior state officials, Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.), the largest independent automotive proving ground in North America, broke ground this week on the SMARTCenter ‒ a state-of-the-art automated and connected vehicle testing facility.
The SMARTCenter is designed to test advanced automotive and mobility technologies in a safe, secure, and repeatable real-world environment before the vehicles are deployed on public roads and highways. 7/12/2018
Hot Trade Topics: Section 232 Steel Tariffs and Unfair Trade Practices, Foreign Trade Zones
July 13, 2018The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration will hold a meeting on Thursday, July 26, at OMA member, Gorman-Rupp Company, in Mansfield, Ohio. Experts will discuss resources to help U.S. exporters compete and win globally.
Learn about the process and options available to your company.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to tour Gorman Rupp’s global facility.
See more information here or contact Amy Freedman at (216) 522-4750. 7/11/2018
California Enacts Sweeping Privacy Act
July 9, 2018From OMA Connections Partner, Dinsmore: “In a unanimous vote on June 28, 2018, California lawmakers enacted a landmark, first-of-its-kind data privacy law that is intended to give consumers greater control over how their personal information is collected, stored, and sold by companies with whom they do business. Known as the “California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018,” the new law mirrors many of the protections recently enacted in the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and could dramatically alter how businesses handle the data of California residents. Under the new law, consumers will have a right to know what information is being collected and how it is shared. They can also opt out businesses being able to sell their information and request that businesses delete any personal information in their possession.”
Read more from Dinsmore. 7/2/2018
Legislators Pave Way for Blockchain Innovation in Ohio
July 9, 2018OMA Connections Partner Frantz Ward posted: “… Ohio legislators passed S.B. 220 to amend parts of existing Ohio law to expressly recognize contracts secured through blockchain technology. The concept was previously introduced by State Senator Matt Dolan in a standalone bill earlier this year. The bill was backed by Bernie Moreno, luxury car dealer and influential civic leader, who has been a vocal advocate for making Northeast Ohio a leader in researching and developing blockchain technology.
“The new language amended the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, which was enacted in 1999, to ensure that electronic transactions would have the same force and effect as transactions completed on paper. The Act now provides certainty that business transactions utilizing blockchain technology to form contracts will be recognized as legally binding in Ohio.”
Read more from Frantz Ward here. 7/4/2018
New Ohio Driver License Process in Effect
July 9, 2018The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles introduced its new Ohio Driver’s License and Identification Card (DL-ID) effective July 2, 2018.
Customers will still take their documentation to a deputy registrar license agency; however, the actual DL-ID card will not be printed while they wait at the counter, but instead be mailed to the customer’s mailing address within 10 days.
Customers will receive temporary proof of transaction before leaving the deputy registrar agency.
Here’s a fact sheet. 7/4/2018
General Assembly Passes Cyber Bill with Manufacturers’ Amendments
June 29, 2018Wednesday night the House and Senate passed Senate Bill 220 which provides a safe harbor provision for companies that fall victim to a cyber breach.
With Scotts Miracle-Gro Company leading the effort on behalf of OMA members, Lewis Dolezal an attorney with Scotts, provided technical expertise and proponent testimony on the bill. Lewis testified that, “protecting personal information is one of the highest priorities of our organization. SB 220 not only offers a unique incentive to companies willing to commit to a framework of security standards and maintain ongoing compliance, it also provides benefits to be shared by those companies invested in cyber security and the individuals that expect reasonable security in their transactions when providing personal information or using connected products that acquire this type of information.”
Thank you to the Scotts Miracle-Gro team for its leadership on this critical area of law. 6/28/2018
Bill to Shorten Statute of Limitations for Contracts has First Hearing
June 29, 2018Late Wednesday night the House Civil Justice Committee heard sponsor testimony on House Bill 694. The bill, introduced by Rep. George Lang (R-West Chester Township), would reduce the current statute of limitations for oral and written contracts from eight and six years respectively to a uniform three years.
The shortening of the statute of limitations has long been a priority of the OMA and the business community as a key provision of civil justice reform in Ohio. 6/28/2018
Senate Sets Schedule for 2nd Half of 2018
June 29, 2018Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina) has set the chamber’s calendar of session days and if-needed session days for the remainder of 2018 including two if-needed days this summer, July 10 and August 22.
The House has not yet released its 2nd-half calendar. 6/28/2018