The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) public policy team traveled to Sugarcreek this week to tour The Belden Brick Company with state auditor and attorney general candidate Keith Faber.

The visit was hosted by Brad Belden, president and chief operating officer of The Belden Brick Company, chair of the OMA Energy Committee and first vice chairman of the OMA Board of Directors. The discussion focused on issues affecting Ohio’s industrial economy, including electric reliability and affordability, PUCO oversight, utility load forecasting, supplemental transmission projects and the need to see House Bill 6-related accountability through to real culture change.

OMA also emphasized that data centers are too often being used as a convenient scapegoat for rising power bills, while the deeper problem is inflated utility forecasts and a regulatory system that lacks sufficient transparency and accountability.

“Visits like this give policymakers a clear view of what is at stake,” said James Lee, OMA managing director of public policy services. “Manufacturers need affordable, reliable energy and a regulatory system that scrutinizes utility claims before customers are asked to pay. Belden Brick is a powerful example of why these policy decisions matter on the plant floor, in communities and across Ohio’s economy.” 5/28/2026