A coalition of more than 20 organizations, including the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) and major employers across the state, is urging Sens. Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted to support nearly $9 million in FY27 Congressionally Directed Spending requests aimed at strengthening Ohio’s manufacturing workforce pipeline.

In a joint letter, manufacturers said workforce availability remains one of the most significant constraints on growth in Ohio manufacturing, particularly in production and technician roles. The letter backs two OMA proposals: $3 million to implement the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint and $5.92 million to expand Ohio Manufacturing WorkAdvance, a model designed to connect more Ohioans to manufacturing careers while helping employers fill critical jobs.

“Ohio cannot outcompete other states if manufacturers do not have the people to grow,” said Lindsey Short, managing director of energy and advocacy services for the OMA. “These requests are about building a workforce system that matches the scale of the opportunity and gives employers a real shot at filling the jobs they have right now.”

Signers include OMA; AMG Vanadium; Ariel Corporation; The Belden Brick Company; Cenovus Energy; French Oil Mill Machinery Company; American Honda Motor Company; Humtown Products; Mar-Bal, Inc.; The Marzetti Company; Mechanical Rubber; Pentaflex Inc.; Phillips Tube Group; PPG; PRO-TEC Coating Company; The Sherwin-Williams Company; Starr Manufacturing, Inc.; Staub Manufacturing Solutions; William Sopko & Sons Co., Inc.; Summitville Tiles, Inc.; and Zaclon. 4/16/2026