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Study: Ohio creative sector generates $41 billion in economic activity

Friday, March 22, 2019

The Ohio creative arts industry is a dynamic economic engine, generating more than $41 billion in activity statewide, including $1.4 billion in the Akron area, a new study says. The Columbus-based Ohio Citizens for the Arts released the findings of the report, called “Ohio’s Creative Economy: The Economic Impact of Arts and Creative Industries.” Read full article.

LinkedIn 2018 Emerging Jobs Report

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Introduction from Guy Berger, Chief Economist, LinkedIn The Emerging Jobs Report is our opportunity to take a look at the jobs and skills that are growing most rapidly around the country so you, as U.S. professionals, can make more informed decisions about your career. Using data from LinkedIn’s Economic Graph, we analyzed the roles that companies are rapidly hiring for, the skills associated with them, and the roles that have emerged over the last five years. Read full article.

Governor DeWine, JobsOhio Name J.P. Nauseef Next President of JobsOhio

Monday, March 18, 2019

Governor Mike DeWine joined the Board of Directors of JobsOhio in announcing that J.P. Nauseef has been selected as the next president and chief investment officer of JobsOhio. The JobsOhio board has completed its search process for the organization’s next president and chief investment officer. Last year, the board engaged executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles to assist with the process. Read full article.

The Shale Crescent’s Time Has Come

Friday, March 15, 2019

Midwest shale formations are rewriting the time-honored economics in the petrochemical industry. For 75 years, the Gulf Coast has been the obvious place for petrochemical companies to invest in North America. But that distinction has changed. The massive energy finds in the Marcellus and Utica shale formations, which together lie underneath areas of Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania that we call Shale Crescent USA, have disrupted the industry’s time-honored economics. Now, for many companies with established and expandable footprints on the Gulf Coast, it likely doesn’t make sense to invest in a region that is a growing petrochemical hub. But for those considering...

Manufacturing Checklist Offers Insight into Food Ready Sites

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

When is comes to choosing a building or site, food manufacturers have unique needs. That means finding a suitable location can often be a challenge. If you have a client looking for a suitable food site, here is a checklist containing site and building attributes you need to consider. Fortunately, Ohio has sites across the state that meet the needs of food and beverage companies making products used around the world. Read full article.

Kettering luring more than 150 new jobs to business park

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

KETTERING — Kettering expects to land 150 or more new jobs with an online retail company planning to go in the Kettering Business Park. It would be more good news for the city and business park: Tenneco already announced plans for 300 new jobs in Kettering, and Kettering Health Network is set to open a $10 million command center in the park. The city has been working with Jim McCarthy of the Cincinnati-based TW Development Group in the deal to bring the yet unnamed e-retailer to its building in the Kettering Business Park. The business is also planning to buy other properties in the...

A Successful Trade Mission to Japan Deepened Relationships and Created Opportunities

Monday, February 11, 2019

Horton Hobbs IV, Vice President of Economic Development, Amy Donahoe, Director of Workforce Development, and Toni Overholser, representing training opportunities with Clark State Community College, with recently traveled to Japan to participate in a trade mission aimed at deepening the relationship between Clark County and the Japanese companies who have chosen to call Clark County home. “We wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to the companies who have already invested in our community. The trade mission allowed us to meet with executive leadership teams in person, establish a friendly relationship and show them that we are a...

Two downtown Springfield stores find new homes

Monday, February 11, 2019

Downtown Springfield will see changes on Fountain Avenue and Main Street over the next month as two stores move locations and a third business expands. Stick and Stone, a store that has combined the work of local artists for nearly a year, is moving to 122 East Main Street under the new Ash and Mantle name. Champion City Guide and Supply will move from its location in the Tuttle Brothers building at the corner of Main and Spring streets into Stick and Stone’s former location at 36 N. Fountain Ave. Continue to full article

New housing, business expansions planned for 2019

Friday, February 08, 2019

Residents in Springfield will see new job opportunities, construction on new housing options and more businesses popping up downtown, according to local economic development officials. In Champaign County, a local hotel project is moving forward for the first time in several years and officials are pushing ahead with a cleanup effort at the former Q3 and Johnson Manufacturing site. The county’s economic development agency is also working to better link students and local manufacturing companies and is developing a series of videos to market the area. Continue to full article

Best States for Female Entrepreneurs 2019—Definitive Ranking of All 50 States

Thursday, February 07, 2019

While the old saying “It’s a man’s world” is passé, there’s still evidence men have the upper hand in business—particularly the startup world. Women-owned startups face significant social and economic challenges, resulting in a remarkable disparity between male and female-launched businesses. For example, a recent study by Biz2Credit revealed that women who apply for business loans typically get 45% less than their male counterparts. Stereotypes and dated traditions play into this; 94% of venture capital firms are dominated by male decision-makers, according to Fortune magazine, while lingering concerns about the interruption of a woman raising a family leads some funders and...

Ohio’s Innovation Spaces Power Next-Gen Technology Solutions

Wednesday, February 06, 2019

Businesses and academic institutions embrace new ecosystems of advancement Cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence (AI), robotic process automation (RPA), the Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile device ubiquity are not just buzz words and acronyms – they are earth-shaking changes in technical capability that enable companies to operate and delight their customers in ways they could not before. While startup technology companies often win headlines, what this digital shift really means is that nearly every company today is a “tech company.” Whether offering digital products and services, improving internal and customer efficiencies, or shifting to entirely new digital markets, to remain competitive...

Site Development Strategy Key to Early Opportunity Zone Success

Monday, February 04, 2019

Marketing helps but a fancy web site cannot replace a strong site development plan that illustrates an Opportunity Zone is prepared for development. Creating an Opportunity Zone site development plan involves five steps that includes the creation of site plans and infrastructure finance strategies, enacting land use entitlements and tax incentives, advocating for a state and local Opportunity Zone public policy agenda, marketing the Opportunity Zone and seeking professional guidance to operate an Opportunity Zone by seeking investors. Site plan and infrastructure finance strategies are an essential first step for Opportunity Zone development as all these 8700 census tracts are competing...

Navistar says manufacturing changes reduced injuries

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Navistar’s improvements at the company’s Springfield plant included investments to improve ergonomics and prevent injuries on the manufacturing floor, company officials said in a recent post on a company website. That included improvements to the strap lock installation and cutting process, which company officials said had caused a high number of hand injuries. The News-Sun reported earlier this year Navistar has invested millions in new equipment in Springfield over the past several years to revamp the interior of the facility and streamline its manufacturing processes. Continue to full article

Speedway will add hundreds of jobs in Clark County with expansion

Monday, December 17, 2018

Enon — Speedway will add as many as 300 new jobs in Clark County as part of an announcement today that the national convenience store chain will expand its corporate headquarters in Enon with a $48 million project. The News-Sun previously reported the Clark County commissioners approved a 100-percent, 15-year tax abatement to encourage Speedway to retain its corporate headquarters in Enon and create new jobs as part of the expansion. The new positions would be full-time corporate and office support jobs created over the next three to four years to provide support for new stores acquired from Andeavor, a rival refining firm. Continue...

The future of green jobs in Ohio

Sunday, December 16, 2018

We have looked at different job growth strategies in past blogs, from making policies that support small businesses to focusing on workforce development to shrink the skills gap. This week we explore another potential job growth strategy: Ohio’s role in the Green Economy, and particularly in the wind industry. As many states beginning to pursue a green jobs strategy, it becomes imperative for each to pursue an optimal strategy that is specifically tailored to their unique resources. How does Ohio generate electricity? In Ohio, electricity is mainly generated using coal, natural gas and nuclear power. (The exact breakdown is 54 percent from coal, 32 percent from...

Becoming “Blockland:” Ohio wants to lead blockchain business

Friday, December 14, 2018

When it comes to the potential of the little understood blockchain technology, Valentina Isakina, financial services managing director for JobsOhio, doesn’t mince words. She compares the impact of blockchain to the transformative impact the Internet has had on all of our lives. “Or even bigger,” Isakina said in a recent interview. Continue to full article

A Taste of Leadership: Why Food and Flavoring Companies Can’t Resist Ohio

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Ohio’s concentration of food companies, R&D resources and markets have been giving companies a competitive edge for generations. Food is a social unifier and an important part of our daily life. Some of our fondest memories are tied to the foods we eat. Today, consumers want food that is healthy, convenient and flavorful. This unique mix of freshness and taste is challenging the food industry to innovate. Food processing companies are focusing on making their ingredients safer, tastier and more satisfying. While some companies struggle to navigate this shift, Ohio’s food processing and food flavoring companies as well as other food entities...

The Ohio Advantage: Leveraging Ohio’s Competitive Assets

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

For those of us charged with promoting our state, most of us would agree Ohio is an easy sell. The list of Ohio’s benefits for prospects are long, but there are four key assets, each with extraordinary components, that set Ohio apart from the competition: business climate, research and innovation, location and infrastructure, and workforce. These four pillars are featured prominently on the JobsOhio home page with in-depth overviews and resources you can share with new companies considering Ohio. Ohio’s business climate could be considered the foundation of Ohio’s winning assets. As one of the largest economies in the U.S. (7th) and the...

Export Interns Boost Business: Ohio Program Will Pay Up to Half the Wages

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

The Ohio Export Internship Program helps businesses grow by expanding export efforts or starting an export initiative. The Ohio Development Services Agency is accepting company applications now for summer internships. The students involved are highly motivated and take export-focused coursework at Cleveland State University, The Ohio State University and Youngstown State University. This year, about 50 students from 12 universities across the state have been selected to participate in the program. Continue to full article

Three Trade Missions Can Help Businesses Grow

Monday, December 10, 2018

Ohio companies can open new foreign markets for their products through three trade missions early next year. The Ohio Development Services Agency and the state’s Small Business Development Center Export Assistance Network is organizing the trade missions, scheduled for March and April 2019. Slots for each trade mission are limited, so businesses should act now to reserve a spot. Continue to full article

Springfield area small businesses prepare for holiday season

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Several area business owners said they’re more optimistic about the future of small, independent retailers in Clark County despite competition online and from national chains. Several local stores in Clark and Champaign County will make an extra push to get customers in the door this year as Small Business Saturday approaches. The event is in its ninth year after American Express created promoted the day as a way to bring more business into local stores. Kambe Mabry has run the Rusty Brush with her mother for years, but moved into available space at Stick and Stone in downtown Springfield several weeks ago....

Mercy to break ground on new Clark County medical campus today

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Enon —Officials from Mercy Health — Springfield will break ground on a $14 million project that will start with the construction of a freestanding emergency department on the border of Enon and Fairborn. A groundbreaking ceremony is set for 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22 at 1840 Dayton-Springfield Road in Fairborn. Guests will park across the street and a shuttle will be available to the work site. Officials from Mercy Health will announce the name of the new facility at the event and guests will have the chance to sign their names to a beam that will be used in the construction project. The...

Need a job? Kroger needs 400 new employees across the region

Monday, November 19, 2018

As it continues to grow and expand its digital platforms, Kroger is looking to hire 400 new associates in the Dayton and Cincinnati division. The region-wide hiring event is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at all Cincinnati and Dayton-area Kroger stores. Anyone looking for a job can apply online in advance of the event. Clerks have starting minimum wages of $10 an hour. Deli and bakery workers will start at $11 per hour and third-shift workers start at $12 an hour. Earlier this year, Kroger announced new employee benefits including higher wages, more generous retirement plans and associate benefits. The popular grocer currently has...

Smart Projects Across the State

Friday, November 16, 2018

With Smart Projects Across the State, Ohio’s an Ideal Location for Testing Autonomous and Connected Technologies. Continue to full article to explore these projects

London Stock Exchange launches U.S. division of ELITE – a global business support program – in Ohio October 5, 2018

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

The London Stock Exchange Group, attracted by Ohio’s ease of doing business, strong economy, and high concentration of vibrant small and medium-sized businesses, has initiated a groundbreaking partnership with JobsOhio to help those businesses grow. The collaboration will provide ambitious Ohio companies with access to the exchange’s ELITE business training program, designed to support business leaders in their growth aspirations, promote global partnership opportunities and facilitate access to funding options. Initiated in Italy in 2012 as a growth engine to stimulate the weakened economy and create jobs, the ELITE program quickly took off globally. Today, its network consists of more than 900 businesses spread across 34 sectors...

What’s Next for Ohio’s RPS?

Monday, November 12, 2018

While, taken as a whole, many in the State of Ohio may not know about the debate surrounding its renewable portfolio standard (RPS), this policy is a crucial part of the state’s efforts to grow its clean energy industry and protect its environment. What is this, and what’s next for Ohio’s RPS? An RPS is a state-level legislative mandate that orders regulated electric utilities to have a certain percentage of their generation portfolio made up of renewable resources by a certain date. Various technologies, such as wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal, may count toward an RPS. Some states even implement ‘carve-outs’...

Clark County leaders developing plans for trip to Japan

Thursday, November 08, 2018

Board members with the Community Improvement Corp. of Clark County on discussed an upcoming trip to meet with business leaders in Japan and progress on two studies being conducted with assistance from the University of Cincinnati. Three workforce development officials are traveling to Japan in November for about 10 days to develop closer ties with Japanese firms who have local investments. The proposal began in Clark County, but the Dayton Development Coalition is now organizing the trip and including representatives from across the Miami Valley. Horton Hobbs, vice president of economic development for the Chamber of Greater Springfield, will travel to meet...

Champaign County economic group creates new position to link students to local manufacturing jobs

Wednesday, November 07, 2018

The Champaign Economic Partnership has created a new, part-time position to better connect students in Champaign County with opportunities at area businesses. Ashley Cook will serve as a business liaison as part of a larger effort to identify potential workers for the county’s manufacturing industry. The CEP is a nonprofit focused on economic development in Champaign County. “Some of our students need to be informed of these positions,” Cook said. Cook said the position will entail meeting with human resources staff at local companies like KTH Parts Industries in St. Paris and Rittal North America, LLC. The idea is to get a better...

Navistar focused on efficiency in Springfield plant

Tuesday, November 06, 2018

Navistar’s Springfield plant is focusing on making its manufacturing processes more efficient and identifying problems earlier to improve the quality of its vehicles. The company has invested millions in new equipment in Springfield over the past several years to revamp the interior of the facility and streamline its manufacturing processes, said Mark Hernandez, the company’s vice president of global manufacturing. Hernandez has been with Navistar since April after a stint with McKinsey and Company where he was also tasked with leading lean manufacturing efforts for that firm. The truck maker’s competitors got a head start on streamlining their manufacturing process as Navistar...

Spooky Nook to include second-largest convention space in region

Monday, November 05, 2018

People shouldn’t think of the proposed Spooky Nook at Champion Mill gigantic indoor sports complex as only an athletic facility, City Manager Joshua Smith told an audience Thursday at his ninth annual State of the City speech. Here’s another way to view it, he suggested: When completed in 2021, it will contain the region’s second-largest convention space, behind only the Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati — three times larger than the one in Sharonville. “I want to make sure this is very, very clear,” Smith said. “It is a sports complex. But it is so much more than a sports...

Ohio’s Future in E-Commerce: CNBC

Friday, November 02, 2018

Ohio is one of the most desirable locations for retailers in the growing e-commerce trend, CNBC reports. To learn more about logistics and distribution in Ohio, visit http://ow.ly/uCaD50hK0vz. As consumers purchase more online, e-commerce retailers look to Ohio as one of their top choices to build fulfillment centers. Ohio has a robust infrastructure, an overall low cost to operate and transport, and a large qualified workforce. Organizations throughout Ohio are responding by investing in training and talent development opportunities.

Ohio is becoming an attractive location for IT companies

Thursday, November 01, 2018

While California’s Bay Area is the birthplace of many technological innovations, Ohio is home to considerable innovation as well, just without as much of the fanfare. Ted Griffith, managing director of information technology at JobsOhio, says with lower overall operating costs — as much as 70 percent lower than Silicon Valley — Ohio offers growing startups a sustainable operating environment. It’s also home to incredible tech talent, and its software engineers tend to command less pay. In that regard, the state’s low cost of living gives it a competitive advantage. He says being close to customers is a real advantage, even for companies...

Road tripping to explore Ohio's tech scene

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Mackenzie Kosut travels the world, meeting innovators who build their ideas using Amazon Web Services. Read more at https://blog.aboutamazon.com/small-bu...

Where Dreamers Become Doers

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Who’s achieving the American Dream and who’s not? A unique survey sheds light on both How we define the American Dream may be changing, but a recent survey shows that residents of Louisiana and Idaho are attaining that dream better than most. At the community level, people in Salt Lake City, Baton Rouge, Toledo and York, Pennsylvania, say they are achieving that dream more often as well. Better enabling the American Dream starts with knowing what it really is. Simply stated, the American Dream is the national ethos of the United States. It is rooted in the Declaration of Independence with the...

Ohio’s Rapidly Growing Energy Industry Attracts Over $70 Billion in Investment

Monday, October 29, 2018

The energy and shale gas economy triggers company expansions and community improvements. COLUMBUS — Ohio has emerged as a national leader in energy, largely due to the state’s shale industry, which has served as the biggest driver of energy growth in the country and has contributed to the attraction of over $70 billion in new private sector energy investments in Ohio alone. When factoring in the rest of the Ohio Valley region, this number is significantly larger. These investments from the U.S. and abroad, combined with continued job growth, additional tax revenue and an abundance of low-cost, clean shale energy and electricity have...

Wright-Patt Expansion Poised to Create New Jobs, Boost Dayton-Area Economy

Friday, October 26, 2018

Ohio legislators and leaders in the Dayton-area community on Tuesday celebrated the bipartisan efforts that helped land the largest single-site construction project in the history of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base — a win officials say will provide an economic boost to the region. U.S. Rep. Mike Turner (R-Dayton) and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) thanked members of the Dayton Development Coalition and Montgomery County officials for their collaboration on the project — a $182 million expansion of the National Air and Space Intelligence Center — and local leaders applauded the legislators’ ability to make the initiative a reality. “When we work together as a team, as a result of...

Export Interns Help Businesses Grow

Thursday, October 25, 2018

The State of Ohio wants to help businesses grow, and a program offered by the Ohio Development Services Agency can provide the boost needed to improve international marketing or logistics. The Ohio Export Internship Program places students who have completed export-focused coursework with businesses seeking to boost exports. College students from across the state can apply to take the export course at The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business, the Cleveland State University Monte Ahuja College of Business or the Youngstown State University Williamson College of Business Administration. Participating businesses receive a 50 percent reimbursement for intern wages, up...

Market Products and Services Internationally

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Putting products and services in front of international customers can help small and medium-sized businesses grow, and the Ohio Development Services Agency can make it easier to do that. The International Market Access Grant for Exporters (IMAGE) is designed to help businesses increase exports and create jobs in Ohio’s economy. The grant provides a 50 percent reimbursement, up to $12,500 per fiscal year, for eligible activities. IMAGE is funded, in part, through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s State Trade Expansion Program. Popular qualifying activities include, but are not limited to, exhibiting at trade shows, participating in trade missions, international advertising, translation services...

Meijer partners with Starbucks on the gas station of the future

Monday, October 08, 2018

Grocer Meijer is opening the door on the future of its gas stations and convenience stores — and is partnering with Starbucks to do it. Meijer opened a newly-designed convenience store and gas station on near its Grand Rapids, Mich. headquarters. The company said the new 5,500-square-foot convenience store will be its gas station to include a separate full-service Starbucks. The store will also include fresh produce and protein-based snacks, wraps, fruit, and organic items, as well as grab-and-go meals prepared locally by Superior Foods. “We are proud to continue to roll out what we see as the future of convenience for our...

Kettering call center to hire 2,000 seasonal workers

Friday, October 05, 2018

The parent company of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works needs to hire nearly 2,000 seasonal customer care specialists for its Kettering call center. While the L Brands jobs are seasonal, employees are eligible for up to a 40 percent discount at Victoria’s Secret, PINK, Bath & Body Works, Henri Bendel and La Senza, according to a release from the company. Those interested in a job can apply in person at 5959 Bigger Road in Kettering or online at Bestplacetowork.lb.com through October. The job offers competitive wages, paid holidays after 30 days of employment and a potential for long-term employment, according to...

Amazon set to start hiring at new Monroe facility

Wednesday, October 03, 2018

MONROE —Amazon’s new fulfillment center in Monroe is just months away from opening and bringing more than 1,000 full time jobs to the region. Located near Interstate 75 at 700 Gateway Blvd. in Park North at Monroe, the cavernous 1.3 million-square-foot facility was completed this month, company officials said. It will make its debut in 2019 and house employees who will pick, pack and ship larger items such as car seats, sports equipment, patio furniture, gardening tools, kayaks and pet food. Amazon, which employs 575,000 nationwide, will ramp up hiring for the Monroe facility over the course of just a few weeks...

Help Us Find the Brightest Rising Stars in Economic Development

Monday, October 01, 2018

Nominations are open for the 2019 Econ Dev 40 Under 40 Awards! Development Counsellors International and Jorgenson Consulting are searching for the top 40 economic development professionals under the age of 40 who are making waves in the industry and doing great work for their regions. If that sounds like someone you know, we encourage you to take a moment and submit a nomination for a colleague (or yourself!) for the 40 Under 40 Awards. To be eligible, nominees must be under 40 years old as of January 01, 2019. The deadline to nominate is October 12, 2018. A selection committee,...

Ohio-made Honda claims top safety award

Monday, October 01, 2018

A Honda model whose engine and transmission are made in Western Ohio has been named a top safety pick. The 2019 Honda Insight has been awarded the 2018 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest safety rating of “top safety pick,” Honda said this week. The award is due to top ratings of “good” in crash-worthiness tests, a standard “good ” rating for the Insight’s LED headlights and a “superior” rating for the vehicle’s braking system, Honda said. Continue to full article

Big data’s future is in Ohio

Friday, September 28, 2018

For over a decade, a common refrain in the corporate world was that data was exploding and companies needed the capacity to capture that data. As the challenges of data capture have been more or less mitigated, the next challenge has become how to get value out of that data. Between 2015 and the end of 2017, the use of big data analytics grew nearly 40 percent among companies surveyed, according to Dresner Advisory Services, while big data software and services revenues will reach $42 billion this year, and more than $100 billion by 2027. Today, an ever-growing number of solutions are creating...

Ohio’s Future in E-Commerce: CNBC

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Ohio’s Advancing the Future of Smart Mobility

Monday, September 24, 2018

Investments in a smart mobility ecosystem put Ohio in the driver’s seat for developing automated vehicles and related technology. Ohio’s Resources are Second to None Ohio offers unparalleled resources for companies engaged in the research, development, testing, use and commercialization of smart mobility solutions. Ohio has what’s needed to become a leader in the rapidly changing field of smart mobility. No other state can claim the combination of resources that exist in Ohio. From its collaborative environment and well-maintained infrastructure to its four-season climate and exceptional research and test facilities, Ohio is the best place in which to develop, test and commercialize smart...

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