Economic Competitiveness Vision

Yet a new paradigm is emerging in Ohio that could signal a major turning point in this changing landscape. The JobsOhio model promotes sustainable economic growth that prepares our state for long-term stability. Together, we can create communities that are healthy, prosperous, and resilient. 

A Vision for Sites & Infrastructure

Assets like Ohio’s geographical location, land area, and infrastructure create an attractive foundation for prosperity.

OHIO WINS WHEN WE:

• Capitalize on Ohio’s “Generational Opportunity” and historically large megaproject pipeline to win more than our fair share of economic development projects — by aggressively funding speculative site development across Ohio.
• Expand utility infrastructure to ensure sufficient capacity and access at key economic development sites.
• Seek ways to expand access to affordable high-speed internet, particularly in unserved and underserved areas of the state.
• Repair aging infrastructure like roads and bridges.
• Invest in airport modernization and grow air service connectivity at each of Ohio’s commercial airports.
• Facilitate access to job opportunities in both rural and urban areas of the state.

A Vision for Talent & Workforce

Our people are our greatest asset. Ohio cultivates talent who embody a spirit of dedication and pride and support for the state’s progress.

OHIO WINS WHEN WE:

• Explore expanded opportunities for reskilling and upskilling.
• Promote opportunities for internships, co-ops, and other types of experiential learning.
• Minimize the impact of the “benefits cliff” to ensure individuals are not negatively impacted by seeking job opportunities.
• Strengthen alignment and collaboration within the educational community to create talent pipelines.
• Invest in K-12 education with a heavy focus on in-demand career fields.
• Expand childcare resources for employees balancing work and family.

A Vision for Innovation

The lightbulb, the airplane, the eVTOL: Ohio has always fostered a culture that supports a technically advanced society. The state prizes innovation.

OHIO WINS WHEN WE:

• Building off the success of JobsOhio’s Innovation District strategy, seek opportunities to capitalize on the unique strengths of other Ohio communities and spur similar investments in innovation, R&D, talent production, and job creation.
• Position our state as a key player in innovative industries like the electric vehicle and semiconductor supply chain.
• Work to grow the amount of venture capital funds to back early-stage innovators.
• Adopt new technologies aimed at improving government efficiency and constituent service.
• Support companies seeking to modernize and automate their operations and supply chains.
• Embrace new and advanced forms of agriculture to complement Ohio’s robust traditional agribusiness sector.
• Enact policies to support additional early stage biohealth activities, such as clinical trials and R&D.

A Vision for Business Climate

Ohio moves business forward. The state’s business-friendly approach drives ingenuity and prosperity, yielding jobs, high wages, and new ideas.

OHIO WINS WHEN WE:

• Pursue regulatory accountability, certainty, and predictability.
• Streamline and simplify Ohio’s local tax structure to lower the tax burden for individuals and corporations, while continuing to support the ability of local communities to fund economic development initiatives.
• Offer incentives to secure generational investments by incentivizing both job creation and capital investment.
• Develop policy and regulation that welcomes and supports all forms of energy generation, including renewable energy sources, along with emerging technologies such as hydrogen and renewable natural gas.
• Support emerging technologies related to the energy transition, including the production, transportation, and consumption of hydrogen, along with carbon capture sequestration.

A Vision for Quality of Life

Ohio represents the best of what our country has to offer — opportunities for people to live their version of the American Dream.

OHIO WINS WHEN WE:

• Invest in quality of life and community assets — education, the arts, parks and recreation, healthcare, housing, and transportation.
• Expand Ohio’s commitment to meaningful services for veterans and their families and enact policies to make Ohio the most veteran-friendly state in the nation.
• Promote principles of inclusion, ensuring traditionally underrepresented population groups and Ohioans in distressed geographies have access to economic opportunities.
• Enact policies to incentivize production of additional housing units in all areas of the state.