Q4 Recap: Welcoming New Residents into a Future-Ready Ohio

Business Leaders and Community Stakeholders,

I am pleased to provide this recap of JobsOhio's Q4 Public Board of Directors meeting, which we held virtually to allow our dedicated volunteer board members to maintain their community commitments during this busy holiday season.

I also want to thank our Network Partners – the Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Southeast, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership, Team NEO, and Lake to River – for joining as well. They and our board members share their time and expertise generously to help drive Ohio’s economic growth, and we are grateful for their service

A link to the full Q4 2024 JobsOhio Board Meeting can be found HERE.

Reversing Out-Migration Trends: Ohio is #1 in the Midwest

For the first time in a generation, we're seeing a reversal of historical out-migration trends. According to recent data from the National Association of Realtors, Ohio is among the top 10 states nationally and #1 in the Midwest for net in-migration. The reasons cited are as telling as they are reassuring: affordability, proximity to family and friends, and better access to good jobs.

From 2019 to 2023, a net 97,000 people came to Ohio for job-related reasons. Even more compelling, an analysis of Census Bureau data found that the 25–44-year-old demographic, the prime working-age group, is stable or growing in three-quarters of Ohio’s counties. It’s a powerful signal that Ohio is effectively creating jobs and also providing the environment and opportunities that attract and retain the next generation of professionals and innovators.

Sites Update: Turning Underutilized Land into Momentum

During the meeting, Terry Slaybaugh, JobsOhio's Vice President of Sites and Infrastructure, shared how JobsOhio’s comprehensive, three-pronged approach to site development has become a key differentiator in attracting transformational projects to our state.

SiteOhio Authentication Program

Our authentication program combines rigorous site evaluation with education for all stakeholders. Through five waves of assessment, we've built a proven process that:

• Evaluates sites comprehensively to guarantee they are truly "ready to win"
• Ensures all utilities within property boundaries have adequate capacity
• Completes due diligence studies with clear, actionable findings
• Secures concurrence from all relevant state and federal entities
• Eliminates surprises that could derail project timelines

To date, we have evaluated 550 sites and completed 149 site visits. From our 32 authenticated sites and 3,834 authenticated acres, 10 sites have already been selected for development, bringing 14 different end users to Ohio. Companies like Google, MAGNA, and Nestlé Purina chose these sites because they knew exactly what they were getting—no surprises, just speed to market and peace of mind.

View SiteOhio Authenticated Sites HERE.

Ohio Site Inventory Program (OSIP)

Launched in 2020, OSIP’s mission is to turn high-potential properties into fully prepared sites, ready to attract investment. It provides the funding muscle to help communities and private developers take promising sites from potential to project-ready. The program's impact since 2020 includes:

• $148 million in JobsOhio OSIP funding leveraged into $1.78 billion in private investment, a 12-to-1 return
• 109 funded projects, with 54 already completed and occupied
• 18.26 million square feet of new industrial space developed
• 7,409 acres developed
• Success across sectors – 17 advanced manufacturing facilities, 18 aerospace & aviation projects, and 27 logistics operations, along with significant growth in food processing, healthcare, and technology

Learn more about OSIP HERE

Proactive Partnerships & Education on Site Selection

Preparing sites is not a one-size-fits-all process. We work hand-in-hand with our Regional Network Partners, utility providers, and state agencies to identify promising sites, plan strategic infrastructure investments, and guide local developers. This partnership approach recognizes that each community has unique assets and opportunities that, with the right support, can become powerful economic engines.

To inspire timely action and continuous improvement, we structure our work in "waves," defined periods when communities can submit sites for evaluation and assistance. This approach creates momentum and urgency, encouraging communities to prioritize site development rather than viewing it as a "someday" project.

In 2024, we conducted a record 55 site visits, each bringing together local leaders, economic development teams, and utility partners. These sessions have served as intensive training grounds, helping 580+ community stakeholders understand what makes sites competitive in today's market, from utility capacities and infrastructure needs to workforce considerations. By integrating JobsOhio's Talent team and partnering with the governor's office on initiatives like the All Ohio Future Fund, we're building a sustainable pipeline of development-ready sites that make us a first-choice destination for businesses.

JobsOhio 2030: Let’s Grow, Together

2024 marks the conclusion of our current 5-year strategic plan and paves the way for our next chapter: JobsOhio 2030. Under the banner of “Let’s Grow, Together,” this new plan will build on a decade of progress and take our impact to the next level.

Our aspiration is that Ohio consistently be the #1 state in the Midwest and top 5 in America in creating high-quality jobs, a resilient economy and increased prosperity across our state.

Six strategic pillars that will drive this:

• Fully realizing Ohio as the “Silicon Heartland”: Building on Intel's transformative investment, we aim to fully realize Ohio's potential as a hub for semiconductor innovation and supply chain growth.
• Incorporating the Opportunities of AI: We're strategically positioning Ohio to harness the power of artificial intelligence across our diverse industrial base, focusing on real results and measurable impact.
• Skilled Technical Workforce (STW): Our focus is on retaining, expanding, and attracting top talent. While Ohio already ranks #1 in the Midwest for workforce productivity and #3 nationally for our manufacturing workforce, we recognize there is much more to be done through our Talent Acquisition Services and targeted upskilling programs.
• Innovation: By uniting our Innovation Districts districts under the Ohio Discovery Corridor brand, we’re creating a network effect that amplifies our strengths, competes successfully for federal funding, and attracts top-tier research, venture investment, and entrepreneurial talent.
• Energy Production: With the Ohio Valley projected to supply nearly half of America's natural gas by 2040, we're leveraging Ohio's abundant natural resources and diverse energy portfolio to offer companies both competitive rates today and energy security for tomorrow.
• Competitive Brand: Our brand promise of “having it all in the heart of it all” is increasingly resonating with companies and talent alike, as evidenced by our growing in-migration of job seekers.

We will be sharing more details on how JobsOhio will take action on these opportunities in early 2025.

In the years ahead, we’ll keep pushing to make Ohio the best place it can be by expanding opportunities, strengthening our workforce, and ensuring that all Ohioans feel the benefits of this growth. By continuing to work closely with partners across the state, we’re building an actionable strategy that’s stronger, more resilient, and ready for whatever the future holds.

Thank you for your support, your collaboration, and your belief in what Ohio can achieve. Let’s Grow, Together.