On Monday, the National Park Service announced the designation of Montgomery County (City of Dayton), Ohio as an American World War II Heritage City. Montgomery County (City of Dayton) is the only designation in the State of Ohio, and it joins only 17 other communities across the United States that received this designation today. The 18 newly designated communities join Wilmington, North Carolina that was designated in 2020.

This recognition honors Ohio's powerful role in our nation's defense over the decades.

Also on Monday, Governor Mike DeWine and JobsOhio, the state's private economic development corporation announced The J.M. Smucker Co. will construct an R&D facility focused on testing new product innovation and investigating opportunities to enhance manufacturing productivity on the company's Orrville campus.

“Smucker’s has been part of the fabric of Ohio for more than a century,” said Governor DeWine. “From selling apple butter on a horse drawn wagon in 1897 to laying the groundwork for a new research and development facility in 2022 – we’re grateful that Smucker’s legacy will continue to grow in Ohio.”

On Tuesday, Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced that 2,277 blighted and vacant structures in 42 counties will be demolished to pave the way for new economic development and housing opportunities across the state.

The buildings will be razed as part of Governor DeWine’s Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program. The DeWine-Husted Administration created the program to help local communities demolish dilapidated commercial and residential buildings and revitalize surrounding properties to attract investments, businesses, and jobs. 

“We’re not just tearing down dilapidated buildings; we’re helping to make communities across the state better places to start a business, raise a family, and build a bright future,” said Governor DeWine. “This isn’t just a win for 42 counties, it’s a win for all of Ohio.”

The projects announced today are in addition to the 825 demolition projects announced in October. 

“This funding is helping our communities transform forgotten properties into productive spaces that can once again play an important role in growing our economy,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted.

Also on Tuesday, in honor of the lives lost on December 7, 1941 in the attack on Pearl Harbor, Governor DeWine ordered that the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the State of Ohio from midnight to midnight on December 7, 2022.

On Wednesday, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced the approval of assistance for 14 projects set to create 1,663 new jobs and retain 3,457 jobs statewide.

During its monthly meeting, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) reviewed economic development proposals brought to the board by JobsOhio and its regional partners. Collectively, the projects are expected to result in more than $99.7 million in new payroll and spur more than $202.6 million in investments across Ohio. Crane Carrier Co. LLC, city of New Philadelphia (Tuscarawas County) and Bellisio Foods Inc., city of Jackson (Jackson County) were among the projects approved for assistance.

Also on Wednesday, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted announced state support for 12 mixed-use development projects that are expected to create more than $1.29 billion in new payroll and $2.3 billion in investments across Ohio.

The projects are receiving state support as part of the second round of the Transformational Mixed-Use Development Program. Projects will include the construction or redevelopment of more than 5.3 million square feet of transformational space to create new housing, retail, dining, office, lodging, and entertainment opportunities.

“These projects will transform not only the sites themselves, but also the look and feel of entire neighborhoods,” said Governor DeWine. “We’re changing the face of these communities and bringing Ohio into the future. I’m looking forward to seeing the tremendous change these projects create in their communities.”

“These projects will give new life to these communities and neighbors,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. “These awards will leverage additional private sector investment that will create jobs and improve the quality of life.”

Lastly on Wednesday, Governor DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine celebrated a major milestone with the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio. More than 50% of eligible children – birth to age 5 – are now enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio, which means 362,295 Ohio children will receive a free book in the mail this month.

“It’s wonderful to travel Ohio’s 88 counties, read an Imagination Library book to children, and hear about the impact these books are having on Ohio’s families,” said Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine.  “And research shows these books spark interest in reading and improve kindergarten readiness. Now that we’ve hit more than 50 percent enrollment, I will continue working to enroll even more families," said the First Lady. 

On Thursday, Governor DeWine joined members of the Ohio Expositions Commission to review the master plan framework that will serve as a launching point to modernize and enhance the Ohio Expo Center and Ohio State Fair for the future.

The framework was created as part of the work of the Expo 2050 Task Force. Governor DeWine created the task force in 2019 to develop a strategic vision for the 360-acre Ohio Expo Center property, which is home to the Ohio State Fair and hosts many other events throughout the year.

"The renderings you're seeing today represent the initial vision for the future of the Ohio Expo Center and Ohio State Fair, which will remain here in the heart of Columbus, its home since 1886,” said Governor DeWine. "The Ohio State Fair is something to be proud of, and we want to make the guest experience one that is comparable to - if not better than - other best-in-class attractions."

On Friday, Governor DeWine applauded Brown County’s Ohio Sobriety Treatment and Reducing Trauma (START) program for becoming the country’s first certified START program. Ohio START is an affiliate of the national START model that helps parents achieve recovery, improve parental capacity, and keep children in the home when it is safe and possible.

“We brought Ohio START to southern Ohio in 2017 when I was Attorney General,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Since then, many agencies have worked together to keep kids in their homes, prevent child abuse, and get parents treatment so they can be the parents their children need.”

Also on Friday, Governor DeWine and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz announced that ODNR has begun outfitting all natural resources and wildlife officers with body cameras.

“Body cameras are becoming an increasingly important piece of technology in all areas of law enforcement," said Governor DeWine. "These new cameras have the ability to protect natural resources and wildlife officers while also offering transparency to the public."

Lastly on Friday,  Lt. Governor Husted traveled to Cairo for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate Chemtrade’s $50 million investment which will significantly expand production capacity and improve product quality at their current site. The expansion will support and enhance the company’s ultrapure sulfuric acid product line that is a vital input to the semiconductor manufacturing industry in the United States.