On Monday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced the approval of assistance for four projects set to create 683 new jobs and retain 405 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 $43.7 million in new payroll and spur more than $588 million in investments across Ohio.

Projects approved by the TCA include:

NORTHEAST
Victoriaville & Co. USA Manufacturing Inc., city of Cleveland (Cuyahoga County)
Trivium Aluminum Packaging USA Corporation, city of Youngstown

NORTHWEST
Abbott Laboratories, city of Bowling Green

CENTRAL
Pathfinder Product Labs LLC, city of Grandview Heights

On Tuesday, Governor DeWine delivered his 2023 State of the State address to a Joint Session of the Ohio General Assembly in the traditional location of the Ohio House Chamber of the Statehouse. Governor DeWine spoke about the strength of the state and discussed the priorities that are contained in his executive budget for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

On Wednesday, Governor DeWine began a two-day budget tour following his State of the State address. Governor DeWine visited Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo.

In Cincinnati, Governor DeWine toured Child Focus, a private nonprofit agency helping to provide a broad range of early learning, mental health, school, foster care, and community services, to promote the 988 National Suicide Prevention hotline. His recently announced budget provides $46.5 million over the biennium to support its ongoing operations.

In Dayton, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted joined local leaders to discuss their budget initiative to invest $150 million in the creation of new innovation hubs throughout the state. The initiative aims to expand the necessary workforce for research and technology throughout Ohio to bolster economic development and attract the very best talent.

Lastly, Governor DeWine toured the Toledo office of the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center (ONIC). As part of his executive budget proposal, Governor DeWine is recommending a significant increase in funding for ONIC, which also has divisions in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. 

On Thursday, Governor DeWine traveled to northeastern Ohio and Marietta for the second day of his budget tour. 

In Cleveland, the Governor visited Lakewood High School to announce the latest round of Ohio School Safety Grants and discussed plans outlined in his executive budget proposal to continue the work of the Ohio School Safety Center and assist local schools with the cost of staffing school resource officers.

In Trumbull County, he toured the local dispatch center and announced his request of $45.9 million over the biennium for Next Generation 9-1-1, a new 911 infrastructure that allows for the transmission of voice, photos, videos, and text messages to the new modernized 911 network. His budget proposal would ensure the implementation of the new network in every Ohio community. 

In Marietta, Governor DeWine announced the H2Ohio Rivers Initiative, which would expand the work of his H2Ohio program to focus on the health of Ohio’s rivers. 

On Friday, Governor DeWine announced that he is nominating John Williams to fill the open seat on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). If confirmed by the Ohio Senate, Williams will replace Beth Trombold, who stepped down ahead of her term expiring this year. 

"John Williams' experience will help ensure we maintain a competitive and reliable utility marketplace in Ohio," said Governor DeWine. "With industry and regulatory experience in energy, telecommunications, and transportation, and specific regulatory experience in safety, reliability, and customer service, I am confident John Williams will serve Ohio well as a PUCO Commissioner."

Also on Friday, Governor DeWine recognized National Wear Red Day, which raises awareness about cardiovascular disease in women to help save lives. The day is included in American Heart Month.

Lastly on Friday, Second Lady Tina Husted attended  the Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery exhibit "Arts Beacon of Light." 

The Second Lady helped launch the Ohio Arts Beacon of Light initiative in April 2020, providing artists an online platform to share, connect, and cope with the challenges presented by COVID-19. The exhibit will be open through April 7, 2023.