WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, March 22, 2024

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

For the week ending March 22, 2024

Monday, March 18, 2024

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine launched a first-of-its-kind initiative to destroy hazardous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting foam. During an event at Wright State University's Calamityville training facility in Fairborn, Governor DeWine announced details of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's new Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) Takeback Program. AFFF is primarily used by fire departments to smother flammable liquid fires, but its high concentrations of PFAS compounds - often called "forever" chemicals - resist typical environmental degradation processes and cause long-term contamination of water, soil, and air.?? Using PFAS Annihilator??technology developed by Battelle, which is headquartered in Columbus, the AFFF Takeback Program will destroy PFAS in firefighting foam to non-detectable levels through the process of supercritical water oxidation.? "The development of this technology is just another example of how Ohio continues to lead the nation in innovation," said Governor DeWine. "Through this new program, we're destroying PFAS, which was once believed to be indestructible, to protect our first responders and safeguard the environment."?

Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted spoke at the Natural Gas Utility Worker Appreciation Day event in Columbus. The event shows appreciation to natural gas utility workers who work tirelessly to ensure the safe and reliable operation of Ohio's natural gas system.

Lt. Governor Husted took a tour of the Danis Onsite Industrialized Construction Center in Dublin, where workers are building a new Mount Carmel Hospital.?

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Governor DeWine offered his support to the announcement that the U.S. Department of Commerce is awarding a major CHIPS and Science grant to Intel.

?Intel?s commitment to building semiconductor chips in Ohio is adding tens of thousands of new direct and indirect jobs right here in Ohio - the heart of the Silicon Heartland. Today?s announcement is proof that the CHIPS Act is paying dividends for Ohioans. Semiconductor chips are the building blocks that power today?s economy, and it is imperative that we produce chips on American soil in order to strengthen our national security and help fuel economic growth.?

Governor DeWine visited the Ohio Department of Higher Education. During his visit, he met with Chancellor Mike Duffey, who took over the agency in January, to get an update on the Governor's Merit Scholarship and how colleges and universities are implementing the science of reading into their curriculum for teacher education.?

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced that an additional $5.8 million in grant funding will be used to protect more Ohio families from the dangers of toxic lead.

Funding from the Lead Safe Ohio program will support five more Ohio counties with lead mitigation and prevention projects for residential properties, child care facilities, and congregate care shelters. With this additional investment, the program has allocated a total of $90 million for lead remediation in 76 counties.

?In Ohio, we?re taking an aggressive and proactive approach by targeting communities with the greatest need, ensuring all Ohioans have an equal chance at a safer and more prosperous future,? said Governor DeWine.??

"These grants expand our reach to more counties so we can protect additional children in Ohio from the lasting effects lead poisoning can cause,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?Every dollar invested through this program is a dollar invested in the future of our state.??

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Governor DeWine joined local officials and Sofidel leaders to break ground on the company's expansion in Circleville.

Governor DeWine attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Sofidel's expansion project in Circleville. Sofidel is a leading manufacturer of paper for hygienic and domestic use.?

Lt. Governor Husted, who serves as director of the Governor?s Office of Workforce Transformation, announced the results of the January round of TechCred, in which 438 employers were awarded, providing the opportunity for Ohioans to earn 4,947 tech-focused credentials.

?As Ohio?s economy continues to grow, we need to have the talent to fill the jobs coming here to our state,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?TechCred helps Ohioans learn new skills so they can advance in their careers while also strengthening our workforce so that we can continue to be the best place to do business.?

Governor DeWine signed an executive order establishing a statewide program to recognize law enforcement agencies that voluntarily meet or exceed Ohio?s new standards for professional excellence.? Led by the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board, the new Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program will certify law enforcement agencies that implement a series of nearly three dozen state standards reflective of best practices in law enforcement. Although several other states have law enforcement accreditation programs, Ohio?s program is the only state-administered program in the nation that does not charge law enforcement agencies to participate.??

?You can?t put a price on professionalism in public service,? said Governor DeWine. ?Every citizen in Ohio deserves to live in a community where its police force is guided by the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and excellence. Accreditation instills public trust and confidence in policing practices, and by offering this new program for free, we?re making accreditation attainable for all agencies no matter how big or small.???

Second Lady Tina Husted spoke at the Young Women Lead Conference to hundreds of Ottawa County freshmen girls about self-esteem, confidence, and the great opportunities Ohio has for women.

Governor DeWine announced that the state has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assess the damage inflicted on homeowners, renters, and businesses in the 11 Ohio counties affected by the severe storm and tornadoes on March 14, 2024. ?Governor DeWine declared a state of emergency for Logan, Auglaize, Mercer, Darke, Miami, Union, Delaware, Licking, Hancock, Crawford, and Richland counties on March 17, 2024.

Six FEMA damage assessment teams will be inspecting and assessing the damage in all 11 Ohio counties on March 26.? The purpose for the Individual Assistance (IA) Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) is to identify the type, and extent of disaster damage to homes and businesses and assess whether federal resources are needed to supplement local and state resources.

?Ohioans are resilient.? When I toured the damage at Indian Lake, I heard over and over again from the residents I talked to about their resolve to rebuild.?? Having FEMA assess the damage is the next step in helping the affected communities recover,? said Governor DeWine.

Friday, March 22, 2024

Governor DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine, and Lt. Governor Husted visit St. Clairsville as part of the Appalachian Children?s Health Initiative Tour.

Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted announced dozens of transformational projects that will significantly improve access to health care across many of Ohio's Appalachian communities.? As part of the new Appalachian Children's Health Initiative, more than $64 million in funding will be awarded to the Appalachian Children Coalition to support the creation or expansion of community- and school-based health clinics, the launch of health care-focused workforce development programs, and more.? "Our vision for Ohio?s future is one where all Ohioans, no matter where they are from, have the opportunity to live up to their full potential," said Governor DeWine. "These projects will uplift and empower the people of Ohio?s Appalachian region for generations to come." ?Expanding school-based health care is proven to significantly reduce barriers to accessing essential health services, leading to improved physical and mental health and academic outcomes for students,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?These investments will deliver better life and academic outcomes for students, benefiting families and the community.??

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957