WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, August 2, 2024

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

For the week ending August 2, 2024

Monday, July 29, 2024

Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine cooked pizza with kids inside Kasich Hall at the Ohio State Fair.   First Lady DeWine talked with kids about where food comes from, and shared healthy herbs and vegetables from the Governor’s Residence and Heritage Garden for kids to use to top their pizzas.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced that $36.7 million in state tax credits will support 17 theatrical, television, and film production projects in Ohio. 

The Ohio Department of Development is awarding the tax credits as part of the Motion Picture Tax Credit Program. Fourteen feature films, one television mini-series, one television series, and one Broadway/theatrical production are expected to create some 500 new jobs, nearly $122 million in eligible production expenditures, and $150 million in total production expenses. 

"Ohio is an ideal location for entertainment production; we offer big city backdrops, small town appeal, and everything in between," said Governor DeWine. "We're happy to welcome these productions - and the economic impact they'll bring - to Ohio." 

The Sundance Film Festival recognized Ohio as a standout setting for the entertainment industry earlier this month when it announced that Cincinnati is a final contender to host the festival once its contract with Park City, Utah, expires. 

"Both Cincinnati and Ohio pride ourselves on being a world-class destination where movies are made and celebrated," said Governor DeWine at the time of Sundance's announcement. "And whatever the entertainment is--creative, cultural, or sports--Cincinnati is known for being a city that knows how to do big things. We love to roll out the red carpet and will do the same for a festival as iconic as Sundance.”

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Mihalik announced that a 1,000-acre site in Defiance County will be the first location primed for future economic development success with support from the new All Ohio Future Fund. 

More than $14.6 million from the fund will be awarded to the Defiance County Commissioners to install critical infrastructure at the Baltimore Avenue Industrial Corridor in Defiance, with the goal of attracting major corporations that are looking for project-ready property.

“This is a huge site that's ready for the kind of economic development that will be transformational for this area, but the property continues to be overlooked because it doesn't have all the necessary basic infrastructure," said Governor DeWine. "With funding from the All Ohio Future Fund, we're going to help Defiance County lay the needed groundwork and prepare these acres to become the next major advanced manufacturing site in Ohio."

“We know there is a demand for job-ready sites for businesses to move to and expand because Ohio is a great place to do business, and Ohio-made products are in-demand across the globe," said Lt. Governor Husted. "This project will allow Defiance and the Northwest Ohio region to make advancements in their economic development strategy while creating pathways to employment for more Ohioans.” 

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Governor DeWine provided opening remarks at the Ohio School Safety Center's annual School Safety Summit. Governor DeWine created the Ohio School Safety Center in 2019. It is the first state office dedicated exclusively to supporting local schools and first responders in all matters related to the safety of school students, teachers, and employees.

Governor DeWine held a press conference where he delivered remarks and took questions from media, expressing his strong opposition to the proposed ballot initiative on redistricting. "If this amendment were to be adopted, Ohio would actually end up with a system that mandates – that compels – map drawers to produce gerrymandered districts," said Governor DeWine in his remarks. "In fact, Ohio would have gerrymandering in the extreme."

Lt. Governor Husted issued a statement on the issue of congressional and legislative redistricting and the proposed constitutional amendment on the fall ballot:

"Issue 1 is based on the flawed concept of proportionality and would enshrine gerrymandering in the Ohio Constitution, undermining representative democracy by allowing a small group of unaccountable commissioners to predetermine the political control of congressional and legislative districts without competitive elections."

Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted announce Ohio Driver's licenses and IDs can now be added to Apple Wallet

Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted announced that Ohioans can now add their Ohio-issued driver’s licenses or state identification cards to Apple Wallet for use in person at select businesses, in select apps, and at select Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoints, including at John Glenn Columbus International Airport and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

Ohio also launched a free age verification app for businesses, the Ohio Mobile ID Check app, enabling companies to securely and privately accept customers’ mobile driver's licenses and ID cards in person using an iPhone.

“Ohio has always been a leader in innovation, and now we are the fifth state in the country that gives residents the option to securely add their driver’s licenses to Apple Wallet,” said Governor DeWine. “This is another example of how Ohio is using technology to better serve its customers and residents.”

"InnovateOhio aims to make Ohio the most innovative, entrepreneurial state in the Midwest while enhancing convenience for residents through technology," said Lt. Governor Husted. "Adding your Ohio driver's license or ID to Apple Wallet is the latest example of modernizing the BMV and simplifying processes for Ohioans. We’ve also launched an app for businesses to read Ohio Mobile IDs, enabling them to utilize this new service."

Governor DeWine announced that Fred Ransier has been appointed to the role of Conservator of Eastern Gateway Community College. Effective Aug. 1, Ransier will assume the management of the college and oversee the dissolution and closure process, as previously approved by the Eastern Gateway Board of Trustees. “Our first priority was making sure that all of the affected students were taken care of. We worked with Eastern Gateway and other institutions to ensure students could transfer as smoothly as possible,” said Governor DeWine. “As we move forward with Fred Ransier as Conservator, and eventually shift to a Governance Authority to manage this closure, I have full confidence that all parties will proceed in a thoughtful way.”

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) celebrated and honored Ohioans for their lifetime achievements in conservation and protection of Ohio’s natural resources with a ceremony to recognize Cardinal Award winners and Hall of Fame inductees.   Governor DeWine and ODNR Director Mary Mertz honored seven outstanding individuals who were inducted into the Ohio Natural Resources Hall of Fame.

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Governor DeWine spoke at the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame Ceremony.  The Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame was established in 1976 to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions toward making the Ohio State Fair one of America’s premier expositions. The Governor selects the inductees into the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame each year.

Governor DeWine and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency announced $2.7 million in H2Ohio grants will be awarded to 52 communities around the state to upgrade equipment and salt storage facilities. This is the second round of grant funding awarded in the H2Ohio Chloride Reduction Grant Program. 

“Road salt is a necessity during the winter months, but it’s also a necessity that we do all we can to keep our waterways free from chloride contamination,” said Governor DeWine. "Through this grant program, we’re helping local communities with equipment that efficiently spreads salt in a way that better protects our water.”

Friday, August 2, 2024

Lt. Governor Husted, who serves as director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, announced the application period to be a training provider for the Individual Microcredential Assistance Program (IMAP) is now open. “Any Ohioan can earn a credential or upskill themselves for free through IMAP,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “It’s so important now more than ever that our workforce continues to grow and get stronger, and this program helps Ohioans earn the in-demand skills they need to find a rewarding career in our state.” The application period for training providers is now open and closes August 30, 2024 at 3 p.m. Training providers can visit Workforce.Ohio.gov/IMAP to apply.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957