WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, September 6, 2024

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

For the week ending September 6, 2024

Monday, September 2, 2024

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine joined members of the Ohio Juvenile Justice Working Group to announce the group's recommendations for transformational change across Ohio's state and local juvenile justice system.  "These recommendations all have merit and deserve consideration," said Governor DeWine. "All kids deserve the opportunity to live up to their full, God-given potential, including youth who are incarcerated in state or local juvenile corrections facilities. We must send these youth home with the very best chance to succeed." Governor DeWine created the Ohio Juvenile Justice Working Group in November, asking group members to conduct a holistic review of juvenile justice operations at the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) and to examine the agency's partnerships with local community corrections facilities (CCFs) and county juvenile detention facilities.

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, the Ohio Department of Development, and JobsOhio are proud to announce that for the second straight year, Ohio has been ranked No. 1 in the Global Groundwork Index by Site Selection magazine, based on a comprehensive analysis of job creation, capital expenditures, and strategic infrastructure development from 2020 through July 2024.

"Ohio continues to lead the nation in the Global Groundwork Index because our public sector infrastructure investments lay the groundwork for economic growth," said Governor DeWine. "We’re preparing large-scale sites for industrial development, expanding our skilled workforce, and fortifying our energy, telecom, transportation, and water infrastructure so that Ohio is always at the top of the list for businesses looking to start up or expand.”

“In Ohio, we are proud of the fact that we produce the essential goods that people need to live and thrive, and we are committed to proving that ‘Made in Ohio’ is an important part of ‘Made in America,’” said Lt. Governor Husted. “Team Ohio has deployed an aggressive strategy to improve infrastructure, including roads and bridges, broadband and 5G, water and sewer, brownfield and demolition funding, and other targeted investments to make sure that we are ready to support the growth of new and existing businesses.”

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Lt. Governor Husted provided remarks during the groundbreaking for an expansion of the Upper Valley Career Center. The career center was awarded more than $12.6 million through the Career Technical Construction Program to expand its Construction, First Responder, Sports Medicine, Electrical Trades, Robotics and Automation, Building Maintenance, and Manufacturing and Machining Technologies programs to serve an additional 150 students each year.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction for a new visitor center for the Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area. The visitor center will serve as the gateway to the great outdoors, providing an education experience that celebrates southeast Ohio’s incredible wild spaces. “Ohio’s Appalachian region is rich with natural beauty, history, and opportunity,” said Governor DeWine. “A new visitor center will enhance what this area has to offer including a variety of outdoor activities for all Ohioans to enjoy.

Thursday, September 5, 2024

Governor DeWine delivers welcoming remarks for Ohio's 2024 Kids Summit.

Governor DeWine delivered welcoming remarks for Ohio’s 2024 Kids Summit.

Hosted for the first time by the new Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY), in collaboration with the Ohio Supreme Court, the Kids Summit brought together county leaders from across the state representing children services, the judicial system, law enforcement, parent and family advocates, social workers, and more to learn about DCY, the new agency created last year by Governor DeWine to streamline systems that support children and families.

“Protecting our children is something I’ve always been deeply passionate about throughout my career. Creating our new Department of Children and Youth to focus on this mission, day in and day out, has been an important step toward ensuring all Ohio children can reach their full potential,” said Governor DeWine. “The future of our state is in the hands of our children, and we have an obligation to do all we can to help them thrive.”

Governor DeWine visited Walsh University in North Canton to meet with administrators, professors, and students in the university’s education training program to discuss the impact of adopting the Science of Reading. Based on the latest brain research and literacy development, the Science of Reading is considered the most effective method for reading instruction. Governor DeWine has long supported the implementation of the Science of Reading in all Ohio schools. During his 2024 State of the State Address, Governor DeWine called on all colleges and universities in Ohio to align their teacher training programs with the Science of Reading to ensure Ohio’s next generation of educators will be prepared to teach young students using this groundbreaking method. Walsh University was one of the first institutions in the state to fully align its teacher preparation curriculum with the Science of Reading. During the Governor’s visit, university leaders demonstrated the profound results they have seen from implementing the Science of Reading.

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Director Mihalik announce launch of Greater Akron Polymer Innovation Hub

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik  announced the creation of Ohio's third Innovation Hub, a new collaboration that will position the Greater Akron region as a global leader in polymer research, development, and technology. 

Supported by $31.25 million in state funding from the Ohio Innovation Hubs Program and more than $10 million in local investment, the new Greater Akron Polymer Innovation Hub will accelerate impactful innovations and support new economic growth by capitalizing on the region’s long-standing expertise in polymer science.

"Akron's history in polymer innovation goes back more than 100 years, and now, the Greater Akron Polymer Innovation Hub will lead this industry into the future, bringing tremendous economic growth to the area, thousands of jobs, and millions in new revenue and investments," said Governor DeWine. "This hub will also support Ohio's emerging semiconductor and battery manufacturing industries, which both rely heavily on polymer materials."

“Akron has a strong foundation with the polymer industry and with state Innovation Hub status and funding, we have a strategy to also prepare Akron to be the future for polymer science and manufacturing,” said Lt. Governor Husted.  “Leadership in polymer R&D allows companies to create new and improved materials with better properties such as strength, durability, flexibility, and sustainability—making Akron the place to be for companies that need access to these innovations.”

Friday, September 6, 2024

As schools return to session across the state, Governor DeWine issued a memo to superintendents reminding them of the many ways in which the state can assist with school safety. “Earlier this week, we saw a horrible, heart-breaking tragedy in Georgia. As many of our kids are in the process of going back to school, I wanted to take the opportunity to remind our school superintendents of the many options – a majority of them at no cost – that the Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC) can provide to their schools in order to help make our schools safer,” said Governor DeWine. Other services include the Safer Ohio School Tip Line – 844-SaferOH (844-723-3764) – a free safety resource available to all Ohio schools. The tip line is an anonymous reporting system that accepts tips via call, text, webform, and mobile app 24 hours a day. Anyone can download the Safer Ohio School Tip Line app or use the webform at https://app.saferohioschooltipline.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957