WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, September 20, 2024

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

For the week ending September 20, 2024

Monday, September 16, 2024

Following a series of unfounded bomb threats made to schools within the Springfield City School District, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that he has authorized a contingent of troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Mobile Field Force to provide added security at each of the district's 18 school buildings.

"Many of these threats are coming in from overseas, made by those who want to fuel the current discord surrounding Springfield. We cannot let the bad guys win," said Governor DeWine. "We must take every threat seriously, but children deserve to be in school, and parents deserve to know that their kids are safe. The added security will help ease some of the fears caused by these hoaxes." 

Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted provided remarks during a groundbreaking event at Penta Career Center. The career center was awarded $2.4 million through the Career Technical Construction Program to build a new E-Mobility lab which will offer new programs with the capacity to serve more than an additional 100 students each year.

September 16-20 is National Construction Appreciation Week, and Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Matt Damschroder are reminding Ohioans considering new careers that construction jobs are in demand in Ohio.

More than 245,500 Ohioans work in the construction industry, which equates to about one in 23 workers, and many learned their skills through apprenticeship programs. Apprentices earn while they learn, avoid student loan debt and, when they complete their programs, earn an average of $72,000 a year.

“As Ohio’s economy continues to grow, more and more companies are moving into our state or expanding their operations here, so construction workers are in demand to build out these sites,” said Governor DeWine. “There are incredible opportunities right now in this field, and we appreciate all of the hardworking Ohioans in construction jobs today who are literally building our state’s future from the ground up.”

“You can’t do 'Made in America' without 'Made in Ohio,' and if we want to continue to be a national leader, making the things that people need to live and thrive, we need sites to do that,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “As I have traveled the state, I hear from businesses constantly that they need construction workers. I encourage everyone looking for a new or better opportunity to see for themselves what the industry can offer them.”

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Lt. Governor Husted, who serves as director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, announced the results of the July TechCred application period, in which 524 employers were awarded, providing the opportunity for Ohioans to earn 6,747 tech-focused credentials.

“This round marks the largest number of employers awarded and the highest amount of credentials requested since the program's inception in 2019,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “The TechCred program continues to reach new milestones, proving the need for strong tech talent and training opportunities like this that help Ohioans and Ohio businesses across our state.”

On the first day the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Mobile Field Force provided added security to the Springfield City School District’s 18 school buildings, Governor DeWine visited patrol staff, as well as students and teachers at Simon Kenton Elementary School in Springfield. Hope, the Ohio State Highway Patrol Therapy dog, went with the Governor as he visited kindergarten, first grade, sixth grade, and gym classes.  Hope is a female 10-month-old English Yellow Lab who provides affection, comfort, and support and can help lower anxiety.  Hope visited Springfield City Hall employees yesterday.   “While none of the threats – including one [on Tuesday] – has been legitimate, we want to reassure Springfield students, parents, and staff that we are here to support them and help keep our school communities safe,” said Governor DeWine.  “We are doing the physical security with support from our troopers and Ohio Homeland Security and the emotional security with help from Hope, the therapy dog.”

Lt. Governor Husted provided remarks during a groundbreaking event at the Fairfield Career Center. Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools was awarded over $4 million through the Career Technical Construction Program to create their NextGen Training Center that will serve an additional 100 students per year. This will add a second welding program, an adult Broadband Infrastructure Training Program, a High School 5G/Lineman Program, and expanded useable classroom space for high school academic classes.

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Governor DeWine attended a ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of Canon Medical Academy USA in northeast Ohio. The new Canon Medical Academy USA will provide advanced education and training for healthcare researchers and professionals on Canon’s latest medical imaging equipment. Canon is moving the location of its sole U.S.-based training academy from California to Mayfield Village, Ohio. The grand opening event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and multiple traditional Japanese celebrations, including a daruma doll ceremony and a sake barrel ceremony.

First Lady Fran DeWine spent time in Springfield to ensure that family-serving agencies and schools have the support they need to serve the community.  The First Lady made multiple stops to discuss needs and operational challenges faced by various community entities, including:  Help Me Grow, a system of supports for pregnant women, caregivers with new babies, and families with young children with developmental delays and disabilities. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) of Clark County,  which helps eligible pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who recently had a baby, infants, and children up to 5 years of age. St. Vincent De Paul, a charitable organization that provides various services for community members in need.  Pregnancy Resource Center Clark County, which supports women through pregnancy.  Kenwood Elementary School, one of 18 schools within the Springfield City School District that is receiving security support from the Ohio State Highway Patrol and visits from the Patrol's therapy dog, Hope.

Lt. Governor Husted had the chance to speak at the Adopt A Class Annual Mentor Symposium in Cincinnati about workforce opportunities in Ohio and the importance of mentorship to help students prepare for their future.

Lt. Governor visited the More than Manufacturing Expo in Sharonville where he checked out what's new in the industry and provided remarks about Ohio's manufacturing success.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

In response to long wait times for primary care services and other strains affecting the healthcare system in Springfield and throughout Clark County, Governor DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) will work alongside the Clark County Combined Health District to open a mobile health clinic in Springfield next week.

The Governor also announced that the state and local health departments will work together to transition this mobile clinic to a permanent location to serve patients throughout the Springfield community. The location and schedule for opening this permanent clinic are still to be determined.

“Starting next week, the new mobile clinic will supplement and expand the primary healthcare services that are already here in Springfield,” said Governor DeWine. “Our goal is to reduce wait times and to be able to provide the necessary healthcare services for everyone – whether you’ve lived in this community your whole life or you’ve just come into the community recently.”

Lt. Governor Husted spoke at the Southwest Ohio Contractors Convention in Dayton this morning. The event brought together around 200 area builders and contractors.

Governor DeWine, the Ohio Department of Development and TourismOhio announced the expansion of the Ohio Historical Underground Railroad Trail in honor of September’s designation as International Underground Railroad Month. 

“The path of the Underground Railroad through Ohio was pivotal in leading many enslaved African Americans toward freedom, and we must ensure that this history continues to be passed down to future generations,” said Governor DeWine. “By nearly doubling the number of must-see historic sites along Ohio’s Underground Railroad Trail, we hope more residents and visitors will explore the parts of the state where this history was made.” 

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik  announced that nearly three dozen communities will receive funding to complete critical infrastructure and neighborhood improvement projects that enhance the quality of life for Ohioans.  More than $18.2 million in Neighborhood Revitalization and Critical Infrastructure grants will be awarded to 34 communities for projects such as upgraded water and sewer infrastructure, road and sidewalk replacement, park improvements, recreation enhancements, new fire trucks, and more.  "With this funding, we are addressing vital needs in communities across the state,” said Governor DeWine. “From upgrading water and sewer systems to enhancing public safety and improving parks, these projects will make Ohio’s neighborhoods stronger and safer for generations."   “Strong infrastructure is the foundation of a thriving economy,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “Through this funding, we are helping Ohio's communities develop the resources that are critical to job creation and a higher quality of life."

Lt. Governor Husted spoke at the Home Builders Association of Dayton 2024 Economic & Housing Forecast Lunch about the importance of the industry to Ohio as our economic momentum continues to grow.

Friday, September 20, 2024

As part of Ohio’s ongoing efforts to recruit more professionals into the mental healthcare field, Governor DeWine announced a new workforce incentive program for college graduates who commit to working at one of Ohio’s Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) for at least one year.

“The demand for mental healthcare services is growing twice as fast as the size of the mental healthcare workforce,” said Governor DeWine. “It is critical that we incentivize more of our best and brightest young minds to launch their careers in these fields so we can help our most vulnerable Ohioans receive the support they need to reach their full potential.”

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Mihalik announced nearly $50 million in grant funding for brownfield remediation and building demolition across the state.  The Department of Development is awarding the funding through the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program and Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program. Both grant programs were developed by the DeWine-Husted Administration in partnership with the Ohio General Assembly to create room for new economic opportunities in areas that currently cannot be developed due to contamination or the presence of vacant, dilapidated structures.  "By investing in these sites, we're giving these areas a fresh start," said Governor DeWine. "We developed these programs to turn areas of neglect into places of hope and opportunity for businesses and families alike." "By removing the physical remnants of decline, these projects make room for growth, revitalizing neighborhoods and attracting investment that boosts local economies," said Lt. Governor Husted. "The transformation of once-abandoned properties into vibrant, usable space not only enhances property values, it also creates a sense of renewal, making way for sustainable development."

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957