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*WEEK IN REVIEW*
Friday, February 28, 2025

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

"For the week ending February 28, 2025

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*Monday, February 24, 2025*

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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, and JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef announced [ [link removed] ] that First Quality Tissue, a leading manufacturer of hygiene, paper, and packaging products, will build a new ultra-premium towel and tissue production facility in Defiance, marking the largest singular investment and job-creation project in Defiance County history. 

First Quality Tissue Midwest will invest $984 million in the project and has committed to create more than 400 new jobs and $22.5 million in new annual payroll by 2032.

The new 1.6 million square-foot facility will be located on a 1,000-acre site at the Baltimore Avenue Industrial Corridor, which was the first location primed for future economic development with support from the All Ohio Future Fund [ [link removed] ]. Last year, Governor DeWine awarded $14.6 million from the fund to install critical infrastructure on the property to attract major corporations in need of project-ready property.

“The All Ohio Future Fund was created to attract and support established companies that are prepared to hit the ground running and make a significant investment in jobs and capital in our state,” said Governor DeWine. “Ohio's work to proactively prepare this Defiance County site  is a win-win for Ohio, Defiance County, and First Quality Tissue.”

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Feb25 Social 1080x1080 [ [link removed] ]

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Tressel, and Ohio Department of Development Director Mihalik announced [ [link removed] ] the approval of 10 projects that will create 1,063 new 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. The projects are expected to result in more than than $74 million in new payroll and spur more than $1 billion in investments across Ohio.  



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Governor DeWine released the following statement on the death of Cleveland Guardians owner Larry Dolan. 

"Fran and I were saddened to learn of the death of Cleveland Guardians owner Larry Dolan. He cared deeply about his community and keeping baseball strong in Cleveland. Even though Cleveland is a small-market team, through Larry Dolan’s leadership, Cleveland has remained competitive and a source of pride to the community. Our thoughts are with Larry’s family during this difficult time."

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*Tuesday, February 25, 2025*

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DeWine's visit St. Xavier High School 'Eye of Freedom' exhibit [ [link removed] ]

Governor DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine took part in a special event in recognition of the arrival of the Eyes of Freedom Memorial to St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati. 

The Eyes of Freedom Memorial is a traveling memorial dedicated to honoring the memory of 23 members of the Lima Company — including two St. Xavier alumni — killed in Iraq in 2005. 



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*Thursday, February 27, 2025*

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Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Tressel attended JobsOhio's quarterly board meeting. 

JobsOhio Quarterly Meeting [ [link removed] ]

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Lt. Governor's visit to LifeTown [ [link removed] ]

Lt. Governor Tressel joined Columbus-area elected officials for a Day of Service at LifeTown, a life-changing program that empowers children with special needs in Ohio.



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Youngstown Innovation Hub

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Tressel, and Ohio Department of Development Director Mihalik announced [ [link removed] ] that Ohio will establish a new Innovation Hub in Youngstown to advance additive manufacturing technology in support of the national defense industry.  

Funded with $26 million from the Ohio Innovation Hubs Program [ [link removed] ] and $36 million in local, federal, and private investment, the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense will bring together government, academia, and private-sector industry partners to transform the region into the global epicenter for additive manufacturing.  

Known more commonly as 3-D printing, additive manufacturing is the process of creating three-dimensional objects one layer at a time. This technology has revolutionized the production of military equipment through the rapid creation of complex and customized parts, limiting the overreliance on foreign manufacturing. 

“Building on the region’s deep manufacturing roots, Youngstown has spent the last decade establishing itself as a leader in the research, development, and commercialization of additive technology,” said Governor DeWine. “With support from the Ohio Innovation Hubs Program, partners will now have added capacity to drive critical advancements in the defense and aerospace industries by transforming the way military equipment is made and strengthening our country’s national defense supply chains.”  

“Partners in this region have been laying the foundation for the Youngstown Innovation Hub for years, and it’s incredibly moving to see their hard work pay off,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “Today’s announcement is a victory for this community, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”  

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*Friday, February 28, 2025*

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Ohio’s private employers will pay [ [link removed] ] nearly $60 million less in premiums next fiscal year due to a 6% rate reduction approved by the agency’s Board of Directors today. 

This reduction will become effective July 1, 2025, and follows a 7% rate cut for private employers last year.

“I am pleased to announce a 6% rate reduction for Ohio's private employers,” said Governor DeWine. "Ohio’s low and steady rates are a result of businesses adopting a culture of workplace safety."

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Governor DeWine and Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) Director Maureen Corcoran announced [ [link removed] ] that ODM has submitted a proposal to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to allow Ohio to reinstate a work requirement for individuals receiving Medicaid expansion benefits.

“As part of our work to empower people reach their full potential, we have a responsibility to make sure as many Ohioans as possible are on a pathway toward financial independence,” said Governor DeWine. “Reinstating our work requirement will promote self-sufficiency, it will give more people the purpose and pride that comes with a job, and it will improve the well-being of Ohio’s workforce.”

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Lawrence Friedeman [ [link removed] ]

Governor DeWine reappointed Lawrence K. Friedeman to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).  Friedeman was appointed to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) by Governor John R. Kasich in 2017 and reappointed to a second term by Governor DeWine in 2020. Friedeman’s current term expires April 10, 2025, and his new five-year term starts April 11th. 



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Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957







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