Governor Mike DeWine




*WEEK IN REVIEW*
Friday, March 18, 2022

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

"For the week ending March 18, 2022

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On *Tuesday [ [link removed] ],?*Governor DeWine released the following statement regarding the death of former Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) Director Geno Natalucci-Persichetti.

?Fran and I were saddened to learn of the death of former DYS Director Geno Natalucci-Persichetti, the longest-serving director in the agency?s 41-year history. I had the pleasure of working with Geno during my time as Ohio's lieutenant governor, and I saw firsthand how passionate he was about the youth in his care. Geno was instrumental in the development and implementation of Ohio RECLAIM in the 1990s, which supports hundreds of community programs for at-risk youth across the state. His work most certainly changed many lives for the better. We send our deepest condolences to his wife Toni and their entire family.?

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Governor DeWine took part in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the expansion of ATS Industrial Automation's production facility.

Governor DeWine pictured with ATS representatives during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the expansion of ATS Industrial Automation's production facility.

On *Wednesday*,?Governor DeWine took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the expansion of ATS Industrial Automation's production facility in Lewis Center. ATS Ohio is expanding to make?machinery for General Motors' automated Ultium battery pack assembly lines and plans to add up to 100 additional jobs in 2022 to meet this demand.?

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Wireless Infrastructure Association Partnership as Next Step in Ohio?s Broadband Workforce Strategy

Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted, who serves as Director of the Governor?s Office of Workforce Transformation (OWT), announced on *Wednesday* that the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) will serve as the industry intermediary for Ohio?s Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership. The Ohio State University was awarded $3 million in January to host the Sector Partnership and identify a telecommunications industry partner to lead the effort. This announcement is part of a larger effort by OWT and BroadbandOhio to grow the workforce needed to expand broadband access and 5G in Ohio.

The ?Strengthening Ohio?s Broadband & 5G Workforce? Strategy, released in September 2021, calls for a Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership that will lead the implementation of the goals outlined in the strategy. As the industry intermediary, WIA will provide insight into the telecommunications skills gap and industry needs. The Sector Partnership will work to design and distribute curriculum and training programs across the state and promote career awareness to supply the industry with a skilled workforce.

?The Wireless Infrastructure Association has been a strong partner in our efforts to ensure Ohio has a skilled workforce for deploying critical telecommunications infrastructure,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?Industry input is essential to the Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership as they work to prepare Ohioans for these in-demand jobs.?

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Lt. Governor at the Swearing-In Ceremony

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On *Wednesday* night, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted stopped by Dayton for the U.S. Air Force anniversary and NCAA First Four festivities.?

Lt. Governor took part in the U.S. Air Force Swearing-In Ceremony where several men and women were recognized for their commitment to their country. Governor DeWine spoke during a press conference, about the NCAA First Four and congratulated the U.S. Air Force on its 75th anniversary.?


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Speakers gather for a photo after the Intel announcment

Pictured left to right: Intel Foundation President Pia Wilson-Body, Governor DeWine, CPO at Intel Christy Pambianchi, Chief Global Operations Officer at Intel Keyvan Esfarjani, First Lady Fran DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, Second Lady Tina Husted.

On *Thursday*, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted spoke at Columbus State Community College for Intel's education plan announcement.

Intel announced details of its investment in higher education and research, and plans to support educational initiatives across Ohio through collaborations with universities, community colleges, and technical educators.


* The full video of the announcement can be found on The Ohio Channel [ [link removed] ].
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Governor DeWine speaks to 60-plus organizations at the Ohio Summit on Ukrainian Refugees, which was hosted by ODJFS.

Governor DeWine speaks to over 60 organizations at the Ohio Summit on Ukrainian Refugees, hosted by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Also on *Thursday [ [link removed] ]*, Governor DeWine opened the Ohio Summit on Ukrainian Refugees at St. Vladimir Grand Hall in Parma. Hosted by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), the event brought together various organizations to ensure Ohio is ready to help, should it be asked to accept Ukrainian refugees.

?We are gathered today because we are concerned about the people of Ukraine. We are concerned about families who have been forced out of their homes, their neighborhoods, and their country because of the unprovoked, brutal invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin and his military,? said Governor DeWine. ?But we are here to get started, to plan, to get ready, and to brainstorm so we are prepared if, as a state, we are asked to help support those families.?

More than 110 people attended, representing at least 60 organizations, including resettlement agencies, faith-based organizations, charities, and others with an interest in the well-being of Ukrainians. They heard presentations from federal and state officials, as well as panel discussions regarding the resettlement process, and the refugee experience. The day ended with a networking session that allowed community organizations to ask questions and exchange ideas with others wanting to help displaced individuals.

?None of us know if, or when, we might be called upon to provide assistance,? said ODJFS Director Matt Damschroder.? ?But that doesn?t mean we shouldn?t be prepared so Ohio can be the most effective in helping any potential refugees. This is the perfect time and opportunity to bring together the many organizations that could play a role in the relocation of Ukrainian families.?


* Watch the Ohio Summit on Ukrainian Refugees on The Ohio Channel [ [link removed] ].
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Governor DeWine speaks at the BroadbandOhio announcement.

Governor DeWine speaks on the newly announced broadband expansion projects.

On *Friday [ [link removed] ]*, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted announced new broadband expansion projects that will make affordable, high-speed internet available to nearly 100,000 households in Ohio that currently don't have access to reliable internet connectivity.

This morning, the Broadband Expansion Authority authorized?BroadbandOhio [ [link removed] ]?to award more than $232 million in grants to 11 internet service providers as part of the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant Program. The funding will be used to cover the ?broadband funding gap [ [link removed] ]? associated with 33 broadband expansion projects impacting 31 counties.

"High-speed internet is no longer a luxury - it?s a critical necessity for everything from school to work to healthcare,? said Governor DeWine. ?We must end the digital divide in our state, and by giving our rural and unserved areas access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet, we will enhance economic growth in these communities and bring about new opportunities for residents.?

Lt. Governor Husted announces the recipients of BroadbandOhio's grants.

The 33 awards announced Friday will directly fund projects to bring affordable, high-speed internet access to more than 43,000 Ohio homes. As part of the grant process, several providers also committed to independently fund 71 other broadband expansion projects serving approximately 52,000 households and impacting 31 additional counties.?

In total, BroadbandOhio estimates that around 230,000 residents will have improved broadband availability thanks to the 104 new expansion projects.

?These awards will help our local private- and public-sector partners expand high-speed, affordable internet in areas of Ohio that are currently unserved or underserved,? Lt. Governor Husted said. ?You can?t be part of the modern economy, education system and health care system without access to broadband ? it is a necessity. This effort will help connect hundreds of thousands of Ohioans who have been left behind until now.?


Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Impact________________________________________________________________________

Governor DeWine signed five bills [ [link removed] ] into law this week:?House Bill 136 [ [link removed] ],?House Bill 158 [ [link removed] ],?House Bill 184 [ [link removed] ],?House Bill 265 [ [link removed] ], and?Senate Bill 215 [ [link removed] ].

Additionally,?Governor DeWine signed?Executive Order 2022-03D [ [link removed] ]?authorizing emergency rules to quickly and efficiently distribute COVID-19 relief funds to hospice providers, nursing facilities, and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

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