WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, April 1, 2022

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

For the week ending April 1, 2022

On Monday,?Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced the approval of assistance for eight projects set to create 1,884 new jobs and retain 838 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. Collectively, the projects are expected to result in more than $129 million in new payroll and spur more than $1 billion in investments across Ohio.

On Tuesday,?Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted, who serves as Director of the Governor?s Office of Workforce Transformation, announced that the fifth annual In-Demand Jobs Week will take place during the first full week of May, from May 2 ? 6.?

?In-Demand Jobs Week is a great chance for businesses to open their doors and showcase the many top jobs, industries and skills across Ohio,? said Governor DeWine. ?The best way to find out if a job is for you is to try it out, and students will have that opportunity to do just that.?

?During In-Demand Jobs Week, we shine a light on career opportunities that give job seekers a path toward new, high-paying jobs in fields where Ohio businesses are hiring immediately,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?This year, we are specifically bringing awareness to jobs that pay over $50,000 a year and require less than a year of training, giving Ohioans a clear path to their next opportunity.?

In-Demand Jobs Week is designed to promote Ohio?s most in-demand and fastest-growing industries through statewide hiring, education, and training events. This year, In-Demand Jobs Week will highlight Ohio?s top jobs that pay more than $50,000 per year and don?t require a degree or years of training?just a credential.

Lt. Governor Husted speaks to members of the Alpha Fi Alpha Fraternity in the Ohio Statehouse.

Lt. Governor Husted spoke?to members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Wednesday morning about the Intel?project and how Ohio is strengthening its workforce.

In honor of the life and legacy of Bluffton Police Officer Dominic Francis, Governor DeWine?ordered?on Thursday that flags of the United States and the State of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Allen and Hancock counties, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower. Flags shall remain lowered until sunset on the day of his funeral.

Governor DeWine announces the launch of a new National Integrated Ballistic Information Network Initiative.

As part of the new Ohio Ballistics Testing Initiative, the Ohio Department of Public Safety?s Office of Criminal Justice Services will award a total of $10.5 million to the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) to increase the number of National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) units in Ohio from seven to 16.? The joint initiative will?provide more?opportunities for law enforcement to submit firearm evidence for scientific analysis, while simultaneously decreasing turnaround time on testing results.??

?We must do more to hold accountable the small number of dangerous criminals who are responsible for most of the gun violence in our state -- the convicted felons who have lost their right to possess firearms, yet they continue to carry and use guns to hurt and kill people,? said Governor DeWine. ?By more than doubling the number of NIBIN units in Ohio, we?ll give our local law enforcement partners easier access to this crime-solving technology to help develop investigative leads that result in arrests. With the help of this initiative, we are confident that more gunmen?will be brought to justice, future shootings will be prevented, and lives will be saved."?

Lt. Governor Husted announces a broadband expansion project as part of the Governor and Lt. Governor's BroadbandOhio Connectivity Grant program.

On Thursday, Lt. Governor Husted announced a broadband expansion project in Mt. Healthy that will provide high-speed internet to approximately 3,000 residents and create public hotspots around the city. Thursday's announcement is part of Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted's?BroadbandOhio Connectivity Grant program to enhance and expand high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved Ohioans.

The State of Ohio, Hamilton County, Mt. Healthy City Schools, and the City of Mt. Healthy have partnered with altafiber to increase digital equity and drive more access to educational, healthcare, and employment opportunities through broadband Internet.

Through the partnership, altafiber and its Smart City organization ? branded as UniCity ? will deliver fiber-enabled, high-speed public Wi-Fi to the following apartment complexes: Clovernook Apartments, Compton Lake, Burney View, and Lake of the Woods. In total this represents 828 apartment units that will have access to the public Wi-Fi. ?

In addition, altafiber will provide high-speed public Wi-Fi in Mt. Healthy City Park and the Central Business District of Mt. Healthy along Hamilton Avenue (from Kemper Avenue to Adams Road) and along Compton Road (from Hamilton Avenue to Clovernook Avenue). The community will be able to access the high-speed public Wi-Fi through a splash page at ?_MtHealthyFreeWi-Fi.? ?

Lake of the Woods, Burney View, and the City Park are fully functional today. Clovernook and the Central Business District are under construction. The remaining locations are expected to be completed in approximately 90 days.

?You can?t be part of the modern economy, education system, and health care system without access to broadband ? it is a necessity,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?Thousands of residents will now have access in their homes, and everyone can enjoy high-speed Internet in spots around Mt. Healthy.?

Lt. Governor Husted speaks on Ohio?s cyber priorities and goals at the Ohio Innovation Technology Association's?Cybersecurity Summit.

Additionally on Thursday, Lt. Governor Husted?talked about the state's workforce outlook and the administration's pro-business efforts at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting.?

He also stopped by the Ohio Innovation Technology Association's Cybersecurity Summit where he talked about Ohio's cyber priorities and goals.?

Lt. Governor Husted thanks members of the Ohio National Guard for their service to the state.

On Friday, Lt. Governor Husted?attended the Ohio National Guard?Joint Senior Leaders Conference where he thanked the Commanders for their valuable work.

Governor DeWine announces a new $1.2 million Vibrant Community Grant from JobsOhio that will invest in Lima?s Central District Project.

Also on Friday, Governor DeWine joined Speaker Bob Cupp, members of the Allen Economic Development Group, JobsOhio, and others to announce a $1.2 million Vibrant Community Grant from JobsOhio that will invest in Lima?s Central District Project to help fuel economic development and revitalization.

Millions have been invested locally to renovate the four blighted buildings and add green space for mixed-use purposes while improving an economically distressed neighborhood. When compete, the Central District will improve the quality of life and attractiveness of the surrounding area to other investors and will attract new investment and jobs.??

Governor DeWine speaks about ongoing efforts to help Ukrainian refugees.

Governor DeWine joined?DeCoach Rehabilitation Center, Matthew 25 Ministries, and EMERGE Recovery & Trade Initiative Friday afternoon as they discussed their efforts to help?Ukrainian refugees.???

In honor of the life and legacy of Gunnery Sgt. James W. Speedy, Governor DeWine?ordered on Friday?that flags of the United States and the State of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Guernsey County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower. Flags shall remain lowered until sunset on the day of his funeral, Saturday, April 9, 2022.

Governor DeWine made the following appointment this week:

• Elizabeth J. Schuller to the Napoleon Municipal Court in Henry County

Additionally, the Governor signed House Bill 597, sponsored by Representative Scott Oelslager, into law -- ensuring that over $2 billion in state capital projects in every one of Ohio?s eighty-eight counties can continue.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957