WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, September 2, 2022

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

For the week ending September 2, 2022

On Monday, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted announced the approval of assistance for 10 projects set to create 767 new jobs and retain 2,032 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 $68 million in new payroll and spur more than $318.4 million in investments across Ohio.

Also on Monday, Governor DeWine announced that Ohio will observe the state’s second annual Overdose Awareness Day on Wednesday, Aug. 31 and begin recognition of September’s Recovery Month. Established in 2021 by Senate Bill 30, Ohio Overdose Awareness Day aims to raise public awareness and remember the lives lost to the ongoing national opioid epidemic.

As part of this year’s observance, RecoveryOhio announced the creation of Naloxone.Ohio.gov, a new resource that provides Ohioans with a simplified process for obtaining free naloxone, a life-saving drug used to reverse an opioid overdose. The new website makes requesting naloxone as seamless as possible for all Ohioans, whether they are a first responder, community member, or distribution site, and enhances access to prevention and treatment information.

“Overdoses impact us all,” said Governor DeWine. “We know that naloxone is a critical tool in Ohio’s fight against addiction and, ultimately, makes our communities safer. I encourage Ohioans to use Naloxone.Ohio.gov and carry naloxone.”

Lt. Governor Husted and State Representative Haraz Ghanbari with Northwest Ohio Sheriffs and Prosecutors.

Lastly on Monday,  Lt. Governor Husted traveled to Bowling Green to lead a roundtable discussion with Northwest Ohio Sheriffs and Prosecutors that focused on Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted’s public safety priorities, historic investment in law enforcement, and strategies to protect Ohio officers and communities.

On Tuesday, Governor DeWine ordered that the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state from sunrise until sunset on August 31, 2022 to honor the lives lost to overdose and to recognize and raise awareness for Ohio Overdose Awareness Day.

The First Lady reading to a group of students in East Cleveland.

Also on Tuesday, the First Lady, joined by Governor DeWine, made stops in Lorain County and Cuyahoga County to promote Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio.

Lastly on Tuesday, Governor DeWine traveled to the Morrow and Stark county fairs. 

On Wednesday, Governor DeWine released the 2021 RecoveryOhio Annual Review in observance of the state's second annual Overdose Awareness Day, which gives a detailed overview of the work that RecoveryOhio has done to improve prevention, treatment, and recovery support efforts that address the state’s public health crisis – mental health and substance use.

“As we recognize the state's second annual Overdose Awareness Day, I am proud of the efforts underway to help those who are struggling, but more work remains to be done. My administration, RecoveryOhio, and the RecoveryOhio Advisory Council are committed to addressing the behavioral health needs in this state so that every Ohioan can live up to their God-given potential,” said Governor DeWine. “I am confident that through our continued collective and holistic efforts, Ohio can lead the nation in recovery and behavioral health services and support."

Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted visiting Ultium Cells.

Also on Wednesday, Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and JobsOhio President JP Nauseef took a private tour of Ultium Cells in Warren. Once fully operational, Ultium Cells will employ approximately 1,300 workers to mass produce lithium-ion battery cells for electric vehicles. Ultium Cells is a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution. 

Lastly on Wednesday, Lt. Governor Jon Husted traveled to FIT Technologies in Cleveland to participate in a roundtable discussion about how the company is benefiting from TechCred, a program that helps Ohioans learn new tech-focused skills while helping employers build a stronger workforce so they can be competitive in today’s economy. As part of the roundtable, Lt. Governor Husted, who serves as Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, announced the results of July’s round of TechCred in which 348 employers were approved for funding, providing the opportunity for Ohioans to earn 3,855 tech-focused credentials. This most recent round marks the 15th application period of the program with manufacturing and construction topping the list of industries applying for tech-infused credentials.  In July, Lt. Governor Husted announced that TechCred officially reached and exceeded the goal set in the state budget to fund 20,000 industry-recognized, tech-based credentials each year.  “TechCred has proven its importance to Ohio businesses and their employees, especially as we continue to see the program grow and be successful,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “Giving Ohioans the opportunity to upskill or reskill themselves is vital to our economy and workforce.”

Governor DeWine swearing in Ohio State Highway Patrol Colonel Charles A. Jones.

On Thursday, Governor DeWine took part in the official promotion ceremony for Ohio State Highway Patrol Colonel Charles A. Jones and Lieutenant Colonel Joshua M. Swindell.

Governor DeWine announced the appointment of Colonel Jones to the position of Ohio State Highway Patrol superintendent earlier this month. He replaces former Colonel Richard S. Fambro who retired after 32 years of service.

Also on Thursday, Lt. Governor Husted, Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, announced the launch of the newly designed "Broadband Infrastructure Training Program" at Buckeye Hills Career Center in Rio Grande. Students will go through an approximately 12-week interactive learning journey that includes the design, installation and service components of broadband networks. Along with the technical understanding of broadband technologies and associated hands-on exercises, the training emphasizes the safety, customer service and digital literacy aspects of the network buildout process. Graduates of this program will help supply the telecommunications industry in Ohio with the talent needed to expand broadband access in the state.  “If we are going to expand high-speed internet, we’re going to need a workforce," said Lt. Governor Husted. "It’s not just going to happen on its own, it takes leadership from local educational institutions to help recruit the students and build their skills, which leads to great career opportunities and the workforce we need to build the infrastructure."

Governor DeWine with officials from Zane State College and AEP.

Lastly on Thursday, Governor DeWine visited Zane State College to learn about their Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering program. The program was designed in partnership with AEP to meet the area’s critical need for an electric utility workforce.

The program is the perfect example of how our state's colleges and employers can partner to bring opportunities for Ohio students. Students will be fully prepared to make a good living while meeting this critical workforce need. 

On Friday, Governor DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is now accepting applications for funding as part of the Local Major Bridge Program, which provides federal funds to counties and municipalities for bridge replacement, bridge rehabilitation, and bridge demolition projects.

Governor DeWine announced in April that more locally-owned bridges would be eligible for funding as part of this program. Modified program requirements opened eligibility to 238 bridges, up from 54. During the current funding cycle, the program will pay up to 95 percent of the construction and engineering costs for major bridge projects with a cap of $20 million.

“Expanding the number of eligible bridges in this program gives more communities the opportunity to seek assistance with expensive repairs,” said Governor DeWine. "Ensuring that Ohio bridges are safe now and into the future is our goal, and this program helps accomplish that.”

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957