On Monday, the National Park Service
announced the designation of Montgomery County (City of Dayton),
Ohio as an American World War II Heritage City. Montgomery County
(City of Dayton) is the only designation in the State of Ohio, and
it joins only 17 other communities across the United States that
received this designation today. The 18 newly designated communities
join Wilmington, North Carolina that was designated in 2020.
This recognition honors Ohio's powerful role in our nation's
defense over the decades.
Also on Monday, Governor Mike DeWine and JobsOhio, the state's
private economic development corporation announced The J.M. Smucker
Co. will construct an R&D facility focused on testing new product
innovation and investigating opportunities to enhance manufacturing
productivity on the company's Orrville campus.
“Smucker’s has been part of the fabric of Ohio for more than a
century,” said Governor DeWine. “From selling apple butter on a
horse drawn wagon in 1897 to laying the groundwork for a new
research and development facility in 2022 – we’re grateful that
Smucker’s legacy will continue to grow in Ohio.”
On Tuesday, Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted
announced that 2,277 blighted and vacant structures in 42 counties
will be demolished to pave the way for new economic development and
housing opportunities across the state.
The buildings will be razed as part of Governor DeWine’s Ohio
Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program. The DeWine-Husted
Administration created the program to help local communities
demolish dilapidated commercial and residential buildings and
revitalize surrounding properties to attract investments,
businesses, and jobs.
“We’re not just tearing down dilapidated buildings; we’re helping
to make communities across the state better places to start a
business, raise a family, and build a bright future,” said Governor
DeWine. “This isn’t just a win for 42 counties, it’s a win for all
of Ohio.”
The projects announced today are in addition to the 825 demolition
projects announced in October.
“This funding is helping our communities transform forgotten
properties into productive spaces that can once again play an
important role in growing our economy,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted.
Also on Tuesday, in honor of the lives lost on December 7, 1941 in
the attack on Pearl Harbor, 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 of Ohio
from midnight to midnight on December 7, 2022.
On Wednesday, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced
the approval of assistance for 14 projects set to create 1,663 new
jobs and retain 3,457 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 $99.7 million in new payroll and
spur more than $202.6 million in investments across Ohio. Crane
Carrier Co. LLC, city of New Philadelphia (Tuscarawas County) and
Bellisio Foods Inc., city of Jackson (Jackson County) were among the
projects approved for assistance.
Also on Wednesday, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted
announced state support for 12 mixed-use development projects that
are expected to create more than $1.29 billion in new payroll and
$2.3 billion in investments across Ohio.
The projects are receiving state support as part of the second
round of the Transformational Mixed-Use Development Program.
Projects will include the construction or redevelopment of more than
5.3 million square feet of transformational space to create new
housing, retail, dining, office, lodging, and entertainment
opportunities.
“These projects will transform not only the sites themselves, but also
the look and feel of entire neighborhoods,” said Governor DeWine.
“We’re changing the face of these communities and bringing Ohio into
the future. I’m looking forward to seeing the tremendous change
these projects create in their communities.”
“These projects will give new life to these communities and
neighbors,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. “These awards will
leverage additional private sector investment that will create jobs
and improve the quality of life.”
Lastly on Wednesday, Governor DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine
celebrated a major milestone with the Dolly Parton's Imagination
Library of Ohio. More than 50% of eligible children – birth to age 5
– are now enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio,
which means 362,295 Ohio children will receive a free book in the
mail this month.
“It’s wonderful to travel Ohio’s 88 counties, read an Imagination
Library book to children, and hear about the impact these books are
having on Ohio’s families,” said Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine. “And
research shows these books spark interest in reading and improve
kindergarten readiness. Now that we’ve hit more than 50 percent
enrollment, I will continue working to enroll even more families,"
said the First Lady.
On Thursday, Governor DeWine joined
members of the Ohio Expositions Commission to review the master plan
framework that will serve as a launching point to modernize and
enhance the Ohio Expo Center and Ohio State Fair for the future.
On Friday, Governor DeWine applauded Brown County’s Ohio Sobriety
Treatment and Reducing Trauma (START) program for becoming the
country’s first certified START program. Ohio START is an affiliate
of the national START model that helps parents achieve recovery,
improve parental capacity, and keep children in the home when it is
safe and possible.
“We brought Ohio START to southern Ohio in 2017 when I was Attorney
General,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Since then, many agencies have
worked together to keep kids in their homes, prevent child abuse,
and get parents treatment so they can be the parents their children
need.”
Also on Friday, Governor DeWine and Ohio Department of Natural
Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz announced that ODNR has begun
outfitting all natural resources and wildlife officers with body
cameras.
“Body cameras are becoming an increasingly important piece of
technology in all areas of law enforcement," said Governor DeWine.
"These new cameras have the ability to protect natural resources and
wildlife officers while also offering transparency to the public."
Lt. Governor Husted speaking at
Chemtrade's groundbreaking ceremony.
Lastly on Friday, Lt. Governor Husted traveled to Cairo for a
groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate Chemtrade’s $50 million
investment which will significantly expand production capacity and
improve product quality at their current site. The expansion will
support and enhance the company’s ultrapure sulfuric acid product
line that is a vital input to the semiconductor manufacturing
industry in the United States. |