I am pleased to provide this recap of JobsOhio’s Q1 2026 Public Board of Directors meeting from SNC’s Aviation Innovation Technology Center in Dayton. The day before, we cut the ribbon on SNC’s newest hangar – its fourth in four years and a result of the partnership between SNC, JobsOhio, and the Dayton Development Coalition. That evening, we visited the National Museum of the United States Air Force to mark the 20th anniversary of the F-22 Raptor’s initial operating capability with Air Force leadership and JobsOhio network partners.
In an exceptional stroke of good timing, we watched the Artemis II lift off in a room full of Ohioans from Wright-Patterson and NASA Glenn who had contributed to the mission. Being surrounded by men and women who have dedicated their careers to protecting our nation and advancing space exploration reminds us why this work matters.
A link to the full Q1 2026 JobsOhio Board Meeting can be found HERE.
2025: A Historic Year for Growth
Since identifying a generational opportunity in 2019 – U.S. reindustrialization, reshoring, and onshoring – JobsOhio and our partners have positioned Ohio to compete and win:
We have completed more than 3,117 projects, a 59% increase over the prior period.
Those projects created more than 159,000 direct new jobs.
New payroll grew 35% to $9.2 billion.
Capital investment more than doubled to $99.38 billion, a 117% increase.
And the 2025 results confirm Ohio’s national standing:
We ranked #5 in CNBC’s top states for business – the highest in our history.
Ohio accounted for 7.7% of all new U.S. jobs but only 3.5% of U.S. population.
We ranked third nationally for total projects per capita and, for a third straight year, placed first for infrastructure
Ohio achieved a AAA bond rating from all three major credit agencies for the first time in state history, a rating shared by 13 other states.
And net domestic in-migration was positive for the second consecutive year – the first sustained reversal in decades.
It was a historic year for Ohio, and Ohio earned these results. This success is happening across every region of the state.
Spotlight on Dayton
Here in Dayton, led by Jeff Hoagland and the Dayton Development Coalition, our Advanced Aviation and Defense Super Sector continues its rapid growth. Since JobsOhio added Military and Federal as a target sector in 2020, we have been building an ecosystem where military and commercial aerospace can design, build, test, and scale innovations. SNC’s heavy maintenance and overhaul work serves both civilian aviation and national defense. A big thanks to our sector lead, Kevin Chambers, for his contributions. The video we shared at the meeting captured the scope of what Ohio has built in this sector – and the companies, from SNC to Anduril, that are choosing Ohio because of it.
To see the scope of what Ohio has built in this sector and the companies, from SNC to Anduril, that are choosing Ohio because of it, watch the video.
Momentum in Every Region
Across the state, investment continued at scale in 2025.
SOUTHEAST OHIO: Led by Matt Abbott and the Ohio Southeast team, the region anchors Ohio’s dynamic energy sector. Centrus’ Piketon expansion adds 300 jobs to the only U.S. uranium enrichment location to use American technology. The Oklo and Meta agreement puts Pike County at the forefront of next-gen nuclear energy. Vertiv’s advanced manufacturing expansion in Ironton adds over 500 jobs – the region’s largest job creation project since JobsOhio’s 2011 founding – benefiting Lawrence and surrounding counties and bringing even more jobs to Appalachia. In addition, the Trump Administration, Japan’s SoftBank, and AEP Ohio recently announced the nation’s largest AI and energy generation project, including $33 billion for 9.2 gigawatts of new natural gas power and up to $500 billion for the PORTS Technology Campus. As described, this project is expected to create 2,000 direct jobs, 10,000 construction jobs, and tens of thousands of indirect jobs.
NORTHWEST OHIO: Led by Dean Monske and the Regional Growth Partnership team, First Quality Tissue added $300 million and 400 jobs in Fulton County to its existing $984 million investment in Defiance County, and Stellantis committed $400 million to Toledo, supporting 900 new jobs.
CINCINNATI REGION: Led by Kimm Lauterbach and her team at REDI Cincinnati, Cencora is opening a second national distribution center in Harrison, and Great Day Improvements will add nearly 1,000 jobs statewide, and Oats Overnight continues to expand with credit to JobsOhio’s Food and Ag Managing Director Tim Derrickson as well.
THE MAHONING VALLEY: Led by Dani Robbins and the team at Lake to River, Kimberly-Clark’s $800 million investment in Warren will create nearly 500 jobs, and Vallourec Star’s expansion in Youngstown adds to a growing $1.5 billion partnership.
NORTHEAST OHIO: Led by Matt Dolan and Team NEO, Aer Lingus expanded service at Cleveland Hopkins. Canon Healthcare USA is investing $30 million in the Cleveland Innovation District, and the region led the state in small business projects in 2025. And the Cleveland Clinic and Sherwin-Williams continue to drive a dynamic regional economy.
CENTRAL OHIO: Amgen’s $1.4 billion biopharmaceutical campus will bring 750 jobs, with its second packaging plant on track to open in May 2027. Welcome Jonas Peterson as One Columbus’ new president and CEO. Thanks to Jason Hall for his leadership at the Columbus Partnership and to Matt McCollister for outstanding service during his tenure, which ushered in Amgen’s $900 million expansion, and Hims & Hers’ new 400 job facility. Thanks also to JobsOhio’s Managing Director of Healthcare, Tyler Alchin, for his work in bringing these projects to life.
Every Ohio region has assets to compete. Every region is gaining momentum.
Preparing the Talent Pipeline
That momentum creates real pressure on our talent pipeline. By the mid-2030s, Ohio will need at least 540,000 additional engineers, technicians, AI experts, and operators. Our talent strategy is straightforward: attract, retain, and develop.
ATTRACT: We are attracting talent through the JobsOhio Relocation Incentive, FindYourOhio.com, and the Ohio Discovery Corridor.
RETAIN: We are retaining through Talent Acquisition Services.
DEVELOP: And we are developing through the JobsOhio Workforce Grant, the Ohio Life Science Training Center, the Biomanufacturing Workforce Initiative, and AI training programs.
Lieutenant Governor Tressel’s WorkOhio initiative is strengthening these efforts. We are also reaching out to new audiences – including those who have been out of the workforce and veterans – to fill the jobs Ohio’s growth is creating.
Board Member Reflections
After concluding my report, Chair Rubin thanked each member of the JobsOhio Board of Directors for their volunteer service to the people of Ohio and invited them to share 2025 reflections.
NET MIGRATION: Echoing Governor DeWine to quote Woody Hayes, “You win with people,” Board member Rick Platt highlighted the growth of net migration in the working age population for 77 of Ohio’s 88 counties, predicting, “We are gonna win with people.”
ENERGY: Board member Lori Gillett opened by referencing energy developments from my report, which included thanks to Dana Saucier and Matt Cybulski. House Bill 15 passed last year to streamline permitting, reduce taxes on new generation equipment, and expand behind-the-meter generation. In October, Governor DeWine announced the JobsOhio Energy Opportunity Initiative – a $100 million commitment over five years to expand access to natural gas, nuclear energy, and a specialized workforce for industrial users. She pointed Southeast Ohio wins as evidence Ohio is a national powerhouse playing a critical role in meeting America’s energy needs and believes our state has the right strategy to become a global leader.
TALENT AND JOBS: Board member Dr. Jerry Sue Thornton emphasized the importance of attracting projects to putting people to work and keeping them there and stressed JobsOhio's commitment to driving growth statewide. She highlighted the Ohio Site Inventory Program's announcement of the new Butler Tech Aviation Center, a $6.1 million facility supporting aviation maintenance, flight training, and aerospace engineering. She noted its potential to attract manufacturing, warehousing, and light industrial development to the area.
LIFE SCIENCES: Board member Lillian Kuri reported that over the past five years, JobsOhio has supported more than 70 life sciences companies investing in Ohio, creating more than 11,000 jobs with average salaries above $79,000. Highlighting the Ohio Life Sciences Training Center plan and $30 million JobsOhio seed investment announced in September 2025, she mentioned recent news it will be located at the Albany International Business Park where it will prepare graduates for on-demand operator roles in biopharma manufacturing to be workforce-ready from day one.
LEADERSHIP: Board member Tom Williams reflected on Ohio’s recognition as a national leader in economic development with its top spot at number three in Site Selection magazine's annual Governor's Cup rankings for the fourth consecutive year. Williams also noted that eight Ohio micropolitan cities with populations under 50,000 placed in the top 20 nationally: Findlay, Wooster, Fremont, Tiffin, Greenville, Defiance, Norwalk, and Sidney. He also stressed the importance of JobsOhio’s projects supporting 47,000 construction jobs annually, representing $3.2 billion in payroll.
Onward and Upward
Seven years ago, we identified a generational opportunity to rebuild Ohio’s industrial core. Since then, Ohio has completed 3,117 projects, attracted nearly $100 billion in capital investment, and improved to #5 in the national business climate ranking. Companies are seeking and choosing to locate here. Families are choosing Ohio to pursue their versions of the American dream. The conversation about Ohio has changed because the reality has changed.
I want to thank Governor DeWine and his Administration for their partnership, the JobsOhio Board for their volunteer service and leadership, and the outstanding professionals at JobsOhio and our seven network partners for making sure that a win for any region is a win for the entire state. Let’s Grow, Together.
Very respectfully,
J.P. Nauseef
President & Chief Executive Officer
JobsOhio