DeWine-Husted Budget Proposal Jumps in with Both Feet to Address Workforce Crisis

In a booming economy with the large Baby-Boom generation retiring, employers everywhere are asking government and economic development leaders for help to address the lack of skilled workers jeopardizing economic success. In fact, a recent study found that 65% of Ohioans need a bachelors’ degree, associate degree or certificate for the state to serve just […]

School Funding Debate Again the Center of State Operating Budget Battle

Few topics garner debate more in a state operating budget than how Ohio funds its K-12 schools. Ohio House Bill 166, Governor Mike Dewine’s state operating budget, and the response of legislators on the K-12 education funding prove the current operating budget will battle will be no different than past efforts. Ohio funds its traditional […]

Ohio Opportunity Zone Tax Credit Could Attract Investments to Underserved Communities

As a part of Governor DeWine’s Investing in Ohio’s Future budget, the Governor proposed the creation of the Ohio Opportunity Zone Investment Credit. The newly created Opportunity Zone Investment Credit and the Ohio Qualified Opportunity Fund are modeled after the Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The federal tax reform legislation established the […]

Local Government Funding a Focus of DeWine Operating Budget

Local governments have felt the pinch in a steady decline of state government funding to their coffers. Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted in their recent budget release are making a commitment to the state’s local government partners. Governor DeWine demonstrated that partnership in his first budget proposal with the transportation budget and the increase […]

Workforce and talent will continue to be driving forces in site location, retention, and expansion decisions.

Workforce and talent will continue to be driving forces in site location, retention, and expansion decisions.By Rebecca Kusner of R4Workforce We’ll see communities adapting and integrating new technology, businesses identifying and hiring for skills, and job-seekers/workers picking jobs based on the quality of the workplace in 2019. Role of technology. From Artificial Intelligence to block […]

State Legislatures Embracing Opportunity Zone Incentives

State government leaders across the union are embracing the federal Opportunity Zone program in an effort to create a range of new state government incentives designed to jump start this new federal government program in the 8700 federal certified Opportunity Zone sites. Arkansas S.B. 196. Enacted February 26, 2019. Legislation was passed by both houses […]