AGP Executive Report

Memorial Day Infrastructure & Travel: Overnight single-lane closures begin May 25 on Louisville’s I-64 bridge maintenance stretch from 2nd Street to the Sherman Minton Bridge, with work focused on steel/joint repairs, concrete patching, drainage upgrades, and protective coatings (about $8.8M), while drivers should also brace for a busy holiday push as AAA flags Memorial Day gas prices near four-year highs—Ohio averaging $4.76. Ohio Courts & Insurance: A Sixth Circuit ruling says Liberty Mutual’s unit can’t deny coverage to an Ohio property owner after a building fire during renovation, rejecting a fence-around-the-site requirement as unenforceable. Local Business & Health Access: In Central Indiana, HealthNet and AndHealth cut the ribbon on a new HealthNet Pharmacy at Barrington, aiming to reduce medication access barriers; in Ohio, Five Star Breaktime Solutions is expanding via its acquisition of West Chester Vending. Energy Watch: Cleveland-area electric bills are set to rise June 1 as Illuminating’s Standard Service Offer climbs 2.6%, with summer bills potentially topping $200. Construction Pipeline: East Liverpool unveiled plans for a nearly $37M Route 39 upgrade, including sidewalks, lighting, and a roundabout.

NIL Rules Clash: At Big Ten meetings, College Sports Commission CEO Bryan Seeley is drawing a hard line: enforce the NIL rules “as written,” even as schools warn the current third-party NIL deals are unsustainable and could fracture college sports. Public Safety Upgrade: ODOT is proposing a roundabout at a crash-prone Licking County intersection after years of wrecks at Routes 310 and 37. Human Trafficking Crackdown: Ohio AG Dave Yost announced results from “Operation Spring Cleaning,” arresting 84 people accused of trying to buy sex in Ohio. First Responder Readiness: Belmont County is buying respirator fit-testing equipment so fire departments and the sheriff’s office can meet annual OSHA requirements after a Martins Ferry explosion sickened firefighters. Local Growth Dollars: Downtown Building Renovation and Signage program applications open June 1 for Columbiana County’s walkable downtowns. Rare Visitor: A glossy ibis—normally a coastal bird—was spotted in the Ohio River Valley, drawing birders to the river area.

Data Center Cost Shock: Ohio’s big sales-tax break for data centers is costing far more than forecast—$555M in 2024 and $1.57B in 2025, plus another $166.8M in local tax losses—raising fresh questions about how the state priced the “savings” story. Public Health: The FDA issued a recall for 4,000+ bottles of vitamin supplements across 24 states after black particulate matter was flagged in a Miami-made product. Infrastructure & Industry: Oregon approved a new rate class for large data centers/crypto loads, pushing grid-upgrade costs onto operators via long-term utility contracts. Local Ohio Watch: A Medina County construction-zone crash sent one worker to the hospital after a semi struck parked vehicles. Community & Growth: Yellow Springs passed an emergency moratorium on new data center zoning approvals, while the Greater Cleveland Partnership argues bans/moratoriums just push projects elsewhere.

Refrigerant Crackdown: Kroger agreed to pay a $2.5M civil penalty and spend $100M over two years to retrofit or replace 600 refrigeration units after DOJ action over ozone-depleting refrigerant leaks. Rail Safety Push: A conservative coalition is backing the Trump administration’s effort to add the Railway Safety Act to a major surface transportation bill—an East Palestine-era fight now headed for a House Transportation Committee markup. Ohio Housing Momentum: A $4M Kendall Yards apartment project is underway, while Lima’s first Opportunity Zone capital investment—an 18-unit $4M townhome development—breaks ground. Local Infrastructure Upgrades: Cleveland Metroparks is expanding lakefront access with Gordon Park improvements and trail connectivity. Energy & Community Tension: Toledo residents raised concerns at a council committee meeting over a proposed solar field near the Maumee River. Compliance Watch: Ohio suspended a check-cashing company’s license after kiosk licensing noncompliance. Workforce Pipeline: Ohio is spotlighting registered apprenticeships as a growing career pathway.

Food Safety: Sugar Foods is recalling Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons (5-ounce pouches, UPC 0 11110 81353 4; “best if used by” Feb. 17, 2027–Apr. 7, 2027) across 17 states, including Ohio, after potential salmonella contamination tied to milk powder from California Dairies; no illnesses reported so far. Public Safety: A black bear sighting in Youngstown nearly led to a truck collision, and ODNR says bears are reestablishing in Ohio—residents are urged to secure trash, bird feeders, and pet food and back away calmly if they encounter one. Local Infrastructure: Lorain County’s SR 301 roundabout work will close Lagrange Road at Oberlin-Elyria Road in Carlisle Township for about 150 days through Oct. 15. Housing & Policy: A Trump-backed housing bill cleared the House after GOP changes, setting up a Senate fight. Industry & Jobs: Western Reserve Port Authority approved contracts for an aviation education center at YNG and other Mahoning County projects, with construction approvals pending federal sign-offs.

Ohio Quality of Life: Mentor, Ohio just landed at No. 88 on U.S. News’ Best Places to Live list—one of only two Ohio cities to make the 2026-27 cut, with affordability and job strength doing most of the heavy lifting. Workforce & Industry: Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel toured Austintown manufacturer Xaloy to spotlight WorkOhio and the state’s job-hub push for in-demand roles. Education-to-Work: Penn State Altoona is rolling out a College 2 Career program this fall, pairing classroom prep with paid employer work experiences. Public Safety: Ohio Highway Patrol is set for another statewide round of OVI sobriety checkpoints tonight across multiple counties. Local Business & Growth: Cleveland’s DigitalC earned a $4.35M performance payment after surpassing broadband access and digital skills targets. Health & Wellness: Earth and Essence IV Spa launched an upgraded Cleveland-area mobile IV hydration site and expanded infusion services. Community & Culture: Baldwin Wallace University finalized budget cuts, sunsetting 10 faculty positions and dozens of programs.

TSA Overhaul: TSA is rolling out TSA Gold+, a new public-private screening partnership meant to ease the kind of long airport lines that followed recent shutdowns—Ohio airports haven’t been named yet, but the program is launching nationwide in May 2026. Food Safety: Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons are recalled in 17 states, including Ohio, after a salmonella risk tied to a milk-powder ingredient supplier; no illnesses reported. Manufacturing & Supply: Ohio Power Tool is launching Ohio Fasteners to replace a closed Columbus fastener house, adding veteran staff and expanded warehouse capacity for contractors. Energy Materials: Graphite One switched its Ohio anode-material plan to a Conneaut site, citing power-infrastructure timing. Local Watch: Chillicothe’s Yoctangee Park access is shifting again—one entrance reopened, while a major intersection closure is planned through summer. Data Center Politics: New research finds most consumers know little about data centers and worry about power costs and grid reliability, even as job claims drive support.

State Budget Crunch: Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office is projecting a $5.7B deficit for the 2026-27 budget, with lawmakers still showing no clear plan to close the gap before the June 30 deadline—after last year’s late deal triggered missed payments and cuts. Public Safety & Courts: A federal probe tied to a Homeland Security Task Force has led to 15 charges in an Erie-area fentanyl/cocaine trafficking conspiracy, with defendants from Erie, Jamestown, and Ohio facing serious prison exposure. Local Infrastructure: Leetonia’s council approved a construction management-at-risk contract for phase four of its civic center project, aiming to reduce cost risk while the village moves through design and subcontractor oversight. Community & Education: Ohio University’s Music Industry Summit is drawing students and educators with free access, while local outdoor learning programs keep kids out of classrooms and into hands-on conservation lessons. Food Safety: Sugar Foods recalled Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons over possible Salmonella contamination tied to milk powder.

Navy Milestone: The USS Cleveland (LCS 31) was commissioned in Cleveland—marking the final Freedom-variant littoral combat ship entering active service. Healthcare Expansion: Nationwide Children’s opened a new 26th pediatric outpatient center in Grove City, adding urgent care, primary care, therapy, and more starting May 18. Local Business & Jobs: Chemed’s annual meeting in Cincinnati re-elected directors, kept PwC as auditor, and the board declared a 60-cent quarterly dividend. Energy & Grid: FERC approved PJM transmission cost updates for 2026, setting who pays for hundreds of projects tied to reliability upgrades. Ohio Watch: Toledo closed part of Jefferson Street near the long-vacant Hotel Lorraine after officials flagged bowing bricks and possible facade collapse risk. Policy Pressure: A News/Media Alliance push argues Ohio local journalism faces rising threats from costly, patchwork state privacy lawsuits. Tech & Security: Clean Pro’s early-2026 Ohio River Valley data suggests many homeowners are waiting over a year between gutter cleanings.

Inflation Pressure: A new consumer prices report shows April prices up 3.8%, keeping the affordability squeeze front and center as families feel the pinch. Energy & Industry: Thyssenkrupp says it will close its Terre Haute, Indiana automotive site by end-March 2027, while Ohio’s Hamilton facility will take on more of the chassis work. Healthcare Crackdown: Gov. DeWine unveils a plan to curb Medicaid fraud in Ohio home healthcare, including GPS-style tracking and a six-month pause on new providers joining Medicaid. Brownfield Money: Ohio awards $61 million in brownfield remediation grants across 75 counties, including multiple West Central Ohio projects. Ohio Business & Workforce: Systematic Business Services & Staffing Solutions opens in East Liverpool, targeting project staffing and technical training for energy and industrial work. Legal Watch: A major cannabis class action, Murray v. Cresco, is filed across 12 states, signaling rising insurance and litigation risk for large operators.

Data Center Backlash in Ohio: Ohio residents are packing meetings and pushing temporary bans as data centers multiply—232 statewide, with 137 in central Ohio—raising fears about health, environmental strain, and whether promised jobs and tax benefits will show up after construction. Courts & Politics: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a Virginia Democrats appeal over congressional redistricting, keeping maps that could preserve a Republican edge heading into midterms. AI & Governance: A new report says Trump officials and industry leaders worry the White House’s cyber-AI leadership isn’t moving fast enough on emerging hacking risks. Local Business Spotlight: Kent’s Bent Tree Coffee Roasters is drawing steady loyal customers with small-batch roasting and a cafe built for repeat visits. Culture & Education: Ohio University’s Music Industry Summit stays free for students and educators, giving aspiring journalists and music fans a direct line to working professionals.

Ohio Hemp Crackdown: Ohio’s new rules targeting intoxicating hemp-derived THC products are hitting businesses fast—owners warn of layoffs, pulled product lines, and sunk investments after the state shifted the regulatory goalposts. Local Governance: In Washington County, commissioners’ data-center NDA is now under scrutiny, with residents asking what protections exist and whether officials can stop projects after signing. Public Safety: Ohio State Highway Patrol is running OVI checkpoints tonight across 17 counties, paired with saturation patrols. Healthcare & Fraud: A fresh spotlight on “Medicaid millionaires” alleges Ohio home-health billing is being exploited, with investigators pointing to shell-company patterns and massive taxpayer bills. Energy & Costs: Gas prices stay volatile statewide as oil-market jitters tied to Iran keep pressure on supply and pricing. Community & Culture: Ohio University’s Music Industry Summit is drawing students with free access and industry-facing sessions, including music journalism opportunities.

Defense & Industry: Anduril says it has a framework deal with the U.S. Department of War to deliver at least 3,000 Surface-Launched Barracuda-500M cruise-missile drones to the Army, with the first batch due mid-2027—another sign Ohio’s defense supply chain is still accelerating. Public Safety & Health: Two patients from a deadly Maine lumber mill blast are in critical condition at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Local Government & Infrastructure: Avon Lake is rolling out salt brining with a $75K Ohio EPA grant, aiming to cut winter salt use while improving road safety. Community & Events: Columbus’ Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure got shortened and partially evacuated due to storms. Energy & Costs: Gas prices remain volatile as oil-market worries tied to the Iran conflict keep pressure on pump totals. Navy Spotlight: The USS Cleveland was commissioned in Cleveland, marking the latest Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship entering service.

Manufacturing & Jobs: Cooper Standard says it will close its Bowling Green plant by end of 2027, putting about 175 jobs at risk—though the city is already bracing after JVIS moves to preserve hundreds tied to Toledo Molding & Die. Economic Development: Ohio Gov. DeWine announced $61M in brownfield grants across 75 counties, including Franklin’s $1M cleanup of a former paper mill site aimed at mixed-use redevelopment. Local Government: Trumbull County commissioners approved bridge-load and speed-zone engineering work, plus a $395,750 emergency management renovation contract. Infrastructure: ODOT rolled out more Mahoning/Trumbull road adjustments, including lane changes around Howland Corners and multiple closures for pavement and bridge work. Health & Community: AHEPA’s Hancock County chapter is gearing up for a 100-year celebration in Weirton, while the American Heart Association named Northeast Ohio’s Woman of Impact and Teen of Impact winners. Business Growth: Litco expanded its crating operation in Lordstown, nearly tripling space and planning new hires.

Defense & Manufacturing: Anduril won a major U.S. Army production deal for 3,000+ Surface-Launched Barracuda-500M cruise missiles, with containerized launchers and deliveries starting in 2027—another sign Ohio’s industrial base is tied into long-range weapons buildouts. Energy & Grid Pressure: PJM’s own planning document points to data-center load growth as the reason forecasts were adjusted across Ohio zones, undercutting claims that the surge is just “normal demand.” Local Policy: Yellow Springs is weighing a year-long moratorium on large data centers, joining a growing list of Ohio communities pausing new builds. Courts & Trucking Safety: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled brokers can be sued over fatal crashes tied to unsafe trucking operators. Business & Jobs: JVIS acquired Toledo Molding & Die, keeping 629 manufacturing jobs in Bowling Green and Tiffin. Education & Workforce: BGSU’s roundtable brought together employers and schools to tackle AI and data-center talent needs. Community & Health: Ohio is set to receive $27M from the opioid settlement.

U.S.-China Diplomacy: President Trump wrapped up a two-day Beijing summit, touting “fantastic trade deals” and saying Xi aligned with the U.S. on Iran—plus talk of Xi helping with navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Ohio Brownfields & Jobs: Ohio awarded $61M in brownfield remediation grants statewide, including $1M for the YMCA in Youngstown and $935,520 for two Warren projects—aimed at turning contaminated sites into housing and mixed-use development. Local Manufacturing Growth: Ashore Manufacturing Group completed its acquisition of Concept-4 in the Mahoning Valley, keeping staff and operations while planning modernization. Public Spending Scrutiny: A county commissioner questioned conference travel costs and pushed for a new trip-report rule to show taxpayers the return on those trips. Energy Demand Pressure: AEP says power generation could nearly double by 2030, with about 90% of new demand tied to data centers, especially in Ohio and Texas. Weather Watch: Ohio is heading into a warm stretch, with highs near 90-plus in parts of the state.