AGP Executive Report

Energy & Cost of Living: GasBuddy reports Logan County’s lowest midgrade price at $4.08 for the week ending Aug. 15, with Ohio midgrade averaging $4.65—another reminder that drivers are still feeling global oil and refinery swings. AI Power & Local Politics: Sen. Bernie Moreno warns Ohio’s data-center boom could trigger backlash over energy grid strain in the midterms, as voters increasingly tie electricity costs and community impacts to AI expansion. Manufacturing & Investment: Cleveland-Cliffs is pushing a major Middletown Works modernization with a $1B investment, part of a broader push to keep steel production competitive. Business & Legal: An Ohio manufacturer, Starr Manufacturing, is suing a woman over a one-star Google review, alleging false claims about quality and manufacturing failures. Finance: Ohio Valley Banc Corp. extended its stock buyback program through Aug. 31, 2027, authorizing up to $5M in repurchases. Local Economy & Infrastructure: Dayton is rolling out a 2026 sustainability plan aimed at cutting emissions while improving neighborhoods and quality of life through 2036.

Steel Investment in Middletown: Vice President JD Vance joined Sen. Jon Husted and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright to tout Cleveland-Cliffs’ $1 billion modernization at Middletown Works, backed by a rescoped $500 million DOE award—aimed at strengthening U.S. steelmaking and supporting thousands of construction and union jobs. AI Data Centers & Politics: A leaked GOP memo and broader reporting keep tying Ohio’s AI data center boom to election risk, with cross-party voter backlash focused on electricity, water, subsidies, and local control. Energy Costs & Utility Relief: Ohio regulators and utilities are juggling data-center demand with consumer protection, as AEP Ohio and data center partners pledge $18M to help customers pay electric bills while PUCO sets processes to limit potential cost impacts. Local Business & Retail: KFC closed more than 300 locations nationwide over the past year, including 18 in Ohio, signaling pressure on fast-food footprints even as Yum! Brands reports growth. Scams Watch: BBB Scam Tracker updates show Ohio cities still seeing fraud losses—Trenton logged one employment scam in July, while other small-city reports continue to surface across the state. Ohio Industry Pulse: GasBuddy price checks highlight ongoing fuel volatility, with select counties posting notably low E15/E85 and midgrade prices in the week ending Aug. 15.

Steel & Manufacturing: Cleveland-Cliffs says its Middletown Works modernization is now a $1B effort, backed by a revised $500M U.S. DOE grant plus company funding, aiming to upgrade ironmaking tech and keep automotive-grade steel production competitive. Energy Affordability: AEP Ohio and multiple data center firms announced $18M+ in extra help for customers through the Neighbor to Neighbor bill-grant program, with Meta, QTS, Amazon, SoftBank Energy and Google among the contributors. Local Business & Jobs Funding: Ohio Development released nearly $3.4M for community and business expansion, including a $2.2M rural industrial park loan and a $454,800 precision-manufacturing loan in Washington County. Data Center Politics: New reporting highlights how data center backlash is cross-partisan and is shaping Ohio’s Senate race messaging, with internal GOP concerns tied to voter opposition. Ohio Industry Watch: A Boardman contractor faces another arrest warrant after alleged probation violations, adding to a string of legal trouble tied to theft allegations. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy data shows Portage County’s lowest E15 at $3.47/gal and Columbiana County’s lowest regular at $3.53/gal for the week ending Aug. 15.

Steel & Manufacturing: VP JD Vance returned to Middletown to tout Cleveland-Cliffs’ $1B modernization at Middletown Works, backed by a reshaped $500M DOE award, with upgrades aimed at improving operations and air quality. Energy & Industry Politics: The same project is drawing heat as Cleveland-Cliffs signals continued coal use, shifting away from an earlier hydrogen-focused plan. AI Data Centers & Power Costs: A growing wave of backlash is turning into election risk, with lawsuits and local moratoria debates spreading as communities question who pays for electricity and impacts. Agriculture: Trump’s move to temporarily increase beef imports to lower prices is already sparking pushback from cattle groups, including Ohio producers. Ohio Economy & Jobs: OSU named Steven Lower director of its School of Environment and Natural Resources, strengthening research leadership tied to environmental and natural resource work. Public Safety & Courts: An Ohio grand jury rejected felony charges tied to toppling a Flock Safety camera, a win for defendants and a spotlight on automated plate-reader expansion. Workplace Safety: A Stellantis worker death in Michigan continues to reverberate with memorial plans and renewed scrutiny of industrial safety.

Ohio Politics & Courts: Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH) filed an emergency motion to block the Kennedy Center from inscribing President Trump’s name again, arguing it violates a prior court order after the center removed the name in June. Energy & Data Centers: A new TVA rate structure would shift data centers out of a manufacturing class, raising charges for power use and adding upfront capacity commitment fees—while Ohio communities keep debating siting and grid impacts. Agriculture & Tech: Ohio State and ag tech firm Emergent launched an AI-linked field data program to help farmers improve agronomic decisions in real time. Ohio Jobs: Ohio’s unemployment rate fell to 3.4% in July, with gains in manufacturing and construction employment. Housing: Ohio REALTORS reports July home sales, prices, and active listings all rose year over year, keeping momentum in the market. Transportation & Local Projects: ODOT rescheduled an Ohio 314 closure in Richland County, and Loudonville advanced downtown streetscape work with a $1.8M grant. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy data shows low E85 pricing in Ross County at $3.47 for the week ending Aug. 15.

Data Centers & Power: A UC Berkeley economist says data-center interconnection queues are often inflated by duplicate requests, warning Ohio regulators and utilities not to treat queue counts as real demand; Grid & Transmission: Miami County commissioners formally oppose a proposed 190-mile, 765-kilovolt Grid Growth Ventures transmission line, citing impacts to property, farmland and future development; Healthcare Tech: Summa Health, now under for-profit HATCo, unveiled an AI-heavy “technology stack” aimed at faster diagnoses and easier access to care tools; Consumer Safety: KTM North America is recalling about 21,040 off-road motorcycles in the U.S. over a rear brake caliper defect that can reduce braking and raise crash risk; Local Fraud Watch: Waterville and Covington each logged BBB Scam Tracker reports in July, with online purchase scams driving the losses; Community & Infrastructure: Waterville is doing partial demolition on the Roche de Boeuf bridge, leaving arches in place after years of debate; Energy Costs at the Pump: GasBuddy reports the lowest midgrade gas in Meigs County at $4.21 for the week ending Aug. 15.

Data Centers & Ohio Politics: A GOP memo warns backlash to data centers could sink Sen. Jon Husted in November, urging AI firms to “fix” the public image and show community benefits as Brown ties Husted to rising utility bills. Ohio Energy & Industry: Bradford Schools in eastern Ohio is bringing a $2.14M roof solar project online to cut operating costs, adding to earlier district moves toward EV buses and charging. AI Infrastructure Watch: Nvidia’s push to fund OpenAI’s Ohio AI campus keeps spotlighting how AI spending is reshaping Ohio’s power and investment landscape. Construction & Safety: Reports highlight ongoing workplace risk in heavy industry, including recent fatal incidents at major manufacturers. Agriculture & Local Food: Eastern Ohio Farm Bureaus released a community cookbook with nearly 250 recipes from local residents. Ohio Cyber Readiness: Ohio National Guard cyber teams were recertified as part of Cyber Fortress 26, a domestic-focused exercise with civilian and government partners. Consumer Fraud: Byesville and other Ohio cities logged scam reports in BBB Scam Tracker for July, underscoring continued consumer losses.

Data Center Politics: Granville voters approved a Nov. 3 ballot measure that would ban large data centers using over 25 megawatts per month, adding to Ohio-area backlash as Republicans worry the issue could hurt Sen. Jon Husted in his race against Sherrod Brown. Energy Demand Pressure: A separate report highlights how AI data centers are reshaping power planning, with electricity needs projected to surge and strain grids and rates. Local Infrastructure: Lima, with ODOT, is moving ahead with Union Street downtown streetscape upgrades, including sidewalks, signals, lighting, and a bike lane, with construction targeted for 2028. Food Safety: FDA recall coverage flags major 2026 incidents, including the Taylor Farms cyclospora-linked lettuce outbreak as cases trend down. Health Tech Deal: Cleveland Clinic and Siemens Healthineers signed a 10-year imaging and treatment partnership to expand MRI/CT and radiation oncology capabilities across Ohio and beyond. Business/Finance: Peoples State Bank will break ground on a new Corning branch Friday. Public Safety: Investigators continue after a deadly explosion and fire at Brent Industries in Toledo, with EPA air checks underway.

Data Centers & Power: Ohio’s data-center debate keeps heating up, with new reporting on how bans and community pushback are driven by electricity and water concerns, while regulators and utilities move to manage grid impacts and costs. Consumer & Utilities: The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel is again challenging AES Ohio’s refund amount, arguing customers in the Dayton area should receive about $82.6M instead of the roughly $11M ordered by PUCO. Courts & Policy: The Kennedy Center told a federal court it won’t restore Trump’s name to the building facade before Sept. 8, as legal fights continue over the venue’s future. Local Planning: Lima and ODOT propose “Complete Street” upgrades on Union Street and nearby corridors, with construction targeted for 2028. Public Safety/Health: DEA’s push to move marijuana to Schedule III could reshape federal tax treatment for Ohio and Michigan cannabis businesses. Business & Industry: Housing starts fell again in July, underscoring affordability and financing pressure on builders. Legal/Business Disputes: Buc-ee’s is expanding—and so are its trademark fights, including a new lawsuit involving an Ohio store’s mascot and branding. Community/Workforce: JD Vance is set to speak in Middletown at the Cleveland-Cliffs steel plant, highlighting modernization plans that could create up to 1,500 construction jobs.

AI Data Centers & Power: NVIDIA and OpenAI are backing a massive “AI factory” data center at Ohio’s PORTS-Pike Technology Campus in Pike County, with NVIDIA providing up to a $105B guarantee and OpenAI signing a 20-year lease—another big bet on the state’s booming compute buildout. Utility Relief: AEP Ohio and data center partners including Meta, QTS, Amazon, SoftBank Energy and Google pledged more than $18M to expand the Neighbor to Neighbor program, aiming to help low-income customers cover electric bills. Workplace Safety: Two workers were killed after explosions and a major fire at Brent Industries in Toledo, with officials citing hazardous conditions and structural collapse risk. Weather Impacts: The National Weather Service confirmed six tornadoes touched down across Ohio during Aug. 11 storms, ranging EF0 to EF2. Manufacturing Jobs: LG Energy Solution began full operations at its Lansing, Michigan battery plant, expanding North American cell capacity tied to EVs and energy storage. Local Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker ranked Barnesville among 135 Ohio cities tied for 141st in July scam reports.

AI Data Centers in Ohio: OpenAI has locked in a massive 20-year, 8-gigawatt Ohio data center lease tied to Nvidia backing, with plans tied to Pike County and a promise of major construction and jobs; Nvidia is also described as stepping in with a very large financial guarantee/backstop. Manufacturing & Defense: ITEN Defense broke ground on a new research, development and manufacturing facility in Ashtabula County, expanding composite armor production with federal support. Workforce & Training: A3 and Mahoning County Career & Technical Center are rolling out no-cost robotics and automation training across Ohio via a $499,000 workforce grant. Logistics Leadership: EASE Logistics named Sheena Galimore a 2026 Women in Supply Chain Forum Rising Star for leading a high-volume shift and driving AI-driven operations. Public Safety: Two workers were unaccounted for after explosions and a fire at an industrial recycling building in Toledo. Food Safety: A multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to fresh jalapeños has triggered recalls of salsa, guacamole, dips and other prepared foods sold in major retailers. Local Business: D4 Auto Spa is expanding mobile car detailing across more Columbus suburbs, bringing on-site service to customers. Transportation: Ohio 4 closures and detours are causing backups around Dayton as crews seal bridge decks. Education Recognition: Ohio University and OHIO Online earned a spot on the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll for transfer student support.

AI Infrastructure in Ohio: OpenAI will lease a massive 20-year AI data center campus in Ohio, built on a former uranium enrichment site in Pike County, with Nvidia backing the deal (up to a $105B guarantee) and investing $1.5B into SB Energy to secure land and power for the project’s initial capacity. Local Governance & Data Centers: Ohio Supreme Court filings are moving in Trenton’s fight over whether residents can force a vote on a data center moratorium, hinging on how many signatures are needed. Workforce & Training: Four County Career Center opened new welding and electrical labs, doubling program capacity with a $14.7M state grant. Food Safety: FDA flagged a Walmart-linked recall of Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits in 29 states over possible Listeria contamination. Public Safety & Courts: A Geauga County grand jury indicted a former Hambden VFD treasurer/assistant chief accused of diverting about $1.5M to cover gambling losses. Business & Consumer Tech: The Cleveland Browns opened a stadium experience sales center in Berea to drive suite sales ahead of Huntington Bank Field. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reported Ohio diesel and E85 price snapshots for the week ending Aug. 8, with the lowest E85 in Lucas County at $2.90/gal.

AI Data Centers in Ohio: Nvidia says it will invest $1.5B in SoftBank-backed SB Energy and secure land, power and “shell” capacity at the PORTS-Pike Technology Campus in Pike County for OpenAI workloads, with initial capacity of 4.25 gigawatts and a path toward up to 8 gigawatts, while SB Energy plans major power buildout to support the AI boom. Power & Cooling Efficiency: Trane Technologies and Eaton unveiled an AI-factory reference design aimed at speeding data-center deployment and cutting installation and copper use, targeting efficiency gains for next-gen facilities. Local Energy & Costs: GasBuddy reports Geauga County’s lowest premium gas price at $4.79 for the week ending Aug. 8, with Ohio premium averaging $5.08. Consumer Protection: BBB Scam Tracker shows Oberlin tied for 141st in Ohio for July with one reported scam, as fraud losses keep climbing nationwide. Ohio Business & Jobs: Barfresh is pushing toward commissioning a new 44,000 sq. ft. Defiance manufacturing facility, supported by a $2.4M grant, as it works through a tougher ramp at its current dairy operation. Higher Ed for Workforce Pipelines: Ohio University and OHIO Online earned a spot on the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll, and Ohio University’s Scripps College of Communication is launching a sports photography and communication certificate this fall. Storm Watch: Severe storms are returning to the Midwest and Plains with renewed threats of damaging winds, hail, and flash flooding.

AI Data Centers & Finance: Nvidia is reportedly in talks to invest up to $3B in SoftBank’s SB Energy for an OpenAI-linked Ohio data center push, while separate coverage says Nvidia has dialed down its OpenAI Ohio financial guarantee to about $120B—part of a broader shift toward buyer financing platforms. Trade & Tariffs: The U.S. and Canada are edging toward a deal to avert Trump’s proposed 50% tariffs on select Canadian goods, with possible swaps involving energy, defense, and critical minerals plus relief on steel and aluminum. Safety on Ohio Roads: The Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging commercial drivers to secure loads after a rise in debris incidents during construction season. Local Business & Growth: Fort Worth’s Marine Central redevelopment has landed its first retail tenants, including a hat bar, specialty market, and Mexican ice cream/paleteria spot. Community & Education: Ohio State Lima’s “STEAM on the Quad” returns for its 10th year, and Ohio University earned a national PTK Transfer Honor Roll recognition. Scams Watch: BBB Scam Tracker shows multiple Ohio cities with reported fraud, with Cincinnati and Columbus leading the state list.

Data Centers & Power: Nvidia is reportedly in talks to invest up to $3 billion in SoftBank’s SB Energy to support an Ohio OpenAI data-center campus, with the deal split between funding at signing and more tied to SB Energy’s IPO. Local Governance: Ohio’s Supreme Court ruled Ashville can’t block a referendum over a proposed EdgeConneX data center and natural-gas plant, keeping the fight alive for residents. Manufacturing Jobs: GM is again shifting its EV plans, including planned 2027 layoffs tied to retooling at its Lansing battery-cell operations, while preserving capacity for a changing market. Industrial Expansion: Superior Plastics plans a more than $5 million expansion in Bellefontaine, Ohio, creating 25 jobs for automotive, medical, infant care and construction customers. Public Safety: Ohio’s pedestrian deaths are rising as cities push “Vision Zero” road redesigns like speed cushions and safer crossings. Infrastructure Updates: ODOT listed this week’s Pike County traffic impacts, including SR 220 culvert work and SR 32 intersection improvements. Business & Community: Buc-ee’s sued a Beavercreek-area convenience store over a similar beaver logo, escalating a trademark fight into a local backlash. Health: CDC says a Cyclospora outbreak has reached 740 hospitalizations nationwide, with most confirmed cases linked to recalled iceberg lettuce.

GM Battery Shuffle: GM is backing out of its Indiana EV battery-cell joint venture with Samsung SDI, while restarting Ohio production after a seven-month shutdown—moves aimed at right-sizing inventory as EV demand runs cooler than expected. AI Data Centers, Ohio Finance: Nvidia is reportedly in talks to invest up to $3B in SoftBank’s SB Energy for an OpenAI data center project in Ohio, with credit support discussions around $100B; separate reporting says Nvidia’s initial guarantee may be cut to under $120B. Workforce & Manufacturing: Sen. Jon Husted toured Anduril and Path Robotics in Central Ohio, highlighting defense production and AI-driven welding systems that help manufacturers boost productivity. Aviation Policy: NBAA praised the FAA and Ohio senators for opposing closure of Burke Lakefront Airport, arguing the airport is “valuable real estate.” Food Safety Recall: Walmart-linked Marketside tomato bisque soup kits were recalled over possible Listeria contamination, with no confirmed illnesses reported. Consumer Enforcement: Muskingum County and the Ohio AG are looking into potential hotel and gas “price gouging” concerns. Trucking Spotlight: UPS driver Miguel Corral won grand champion honors at NTDC 2026, underscoring safety and skill in Ohio’s logistics ranks. Energy Buildout Trend: A new U.S. grid snapshot shows solar and battery storage dominating new power plant additions in 2026, with Ohio seeing at least one methane-fueled biomass project.