AGP Executive Report

Manufacturing: Humtown, the Ohio foundry supplier, is partnering with Germany’s innoMold to serve European foundries with 3D-printed sand cores and molds. Steel & Jobs: Ohio EPA approved a permit for Cleveland-Cliffs’ $1 billion Middletown Works project, even as a truck plant closure leaves 1,341 workers jobless with no reopening date. Energy: Husted and Capito toured Centrus’ uranium-enrichment plant in Piketon; a $4.2 billion federal nuclear-upgrade loan package also includes Ohio’s Perry plant, as rising power costs and data-center demand fuel debate over the grid. Investment: Bayer plans to build a $2.2 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing campus in New Albany, with a 2027 start and 600 jobs expected. Logistics: Einride and EASE Logistics have begun daily driverless electric freight operations on Ohio roads. Local Industry: Mean Green Mowers is bringing all operations back to Hamilton, while Canadian-based Polyethics Industries plans to open a manufacturing operation in Antwerp.

Manufacturing Investment: Bayer plans a $2.2 billion pharmaceutical plant in New Albany, with 600 jobs expected. Ohio EPA also cleared Cleveland-Cliffs’ $1 billion Middletown Works modernization, which could let the mill generate nearly half its electricity and create up to 1,500 construction jobs. Plant Closures: A Springfield truck plant has shut, leaving 1,341 workers jobless with no reopening date announced. Energy and Data Centers: Proposed data centers are drawing zoning and power-supply concerns in Ohio communities as electricity demand rises. Transport and Infrastructure: Driverless electric trucks are moving freight daily on Ohio roads, while ODOT is planning US 33 safety upgrades in Hocking County, including a new Rockbridge interchange.

Autonomous Freight: Einride and EASE Logistics have begun daily driverless electric-truck runs between facilities in Marysville, moving freight on local roads with remote oversight. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Bayer plans to invest $2.2 billion in a New Albany plant, a major boost for Ohio’s manufacturing base. Springfield Jobs: After International Motors closed two plants and more than 1,300 workers lost jobs, Sen. Jon Husted says Canadian manufacturer Roshel remains committed to using a Springfield facility; hiring plans are still unclear. Energy Investment: Federal support could help expand Perry Nuclear Plant, while a Google-Constellation agreement backs upgrades at nuclear reactors serving the PJM grid. EV Charging: United Dairy Farmers plans to add fast chargers at six Ohio stores, with openings expected to start in early 2027.

Pharma Manufacturing: Bayer plans a $2.2 billion drug-making campus in New Albany, with about 600 permanent jobs and 1,500 construction jobs. Production is expected to start in stages from 2031. Ohio Manufacturing: Hamilton-based Mean Green Mowers says it has cut its order backlog by more than 90% since returning to independent ownership and consolidating operations locally. Data Center Debate: Ohio communities are weighing tighter zoning as developers seek sites and residents raise concerns about power demand and costs. Defiance is considering rules, while Pierce and Shalersville townships have also debated limits. Nuclear Energy: The U.S. Department of Energy plans up to $4.2 billion in financing for Vistra nuclear plant upgrades in Ohio and Pennsylvania, including work at Perry, as electricity demand rises. Freight Innovation: Einride and EASE Logistics have begun daily driverless electric-truck runs on Ohio roads. Jobs: The state faces fresh manufacturing cuts, including 391 planned layoffs at MasterBrand Cabinets and nearly 1,400 at a Springfield truck factory.

Nuclear Power Push: The U.S. Department of Energy is preparing a roughly $4.2 billion loan to Vistra to uprate output at multiple Ohio nuclear plants, aiming to add reliable power as AI-driven demand climbs. Defense Industrial Expansion: Anduril is backing a $6.6 billion Maryland shipyard plan to build Virginia-class submarine components, with Trump attending and thousands of jobs expected—another sign of Ohio-region supply-chain momentum. Data Center Backlash: Ohio Republicans are trying to reshape the data center narrative in the Senate race as Democrats argue the projects drive higher costs and strain power grids. Agriculture & Land Use: Williams County officials were notified of plans for two new swine finishing barns in Center Township, totaling 8,250 head, triggering state permitting steps. Truck & Fuel Policy: USDA urged governors to follow Trump’s move expanding access to dyed diesel and deferring related federal excise taxes—an effort aimed at easing diesel prices. Local Business/Infrastructure: New Richmond is nearing completion of Liberty Landing, a $13.4 million riverfront redevelopment set for a grand opening mid-October.

Biopharma Investment: Bayer will invest $2.2B in a new pharmaceutical manufacturing site in New Albany, Ohio, creating about 600 permanent jobs and roughly 1,500 construction jobs, with Gov. Mike DeWine and JobsOhio touting it as a major Ohio life-sciences boost. Advanced Manufacturing & Automation: Einride and EASE Logistics have launched daily operations for driverless electric trucks in Marysville, Ohio, as part of an Ohio-Indiana corridor push to scale autonomous freight. Industrial Tech Reuse: illumynt launched Talorem, an engineering-grade platform for testing, refurbishment, recovery, grading, and asset intelligence for advanced computing equipment. Energy & Defense Manufacturing: Anduril says it will invest $3.7B and expects up to $6.6B total value to expand submarine-parts production, including a new Maryland shipyard. Food Safety: A Cincinnati-area frozen pizza recall warns labels omitted soy ingredients; shoppers with soy allergies are urged to check affected products. Local Economy Watch: Ottawa gave Stelco’s U.S. owner five days to share a jobs plan or face legal action over planned layoffs.

Nuclear Power Financing: The U.S. Department of Energy announced up to $4.2B in conditional loan support for Vistra to upgrade and extend Ohio nuclear plants (Davis-Besse and Perry), adding 433 MW and helping sustain reliable power for millions of homes. Pharma Manufacturing Boom: Bayer will build a $2.2B drug manufacturing campus in New Albany, promising 600 jobs and a new Ohio Life Sciences Training Center to ramp up biomanufacturing talent. Workforce Training: Northwest State Community College kept its TechCred provider status, preserving access to 60-plus Ohio-eligible credentials for hands-on training in manufacturing and tech skills. Site Readiness: OhioSE hired Nicole Havens as sites and infrastructure specialist to speed up infrastructure planning and help communities compete for new industrial investment. Logistics & Retail Distribution: Walmart is moving into Warren County with a $300M fulfillment center in Turtlecreek Township, targeting large-item delivery and creating 300 jobs. Local Industry & Infrastructure: Urbana’s proposed settlement talks could reshape a disputed $1B data center project, while Marietta crews are pushing levee park finishing work toward an end-of-October timeline. Energy Costs Politics: Ohio’s 90-day gas tax suspension is underway, but EV and hybrid drivers won’t get the same relief as gasoline users.

Bayer Expansion: Bayer is planning a $2.2B cancer-and-heart-drug manufacturing campus in New Albany, expected to create 1,500 construction jobs and 600 permanent roles, with production units targeted to come online in about five years. Workforce Pipeline: Ohio manufacturers are pushing a new training effort, “Made in Appalachia,” aimed at filling a projected 35,000-worker annual gap by bringing people in behavioral health recovery programs into welding and other shop-floor skills. Defense Supply Chain: Metallus won a up-to-$995M Defense Logistics Agency contract for HF-1 steel used in 155mm artillery shell bodies, reinforcing domestic specialty-alloy production. Nuclear Financing Watch: Vistra is in line for about $4B in federal loans to uprate additional nuclear capacity at Ohio sites, a move tied to the growing power demand behind AI data centers. Local Drone Logistics: Dayton-area drone startup Dexa is expanding beyond food delivery with Air Force work, leaning on Ohio’s growing “autonomous flight” ecosystem. Energy Policy & Water: Gov. candidate Amy Acton backed a three-year moratorium on new fracking injection wells in Washington County, framing it as a groundwater protection issue. Manufacturing Careers Outreach: TAS Aviation held a Discovery Day for about 60 students at Defiance County Memorial Airport, highlighting aviation jobs that don’t require a four-year degree.

Energy & Taxes: Ohio’s 90-day gas tax holiday and diesel fuel tax pause kicked in Sunday after Gov. DeWine signed the measure, aiming to cut pump prices while lawmakers and voters debate how much savings actually reaches households. Data Centers & Power Costs: At an Ohio rally, Trump defended AI data centers as jobs-and-growth engines, warning projects could shift overseas if the U.S. doesn’t back them, while Democrats and ratepayer advocates push back over electricity bills. Manufacturing Investment: Bayer announced a $2.2B pharma manufacturing campus in New Albany, signaling more advanced drug production capacity in Ohio. Workforce & Layoffs: Packaging Corporation plans to close its Middletown plant with about 90 layoffs, adding to a busy stretch of Ohio industrial job impacts. Food Safety: A frozen-berry recall expanded to more lots and states after E. coli concerns, including products sold in Ohio. Public Health & Industry: An alfalfa sprout outbreak linked to a single seed lot has sickened dozens across 16 states, widening the risk beyond restaurants. Local Economy & Housing: A Mansfield-area plan would convert a former school site into market-rate housing, reflecting ongoing demand for new homes in Richland County. Healthcare Deal: UPMC took over four Trinity hospitals in eastern Ohio, with patients urged to confirm insurance and appointment details.

AI Data Centers & Power Costs: At a Vandalia rally, Trump defended Ohio’s AI data-center push and warned projects could shift to China if the U.S. “turns them off,” as electricity-bill backlash grows and Democrats block a ratepayer-protection bill. Trade & Supply Chains: Trump’s escalating Canada trade war is raising cost fears for Ohio’s manufacturing and agriculture, with tariffs and import bans hitting cross-border goods. Manufacturing Layoffs: AP reports nearly 1,400 layoffs at Ohio’s Navistar truck plant near Dayton ahead of Trump’s visit, underscoring how factory closures collide with campaign messaging. Pharma Investment: Bayer plans a major $2.2B pharmaceutical manufacturing site in Ohio, adding to the state’s industrial expansion headlines. Food Safety Recall: PepsiCo expanded a Gatorade recall affecting 37 states after FDA flagged undeclared Yellow No. 5/6 colorings. Local Economic Development: Jefferson County approved a letter of intent for Ivy Tech to donate land for a new animal shelter, tied to READI funding. Workforce/Logistics Tech: TruckDown rolled out an enhanced ratings system to help drivers quickly find vetted repair and towing services.

Ohio Manufacturing Layoffs: Packaging Corporation of America will lay off about 90 employees as it closes its Middletown corrugated plant, with most cuts set for Dec. 1, adding to a tough week for Ohio factory workers. Truck Industry Shock: Springfield’s former Navistar truck plant layoffs hit nearly 1,400 workers just days before a Trump rally, underscoring how fast employment can swing in the region. Pharma Investment in Ohio: Bayer says it will invest about $2.2B to build a new manufacturing site in New Albany, aiming to create roughly 600 high-skilled jobs and expand drug production. Food Safety Recall: The FDA expanded a frozen berry recall tied to possible E. coli contamination, including Great Value and Trader Joe’s products sold in Ohio. Energy & Agriculture Pressure: Diesel price surges are squeezing Ohio farmers as harvest season ramps up, with costs rising even as policy debates swirl. Workforce & Local Economy: A new Medicaid study finds pediatric sleep testing access varies wildly by location, with Ohio researchers leading the analysis.

Bayer Investment: Bayer says it will put $2.2B into a new pharma manufacturing site in New Albany, Ohio, targeting cancer, heart and kidney care, with about 600 jobs and construction plus operations starting in 2031. Workforce Shock: WARN filings show six Ohio employers planning layoffs or closures affecting 450+ workers, including Navistar-related job cuts and a Marc’s discount drugstore Parma closure. Food Safety: A frozen berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak has expanded, pulling additional lots of Great Value and Trader Joe’s products sold in Ohio. Energy Costs for Ohio: New reporting highlights how record diesel prices are squeezing Midwest farmers and trucking, with calls for relief as harvest ramps up. Local Industry Growth: A sand mining and processing venture near Strasburg, Ohio, plans to hire 120 workers to serve the oil and gas industry. Manufacturing Talent: Youngstown State’s Manufacturing Day brought high school students hands-on with collaborative robotics, aiming to spark future workforce interest.

Ohio Energy & Transportation: Gov. Mike DeWine signed Ohio’s 90-day gas tax suspension, pausing the 38.5-cent gasoline tax and 47-cent diesel tax to ease pump prices, with the state covering the hit using surplus funds. Workforce & Manufacturing: Northwest State Community College is marking “Manufacturing Month,” highlighting Ohio’s need for tens of thousands of new operators and technicians and the role of community colleges and employer partnerships. Economic Development: Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved five projects expected to create 1,173 jobs and drive $431M+ in investment, including Polyethics Industries’ Antwerp, Ohio expansion. Industrial Safety: J. J. Keller named 2026 Safety Professional of the Year winners, including a Cleveland-area industrial demolition safety officer. Logistics & Defense Supply Chain: SupplyCore won a DLA contract for a four-year water purification initiative, managing sourcing, storage, and worldwide delivery for U.S. military customers. Housing & Community Infrastructure: Bowling Green broke ground on two new fire stations after a voter-approved income tax levy aimed at faster emergency response. Consumer & Business Climate: Multiple restaurant chains are closing hundreds of locations in 2026 as labor and costs squeeze traffic, while mortgage rates jumped to the highest level in nearly three years, worsening housing affordability.

Courts & Immigration: Five retired Ohio judges and justices filed an amicus brief backing a Franklin County ban on ICE courthouse arrests, arguing the practice chills immigrant participation and disrupts court operations. Energy & Cost Relief: Ohio lawmakers and Gov. Mike DeWine signed a 90-day gas tax suspension, with the state covering revenue losses from budget surpluses—aimed at easing pump costs for drivers, schools, and diesel-heavy businesses. Utilities & Winter Readiness: PUCO issued a Special Reconnect Order for the 2026-27 heating season (Oct. 12-Apr. 16), capping reconnection costs for PUCO-regulated electric and natural gas customers; last winter, more than 227,637 Ohioans used it. Public Health & Consumer Safety: The Trump administration began sending nearly 1 million HealthCare.gov enrollees $500 refunds, while officials warn about copycat scams. Infrastructure: Granite-Super won a $324.8M contract for Cleveland’s Big Creek Tunnel under Project Clean Lake, targeting major reductions in combined sewer overflows. Ohio Construction Traffic: ODOT announced month-long lane cuts near Easton on I-270/Easton Way for interchange improvements, with work expected to finish in summer 2027. Drug Pricing Accountability: Ohio AG Raoul sought court approval for a $400M Nationwide settlement with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing and reduced competition. Workforce & Industry: Ohio Manufacturing Month events highlight the state’s skilled-trades pipeline as manufacturers push for new operators and technicians.

Gas Tax Relief: Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 519 to suspend Ohio’s 38.5-cent gas tax and 47-cent diesel tax for 90 days, effective immediately after passage as lawmakers and candidates argue over how much drivers will actually save. Utility Hardship: Dollar Energy Fund opened its 2026–2027 hardship program, offering grants to help income-eligible Ohio households facing utility shutoffs keep gas, electric, water, or wastewater service. Manufacturing Watch: Springfield still hasn’t heard from the new owner of International Motors’ former plants, leaving workers and local officials waiting on future plans. Agritourism & Farming: Farm Credit Mid-America released an updated free agritourism directory covering Ohio and four other states, highlighting farm tours and seasonal experiences. Consumer Safety: Container One CEO Glenn Taylor warned buyers nationwide to verify sellers to avoid shipping container scams after a BBB-facilitated discussion in Ohio. Workforce & Wages: Ohio’s minimum wage is set to rise 3.5% in 2027, reaching $11.40 an hour.

Energy & Infrastructure: Trump says South Korea will invest up to $54B in an Alaska LNG project, while also backing Texas power and eight nuclear plants—though Seoul says Alaska’s deal still needs review. Ohio Transportation: ODOT and the Ohio Turnpike Commission released the final U.S. 23/I-71 connector feasibility report, outlining an 18.2-mile route, major cost estimates near $1.1B, and impacts to homes, wetlands and forest. Workforce & Economic Development: Gov. DeWine announced five Ohio projects approved by the Tax Credit Authority, targeting 1,173 jobs and $431M+ in investment. Ohio Housing: Youngstown-Warren leaders held a Valley Housing Summit focused on boosting supply and keeping workers living locally. Ohio Energy Costs: Lawmakers passed a 90-day gas and diesel tax pause, aiming to cut pump prices as debates continue. Healthcare & Compliance: Ohio’s minimum wage rises to $11.40 (non-tipped) and $5.70 (tipped) on Jan. 1, 2027, with a higher business threshold. Public Health: Ohio Water Development Authority approved $2.9M in low-interest loans for wastewater and drinking-water upgrades. Data Centers & Policy: Senate Democrats blocked a data-center electricity cost bill, arguing it lacks strong protections for ratepayers.