AGP Executive Report

Data Center Policy Clash: Microsoft told Ohio lawmakers it will stop using NDAs and won’t seek local property tax abatements for Ohio data center projects, as a new bipartisan committee weighs economic, water, energy, and security impacts. Fraud Crackdown: DOJ and the FBI launched a statewide fraud enforcement push in Ohio, including a new “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list and a plan to share Ohio corporate registration data with federal investigators. Public Safety & Environment: Clermont County wants air testing near the Zimmer landfill after residents report hydrogen sulfide odors and health complaints. Food & Retail Expansion: White Castle broke ground on its first-ever Texas location, expected to create 70 jobs. Manufacturing & Materials: Qualiform highlighted fiber reinforced rubber for durable molded parts, while Qualiform and other Ohio-area suppliers keep pushing industrial upgrades. Transportation & Infrastructure: ODOT postponed I-475 south weekend work again due to rain, shifting closures to mid-June. Energy Markets: Talen Energy won regulatory approval to acquire 2.6 GW of gas generation in PJM territory, positioning it for data center demand.

Water & Public Safety: An accidental chemical reaction at the Akron Water Plant released chlorine gas, hospitalizing three and triggering a shelter-in-place order before it was lifted later Wednesday. Infrastructure & Utilities: Toledo residents say they’ve been without running water for days after utility pole work damaged a water line during North Summit Street reconstruction; the city says service has been restored. Local Transportation Projects: Solon City Council approved an updated ODOT LPA deal for the US 422/Harper Road diverging diamond, adding $2M in earmark funding and setting up spring 2027 construction. Manufacturing & Packaging: Jamestown Container Companies acquired Syracuse Corrugated Box Corp., expanding custom corrugated packaging reach across Central New York. Workforce & Industry Support: The Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition received $250,000 through the state’s Industry Sector Partnership Grant Program to expand youth and workforce training tied to local manufacturing. Business Growth Recognition: ENCON Equipment’s Jordan Mitchell was named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 East Central finalist. Environment & Conservation: Western Reserve Land Conservancy transferred 263 acres in Braceville to Trumbull County MetroParks to protect a conservation corridor and wetlands. Civic/Community Projects: St. Clairsville’s historic bike trail tunnel rehab is nearing completion, with reopening expected within about a week.

Data Center Policy Fight: Ohio could see a ballot push to ban large-scale data centers, with a proposed constitutional amendment targeting hyperscale projects above 25 megawatts. Workforce Development: A new look at the maintenance tech career path highlights how warehousing needs automation and materials-handling specialists. Public Safety: Three people were hospitalized after a chemical reaction at the Akron Water Plant produced chlorine gas; officials ordered shelter-in-place for nearby areas. Local Business & Construction Impacts: Sylvania’s Bandit’s Main Street Eats and Finch & Fern are closing storefronts, citing downtown construction, traffic, and rising costs. Ohio Industry & Economy: Central Ohio firms posted gains on the Fortune 500 list, led by Cardinal Health at No. 15 and Vertiv climbing in the data-center supply chain. Manufacturing/Defense: Aerovironment won Ohio tax-credit approval for a Greene County expansion tied to advanced defense R&D and jobs. Energy & Environment: Lawmakers and businesses urged Congress to authorize EPA’s Safer Choice program, aiming to steer safer ingredients in consumer and institutional products. Media: WGTE and WBGU-TV partnered to keep PBS programming on channel 27 after earlier funding-driven cuts.

Data Center Showdown in Columbus: More than 100 Ohioans packed a Statehouse hearing to warn lawmakers about data-center growth—raising concerns about environmental impact, tax-break costs, and nondisclosure agreements—while pushing for a moratorium and even a constitutional amendment. Excavation Safety Update: OHIO811 says new Ohio excavation law changes take effect June 9, tightening call-before-you-dig timing, damage reporting, and mandatory training for anyone involved in the 811 process. NFL Broadcast Scrutiny: U.S. lawmakers invited NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to testify June 10 over the league’s broadcast deals and streaming practices, including how the Sports Broadcasting Act’s antitrust exemption is being used. Local Business & Logistics: Cencora and Kite announced a distribution agreement to support U.S. access to CAR T-cell therapies, aiming to reduce administrative friction for care sites. Construction & Community: Lima’s Public Library renovation and expansion begins June 8, with a yearlong project adding an elevator, restrooms, meeting rooms, and updated entrances. Industry Pulse: FreightWaves reported spot rates hitting an all-time record, signaling renewed strength for truckload markets.

Ohio River Infrastructure: The first crane and equipment barges have arrived for the $4.4B Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, kicking off visible in-water work toward a 2031 companion bridge completion. Agriculture & Logistics: FMCSA granted a fertilizer-hauling Hours-of-Service waiver in 34 states, allowing up to 16 hours driving in a 24-hour period during the May 26–Aug. 26 window. Food Security: Trotwood-Madison City Schools launched USDA-funded SUN Meals, preparing about 300 weekly meal packages to cover summer breakfast and lunch for kids in underserved areas. Defense Manufacturing: AeroVironment plans a $15M Greene County expansion near Dayton, adding about 200 jobs and boosting pilot-scale biotech materials production tied to Air Force programs. Industrial Environment: Clermont County issued a RCRA Notice of Intent to Sue over alleged coal ash handling at the former Beckjord plant, citing risks to nearby drinking-water well fields. Data Centers Policy: Ohio lawmakers and local officials continue reacting as the state pauses/suspends data center tax breaks amid debate over power costs and fiscal impact. Business Growth: Ohio Gov. DeWine announced eight development projects expected to create 1,618 jobs and $133M+ in annual payroll across automotive, pharma, aerospace/defense, data centers, and food production.

Housing & Community Development: Gov. Mike DeWine announced more than $26.9M in Welcome Home Ohio grants to expand safe, affordable housing across 57 counties, with a list of 25 counties still waiting on funds. Data Centers & Local Control: Hubbard approved a 12-month data center moratorium after residents raised concerns, while Ohio also approved a new $42.3M tax exemption for two Columbus-area data center projects—just as the state pauses similar incentives amid rising scrutiny. Energy & Utilities: Penelec customers in Pennsylvania saw higher electricity supply pricing starting June 1, with an estimated 6% monthly bill impact. Manufacturing & Jobs: DeWine announced OPmobility’s Rossford exterior-parts plant, targeting 541 full-time-equivalent jobs and $40M in annual payroll by 2030. Public Services & Governance: Youngstown council will consider up to $130K to study SOBE Thermal Energy’s long-term viability as steam-heat costs and reliability come under pressure. Agriculture & Food Systems: OEFFA launched its 2026 Farm Tour Series, adding public farm and soil-health events across Ohio. Local Business Impact: Georgetown’s downtown construction relief program will ease utility-payment burdens for affected businesses and residents. Sports Broadcasting Policy: House Judiciary leaders asked NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to testify June 10 on the Sports Broadcasting Act and whether it’s harming consumers.

AI & Jobs: Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical frames AI like the Tower of Babel, warning that “efficiency” driven by self-affirmation can sacrifice human dignity—an argument landing as Ohio and the wider economy wrestle with automation-driven job shifts. Ohio Health & Research: Ohio University professor Kevin Lee secured an American Heart Association grant to study how nicotine—now increasingly used via vaping and pouches—can damage heart health. Manufacturing Safety: Dayton-area corn refiners Primient and Cargill earned national Corn Refiners Association safety awards, highlighting low incident rates and zero lost workdays in a sector that supports thousands of Ohio jobs. Pharma Expansion: Hikma Pharmaceuticals will invest $267 million across Columbus and Bedford, adding 350 jobs as Ohio strengthens its generic and biomanufacturing footprint. Industrial Growth in Toledo: OPmobility announced a new Wood County manufacturing plant for exterior systems, with production planned for late 2027. Energy & Policy Watch: Ohio lawmakers began hearings on data centers as the state pauses/reshapes tax incentives amid concerns about power demand and electric rates. Infrastructure & Logistics: ODOT crews will start a Logan County roundabout at U.S. 33 and SR 274, while CSX crossing closures affect Richland County roads starting June 2. Security: The Coast Guard responded to a security breach at Coast Guard Station Cleveland Harbor; no injuries or mission impacts reported.

Data Centers in Ohio: Ohio lawmakers kicked off hearings on data center impacts and Gov. DeWine paused key tax breaks as opposition grows, with the Joint Data Center Committee weighing community, infrastructure, and economic effects while noting Ohio has about 200 data centers. Brent Spence Companion Bridge: Major project momentum hit Cincinnati as barge-delivered bridge components arrived on the Ohio River; work in the water is expected to begin soon, with the $4.4B companion span targeted for opening by 2031. Clean Energy Manufacturing: A new report says the U.S. clean energy manufacturing base is expanding fast, with hundreds of active facilities and major job and GDP impacts tied to solar, storage, and wind. Ohio Industry & Environment: Lubrizol’s plasma-based flare-stack tech moves toward commercial operation, while Alterra-linked plastic-to-fuels progress continues toward a final investment decision. Local Business & Housing: Bowling Green Economic Development touts strong manufacturer investment and growth momentum, and Ohio’s housing grant and homebuilding efforts keep rolling. Community & Workforce: Leadership Mahoning Valley set its Class of 2026 graduation, and Southern Local High School awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships to seniors.

Ohio Data Centers: Ohio has suspended its data center sales tax break for new applicants after projections blew up—costing nearly $1.6B in 2025 versus about $142M expected for 2026—while residents push for a November ballot measure to ban hyperscale sites. Policy Pushback: A House Select Committee on Data Centers is set to hold a June 1 hearing where the public can testify as lawmakers weigh how to shift costs and rate impacts. AI Infrastructure Race: SoftBank says it will invest up to €75B to build 5 gigawatts of AI data center capacity in France, with EDF and Schneider Electric named as partners—highlighting how power supply is driving where projects land. Energy & Industry Context: Coverage also frames nuclear as a potential long-term power answer for AI-driven electricity demand growth. Local Roads: I-75 northbound at the Lockland Split reopened a day early after pavement repairs. Animal Welfare: Ohio data show most high-volume dog breeders are concentrated in a few counties, fueling ongoing puppy-mill complaints.

Kennedy Center Legal Fight: A federal judge ordered the Kennedy Center to remove President Trump’s name from the building and blocked the planned closure/renovation, escalating a high-profile dispute over naming authority and safety plans. EV Battery Jobs: Ultium Cells’ Lordstown battery layoffs will stretch longer, with about 850 union workers now expected back in August after another delay tied to EV market conditions. Ohio Data Center Policy: Ohio moved to pause/suspend data center tax incentives amid mounting political and economic pressure over the cost of incentives and forecasting claims. Manufacturing Expansion: MISUMI Group launched MISUMI Americas, combining its precision supply with Fictiv’s digital manufacturing push to speed design-to-production for U.S. engineers. Construction & Safety (Ohio): ODOT begins a new roundabout at Ohio 158/Coonpath Road June 1 to reduce angle-crash risk; Fairport Harbor schools also evacuated after a construction crew struck a gas line, then reopened after clearance. Housing Grants (Lorain County): Lorain County received a $902,000 Welcome Home Ohio grant to rehab or build nine homes via the county land reutilization corporation. Agriculture & Trade: China lifted HPAI-related poultry import restrictions for 17 U.S. states, potentially boosting U.S. chicken exports.

EV Battery Jobs: Ultium Cells’ Lordstown plant will delay the return of laid-off workers until August, citing weak EV demand; GM had earlier warned of a Jan. 5 layoff wave and only partial recalls. Data Center Policy: Ohio lawmakers and Gov. DeWine move to pause/roll back major data center tax incentives after forecasting errors and mounting opposition, while a bipartisan state study commission starts reviewing impacts. Housing Buildout: Ohio awarded nearly $27M in housing growth grants across 57 counties, including projects in northwest and west-central Ohio to rehab or build homes. Local Housing Funds: Trumbull County’s land bank received $1M for home purchases and rehab under the Welcome Home Ohio program. Community Food Security: Summer meal programs kick off in Ohio’s region with free lunches and grab-and-go breakfasts for kids during the school break. Manufacturing & Defense: Touchstone Advanced Composites is partnering with Northrop Grumman on next-gen unmanned aircraft materials and composite tooling. Workforce & Skills: Ohio SkillsUSA student Katie Rivers won silver in auto collision technology, highlighting hands-on training pipelines. Economy & Costs: Economists say an Ohio gas tax holiday would help at the pump but likely won’t be enough to solve the broader squeeze.

Data Centers & State Policy: Ohio Farm Bureau says data-center growth is squeezing farmland and urges clear rules on water, power, and long-term impacts as Gov. DeWine pauses new tax exemption requests and lawmakers hold hearings. Utilities & Rates: FirstEnergy filed a three-year rate plan that could raise typical Toledo Edison bills by about $5.30 per month annually, pending Public Utilities Commission review. Energy & Renewables: Microsoft signed a 140MW solar power purchase agreement with Avangrid for Ohio-linked growth in the broader clean-energy push. Manufacturing & Jobs: Ultium Cells in Warren told laid-off workers to expect a return in August for GM-EV battery cell production. Housing & Community Development: Trumbull County’s land bank won $1M for housing projects under Welcome Home Ohio, while local groups also secured grants aimed at expanding affordable homes. Public Safety & Enforcement: FBI searched multiple Stansley Mining properties in northwest Ohio as part of an ongoing investigation. Transportation & Smart Mobility: UTC advanced to the U.S. DOT ARPA-I Final Four with an AI platform concept for shared mobility. Health & Access: CVS is restoring coverage for Lilly’s Zepbound and adding Foundayo to its formulary, expanding obesity drug access. Local Economy & Growth: My Place Hotels inked a deal for 10 extended-stay hotels across the Midwest, with Ohio in the first phase.

Data Center Policy Clash: Gov. Mike DeWine paused Ohio sales-tax exemptions for new data centers as lawmakers weigh costs and grid impacts, drawing pushback from the Ohio Chamber while supporters say the projects still matter for jobs and tech growth. Cybersecurity Funding: Trumbull County approved about $214,429 for a multi-year cybersecurity push under Ohio’s HB 96 requirements, including employee training and incident reporting. Local Health Infrastructure: Belmont County’s new health hub is on track for fall completion and end-of-year move-in, combining the health department, coroner’s office and records. Healthcare Recognition: Salem Regional Medical Center earned a CMS five-star cleanliness rating and a spot among the cleanest hospitals nationwide. Manufacturing & Food Processing: Weaver Meats expanded its Painesville plant by 18,500 sq. ft. to add processing space for jerky and private-label/co-packing. Education Leadership & Staffing: Mathews Local hired Dennis Hynes as superintendent; Girard cut three teaching positions but plans a special meeting to restore one.

Data Centers & Energy Costs: Gov. Mike DeWine is pausing Ohio’s tax break for new data centers as lawmakers study the impact and residents push for a referendum that could permanently ban hyperscale sites. Manufacturing Expansion: MISUMI Group backs its MISUMI Americas push with a $1B global investment aimed at AI and digital manufacturing. Broadband Buildout: Spectrum says it’s making major progress expanding rural fiber across 20+ Ohio counties with $7B+ in private investment. Rail Safety: A House committee advanced railway safety changes tied to hazardous materials, emergency response, and crew requirements. Logistics & Automation: Cab-less electric trucks are set to hit Ohio roads in a DriveOhio corridor test. Construction & Infrastructure: Barberton’s Snyder Avenue bridge replacement starts June 3 with a posted detour. Food Industry: Legacy Bakehouse chip and crisp recalls are now Class I after salmonella-linked ingredient issues. Public Safety: A Middletown man was arrested on cocaine trafficking and possession charges. Research Computing: Ohio University is leaning on the Ohio Supercomputer Center as computing demands grow.

Data Centers & Local Policy: Warren City Council moved toward a permanent ban on new data centers, citing water and wastewater strain, utility-rate pressure, and infrastructure concerns. Energy & Grid Reliability: LG Energy Solution signed a $1.6B battery supply deal with DTE Energy to support major grid projects tied to AI data center growth. Brownfield Redevelopment: Jefferson County will receive $654,173 for brownfield remediation in Steubenville, including asbestos removal and demolition at the former Naval-Marine Training Center to ready the site for workforce housing. Courts & Utilities: Youngstown filed suit over the 2024 Realty Tower explosion, while a receiver says SOBE Thermal Energy Systems is near financial collapse and may stop providing steam heat. Ohio Business & Manufacturing: MUDFLEX® Tools, an Ohio drywall tool maker, expanded its hybrid mud pan system aimed at faster cleanup and smoother workflow. Workforce & Education: Junior Achievement is bringing JA BizTown to Eastwood Mall to teach kids how businesses and manufacturing support communities. Agriculture: USDA disaster aid was announced after a late-April freeze wiped out produce in parts of the region, including Ohio. Health Care Access: AADAPT and school-based health center bills advanced in the House, with Ohio Rep. Troy Balderson leading.

Transportation & Agriculture: DOT temporarily suspends hours-of-service rules for fertilizer haulers across 30+ states, including Ohio, to speed deliveries during planting and summer/fall transitions. Energy & Industry: Avangrid and Microsoft signed a PPA for a 140 MWdc Bluebird Solar project in Washington, pushing U.S. contracted capacity for the pair past 500 MW. Ohio Courts & Federal Bench: Trump tapped Ohio Appeals Judge Matthew Byrne for the Southern District of Ohio federal bench. Environmental Regulation: EPA again moves to strike Ohio’s “air nuisance” rule that lets citizens sue industrial air polluters in federal court. Ohio Infrastructure: ODOT says a barge carrying equipment for the Brent Spence companion bridge is expected to arrive in Cincinnati next week, with the project stretching to 2031. Manufacturing/Shipping: APC sealed a MarineLINE recoating contract with Sterling Ocean Shipping for six chemical tankers, with work starting in South Korea. STEM & Workforce: Ohio Democrats propose tuition-free public college for in-state students via a new tax on top earners. Agriculture & Weather: A Corn Belt study links irrigation and shallow groundwater to more frequent, longer-lasting thunderstorm complexes from Ohio to Nebraska.