COLUMBUS, Ohio – While attending the Ohio Business Roundtable CEO Summit in Lewis Center on Wednesday, Gov. Mike DeWine and JobsOhio announced the creation of a new JobsOhio Energy Opportunity Initiative, a $100 million fund for economic development opportunities.
The funds will provide assistance to qualifying companies through grants and low-interest loans to help offset costs related to natural gas and nuclear power production in the state.
“To continue Ohio’s growth and to create jobs, we must focus on energy,” DeWine said. “Ohio must have an energy policy that ensures we have the supply we need for current and future demand, which will help keep costs reasonable.”
Funds from the Energy Opportunity Initiative will be used over a five-year period and focus on engineering, right-of-way and construction costs for new and existing natural gas infrastructure; site preparation for SMR (small modular reactor) generation; advanced training for Ohio’s workforce and the creation of a “nuclear energy center of excellence” around employment; and incentives for attracting supply-chain companies for SMR manufacturing and production.
JobsOhio will work with its seven regional network partners to identify projects and companies that could benefit from the Energy Opportunity Initiative, which will be leveraged for attraction and expansion projects throughout the state.
“Ohio is powering America’s energy story,” said J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio president and CEO. “With world-class shale resources, infrastructure and talent, we’re leading the nation in the trillion-dollar energy super sector. This initiative strengthens that momentum, fueling new projects, jobs and America’s growing energy needs.”
Pictured at top: In this image captured from video, Gov. Mike DeWine speaks during the Ohio Business Roundtable CEO Summit on Wednesday. (Office of Gov. Mike DeWine)