JobsOhio Achieves Development Milestones
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – JobsOhio, the state’s private economic development corporation, achieved economic and community development milestones in 2023.
The state ranked No. 1 in the Global Groundwork Index by Site Selection Magazine and No. 5 in Area Development’s Top States for Doing Business.
In the four-county area of Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull, JobsOhio saw increases in deals (34%), jobs (23%), payroll (61%) and job retention (148%) over the past four years compared with 2016-2019, says J.P. Nauseef, president and CEO of JobsOhio. The Ultium Cells project added 1,700 new jobs and $2.3 billion in capital investment.
The Ohio To Work initiative, in partnership with TeamNEO, served 34,518 job seekers in the Mahoning Valley, far surpassing the goal of 2,000, and placed 1,758 people into jobs, Nauseef says. And eight new C-130Js will be sited at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station.
Since 2021, the JobsOhio Inclusion programs have completed 13 projects in the Mahoning Valley, including the Youngstown Business Incubator Vibrant Community Project. These projects have led to $13.5 million in capital investment and growth, Nauseef says.
In 2023, JobsOhio completed 458 projects statewide that will create 16,312 jobs and generate more than $1 billion in new payroll. The state achieved the second-highest capital investment in history and a 36% increase in various development projects, he says.
With a 74% increase from 2022, Inclusion Grants contributed to inclusive economic growth, funding businesses in distressed areas owned by minorities, women, veterans and people with disabilities. Community development initiatives saw a 300% increase, according to Nauseef.
The Amazon Web Services and Joby Aviation megaprojects contributed notably to Ohio’s momentum, with Joby supporting the Dayton Development Coalition’s second-highest year in new job commitments.
In 2024, JobsOhio plans to roll out new talent initiatives and support the Ohio Future Fund and Innovation Hubs, while continuing aggressive business development to maintain the state’s economic leadership.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
