Gov. Mike DeWine delivered his State of the State address Wednesday, emphasizing Ohio’s economic growth and workforce development. 

“The state of our state is strong,” DeWine said, citing record-high employment numbers with nearly 5.7 million Ohioans working. He highlighted major job creation projects, including Intel’s $28 billion investment in Licking County, Honda’s electric vehicle battery plant in Fayette County and Ford’s expansion in Lorain County. 

“These are just a few of our recent victories,” he said, noting Ohio’s rise to seventh in CNBC’s ranking of best states for business. DeWine credited low taxes and reduced regulations for the state’s economic progress.

Beyond economic growth, DeWine outlined workforce initiatives, including support for individuals with disabilities, formerly incarcerated individuals and those recovering from addiction. He announced new programs to expand literacy, workforce training and access to vision and dental care for children. 

“Our goal remains the same – to work each day so that every single Ohioan has the tools to live up to their full potential,” he said.

DeWine also introduced a statewide effort led by Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel to address regional workforce needs and called on lawmakers to ban cellphones in schools.

Key Takeaways from DeWine’s 2025 State of the State Address

Ohio’s Economic Growth and Business Expansion

  • Record Job Growth: Ohio has hit an all-time high in employment with nearly 5.7 million Ohioans working, and over 81,000 private-sector jobs added in recent years.
  • Major Investments Statewide: DeWine highlighted several multimillion-dollar business expansions across the state, including:
    • First Quality Tissue (Defiance County): 400 new jobs.
    • Louis Dreyfus Co. (Wyandot County): $500 million soybean processing plant, 114 jobs.
    • Honda EV Battery Factory (Fayette County): 2,200 jobs.
    • Ford Avon Lake Expansion (Lorain County): Doubling workforce with 2,000 new jobs.
    • Intel’s Silicon Heartland (Licking County): $28 billion investment, creating 3,000 high-tech jobs.
    • Anduril (Pickaway County): The largest defense technology investment in Ohio’s history, creating 4,000 high-paying jobs.
  • Business-Friendly Environment:
    • Ohio now ranks as the seventh best state for business (CNBC), up from 34th place 15 years ago.
    • Site Selection Magazine ranked Ohio No. 1 in the nation for infrastructure and economic development investment.
    • “Our income tax rates are the lowest they’ve been in over 50 years,” DeWine said.

Workforce Development and Job Readiness

  • Ohio’s Workforce Playbook Initiative:
    • Led by new Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, the initiative will develop regional strategies to meet job and talent needs.
    • Collaboration with universities, community colleges and businesses to ensure training aligns with job market demands.
    • “Together, we’ve created all these incredible economic opportunities and new jobs in Ohio. Now, our mission as a state is to act with great urgency and intense focus on filling these jobs,” DeWine said.
  • Expanding Workforce Participation:
    • Ohioans with Disabilities: Over 32,000 individuals with disabilities have been placed into employment since DeWine took office.
    • Second-Chance Hiring: Encouraging employers to hire rehabilitated former inmates.
    • Older Workforce Utilization: Retired Ohioans will play a key role in filling workforce gaps.
    • Mental Health and Recovery: Expanding employment programs for Ohioans overcoming mental health challenges and substance abuse.
  • Eliminating Barriers to Employment:
    • Cutting 30% of state regulations to ease the business environment.
    • More than 930 regulations and 2.3 million words removed from Ohio’s Administrative Code, with further cuts planned.

Education and Workforce Readiness

  • Strengthening Career and Technical Education:
    • 10% growth in career tech participation since 2021, with 13,000 more students earning career credentials.
    • Focus on work-based learning, requiring every state university to implement hands-on job experience for students.
  • Governor’s Merit Scholarship:
    • A $5,000 per year renewable scholarship for top 5% of high school graduates who attend Ohio colleges and universities.
    • 87% of eligible students have accepted the scholarship, keeping Ohio’s top talent in-state.
  • Guaranteed College Admissions:
    • Ohio’s top 5% of high school graduates will now receive guaranteed admission to the main campuses of all state universities.
  • Driver’s Education in Schools:
    • Reintroducing affordable driver training in high schools to increase mobility and job access.

Education Reform and Early Learning

  • Science of Reading Implementation:
    • Ohio has adopted evidence-based phonics instruction across all schools, leading to:
      • A 5.2% increase in fourth grade reading proficiency.
      • A 3.1% improvement in fifth grade scores.
    • “This is a fundamental change – one that takes time, perseverance and persistence – but the rewards will be well worth the effort,” DeWine said.
  • Expanding Access to Early Literacy:
    • Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: 70% of Ohio households with children under five are now receiving free books every month.
    • Over 20 million books have been mailed to Ohio children since DeWine took office.
  • New Vision and Dental Health Initiatives:
    • Ohio See Program: Free eye exams and glasses for students in kindergarten through third grade.
    • Children’s Dental Services Pilot Program: Providing in-school dental care to children in underserved communities.

Cellphone Ban in Schools to Improve Learning

  • Statewide School Cellphone Ban Proposal:
    • Building on recent school policies banning phones during class, DeWine is pushing for a statewide mandate to prohibit student phone use during school hours.
    • Schools that have implemented phone bans have seen higher grades, fewer disciplinary issues and better student engagement.
    • “The evidence is overwhelming – kids are learning more, engaging more and communicating better when phones are put away,” DeWine said.

Supporting Working Families

  • Childcare Support Expansion:
    • Expanded Child Care Choice Voucher program now serves 7,700 more children from low-income families.
    • Proposed $1,000 tax credit for working parents of children under seven.
  • Sports & Extracurricular Accessibility:
    • Revenue from online sports gaming fees will now be used to:
      • Fund youth sports and extracurricular activities for low-income students.
      • End the use of state funds for stadium and ballpark renovations.

Pictured at top: Gov. Mike DeWine delivers his 2025 State of the State Address on Wednesday.