The OMA is excited to announce its newly redesigned website! The refreshed look and streamlined pages are designed to make navigation and access to information easier. 6/26/2024
You’re one of Ohio’s manufacturing leaders. You need the latest information on a variety of business issues affecting the industry.
Utilizing a broad array of resources, the OMA continuously updates members with the latest news, trends, and activity that impacts manufacturers and manufacturing stakeholders. Additionally, the OMA’s Government Affairs Committee meets every quarter.
This is just another way the OMA fulfills its mission to protect and grow Ohio manufacturing!
The OMA is excited to announce its newly redesigned website! The refreshed look and streamlined pages are designed to make navigation and access to information easier. 6/26/2024
This week, House Bill 203, The Prompt Pay Act received its first hearing on Wednesday in the Ohio Senate Higher Education Committee. The bill, opposed by the OMA, mandates payment terms in construction contracts and eliminates the owner’s right to negotiate by requiring payment within 30 days (or face an exorbitant 18% interest penalty).
The bill is a blatant violation of manufacturers’ freedom of contract rights. Contact State Senator Jerry Cirino, who chairs the committee, and urge him to oppose prompt pay. 6/25/2024
In a world where workplace safety means steel-toed boots and eye protection, manufacturers are increasingly reliant on digital services to streamline production and innovation. With that comes the increased need to protect these systems from cyber attacks, both for the company and its employees.
OMA Connections Partner RSM highlights in this snapshot the need for the industry to protect itself from ransomware, viruses, and state-sponsored cyber attacks. 6/25/2024
This week, the Ohio Senate passed House Bill 179, which touches on key principles addressing Ohio’s civil justice system. The bill intends to clarify which parties and in what time a suit must be brought for certain cases.
As a member of the Ohio Alliance for Civil Justice, the OMA provided testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee last month to express concern that some of the language contained in the bill is unclear, which could inadvertently lead to inconsistent decisions in Ohio’s courts.
The bill will now go to Governor DeWine’s desk for his signature. 6/26/2024
This week, OMA members testified before the Ohio House Finance Committee to support House Bill 435, which would create the Manufacturing Technology Assistance Program (MTAP).
The OMA delegation included: Ethan Karp from MAGNET, John Holeman from TOSOH SMD, and Dale Foerster from Starr Manufacturing.
MTAP would provide financial assistance to smaller manufacturers to upgrade to advanced industry 4.0 technologies, driving operational efficiencies and enhance Ohio’s global supply-chain competitiveness. 6/18/2024
Google announced this week a planned $2.3 billion investment in three data center sites across Central Ohio.
The company, joined by Lt. Governor Jon Husted and members of Ohio’s congressional delegation, on Tuesday unveiled the investment in their locations in Columbus, Lancaster, and New Albany.
This brings Google’s total investment in Ohio to $6.6 billion, following their initial investment of $4.4 billion since the groundbreaking of the New Albany data center in 2019. 6/19/2024
This week, the OMA joined the National Association of Manufacturers and a coalition of business groups to oppose the Biden administration’s proposed March-in Rights rule that would allow the federal government to seize patents from manufacturers for products it deems too expensive. The coalition letter ardently condemns the move as a broad-based violation of property rights that would stifle U.S. research & innovation, while deterring critical investment in the nation’s economy. The OMA issued comments in opposition last February upon following the rule’s initial introduction. 6/12/2024
OMA staff this week attended the production launch of the 2025 Honda CR-V FCEV fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) at the Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Marysville. The CR-V FCEV is the first and only FCEV made in the U.S., combining Honda’s hydrogen fuel cell system with plug-in EV charging capability. 6/5/2024
During the OMA Board Meeting in Zanesville, three new board members were elected:
Welcome to our new board members! 6/5/2024
This week, the OMA held its quarterly board meeting in Zanesville, updating members on the activity and health of the organization. Following the meeting, OMA board members and staff were treated to a tour of the AMG Vanadium facility, receiving a crash course in how important vanadium is in the manufacturing of oil, steel, and batteries. Thank you to Jane Neal, Senior Vice President of AMG Vanadium, for organizing the tour! 6/5/2024
Last week in Washington D.C., Scott Corbitt, Regional Vice-President at Anheuser-Busch passed leadership of the OMA’s Government Affairs Committee to Luke Harms, Director of Government Relations at Whirlpool. Scott has served as chair since 201. Thank you Scott for your leadership and service to the organization. 5/28/2024
Last week, the OMA hosted its first ever Government Affairs Committee in Washington, D.C.! Manufacturers from all corners of Ohio descended on our nation’s capital last Tuesday, meeting with key officials to discuss the strength of Ohio’s manufacturing industry and federal efforts to promote reshoring. Highlights include a meeting with Senator Sherrod Brown in the Senate Banking Committee room, the return of OMA’s Food & Beverage Manufacturers’ Policy Council, and a reception at the Canadian Embassy. Thank you to all our members for making this a productive and successful event! To view and download the full gallery of photos, click here. Feel free to share your trip on social media with the hashtag: #OhioMFGtakesDC. 5/29/2024
The Ohio Senate last week passed Senate Bill 63, which would protect Ohio manufacturers by reducing potential legal costs related to asbestos claims. The average number of defendants named in asbestos cases has tripled since the 1980s. OMA had previously provided testimony in support of the bill, which would prevent employers from being named as a defendant in asbestos cases without proof of exposure. The bill will now go to the Ohio House for consideration. 5/22/2024
This week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced nearly $5 million to support more than a dozen transportation projects throughout the state. Among the 14 projects are improvements to pavement, intersections, drainage, and the construction of roundabouts and turn lanes. 5/30/2024
This week, the Ohio General Assembly was called to hold a special session by Governor Mike DeWine to ensure President Joe Biden is on Ohio’s ballot this November. The session comes after the reveal that, under current Ohio law, elections officials must certify the November ballot 90 days before the election on Aug 7. Biden will not be nominated until the Democratic National Convention on Aug 19. National Democrats then announced this week that they plan to nominate Biden remotely, in order to bypass this law. This leaves the results of the special session Tuesday uncertain, with both chambers continuing to work on their own fixes. 5/29/2024
AI is increasingly becoming critical for manufacturers to streamline efficiency, productivity and innovation across key business operations. OMA Connections Partner RSM has developed this playbook on how and when to use AI, and who can best benefit from implementing it. 5/20/2024
The Ohio Department of Development (DOD) this week began fine tuning a new round of broadband expansion funding aimed at achieving universal coverage across the state. On May 28, BroadbandOhio will open a challenge window in which stakeholders can flag any inaccuracies in the federal broadband map showing coverage gaps across the state. Once the state map is finalized, BroadbandOhio will submit it to the Federal Government for review. 5/20/2024
The Biden Administration recently rolled out a series of tariff hikes on China, citing unfair trade practices regarding technology, intellectual property, and innovation. The tariffs, which are largely continuations of Trump-era policies, include hikes to Chinese made electric vehicle (EV) batteries, computer chips, steel, and aluminum. The OMA will continue to monitor the tariffs and measure their impact on Ohio’s manufacturing industry. 5/20/2024
OhioNet, a non-profit library membership organization in Ohio, recently announced the launch of the Ohio Industrial Resource Cooperative (OIRC) aimed at supporting business development by granting access to vital research and resources. Originally spearheaded by Jim Clark, Knowledge Manager at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, the OIRC completed a successful pilot project in the fall of 2023 with one of the top five scientific research publishers in the world. For more information, contact Hannah Rosen, Director of Member Programs, at hannahr@ohionet.org. 5/15/2024
Governor Mike DeWine this week signed House Bill 150 into law, which allows boards of education in Ohio to set standards for limiting cell phone use during school hours. Students would still be able to access their phones to manage health issues. Several districts have already implemented cell phone restrictions and bans, but the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce would create a model policy for districts that do not draft their own. 5/16/2024
