(February 18) After multiple delays over the past year, the State Controlling Board last Wednesday approved an extension of JobsOhio’s liquor franchise by 15 years. This extension, originally conceived by the Ohio Chamber as an amendment in the last state operating budget, equips JobsOhio with increased capacity to compete for more economic opportunities, longer-term agreements, and more aggressive incentives. The Ohio Chamber heavily advocated for this cause over the last several months, culminating in an editorial leading up to the vote co-authored by the Chamber and the Ohio Business Roundtable which appeared in several statewide newspapers. Both Chamber President and CEO Steve Stivers and SVP of Government Affairs Rick Carfagna engaged directly with Governor DeWine and his team, House and Senate leadership, State Controlling Board members, and JobsOhio to get this critical effort across the finish line.

As the Chamber has stressed, extending JobsOhio sends a strong signal to the marketplace that Ohio supports economic development and will continue to do so for decades more under this proven model. Companies that might otherwise be apprehensive about entering into agreements that would outlive JobsOhio’s ownership of the liquor franchise now have more long-term assurances, and the state will continue to significantly profit from annual deferred payments into the general revenue fund.

The Ohio Chamber was proud to lead the way to bring this deal to fruition and looks forward to the continued prosperity and opportunities generated by JobsOhio’s efforts.

(February 12) After two years of in-depth analysis, review, and participation from hundreds of Ohio residents spanning over a dozen public meetings, The Ohio Department of Transportation and its District 6 office are pleased to announce the release of the following documents:

• Route 23 Connect Executive Summary
• Route 23 Connect 2024 Preliminary Feasibility Study
• Corridor Action Plan

The comprehensive study, encompassing over 23 miles of U.S. 23 between I-270 and the village of Waldo, presents a prioritized tier list with baseline improvements for 33 identified project locations aimed at improving safety and travel time reliability while addressing congestion on a critical transportation corridor.

This section of U.S. 23 is currently 30% over capacity. Absent needed improvements, congestion and crashes are expected to continue to increase as this area is poised for significant growth in the future.

The baseline improvements from the study would make substantial enhancements to U.S. 23, including:

• Reduce Fatal and Serious Injuries: The proposed improvements are expected to reduce more than 150 fatal or serious injury crashes over a 20-year period.

• Shorten Travel Times: Future morning and afternoon commute times between I-270 and Waldo are projected to be reduced by nearly 35 minutes.
• Eliminate Traffic Signals: The study also recommends eliminating 32-34 traffic signals along U.S. 23, which will improve the flow of traffic and reduce congestion for local and through travelers.

With the feasibility study complete, the Action Plan will now guide the advancement of future individual projects at 33 identified locations along the U.S. 23 corridor. The baseline improvements identified in the study represent an estimated $1.6 billion. However, additional analysis and public involvement will be needed for future project development, which could increase the total investment based on the final construction option.

Next Steps

ODOT is already implementing baseline improvements from the feasibility study, with projects being advanced at the intersections of U.S. 23 and Coover Road, and U.S. 23 and SR 229 in Delaware county. Public meetings for these projects are planned for Spring 2025. The public is invited to review the full feasibility study and corridor action plan at the project website.

Route 23 Connect (PID 112768) - PublicInput

You can sign up to join the mailing list for notification of future public meetings at transportation.ohio.gov/23connect.

Again, we greatly appreciate your involvement on the Route 23 Connect Study. We encourage you to remain engaged throughout any future projects!

(February 12) The Ohio Transportation Budget has been introduced as HB 54. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce supports this legislation, which proposes over $9.5 billion in funding over the next two years for the Ohio Department of Transportation's infrastructure maintenance and improvement plans. It also provides appropriations for transportation-related programs administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission and Ohio Department of Development. The bill proposes that the state motor fuel tax and federal highway aid would provide most of the revenue for the transportation budget, and it allocates over 98% of the funding to ODOT with the largest portion to be used for highway construction and maintenance.

(February 12) The beginning of this month marked the introduction of Governor DeWine’s Executive Budget for Fiscal Years 2026-2027. As is typical for the state’s operating budget, Medicaid constitutes the majority of the general revenue fund appropriations (50.9%), followed by Primary and Secondary Education (22%). The All Funds budget is projected to be $108.6 billion in FY26, a 2.9% increase over FY25. The All Funds budget in FY27 is projected to be $110.7 billion, a 1.9% increase from FY26.

The Ohio House of Representatives began hearings on the budget last week and are expected to continue their considerations through the first week of April. The budget will then head to the Senate for consideration before Conference Committee, where both chambers must come to an agreement on their differing budgets prior to July 1, 2025.

The Executive Budget includes several proposed tax increases and a new fee on employers to fund an updated unemployment system. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce has concerns about the tax and revenue changes and are working to understand their implications. We expect these provisions to change throughout the budget process and as always, welcome your input.

• Increase sports gaming tax from 20% to 40%.
• Revenue will go into the newly proposed Sports Construction & Education Fund, to fund professional sports stadiums, youth sports, and sports education in Ohio.
• Increase to cigarette taxes by $1.50, from $1.60 per pack to $3.10. The tax on vapor products would also increase from 17% to 42%.
• This proposed tax increase would be used to support an income-based child tax credit of up to $1,000 per child ages 6 and under.
• Increase to marijuana tax at point of sale from 10% to 20%.
• This tax revenue would go toward supporting law enforcement training, expungement program, 988 crisis line, etc.
• New fee on employers to fund modernized unemployment system.
• The Executive budget proposes levying a technology and customer service assessment on contributory employers of up to 0.15% of the taxable wage base per year for each covered employee. This equates to a maximum of $13.50 a year, paid in conjunction with employers’ unemployment taxes, for each employee who earns at least $9,000.

The proposed budget expects total tax revenue to reach $28.44 billion in FY25, increasing by 1.8% over the previous year

(January 28) JobsOhio recently announced that Ohio's population is poised to grow, thanks to new employers. This is great news, given that previous reports forecast Ohio's population to fall by about 675,000 people by 2050 due to an aging population and declining fertility. JobsOhio sees growth because data from the Census Bureau shows that from 2019-2023, a net of 97,000 people came to Ohio for job-related reasons. Moreover, a 2024 analysis by Bloomberg reveals that Ohio’s 25-44-year-old population from 2020-2023 was stable or increasing in at least three-quarters of the state’s counties.

(January 14) Ohio employers with common management or control of multiple companies are now able to report all unemployment taxes and wages under a single primary account thanks to a new rule from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (“ODJFS”). This method of reporting is known as a “common paymaster arrangement” and its use can save employers money on unemployment taxes and streamline quarterly reporting.

Prior to the new rule, one legal entity could not pay unemployment tax on behalf of another entity. This prohibition resulted in greater compliance burdens and higher audit risks since employers had to separately report all employee wages and taxes under different unemployment accounts even if their businesses had identical owners, were engaged in the same line of business, or had the same parent company. The old rule could also increase an employer’s unemployment tax liability because employers with excellent experience ratings could not apply their historic rate to any new entities under their management or control. Instead, the standard new employer experience rate of 2.7% would apply. 

ODJFS’s new rule improves Ohio’s business environment and addresses these issues by authorizing employers to report all employee wages and unemployment taxes under one primary account as long as all legal entities are commonly owned, managed, or controlled. As a result, employers no longer need to maintain multiple unemployment accounts with ODJFS and can utilize their earned experience rating when expanding their operations. 

The Ohio Chamber submitted a public comment in support of this rule change, and we commend the agency for easing administrative burdens on Ohio employers. 

The rule became effective on January 1, which will enable employers to utilize the common paymaster arrangement when filing their 2025 first quarter unemployment reports to ODJFS.

(January 13) Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced that 28 colleges and universities in Ohio will receive a total of $7.5 million in funding for security projects that enhance the safety of students and staff.

“Ohio remains committed to ensuring our colleges and universities have the resources they need to make their campuses as safe as possible,” said Governor DeWine. “These grants will allow us to continue this important work so students can focus on thriving in their studies, chasing their career goals, and reaching their full potential.”

The grant awards are part of the FY2025-26 Campus Safety Grant Program, which was funded with support from the Ohio legislature in House Bill 2 of the 135th General Assembly. The Ohio School Safety Center, which is a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, reviewed the campus safety grant applications in consultation with the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Funds will be used to cover expenses associated with physical security enhancements, such as security cameras, fencing, lighting, door locks, portable surveillance trailers, radios, drones, and more.

“I commend Governor DeWine and the General Assembly for continuing to prioritize campus safety, which is a critical part of a successful college experience for all students,” said Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey. “These grants provide continued support to our campuses in their efforts to provide a safe learning environment.”

“It is important to create an environment on our campuses where students feel secure and can focus on learning,” said Andy Wilson, Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. “Without question, these grants will improve safety and security across the state.”

To be eligible for grant funding, colleges and universities conducted a security and vulnerability assessment to identify areas in need of safety enhancements.

View List of Campus Safety Grants Awards

Since its creation in 2021, A total of approximately $17.5 million in funding has now been awarded through the Ohio School Safety Center's Campus Safety Grant Program, with previous rounds of grant awards announced in August 2021 and November 2022.

Governor DeWine created the Ohio School Safety Center in 2019 to assist local schools, colleges and universities, and law enforcement agencies to prevent, prepare for, and respond to threats and acts of violence, including self-harm, through a holistic, solutions-based approach to improving school safety.

(January 2) Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted, who serves as director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, today announced that the next round of the High School Tech Internship program is officially open for students and businesses to apply to participate. The program offers Ohio employers wage reimbursement for hosting high school interns in tech-related roles, helping businesses establish a recruitment pipeline while providing students with valuable work experience at an early age.

“Last year, we had nearly 1,000 high school students participate in this program, giving them a great opportunity to try out a career in their local communities,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “It’s vital that students have work-based learning experiences prior to graduation, providing them with the real-world skills and knowledge they need to enter the workforce.”

Interns will perform job duties similar to those of entry-level employees in technology roles, including artificial intelligence (AI), software development, data, and IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, broadband/5G, and other tech-focused fields. Employers can be reimbursed up to 75 percent of the wages paid to interns, with a cap of $5,000 per intern, to encourage businesses to hire high school students for these positions.

“In Ohio, we’re setting students and businesses up for success,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “The High School Tech Internship program is part of Ohio’s ongoing commitment to workforce development, ensuring that students are applying their knowledge in practical, impactful ways and businesses have access to a strong talent pipeline.”

To participate, businesses, schools, and students interested in applying should contact the intermediary in their region. High School Tech Internship intermediaries ensure the program is administered seamlessly between the state and employers.

Selected High School Tech Internship Intermediaries include:

• Northwest and Western Ohio: Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE)
• Northeast Ohio: Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U)
• Central Ohio: Educational Service Center of Central Ohio
• Southwest Ohio: INTERalliance of Greater Cincinnati
• Southeast Ohio: Building Bridges to Careers

“Authentic work-based learning is critical for students to build the skills needed to succeed. Every door we can open to meaningful workplace experiences means students will be poised to embark on additional avenues to contribute, innovate, and create throughout their careers,” said Stephen D. Dackin, director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. “The High School Tech Internship program provides students with opportunities to sharpen their skills. I’m excited to see how this will elevate their professional portfolios and strengthen Ohio’s future workforce.”
For more information on the program, including contact information for intermediaries, click here.

(December 12) The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation is proud to offer free suicide prevention training to Ohio's employers. This initiative aligns with the State of Ohio's Suicide Prevention Plan 2024-2026, which aims to reduce deaths by suicide throughout the state. The OSPF also offers a free downloadable Employer Toolkit to self-assess for best practices surrounding mental health and suicide risk for employees, as well as a host of other downloadable resources.

VitalCog Suicide Prevention Training takes 2 to 2.5 hours to complete and is available virtually or in-person at no cost to employers. This training is recommended for HR personnel or small business owners to help build awareness of the warning signs of suicidality among employees and prepare them for postvention response in the event of a completed suicide. Together, we can build a supportive community and work to reduce needless deaths.

If interested in participating in VitalCog Suicide Prevention Training through the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, please reach out to communications@bgchamber.net to see if the BG Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a training seminar, or to jason.hughes@ohiospf.org to set up your own training session.

(December 11) As part of Ohio’s efforts to build a pipeline of talent into the children services workforce, Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) Director Kara B. Wente today announced a $2 million investment to expand the Ohio Child Protective Services Fellowship Program.

Through the fellowship program, college students majoring in human services-related fields like psychology, family science, and sociology can apply to work part-time at county public children services agencies (PCSAs) – where they will receive valuable training and hands-on experience in these in-demand jobs.

At the start of 2023, one-in-five children services caseworker positions in the state were vacant. By the end of the year, another 20% of the remaining caseworkers had resigned. In 21 counties, turnover reached 40% or more, and nearly half of all caseworkers statewide (43%) had less than two years of experience. The fellowship program aims to reverse these trends.

“Research shows that when children services caseworkers leave their jobs, the kids they were helping often spend more time in foster care,” said Governor DeWine. “Expanding this program not only provides great learning and working experience for students who are striving to make a positive difference in our communities, it also ensures that our most vulnerable children and families continue to receive the care and stability they need during a critical time in their lives.”

Students accepted into the fellowship program will earn $15 per hour for up to 26 hours per week, allowing them to work around their class schedules.

In addition to competitive pay, students accepted into the fellowship program have the chance to gain immediate experience with caseworker duties such as transporting clients, attending home visits and court hearings, documenting cases, making follow-up calls, and much more. The program also offers retention incentives and mentoring opportunities to keep students engaged and prepare them for caseworker jobs after graduation.

“These are incredibly important jobs that make a difference. Every day, children services professionals work to help keep vulnerable children safe,” said Director Wente. “We believe the expansion of the Ohio Child Protective Services Fellowship Program will help us energize a new generation of college graduates to enter this critically needed and highly rewarding field.”

Originally launched in 2022 by Wood County Job and Family Services (JFS), the program partners with colleges and universities to recruit students entering their junior year to start the fellowship in their senior year. The ultimate goal is to provide students a pathway to full-time employment at the end of the fellowship.

Wood County JFS will continue to manage the program during this phase of expansion. DCY’s $2 million investment will nearly double the number of participating PCSAs, growing the program from 19 to 35 counties throughout northwest, southwest, and southeast Ohio. Funding will support 75 part-time fellowship positions for students. The goal is for the students who complete the program to use this experience to help secure permanent positions at county PCSAs or other local health and human services agencies.

Any Ohio college or university student who is majoring in a relevant human services field is welcome to apply. To participate, students must be able to commute to a county PCSA with an available fellowship position.

View an updated list of participating counties and learn more about how to apply on DCY’s new program webpage: ChildrenAndYouth.Ohio.gov/Fellowship

In addition to the Ohio Child Protective Services Fellowship Program, DCY also continues to strengthen the state’s children services workforce through the University Partnership Program (UPP). UPP works to incentivize those who have already graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees in social work to launch their career in children services.

Research shows that graduates supported through UPP stay in their jobs longer and are more satisfied that those who did not complete a similar program.

UPP is part of the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program (OCWTP). Learn more at: https://ohiocaps.org/ocwtp/upp/.

(August 30) - Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced the launch of the Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace program. Led by the Governor’s RecoveryOhio initiative, the new program is designed to create job opportunities for people in recovery from a substance use disorder or mental health condition, combat stigma surrounding addiction and mental illness in the workplace, and provide a boost to Ohio businesses.

Companies that implement recovery-friendly practices as part of their everyday operations and core values will be able to earn the official designation as an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace.
“The new Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace program has the power to transform lives by offering meaningful work for people looking to get back on their feet and by providing additional support systems for current employees,” said Governor DeWine. “I’m calling on all Ohio businesses to implement recovery-friendly practices and earn this designation today. Together, we can reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction, while making our people, our economy, and our communities all stronger.”

To qualify as an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace, businesses have many options for the types of practices they can implement. One example is creating policies that support hiring people in recovery and working with their local Mental Health and Recovery Board to share job opportunities.

“We know that, for people in recovery, having a stable job brings a sense of pride and responsibility that often helps them maintain their recovery,” said RecoveryOhio Director Aimee Shadwick. “But people currently in recovery are only the tip of the iceberg of who will benefit from this program. To achieve Governor DeWine’s vision for a brighter future for all Ohioans, it’s also important that we support the great number of current employees who are struggling with addiction or mental illness in silence.”

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the majority of adults with an addiction are employed. In Ohio, the most recent full year of data shows that 19.2% of Ohio adults – over 1.7 million people – reported having a substance use disorder. In the same timeframe, 9.2% of Ohio adults – over 469,000 people – said they had experienced serious thoughts of suicide.

The Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace program also encourages businesses to provide support systems that help employees feel comfortable requesting help if they are dealing with addiction or mental health challenges. Some examples include:

• Training leaders to identify signs of substance use and encouraging them to help employees seek treatment.
• Offering access to life-saving naloxone and training staff on how to use it in an emergency.
• Providing mental health and wellness education programs for employees.
• Promoting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to employees.

“By supporting those who are struggling, we can create an Ohio where everyone feels comfortable asking for the help they need to reach their full potential,” said Governor DeWine. “At the same time, we also know that companies that invest in recovery-friendly practices see significant economic benefits as well.”

The cost of employees battling a substance use disorder can be high for business when factoring in increased healthcare costs, decreased productivity, and time lost to unexpected absences or retraining due to turnover. However, research from the National Safety Council shows that every employee who recovers from a substance use disorder saves their company an average of over $8,500.

Interested businesses can learn more about the program, its benefits, how to request the designation, and more ideas for recovery-friendly practices they can bring to their businesses by visiting: RecoveryFriendlyWorkplace.MHA.Ohio.gov.

Governor DeWine announced the new program Friday during a ceremony at the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library. The Governor was joined for the ceremony by Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus and Paula Brehm-Heeger, the Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director of the library. Hamilton County launched their own local recovery-friendly workplace program two years ago. The library is one of dozens of local businesses participating in the program. During Friday’s event, Brehm-Heeger announced that the library is in the process of being among the first participants of the statewide program.

Businesses across the state have already expressed interest in earning the new Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace designation. Tina Thornton, Associate Vice President of Wellbeing and Safety at Columbus-based Nationwide, also spoke Friday and announced that Nationwide is the first business in the state to earn the new Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace designation.

Additional support for the Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace program will be provided by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, and the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

About RecoveryOhio
RecoveryOhio works to improve mental health and addiction services in Ohio by providing access to resources and support for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders. Visit RecoveryOhio.gov for more information.

(June 27) The JobsOhio Board approved changes to the JobsOhio Small Business Grant guidelines last week. These changes were designed to help improve the process and are directly attributed to the feedback from the project teams around the state.

Summary of the changes: 

1. Special consideration for allowing “forklifts and similar equipment” to the list of eligible costs, as long as they remain in Ohio for the term of the agreement.
   1. Think materials handling equipment and similar, not delivery trucks or vehicles.
2. Removed the limit of only one reimbursement per company for recipients of a JobsOhio Small Business Grant
3. Allow special consideration for businesses that have multiple owners if the majority qualify by ownership, in addition to giving special consideration to businesses that have 50%-50% ownership if one of the two owners meets ownership requirements.
4. Add all zip codes within JO Vibrant Communities to the eligibility list for JOSB Grants.

1. 1. We added Vibrant Communities to the list of eligible zip codes because we also identify those communities as distressed. This will improve messaging between the two programs, and overall improve the program goals of providing assistance to companies in distressed areas of the state.
   2. Certain zip codes may not meet DCI’s thresholds for statistically viable scoring. For those zip codes, eligibility will be determined based on distress score of surrounding scored zip codes.
2. Formalized the program name change.

See the full new guidelines here.

(June 25) The Ohio Chamber presented proponent testimony on House Bill 435 last week, a Blueprint-originated bill and one of the Chamber’s top ten policy priorities for the 135th General Assembly.

• House Bill 435 creates the Manufacturing Technology Assistance Program (or MTAP), targeting small and medium-sized manufacturers otherwise lacking the capital and capability to modernize their machinery and facilities.
• Just as the Mega Projects Program from two budget cycles ago has lured significant large-scale manufacturing investments, the smaller grant program proposed under HB 435 would serve those at the other end of the spectrum.
• Many small and medium-sized Ohio manufacturers still use 20- to 50-year-old equipment and machinery.
• The one-time capital assistance provided by such a match would reward their ongoing state presence, stimulate modernization and private investment, and serve as a quality retention and growth tool.

This $12 million grant program is modeled after similar efforts in both Indiana and Iowa.

• Indiana’s Manufacturing Readiness Grant Program, launched in 2020, has yielded a total of 526 awards equating to $56.9 million to 465 unique companies in 79 counties, accelerating proposed projects with combined budgets of $812.7 million.
• Likewise, Iowa created its own Manufacturing 4.0 Technology Investment Grant program in January 2021, with its first cycle providing over $7 million through 202 awards with project investments totaling over $31 million.

Ohio is entering into a manufacturing renaissance unlike anything witnessed by any other state in our country with our manufacturing sector GDP 4th in the nation, and Ohio also ranks 3rd in total manufacturing employees and total payroll.

• What may come as a surprise to many, however, is that most Ohio manufacturing firms (47%) employ fewer than ten people, according to the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA). OMA data also reveals that in 2021, mid-sized manufacturing firms (100-499 employees) employed 40% of Ohio’s manufacturing employees while just 0.4% of firms employed 1,000 or more people. HB 435 targets assistance to these smaller employers, often family-owned and community-oriented, that contribute to the vibrancy and identity of Ohio’s rural, suburban, and urban areas.

The Chamber is working in tandem with the OMA to gain more hearings and movement on HB 435, and we stand ready to enact this grant program and ensure our small and medium-sized manufacturers can retool for the demands of the modern economy. If you have any questions about HB 435, please contact the Chamber’s SVP of Government Affairs, Rick Carfagna, at rcarfagna@ohiochamber.com.

(May 28) The most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) paints a concerning picture: young adults aged 18 to 25 in the U.S. experience the highest rates of mental health concerns, with 33.7% reporting any mental health issues and 11.4% facing serious mental illness. Solving these crises presents a significant challenge, particularly in engaging those affected. Individuals grappling with mental health disorders often shy away from seeking care, and those with severe conditions are even less likely to engage. Effective engagement necessitates early intervention, meeting individuals where they are, and establishing trust by offering valuable support from the outset, rather than just a diagnosis.

Digital mental health innovations have been instrumental in addressing these challenges, democratizing care, and providing timely support, sometimes within hours rather than weeks. One such groundbreaking initiative, MyOhioWellness, has just completed its successful first phase and is poised to expand its impact across Ohio.

Funded by Miami University and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in collaboration with CampusWell, MyOhioWellness targets the critical need for health and wellness support among disengaged youth. This initiative aims to improve outcomes for young adults facing various challenges, including difficulties returning to school, financial strain, social isolation, and limited access to mental health services.

In its initial phase, MyOhioWellness laid a strong foundation with the launch of a streaming site offering research-backed video content tailored to the diverse needs of Ohio's young adults. Through strategic promotion on social platforms, the initiative engaged over 103,000 individuals aged 18 to 24, achieving a remarkable 60% engagement rate. The content not only promoted healthier behaviors but also raised awareness about vital resources such as the state's Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Now entering its second phase, MyOhioWellness aims to amplify its reach tenfold, ensuring broader access to mental health and community care resources across the state. In addition to video content, the initiative will introduce an AI wellness coach, equipped with over 15 years' worth of research-backed content developed by CampusWell. This virtual coach will provide daily wellness tips and address queries on all 8 dimensions of wellness (emotional, physical, occupational, social, spiritual, intellectual, environmental, and financial), fostering holistic well-being among Ohio's youth.

We invite you to learn more about MyOhioWellness at myohiowellness.com. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of young adults struggling with mental health issues.

(April 30) The U.S. Department of Labor last Wednesday issued its final rule-making to increase the salary threshold before an employee becomes ineligible for overtime pay.

• Under the final rule, effective July 1, 2024, employees must earn a minimum of $43,888 before being exempt from overtime pay requirements.
• That salary threshold then increases to $58,656 on July 1, 2025, and subsequently increases with the rate of inflation every 3 years moving forward.

Currently, an employer does not have to pay overtime wages in accordance with the federal Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) if the employee earns more than $35,568 and has job duties that qualify as either executive, administrative or professional. The new overtime rule does not make any changes to the job duty requirements, but instead seeks to make more employees eligible for overtime pay by increasing the salary threshold by nearly $20,000 over a two-year period.

If an employee does not meet the new salary threshold requirements, employers must pay that person 150% of their hourly wage for every hour the employee works over 40 hours in a work week.

A higher salary threshold is problematic for employers because it creates additional bookkeeping and administrative challenges, since employers must track the exact time an employee works when that employee was previously paid a salary.

• These timekeeping challenges open employers up to an increased risk of costly wage and hour lawsuits because now, more employees may allege the employer participated in “wage theft.”
• It also hinders the ability of employees to work in a manner they may find more suitable, since hourly workers often have restrictions on accessing work materials from their phone or after hours.

The Ohio Chamber will continue to update its members on the filing of any litigation to stop the rule from going into effect or if any other actions are taken as July 1 approaches.

The City of Bowling Green administers several housing programs. The Direct Homeownership Assistance, Rental Rehabilitation, Mobile Home Repair and Elderly Emergency Home Repair programs are funded through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement dollars. Learn about income-based eligibility at this link.

For more information on the Elderly Home Repair Program, Home Repair Program, Mobile Home Repair Program, Direct Homeownership Assistance Program, or Rental Rehabilitation Program, please visit the City of Bowling Green's Community Development webpage here.

Apply for City Housing Programs at this link.

These programs assist very low-, low- and moderate-income households, and are available to City of Bowling Green residents only. Residents of Wood County who do not reside in Bowling Green may find similar program assistance through the Wood County Planning Office, 419-354-9128.

The City of Bowling Green also links to other organizations that provide housing programs; check out their recommendations at this link.