AGP Executive Report

Medicaid Oversight: Federal lawmakers grilled Ohio’s Medicaid waiver fraud risk, citing reports of up to $1.2B in fraudulent payments and pushing for stronger verification tech for home-based services. Small Business Pressure: Downtown Sylvania continues to squeeze Main Street businesses—Bandit’s Main Street Eats plans to close by end of June, and Finch & Fern is going storefront-only July 25 due to construction and rising costs. Workforce & Skills: A new look at warehousing maintenance careers highlights how hard it is to hire and retain capable technicians, with people skills mattering as much as fixing automation and materials-handling equipment. Public Safety Incident: Three people were hospitalized after a chemical reaction at the Akron Water Plant produced chlorine gas, triggering a shelter-in-place order and a temporary plant shutdown. Defense & Jobs: Gov. DeWine approved an Aerovironment expansion in Greene County, backed by $7M in tax credits, projecting 200 new jobs and major payroll growth. Business Growth: Pioneer Physicians Network is adding Salem Family Care to expand independent primary care into Columbiana County starting Jan. 1, 2027. Ohio Economy Snapshot: Central Ohio companies moved up in the Fortune 500, including Cardinal Health staying at No. 15 and Vertiv climbing to No. 414. Tech & R&D: CAS launched CAS Connections to plug trusted scientific content and agentic AI into researchers’ existing tools. Local Economy/Real Estate: A report says “starter homes” are still available in Ohio but harder to find as prices rise and inventory tightens.

Data Center Showdown: Ohio lawmakers heard from more than 100 residents at a Select Committee hearing, with speakers pushing for a moratorium over environmental impacts, tax-break costs, and nondisclosure agreements—while Piqua-area organizers gather signatures for a constitutional amendment. Local Action: Cortland moved faster, passing a one-year emergency moratorium to pause permits and force a zoning code review. Affordability Pressure: A Brookings analysis finds Ohio households are under strain—over 40% can’t make ends meet, and 73% of single-parent households are squeezed—tying the stress to housing, food, childcare, healthcare, transportation, and utilities. Nursing Home Watch: CMS Q1 2026 ratings spotlight mixed outcomes across Ohio facilities, including Vancrest of New Carlisle (3 stars) and Arbors West (2 stars), alongside higher performers like Indian Lake Rehabilitation Center (5 stars). Entrepreneur Support: Northwest State Community College hosts a free business financing workshop for underserved founders, with lenders and funding education. Congress & Sports Media: Rep. Jim Jordan asks NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to testify on the league’s broadcast and streaming deals.

Federal criminal case hits Stark County: Washington Township volunteer assistant fire chief Donald Morrow was suspended after federal child pornography charges, with investigators tracing an alleged Dropbox account to him and finding CSAM files on a hard drive. Major Ohio infrastructure push: The first crane arrived on the Ohio River to kick off the $4.4B Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, starting meaningful in-water work toward a companion bridge completion targeted for 2031. Ohio Medicaid oversight: Ohio Auditor Keith Faber will testify June 3 before a U.S. House task force on Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse, citing systemic control weaknesses from recent audits. Data center tax break reversal: Ohio paused/axed new data center tax incentives after forecasting errors and growing resistance, keeping some ongoing projects eligible while the debate continues. Cleveland Browns blockbuster with big economic ripple: Browns GM Andrew Berry said the Myles Garrett trade to the Rams hinged on a deal that included Jared Verse plus premium draft picks; Garrett’s contract changes helped make it work. Local business activity: Marco’s Pizza opened in New Haven with a June 3 grand opening, while Toledo crews reported no injuries after a car crash into a west Toledo business prompted building inspections. Defense tech jobs in the Dayton area: AeroVironment plans a $15M Greene County expansion near Dayton, targeting about 200 new jobs and $28M in annual regional impact.

NFL Trade: Cleveland dealt two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Verse plus draft picks (2027 first, 2028 second, 2029 third), a blockbuster move enabled by contract option timing changes. Housing & Community Development: Gov. Mike DeWine announced $26.9M+ in Welcome Home Ohio grants to expand safe, affordable housing across 57 counties, with 25 counties still awaiting funding. Cybersecurity & Courts: A Latvian ransomware negotiator tied to Karakurt/TommyLeaks/SchoolBoys was sentenced in federal court in Ohio to 102 months for helping run attacks that included healthcare and even a 911 shutdown. Local Governance: Hubbard approved a 12-month data center moratorium after residents raised concerns, while nearby communities keep debating how growth projects affect local services and costs. Business/Finance Basics: Ohio’s Division of Financial Institutions urged “spring cleaning” for money habits, citing widespread financial stress and setbacks. Education & Workforce: A northwest Ohio educator bootcamp showed teachers safety-services career paths like EMS, fire, and law enforcement. Local Business Ops: Girard schools approved a shared-services deal with Liberty to share a bus mechanic, aiming to cut costs while keeping transportation staffed.

NFL Trade: The Cleveland Browns sent edge rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster deal for Jared Verse plus a 2027 first-round pick and additional draft capital (2028 second, 2029 third). Local Economy: Ohio’s corn refining sector got a boost as Primient and Cargill Dayton-area facilities earned national safety awards from the Corn Refiners Association, highlighting low incident rates and zero lost workdays. Biopharma Jobs: Hikma Pharmaceuticals announced a $267 million expansion across its Columbus and Bedford operations, adding 350 jobs. Energy & Industry: Nexans completed its acquisition of Cincinnati-based Republic Wire, strengthening its U.S. low-voltage wire business amid electrification and data center growth. Policy Watch: Ohio lawmakers kicked off hearings on data centers as the state pauses key tax incentives tied to the AI boom. Consumer/Payments: Paysafe research says many U.S. bettors want crypto to fund online wagers where permitted, pointing to potential competitive pressure for sportsbooks. Sports Business: OPmobility is building a new Toledo-area manufacturing plant for exterior mobility systems, with production planned for late 2027.

Ohio Politics: A new poll of Ohio lawmakers shows Sherrod Brown has a 35% shot to win back the U.S. Senate seat from Jon Husted (56% pick Husted), with Ohio’s 2026 races also shaping up around the economy and public costs. State Policy/Tech: Ohio lawmakers are digging into the impact of data centers, while Gov. DeWine has paused key data center tax breaks amid mounting resistance and questions about power demand and costs. Local Governance/Privacy: Dayton residents are pushing back on Flock Safety license plate readers, with city workers covering cameras after an internal review flagged policy violations and thousands of law-enforcement search requests. Health/Business: Pro Medicus’ U.S. unit signed $44M in health imaging contracts, including a five-year renewal with Allegheny Health Network. Infrastructure: Pieces for the Brent Spence companion bridge arrived on the Ohio River, with in-water work expected to start soon. Community/Economy: Youngstown’s StreetScape drew about 1,000 volunteers for “Red, White and Bloom” downtown beautification. Public Finance: Ohio Auditor of State’s office lists upcoming audits for multiple local entities ahead of Tuesday’s releases.

Data Centers in Ohio: Gov. Mike DeWine paused Ohio’s data center sales tax exemption for new applicants after the incentive’s cost surged to nearly $1.6B in 2025 versus a projected $142M for fiscal 2026, fueling a push to ban hyperscale builds and a Monday June 1 statehouse hearing on the issue. AI Infrastructure Watch: SoftBank plans up to €75B ($87B) for 5 gigawatts of AI data center capacity in France, with a first €45B phase (3.1GW) in Hauts-de-France—highlighting how power supply is becoming the real bottleneck. Policy & Cost Pressure: States are balking at Medicaid work requirements as budgets tighten, with lawmakers warning cuts to health care and education may follow. Ohio Politics & Accountability: Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder’s bid for a Trump pardon is in the spotlight after U.S. Supreme Court setbacks tied to the House Bill 6 bribery scandal. Consumer Tech & Food Access: SNAP benefits can now be used for Kroger grocery delivery via DoorDash in Ohio, expanding access for households facing transportation barriers.

Federal Courts & Governance: A judge ordered President Trump’s name removed from the Kennedy Center and blocked the planned two-year closure/renovation, saying the board can’t change the federally set designation without Congress. Trump hit back on Truth Social, arguing the work is needed for safety and upkeep. Education Policy: Ohio Senate Bill 443 would tighten voucher oversight by requiring scholarship students to take the same annual standardized tests as public schoolers and forcing voucher schools to report spending, enrollment mix, and student services. Manufacturing & Jobs: Ultium Cells’ Lordstown battery layoffs will extend to August as GM and LG Energy Solution push back the restart, citing EV market conditions. Energy/Health Costs: The American Heart Association is backing Ohio’s paid leave proposal (SB 396) aimed at reducing medical-debt pressure after emergencies like heart attacks and strokes. Housing: Lorain County’s land reutilization corporation won a $902,000 Welcome Home Ohio grant to rehab or build nine homes. Local Business/Community: Apple Farm Service marked 70 years with expanded Ohio/Indiana locations and a “7 for 70” giveaway series. Tech/Industry: MISUMI Group launched MISUMI Americas, combining its manufacturing supply reach with Fictiv’s digital capabilities to speed design-to-production. Public Safety: OSHA is investigating an Ohio crane incident after a crane flipped and damaged two homes in Bay Village.

Auto & Manufacturing: Ultium Cells workers at the GM-LG battery plant in Lordstown will have to wait until August to return, extending temporary layoffs as EV demand stays weak. Unemployment Watch: Ohio reported 4,754 initial unemployment claims last week (down 900) and 40,552 continued claims (up 711). Housing & Community Development: Ohio awarded nearly $27M in housing growth grants across 57 counties for home construction, rehabilitation and property purchases. Local Economic Boost: Niles opened Riverside Park, a $3.5M riverfront project with a canoe/kayak launch, amphitheater and nature playground, funded through the state’s Appalachia program. Policy & Business Climate: Ohio lawmakers kicked off work on a bipartisan study commission to review the economic, environmental and security impacts of data centers, as opposition to new facilities keeps growing. Corporate/Finance: PayPal is warning investors it needs “significant changes” as online checkout growth slows and competition squeezes its core business. Legal/Institutions: A federal judge ordered the Kennedy Center to remove Trump’s name from the building and blocked plans to close for renovations. Workforce & Skills: Ohio SkillsUSA state results highlighted Jefferson County JVS student Katie Rivers earning silver in auto collision technology.

Data Centers & State Policy: Ohio Gov. DeWine paused new data center tax exemption requests as lawmakers weigh the impact; Ohio Farm Bureau says the influx could squeeze farmland and urges clearer rules on water, electricity, and long-term benefits. Utility Rates: FirstEnergy filed a three-year rate plan that could raise typical Toledo Edison bills about $5.30 per month annually if approved by regulators, funding grid upgrades and tree trimming. Workforce & Education: Workforce Pell’s final federal rule is out, shifting the work to colleges to get short-term training programs eligible under state frameworks. Healthcare & Innovation: The FDA expanded inhaled insulin (Afrezza) approval for kids age 6+ with diabetes, adding a needle-free option. Local Business & Growth: My Place Hotels inked a franchise deal for 10 extended-stay hotels across the Midwest, with Ohio slated for early phases. Housing & Community Development: Trumbull County’s land bank won $1M for housing projects under Welcome Home Ohio, including buying and building homes. Public Safety: FBI searched multiple Stansley Mining-related properties in NW Ohio; separate Greene County raids seized suspected tranq and other drugs. Schools & Contracts: Panther Valley schools approved a $1.59M roof replacement pact with Cleveland-based Garland, with a 25-year warranty.

Data Center Tax Break Pause: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered a pause on new sales-tax exemptions for data centers while lawmakers study the impact after reporting showed the break cost more than $1.5B in 2025—drawing pushback from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce but qualified support for continued data-center growth. Local School Transportation Outsourcing: Youngstown schools approved a two-year contract to outsource transportation to Petermann Bus Co., setting up a new busing plan tied to upcoming high-school consolidation. Cybersecurity Funding: Trumbull County approved about $214K over three years to strengthen county cybersecurity programs under Ohio’s HB 96 requirements. Opioid Funds Split: Hancock County commissioners approved an additional $400K opioid allocation for a treatment facility while also signing MOUs for other groups, with one commissioner questioning whether prior requirements were met. Housing/Community Business Moves: Sheetz opened a new Cuyahoga Falls location with grand-opening giveaways and donations, and a new Clermont County forensics lab is speeding up investigations with faster access to phone and forensic tools. Ohio River Restoration Push: State Rep. Kevin Ritter backed a push for federal Ohio River restoration funding, calling it a jobs and commerce engine. Veterans Housing Finance Snapshot: Ohio ranked 13th nationally for VA home-loan value in Q1 2026 at about $1.6B.

Ohio Data Centers: Gov. Mike DeWine is pausing new Ohio tax break requests for hyperscale data centers while lawmakers study the power-cost impact and cities push back. Local Government & Fraud: Middletown’s former CVB executive director, Mary Huttlinger, faces misdemeanor theft and credit-card misuse charges tied to alleged unauthorized purchases after the bureau dissolved. Manufacturing Expansion: MISUMI Group is launching MISUMI Americas with a $1B global investment plan, aiming to scale U.S. digital manufacturing and supply-chain services. Tech & Research: Ohio University researchers are tapping the Ohio Supercomputer Center as computing demands grow. Retail & Consumer Pressure: Family Dollar is closing dozens of stores in Ohio as inflation squeezes budgets. Business Community: Spectrum is expanding rural fiber broadband across more than 20 Ohio counties. Real Estate/Legal: MV Realty will pay $2.5M to California and victims to settle claims tied to long-term home-marketing contracts. Construction/Industry: A Cleveland landmark, Fridrich Bicycle Company, was partially demolished after the city deemed part of the building unsafe.

Ohio River Restoration Push: State Rep. Kevin Ritter and Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel backed a House resolution urging Congress to create a federal Ohio River Restoration Program, citing water quality, public health, and jobs tied to the basin. Manufactured Housing Rules: A new wave of state law is easing zoning barriers for manufactured and modular homes on private land, but Ohio developers still face a patchwork of local permitting and legal steps. Steubenville Brownfield Funding: Jefferson County is set to receive $654,173 for remediation and assessment work, including the former Naval-Marine Training Center, aiming to clear the way for redevelopment such as workforce housing. Cleveland Guardians Investment: Travis Kelce bought a minority stake in the Guardians, adding a high-profile Ohio sports-business tie-in. Prediction Markets Scrutiny: Ohio AG Dave Yost joined a coalition urging the CFTC to treat sports-related prediction markets as gambling under state authority. DeWine Data Center Pause: Ohio paused major data center tax exemption requests while a legislative study reviews impacts. Local Infrastructure: Marietta closed sections of its bike path for about four weeks for sewer line work; Lima delayed a roundabout tied to a Google data center project. Business Growth: North Canton’s Captive Radiology landed private equity investment from RC Capital to expand imaging partnerships nationwide. Public Safety & Courts: Youngstown filed suit over the Realty Tower explosion; a receiver says SOBE Thermal is near financial collapse and may lose steam service without funding.

Data Centers & Taxes: Gov. Mike DeWine ordered a pause on new Ohio data center tax exemption requests while lawmakers study impacts, citing $27.2B in 2025 capital investment tied to prior benefits. Local Governance: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb pushed for “nuance” in the data center debate, arguing for zoning that steers facilities away from neighborhoods while recognizing existing “data cloud” sites. AI & Antitrust: The DOJ warned that AI and algorithmic pricing tools can trigger criminal antitrust liability if competitors feed nonpublic pricing data into shared systems. Retail Footprint: Family Dollar closed 28 Ohio stores since July 2025, with closures concentrated across Cincinnati and Cleveland. Housing Affordability: A new Redfin analysis says households need about $116,780 to afford a typical home—still far above median income—keeping many buyers priced out. Ohio Public Safety: Perry Township police arrested a man after threats to “shoot up” an area plasma center, triggering a lockdown. Business & Community: Wells Fargo hired Andre Mansour from Google to lead AI for its wealth and investment management unit.

Retail Expansion: BJ’s Wholesale Club is adding 12 stores in 2026, with a new Frankfort, Kentucky location the closest option yet to Southwest Ohio—BJ’s currently has eight Ohio clubs, mostly in the northeast and Columbus. Workforce & Training: Ohio’s ODJFS is pushing residents toward “in-demand” careers via OhioMeansJobs.com and local centers, pointing to the state’s Top Jobs List and employer-driven needs. Construction Compliance: Ohio regulators are warning spring project owners to hire only licensed commercial contractors, stressing safety and avoiding future legal headaches. Cybercrime Fallout: A federal jury in Toledo convicted three people tied to a $215 million international email hacking scheme that hit 1,000+ victims across 47 states and 19 countries. Energy Costs: FirstEnergy filed a three-year Ohio grid plan seeking about $800 million a year in upgrades, with bills rising gradually. Local Traffic: Youngstown’s South Avenue bridge rehab starts Monday, closing the road for a 3-mile detour.

Higher-Education Access: Swarthmore College says it will cover tuition for domestic families earning up to $200,000, starting with the 2027-28 school year—an access push built on its long-running need-blind admissions and full-need aid. Ohio Business & Jobs: Metal Supermarkets opened a new Mentor store, adding same-day delivery and custom cutting for local metal buyers, while Atomic Wings is planning more than 20 new locations in 2026, including Ohio. STEM Funding: Ohio’s Choose Ohio First is doling out $26M in STEM scholarships across 59 colleges for students and future STEM teachers. Local Disruption: Rossford, Ohio, is juggling multiple road projects at once, including a bridge replacement and a Route 65 roundabout that will close parts of the area into summer. Policy Watch: Data-center power demand is turning into a national fight, with Congress now under pressure as states and communities push back.