Ohio: A Rising Economic Powerhouse

By: Findlay Hancock Economic Development

Published: April 28, 2026

Ohio: A Rising Economic Powerhouse cover photo, 8 people stand of big screen of Ohio presentation

State Leaders Describe Ohio’s Bright Future at Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development Forum

By Sarah Mayle

Through decades of strategic planning and thoughtful legislation, Ohio’s economic landscape is on a roll— and there may be no stopping it. The state stands poised for rocketing economic growth, with JobsOhio setting goals to command No. 1 in the Midwest and at least No. 5 in the U.S. by 2030.

The momentum is there.

“We have been working to change the question from, ‘Why would we go to Ohio?’ to ‘How can we get there?’” said JP Nauseef, president and CEO of JobsOhio, who spoke at Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development’s Investor Forum on April 23. “Ohio can lead (JobsOhio’s identified) super sectors, and we intend to do so. And when they plant those seeds here, supply chains will follow. It’s a very exciting time right now.”

JP Nauseef, president and CEO of JobsOhio

Nauseef was keynote speaker of the event, held at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts. Additional speakers were Ohio Rep. Ty Mathews (R – Findlay) and Eddie Pauline, president and CEO of the Ohio Life Sciences Association. They explained the driving forces behind Ohio’s success, how their organizations work together, and several initiatives that will propel the state into future economic prosperity.

JobsOhio, Ohio’s private nonprofit economic development corporation, is working to strengthen Ohio’s competitive advantage to attract and accelerate growth in the super sectors —a pillar of its JobsOhio 2030 plan. The super sectors are trillion-dollar industries that require technologies, workforces, supply chains and customers that Ohio is uniquely positioned to support. They are: Semiconductors and Microelectrics; Advanced Aerospace and Defense; Life Sciences and Biotech; Artificial Intelligence; and Ohio Energy Leadership.

Nauseef celebrated Northwest Ohio’s strong showing in 2025 over a number of indicators, including No. 1 State in the U.S. for Micropolitans as rated by Site Selection Magazine (Findlay was No. 2 in the U.S.); No. 1 Region for JobsOhio BR&E Visits; and No. 1 Region for Job Creation (67 percent above its target). From 2019 to 2025, Northwest Ohio boasted 416 projects; 17,853 new jobs; a $920.9 million payroll and $13 billion in CapEx expenditures. All were significant increases over numbers from five years earlier. Nauseef also indicted that measures of outmigration from Ohio are shifting, especially in the last two years; more students and young adults are staying in Ohio.

A slide from Nauseef’s presentation, indicating JobsOhio goals for 2030.

Slide presentation for 2025 Northwest Ohio Performance

Ohio’s economic indicators are trending up, with significant gains in the last five years.

Findlay a Premier Site

Earlier this year, Findlay achieved “Premier” designation of Northwest Ohio from the Ohio Life Sciences Association, and it is one of only six in the state. The Ohio Life Sciences Association represents nearly 5,000 businesses and organizations across Ohio, with the mission to champion growth and innovation in Ohio’s Life Sciences industry through advocacy, economic and workforce development.

Findlay’s ranking indicates its fitness for the Life Sciences industry through exceptional zoning, site readiness, and workforce capacity. The community is promoted as such statewide—making it easier for companies and investors to find locations that are truly equipped to support the growth of the life sciences industry.

Man at a podium giving a talk at a conference; audience seated and a projection screen shows Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development Investor Forum.

Eddie Pauline, president and CEO, Ohio Life Sciences Association

In his remarks, Pauline explained the Life Sciences as a sector driving innovation in the creation, validation, manufacturing, scale, and delivery of life-saving treatment. They are Biotech, Medtech, Research & Care, and Agri-tech. Ohio, he said, is already outfitted with much of the critical infrastructure needed in the life sciences supply chain. The only challenge? A stronger, better-equipped workforce.

Through $30 million in support from JobsOhio, a flagship Ohio Life Science Training Center will be constructed in New Albany, which will open in about a year. The center will serve as a hub to train and develop biomanufacturing operators under standard curricula. And, the curricula will be advanced through “spokes”—community colleges and technical schools across the state.

“This is a huge opportunity for the state,” Pauline said. “We believe we can quickly scale this across the entire state to ensure that communities all over Ohio are ready to supply the talent that they need to win big manufacturing deals over and over again.”

Legislation as a Partner for Growth

Building upon regulations that have been refined for decades to shift the numbers in Ohio’s favor, Mathews explained new legislation making up the Ohio Defense Initiative.

Rep. Ty Mathews (R-Findlay) serves the 83rd District of Ohio, speak on the stage

Rep. Ty Mathews (R-Findlay) serves the 83rd District of Ohio, which includes Hancock County.

Mathews currently serves as commander for HHC, 1^st, 145^th Armor Regiment in the Ohio National Guard. He was deployed in 2022 to Iraq as a battle captain where he experienced and studied counter-drone warfare. When he returned to the U.S., this experience in emerging tech led him to run for office with the goal of bringing that tech to Ohio. He also serves on the House’s Veterans and Military Development Committee.

Mathews discussed several bills he has introduced to assist in attracting emerging technology and defense technology to Ohio:

House Bill 291 introduces the idea to establish the Ohio International Trade Commission. “Our economy here in Ohio is the size of Taiwan, Poland or Hungary, …and we want to elevate Ohio as a global player,” Mathews said.
House Bill 292 proposes the creation of the Ohio Defense and Space Commission. The commission would guide efforts to promote the defense and aerospace industries’ attraction to Ohio and make choices on where to spend the Ohio Defense Fund. The fund would provide state matching dollars for defense and emerging tech-related companies and projects.
Through House Bill 332, Mathews proposed the Defense Link Deposit Program, a system to lend money to eligible small defense-oriented businesses at a rate below the present borrowing rate. The bill aims to help businesses lower borrowing costs and invest in growth without directly using taxpayer dollars in the state’s general revenue fund.
House Bill 568 would lower and mandate a limit on retainage in construction contracts.
House Bill 666 would create the Ohio Tech Institute, streamlining access to federal grants and technology. Any university, nonprofit, private corporation or government entity in Ohio would be eligible for participation and could receive direct access to federal technology.
And finally, House Bill 785 is called Enact the ASSET Act, which would allow the state of Ohio to lease unused or underused public land to private companies.

“At my core, I don’t believe government drives innovation, but we need to help facilitate it for all of you in this room,” Mathews said. “I truly do believe in the 83^rd District, in Hancock County. We breed excellence up here. It truly is a light, a city on a hill, if you will. We are so blessed to be in this community, and I want our community to succeed.”

About 120 Economic Development Council Members and guests enjoyed valuable time for networking, refreshments and insight gained at the event.