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Dayton
Business Journal
McGregor:
A
New Outlook on Job Creation in Ohio
by Ohio
Rep. Ross McGregor, Guest Column
Monday,
July 9, 2012
Job
creation is an ongoing process, one that requires sustained efforts and
innovative approaches. This fact has been reflected in the work of the
129th
Ohio General Assembly since the very start of our current legislative
session.
We have passed numerous bills to benefit Ohio’s businesses, promote
economic
recovery and grow our job market. Beginning with the formation of
JobsOhio, a
non-profit economic development engine, the state legislature has made
a
commitment to getting our economy back on track.
There is no
doubt that JobsOhio has been an integral factor in Ohio’s standout job
growth
numbers in recent months. The entity has helped to encourage
development of key
industries, incentivize business expansion and relocation, and remove
government obstacles that deter job creation. While the JobsOhio
network
continues its important mission, the House has passed Senate Bill
314—companion
legislation to House Bill 489—to induce further job growth. The bill
will
accomplish this task by reforming Ohio’s system of economic
development.
Governor Kasich signed Senate Bill 314 into law in late June,
solidifying this
most recent effort.
Specifically,
the legislation finalizes the transition of the Ohio Department of
Development
to the Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA). This process will make
government operations more efficient, paving the way for more job
creation now
and in the future. The bill also includes provisions that support the
work of
JobsOhio. For instance, Senate Bill 314 will oversee the administration
of tax
credits and loans to businesses.
Another
crucial component of the legislation is TourismOhio. This new five-year
pilot
program will be housed within the ODSA and will offer funding for
tourism
marketing. In Ohio, the tourism industry employs 439,000 individuals, a
significant portion of our workforce. Investment in this prominent
sector of
our economy is a worthy endeavor and will, no doubt, result in
impressive
returns. To back up this claim, we need only look back to 2011, a year
in which
Ohio received a $14 return on every $1 invested.
As
I reflect on all of the job creation
efforts taken by the Ohio House during this General Assembly, I am
confident
that the passage of Senate Bill 314 has been one of our most important
actions.
ODSA will ensure that Ohio can sustain long-term job growth so that our
state
can look forward to a positive economic outlook for years to come.
Read
this and other articles at Dayton
Business Journal
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