Pat Tiberi is the president and CEO of Ohio Business Roundtable. Baiju Shah is the president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Partnership. Gary Lindgren is the president of the Cincinnati Business Committee. Jason Hall is the CEO of the Columbus Partnership.
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Ohio is experiencing an economic renaissance, creating new jobs and opportunities across the state.
In recent years, we have secured transformational investments — from Intel’s semiconductor manufacturing to the LG/Honda battery plant to Ford’s EV plant expansion, and from a surge in data centers built by Meta, Google, Amazon and Microsoft to major advancements in aerospace, defense and energy manufacturing with GE Aerospace, Joby Aviation, Anduril and Ultium Cells.
These wins, driven by Ohio’s business-friendly climate and strategic investments, have made our state a national leader in economic development.
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Yet, with this growth comes new challenges. To sustain this momentum and position Ohio for long-term success, we must act now to address pressing needs in energy, housing and workforce development.
As leaders of the Ohio CEO Leadership Alliance, representing Ohio’s four major CEO-led business groups — the Ohio Business Roundtable, Cincinnati Business Committee, Columbus Partnership and Greater Cleveland Partnership — we urge policymakers to take decisive action on key priorities in the current state budget process to ensure Ohio remains competitive for decades to come.
After decades of stagnation, power demand in the U.S. is expected to surge, including a 50% increase in Ohio’s peak demand by 2034. With electricity demand rising, Ohio faces potential power shortages within two years — threatening future investments and economic stability.
The Ohio Business Roundtable’s outlines an all-of-the-above strategy to strengthen the state’s energy infrastructure. Policymakers must accelerate new power generation using both renewables and Ohio’s abundant natural gas, ease regulations to allow major users to develop on-site energy solutions and lead on new energy and grid technologies.
A severe housing shortage is making it harder for workers — especially middle-class families — to live near their jobs. To meet demand, we support expanding the state’s low-income housing tax credit, responsibly reducing zoning barriers and accelerating the conversion of existing buildings into housing. These steps will ensure Ohio’s workforce can grow alongside its economy.
Ohio’s competitiveness depends on a skilled workforce prepared for high-tech industries. Through Ohio Excels, we are working to improve K-12 literacy and math, expand career-connected learning, strengthen school choice, make post-secondary education accessible and invest in up-skilling workers with tech credentials. We urge state leaders to accelerate efforts that equip Ohioans for high-wage, high-growth careers, particularly in STEM and AI-driven fields.
Positioning Ohio as a leader in market-driven innovation is key to accelerating growth.
While R&D activity aligns with national averages, the state lags in translating innovation into economic impact. Strengthening financial investments in innovation hubs, public-private partnerships and commercialization programs will help scale startups, attract corporate R&D and drive breakthrough technologies.
Ohio’s economy is on the rise, but continued success is not guaranteed.
Our state has experienced decades of population stagnation and slow GDP growth, losing congressional representation every decade for 60 years. While recent economic gains are promising, we cannot afford complacency.
We stand at a pivotal moment — one where bold action can solidify Ohio’s status as a national leader in economic development and job growth. The policy priorities outlined above will ensure energy reliability, workforce readiness, housing availability and innovation-driven growth — securing long-term prosperity for all Ohioans.
The Ohio CEO Leadership Alliance is committed to working alongside Gov. Mike DeWine and state lawmakers to drive these efforts forward.
Now is the time to act.
Pat Tiberi is the president and CEO of Ohio Business Roundtable. Baiju Shah is the president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Partnership. Gary Lindgren is the president of the Cincinnati Business Committee. Jason Hall is the CEO of the Columbus Partnership.
