Property Tax Reform Shifts to Process, Fairness After "Historic" Changes |
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Ohio lawmakers aren't slowing down on property tax reform. With five major bills awaiting Governor DeWine’s signature, House leaders are turning their attention to targeted proposals focused on process and fairness rather than sweeping structural change. The General Assembly passed several reforms in the past few weeks–limiting school districts' property tax revenue growth, revising the 20-mill floor calculation, expanding county budget commissions' oversight powers, capping revenue increases from inside millage, and restricting reallocations of school property tax millage. Together, HB 124, HB 129, HB 186, HB 309, and HB 335 mark what supporters call "historic" relief, but they're just the beginning. The upcoming agenda includes: |
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 After significant structural reform, lawmakers are now drilling into the mechanics of Ohio's tax system, particularly the appeals process, fairness in administration, and clarity for taxpayers. Despite recent policy changes, the legislature does not show signs of slowing down; expect more property relief activity after the legislature returns from the holiday break. |
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Data Centers Deliver Record Returns Amid Growing Local Pushback |
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Ohio’s data center industry delivered a strong economic showing last year, generating $11.8 billion in GDP and supporting 95,000 jobs—a 2-to-1 return on every incentive dollar spent since 2017, per the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation. Columbus now ranks as the 7th largest data center market globally, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Since 2017, Ohio has attracted over $40 billion in private investment. By 2030, projections suggest the industry could support 132,500 jobs and contribute $20.2 billion annually to Ohio’s GDP. But grid constraints, land-use pressures, and environmental concerns threaten that trajectory. By the Numbers - $11.8B GDP contribution (2024)
- 95,000 jobs supported across construction, operations, and supply chains
- $1B in state and local tax revenue (2024)
- $40B in private investment since 2017
- 2030 forecast: 132,500 jobs, $20.2B GDP
Mounting friction around data center development is increasingly driven by environmental and community concerns. The economic policy debate remains active even after Gov. DeWine’s veto of provisions of HB 96 that would have ended sales-tax exemptions for data centers. At the local level, communities are pressing for clearer setback requirements, stricter water-use limitations, and community-benefit agreements that extend well beyond initial construction to address long-term impacts. |
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 The math is clear, $2.10 in returns per incentive dollar affirms the economic upside. But sustaining momentum will require more than macro wins. Local buy-in now hinges on delivering long-term value: resilient infrastructure, transparent sustainability metrics, and jobs that last well past ribbon cuttings. |
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| Ohio Closes 2025 with Momentum to Build On |
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Ohio is ending the year with economic gains that signal structural shifts rather than short-term wins. JobsOhio engaged 329 projects in 2025 spanning advanced manufacturing, defense tech, and energy—sectors that anchor multi-decade supply chains. - Major commitments include Anduril Industries advancing autonomous defense manufacturing at Rickenbacker and Centrus Energy's $1.6 billion investment in southern Ohio's fuel-cycle infrastructure.
These wins point to Ohio becoming a cost-competitive alternative to coastal markets. The newly announced $100 million energy grant initiative could become a differentiator. Energy availability and cost now drive site selection decisions for AI infrastructure, semiconductors, and advanced logistics. Ohio's positioned to compete for projects previously out of reach. |
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 Ohio's competitiveness hinges on expanding its usable labor pool. As the state aligns education, energy, and talent to investment pipelines already forming, economic growth should continue to be strong. |
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Our Grant Alert list is updated! Review the list of ongoing grant opportunities, click the link below. |
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