2018: A ‘Record Year’ for JobsOhio

By Thomas Gnau, Springfield News-Sun Staff Writer
JobsOhio, the state’s private development corporation, says 2018 set records in new job commitments, payroll and capital investment.

The corporation said it worked on 266 projects with companies committed to create a record 27,071 jobs, a rise of 19 percent over 2017, and a record $1.3 billion in new payroll, an increase of 23 percent year over year.

The 2018 results also include record capital investment of just over $9.6 billion, JobsOhio said in its 2018 annual report.
Sectors leading to the largest number of jobs included logistics and distribution, advanced manufacturing and health care industries.

Of the 266 projects, 73 percent involved small and middle-market enterprises, JobsOhio said.
2018 figures offered by JobsOhio:

• Total number of projects: 266
• New jobs: 27,071
• New jobs payroll: $1.3 billion
• Retained jobs: 69,905
• Retained jobs payroll: $4.2 billion
• Capital investment: $9.6 billion

“Our 2018 job creation, payroll and capital investment are the highest that our associates and partners have ever achieved,” JobsOhio Chairman Jim Boland said in a statement. “These strong results illustrate the commitment of JobsOhio and its statewide network to generate economic opportunities for Ohioans.”

The new report also notes perhaps the biggest bad news of the year: General Motors’ decision to end production of the Chevrolet Cruze at its Lordstown plant, impacting about 1,500 workers.

“GM’s decision has generated significant attention at the local, state and national levels,” the report said. “JobsOhio has maintained a strong dialogue with GM’s senior team, including meetings with the company’s CEO, and continues to explore opportunities for retaining jobs for the Lordstown workers.”

The report also notes Crown Equipment’s decision to expand in New Bremen, as well as Axo Gen Inc.’s choice to invest some $5 million in a Vandalia Scholz Industrial Park location as a production site.

“These results reflect our culture of collaboration and client focus that makes Ohio more attractive for companies,” JobsOhio President John Minor also said in a release. “Along with our partners, JobsOhio has a strong foundation to address important business issues, and we are well-positioned for the future.”
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In December, Ernst & Young ranked Ohio first for job creation in business investment projects for the second year in a row.
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