JobsOhio Releases 2026 Outlook, 2025 Victories

As 2026 begins, JobsOhio released a “thank-you” message to its partners and industry leaders who have assisted the state in making some achievements in the past year. 

“2025 was defined by momentum, and the data backs it up. Ohio entered the year in a position of strength and finished the year cementing its leadership,” said J.P. Nauseef, the agency’s president and CEO. “For the third consecutive year, Ohio ranked number 1 in infrastructure nationally, number three for total projects and projects per capita and number two for cost of doing business — making us the only state to land in the top five for both competitiveness and scale for seven straight years. That performance translated into real, measurable impact.”

In 2025, JobsOhio completed 311 projects with a total of $12.1 billion in capital investment. These jobs produce the fuel for schools, infrastructure, and local services across Ohio.

Major projects went public across all seven JobsOhio partner regions: 

• Great Day Improvements announced it is expanding its presence in both northeast and southwest Ohio, creating 583 jobs outside of Cincinnati in Sharonville and 412 jobs outside of Cleveland over the next five years.
• Charter Next Generation is investing $106.3 million in northeast Ohio to construct at 157,000-square-foot expansion on its Lexington campus.
• In Northwest Ohio, First Quality Tissue announced a nearly $1 billion manufacturing investment in Defiance County — the largest single investment in the county’s history — creating hundreds of new manufacturing jobs and reinforcing Ohio’s roll as a national production leader.
• Vallourec broke ground on a $48 million manufacturing line at its Youngstown plant, reinforcing Ohio’s leadership in advanced manufacturing and the re-industrialization of America.
• Centrus will add at least 300 new jobs in southern Ohio, upgrading its Piketon uranium enrichment facility and underscoring Ohio’s importance in supporting the nation’s economic and national security. 
• Anduril announced it will create more than 4,000 new jobs and $530 million in new payroll over the next decade, investing at least $910.5 million in a site near Rickenbacker International Airport.
• In central Ohio, digital health leader Hims & Hers is investing more than $200 million to expand its operations and create up to 400 new jobs.

"Talent and workforce remained central to our strategy,” Nauseef added. “In 2025, we launched the JobsOhio Relocation Incentive to attract new STEM and experienced talent to the state." 

To date, the incentive is being used by more than 200 employers across all seven regions. The agency is also continuing to invest in innovation districts, sector-based workforce strategies and energy as a competitive advantage — all critical to sustaining long-term growth. No mention was made about the rising cost of energy fees being charged to state businesses and residents.

“Just as important, Ohio’s story is being heard, Naseef said. “From national rankings to global visibility, perceptions are shifting: Ohio’s economy is dynamic and diverse with strong gains across regions, sectors and age groups. We are optimistic heading into 2026. The project pipeline is strong. Our site inventory and workforce strategies are aligned with demand. And Ohio is well-positioned to lead in advanced manufacturing, energy, aerospace & defense, life sciences and AI-enabled growth.”