Buckeye Reporter

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted, along with Ohio Business Round Table President and CEO Pat Tiberi, held a press conference to emphasize the significance of investing in education to cultivate a skilled workforce in Ohio. The event took place at the OBRT offices.

Governor DeWine highlighted the connection between higher education and economic growth, stating, “Students who attend Ohio colleges and universities tend to find jobs here after graduation and continue contributing to our economy.” He mentioned that the executive budget includes incentives aimed at making Ohio's higher education institutions more appealing to local students.

Statistics show that over 64% of graduates from Ohio public universities remain in the state more than ten years after earning their degrees. This retention is crucial for workforce development, as nearly 14,000 high school graduates leave Ohio annually for college elsewhere.

Lt. Governor Husted addressed the need for supporting initiatives that retain talented individuals within the state: “We are winning deals and creating jobs faster than we can find people to fill them,” he said. “It is crucial we support efforts that encourage our best and brightest to stay right here in Ohio.”

To reduce financial barriers for prospective college students, Governor DeWine's budget proposal includes several measures:

- **Ohio College Opportunity Grants (OCOG):** These grants offer need-based scholarships for attending colleges within Ohio. The proposal aims to expand eligibility significantly.

- **Merit Scholarships:** A $5,000 annual scholarship is proposed for top-performing high school graduates who choose an Ohio institution. This initiative could decrease student outflow by 10-15%.

- **Choose Ohio First Scholarship:** Funding for this scholarship has increased from $13.8 million in 2020 to a proposed $32 million by 2025, focusing on STEM fields.

The demand for college graduates in local businesses remains strong and is expected to grow further. Tiberi stressed the importance of retaining talent: "To compete in a global economy, we must be able to attract and retain the best and brightest talent... The investments proposed by Governor DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Husted will ensure we have the talent necessary to compete for continued economic growth."