Buckeye Reporter

On August 12, 2025, U.S. Senator Jon Husted toured Marietta, Ohio, meeting with local educators, business leaders, and manufacturers to discuss workforce development and economic growth in the region.

Husted met with Ohio University President Lori Gonzalez to talk about several topics including the health care workforce, energy development, and aviation sciences. “From our career centers to our community colleges and our four-year colleges and universities, Ohio continues to be a leader in partnering our businesses and community leaders with educators to prepare students for the workforce. These partnerships deliver greater opportunity for our friends and neighbors and drive economic growth for the state’s future. I am grateful to have met with Ohio University President Gonzalez and hear how she and her team are leading this effort for Ohio,” said Husted.

During his visit, Husted participated in a roundtable discussion with Washington County regional business leaders. The group discussed recent tax cuts included in the budget law aimed at supporting job creators as well as efforts by lawmakers to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses. “Ohio makes what the world needs, and we continue to work hard at every level of government to ensure Ohio is always the best place in the nation to get an education, have a career and start and grow a business. I had the chance to sit down with southeast Ohio business leaders and discuss the challenges and opportunities they face every day. I’ll keep working to cut bureaucratic red tape to make it easier to operate a business in Ohio,” said Husted.

At Washington State College of Ohio, Husted visited engineering labs within its career center alongside educators who explained how Workforce Pell Grants provided through recent legislation will expand access to affordable job training programs that address employer needs across the state. “Our goal should always be to set students on a quick, affordable path to a stable and rewarding career, which is why I supported the budget law. I’m working to put a good education within reach for more students. I appreciated the opportunity to visit Washington State College and see the hands-on learning spaces those students will have when they enroll next year,” he stated.

The senator's trip also included a tour of Eramet Marietta Inc., currently recognized as America’s only producer of manganese—a key material used in steel manufacturing. “The rebirth of American steel starts here in Ohio. You can’t have Made-in-America without Made-in-Ohio, and Eramet’s work is a testament to that. I’m thankful Eramet gave me a firsthand look at how they power an entire ecosystem of opportunities across our state,” said Husted.

Husted emphasized his continued support for expanding access to quality job training programs through legislative initiatives such as Workforce Pell Grants—partly shaped by his role on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions—and provisions from the JOBS Act allowing Pell Grants for shorter-term job training.

“Marietta is a place where you can get a great education, have a long career and succeed as an entrepreneur, all while living in one of Ohio’s thriving small towns. All of those southeast Ohio strengths were on full display,” said Husted.