Government Spotlight | September 6, 2022

President Biden Delivering Remarks at Intel Groundbreaking

U.S. President Joe Biden will deliver remarks at the Intel facility’s groundbreaking in Licking County on Friday, Sept. 9.

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Funding

Gov. Mike DeWine is working with Honda and LG to ensure that they choose Ohio for this new electric battery plant. Ohio is under consideration for an electric vehicle (EV) battery production facility that would result in $4.4 billion in investments by Honda and LG Energy Solution (LGES).

According to a plan submitted to the federal government earlier in August, Ohio plans to build out 42 electric vehicle charging stations at a cost of around $1 million each over the next five years using funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The law passed earlier this year provides $7.5 billion to improve electric vehicle charging infrastructure over next five years with a goal of having a nationwide network of 500,000 charging facilities by 2030 and ensuring “convenient, reliable, affordable and equitable charging for all users.” The deadline for those plans was Aug. 1, and every state met that deadline. The federal government, including the new Joint Office of Energy Transportation, has until Friday, Sept. 30, to approve the plans.

Styling for Democracy. Now Vote!” initiative

Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced the re-launch of the “Styling for Democracy. Now Vote!” initiative that he started in 2020 to get more Ohioans registered to vote and to recruit more poll workers. The partnership works with barbershops, salons, and barber schools to encourage members of their community to sign up to be poll workers, register their family and friends to vote, and educate the community on the multiple ways to vote. Barbershops and salons looking to partner with LaRose on the initiative may contact Henry Curtis at hcurtis@ohiosos.gov.

Broadband Infrastructure Training Program

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced a newly designed “Broadband Infrastructure Training Program” at Buckeye Hills Career Center in Rio Grande. The program will train Ohioans to help with the buildout of the state’s broadband expansion. Students will go through an approximately 12-week interactive learning journey that includes the design, installation and service components of broadband networks.

IRS: Increase in the Optional Standard Mileage Rate

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officially announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rate for the final six months of 2022. Taxpayers may use the optional standard mileage rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and certain other purposes. For July through December 2022, the standard mileage rate for business travel will be 62.5 cents per mile, up 4 cents from the rate effective at the start of the year. In addition, the new rate for deductible medical or moving expenses (available for active-duty members of the military) will be 22 cents for the remainder of 2022, up 4 cents from the rate effective at the start of 2022. These new rates became effective July 1, 2022.

Intel Hiring Management and Engineering Positions

Intel is hiring experienced professionals for management and engineering positions at its New Albany factory, mostly in terms of facilities and site services. Some positions involve temporarily relocating to Arizona or another site for training assignments lasting from six months to one year. Management roles include site operations and commissioning, as well as project manager roles. There are also openings for chemical, mechanical, electrical and manufacturing network engineers. The full list, which is subject to change, is available at https://tinyurl.com/mr2zb8px.

SBA’s Mentor-Protégé Program

Join SBA’s Mentor-Protégé Program Community of Practice webinar on September 15, 2022 to learn about joint ventures, how to meet your business development needs & avoid protests, and much more. To discuss these complexities, they have invited SBA experts from various offices and regions to join share their perspective. Make no mistake – like the Community of Practice, this session is also an opportunity for your federal contracting business to add yet another tool to your procurement/small business toolkit and set yourself apart from your competitors in the federal marketplace.

Click Here to Register

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Program

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced it will host five (5) regional forums in Columbus, Parma, Oregon, Cincinnati and New Philadelphia to help small businesses earn tax credits through the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program. The WOTC offers incentives for companies to hire individuals “from targeted groups, including veterans, public assistance recipients, restored citizens, individuals with disabilities and others,” according to ODJFS. The tax credits range from $2,400 to $9,600 depending on the group. ODJFS has certified over 100,000 WOTC applications since October 2021 and thousands of Ohio employers have received more than $240 million in tax credits. Attendance is free but space is limited; Email CL.SL.Area.3@irs.gov to register.

Individual Microcredential Assistance Program (IMAP)

Four training providers will receive a total of $592,215 in the third round of the Individual Microcredential Assistance Program (IMAP), supporting 410 credentials. This round of the program—which helps provide free workforce training to Ohioans who are low-income, under- or unemployed — was focused on broadband and 5G-related credentials. Credential pathways will include 5G and Broadband Deployment, Wireless Broadband Infrastructures and Certified Fiber Optic Installer, among others. Training will be offered in-person and online so Ohioans can take advantage of the program throughout the state. The training providers are Youngstown State University, Ashland University, the Tri-County Career Center and Washington County Joint Vocational School District. They will be reimbursed up to $3,000 for each completed credential issued.

Ohio Third Frontier Commission Supports Entrepreneurs

The Ohio Third Frontier Commission approved $82.32 million in funds to six regional partners to support entrepreneurs’ efforts to develop innovative products and grow technology startup companies. The funds are part of the Entrepreneurial Services Provider (ESP) Program, which provides resources such as mentorship, access to investors and capital, support with business services, talent recruitment and incubator and accelerator programs. The partners will use the money to provide those resources from Jan. 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025.

Ohio Business Sponsor-A-Highway Program

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced this week a new litter control program that brings in the business community to help in the effort. Over the past few weeks, the first signage related to the Sponsor-A-Highway program has been installed along highways in the northeast Ohio area. The statewide program allows businesses and groups to fund litter removal services along one mile, one-direction segments of state highways. In exchange for their sponsorship, the name of the business or group is displayed on a sign within their sponsored segment. The program complements ODOT’s existing Adopt-A-Highway program, where volunteer groups adopt a two-mile segment of two-lane highway.

Serve Responsibly

The DeWine administration is advising liquor permit holders to “serve responsibly” as college students return to campus statewide. The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Ohio Investigative Unit (OIU) and the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Liquor Control (DLC) are urging restaurants, bars, and carry-outs to educate themselves on laws governing alcohol purchases and underage drinking.

Dez Bryant
Vice President of Government Relations
dezbryant@columbus.org