Five things to know for Friday, Dec. 5
Report: Companies that received economic development loans, credits lacked compliance
Most companies given state incentives had not met the job-creation or payroll commitments included in their award agreements, a report revealed.
According to the Auditor of State’s Office, of the 60 companies that committed to creating jobs, 39 were listed as noncompliant in an annual report. Auditors determined that no action was taken against many of the companies considered noncompliant with economic incentive award agreements since 2021.
State announces pediatric cancer grants. State officials announced $5 million in funding for pediatric cancer research to improve detection and treatment. The five grant recipients are Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic, Dayton Children’s Hospital, Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, and Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The funding is part of the state’s 2026-27 biennial budget.
Community school governing authority members are public officials. The Ohio Ethics Commission has determined that a community school’s governing authority members are public officials, noting that their positions involve significant control over the formulation of public policy and expenditure of public funds. The commission has required them to begin filing annual personal financial disclosure statements.
No decision yet on Nationwide Arena overhaul. Taxpayers could be on the hook for at least part of a $400-million plan to renovate Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus, The Columbus Dispatch reported. However, Columbus and Franklin County officials say no decisions have been made on the project, which would use public and private funding.
Strauss survivors protest at OSU Board of Trustees meeting. A group of survivors of Dr. Richard Strauss, a former OSU team doctor who decades ago sexually assaulted dozens of athletes, attended Thursday’s Ohio State University Board of Trustees meeting, WOUS reported. They held up signs questioning “Where’s Wexner,” a reference to Ohio billionaire Les Wexner, and displaying images of Wexner and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
