See How Ohio's Performance-Based Credits Are Bringing $835 Million and 699 Jobs

Ohio is charging into the future, and Governor Mike DeWine’s latest economic push proves it. On April 28 raised eyebrows, but the numbers don’t lie. Six new projects, greenlit by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority, are set to create 699 jobs and pump $835 million into the state’s economy. From healthcare innovators like LetsGetChecked in Fairfield to manufacturing giants like Kimberly-Clark in Howland, these deals signal Ohio’s resurgence as a hub for growth and opportunity.

This isn’t government overreach or some bloated handout program. It’s a calculated, performance-based strategy that rewards companies for delivering real jobs and measurable results. The Job Creation Tax Credit ensures taxpayers only foot the bill if businesses meet strict payroll and employment targets. That’s the kind of accountability that keeps Ohio’s economy roaring.

Take Dri-Design in Columbus, crafting eco-friendly metal wall panels that cut maintenance costs and boost sustainability. They’re adding 29 jobs and $2.2 million in payroll, backed by a modest 1.22 percent tax credit over seven years. Or consider SkyCell in West Chester, building a North American hub for pharmaceutical shipping, creating 30 high-wage jobs. These aren’t corporate fat cats gaming the system; they’re innovators expanding because Ohio’s policies make it possible.

Contrast that with the naysayers who brand these incentives as 'corporate welfare.' Their argument hinges on studies claiming up to 80 percent of tax credits go to jobs that would’ve happened anyway. But those studies, often from places like Maryland or New York, miss Ohio’s edge. Our program’s refundable, performance-based structure means companies like XPO Logistics, upgrading their Columbus facility for 55 new jobs, only get relief if they deliver. No jobs, no credit. Simple.

The doubters love to cherry-pick data, pointing to high costs per job—around $16,000 nationally, they say. Yet Ohio’s approach sidesteps those pitfalls. Our credits, averaging 1.2 to 1.8 percent of new payroll, are lean compared to bloated programs elsewhere. And with $62 million in new payroll from these six projects alone, the return on investment is undeniable. For every dollar of tax relief, Ohio gains jobs, infrastructure, and long-term growth.

Then there’s the claim that incentives widen inequality by favoring big players. Sure, Kimberly-Clark’s 491-job project in Howland grabs headlines, but smaller firms like Wandel & Schnell Architects, adding 20 jobs in Columbus, show Ohio’s program isn’t just for giants. By targeting diverse industries—healthcare, logistics, manufacturing—we’re spreading prosperity, not concentrating it.

Ohio’s success isn’t accidental. Unlike states stuck in a race-to-the-bottom with massive subsidy packages, our incentives are disciplined. The Tax Credit Authority’s rigorous oversight—89 percent compliance in 2020—ensures companies meet their promises or lose benefits. This isn’t about picking winners; it’s about creating a level playing field where businesses thrive on merit.

Nationally, states shelled out $59.2 billion in incentives in 2024, with mixed results. Ohio stands out by aligning credits with high-growth sectors like advanced manufacturing and healthcare, which nationally account for billions in economic impact. We’re not just chasing jobs; we’re building industries that anchor communities for decades.

Ohio’s strategy reflects a broader truth: government works best when it unleashes private enterprise, not when it smothers it. Critics pushing for more public spending—on childcare, training, or vague 'equity' programs—ignore the reality. Those dollars often vanish into bureaucratic black holes with little to show. Tax credits, tied to verifiable outcomes, put money where it counts: in workers’ pockets and businesses’ growth.

Under President Trump’s pro-business leadership, with its focus on deregulation and tax relief, states like Ohio are proving the formula works. Our $835 million in new investments didn’t come out of nowhere. They’re the fruit of policies that trust markets over mandates, rewarding risk-takers who build, hire, and innovate.

The 699 jobs announced this week are just the start. With companies like LetsGetChecked revolutionizing at-home healthcare and Kimberly-Clark expanding production, Ohio is cementing its place as an economic powerhouse. These tax credits aren’t giveaways; they’re investments in a future where hard work pays off and communities thrive.

So let the skeptics grumble. Ohio’s proving them wrong, one job at a time. By doubling down on smart, accountable incentives, we’re not just growing our economy—we’re showing the nation how it’s done.