Table of Contents
A Letter from our CEO
1
By the Numbers
2
Membership Benefits
3
2025 Events
4 5 6 7
Public Policy Priorities
Public Policy Committees Advocacy Pays for Your Bottom Line
Previous General Assembly Policy Accomplishments
8
A letter from our CEO
Dear Ohio Business Owner,
Founded in 1893, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce is the state’s leading voice for Ohio business. The Ohio Chamber aggressively champions free enterprise, economic competitiveness, and growth for the benefit of all Ohioans.
Our mission is to cultivate a growing and prosperous economic and business climate in Ohio. In this document, you will see what we have done — and continue to do — to make that goal a reality.
We understand the challenges that come with running a business in today’s landscape. Whether you operate a small startup or a large corporation, having the right support network is crucial. The Ohio Chamber is committed to providing that support. When you become an Ohio Chamber member, you gain access to a wealth of resources designed to help you thrive. Our advocacy efforts focus on shaping policies that positively impact Ohio businesses, ensuring your voice is heard at local and state levels. We also offer educational programs, networking events, and workshops tailored to equip you with the knowledge and connections you need to navigate the complexities of business ownership. We can even help your business save money through our MEWA, workers’ compensation group rating program and Ohio Chamber Insurance Agency. Beyond these resources, joining the Ohio Chamber means joining a community of like-minded professionals who are passionate about fostering a vibrant business environment in Ohio. Together, we share insights, collaborate on challenges and celebrate successes. Thank you for considering Ohio Chamber membership. We are excited to welcome you to our community and partner with you on your journey to success. If you have any questions or would like to discuss how we can specifically support your business goals, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Steve Stivers President & CEO Ohio Chamber of Commerce
BY THE NUMBERS THE OHIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SINCE 1893
8000 93%
88% MEMBER SATISFACTION
MEMBERS
RENEWAL
COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION
STATEWIDE PRESENCE MEMBER COMPANIES REPRESENTED IN
INDUSTRY
21% MANUFACTURING 11% RETAIL 3% HEALTHCARE 10% NONPROFIT 5% INDUSTRIAL 5% TRANSPORTATION 3% WHOLESALE 10% CONSTRUCTION 5% BUSINESS SERVICES 27% ALL OTHER
21% Energy & Environment
20% Public Affairs
88/88 COUNTIES
16% Taxation & Public Expenditures
8% Healthcare
8% Board Members
8% Labor & Employment
6% Education/Workforce Development
4% Ohio Small Business Council
LOCATION
COMPANY SIZE
33%
35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5%
24%
15%
9%
7%
6%
3%
2%
1%
1-10
11-25
26-50
51-100
101-200
201-500
501-1K
1-10K
10K+
Membership Benefits Legislative Drawing on the vast experience of the largest business advocacy group in Ohio, our multifaceted government affairs experts give you direct opportunities to shape policy at the state level. Public Policy Committees Subject matter specialists Legislative expertise Opportunities to connect with elected officials Information Staying informed is vital to your business. Our diverse communication platforms keep you up to date with firsthand information that affects your business in real time. Networking Our events keep you informed and connected, giving you the opportunity to meet and network with fellow members, elected officials and other members of Ohio’s business community. Our events span a wide variety of topics, issues and speakers. Head to our events page for upcoming events. Exclusives One of the most common issues we hear from our members is shrinking profit margins. We constantly look for new ways to help our members save thousands of dollars annually. Ohio Chamber Health Benefit Program MEWA administered by United Healthcare Dental provided by Delta Dental Vision Group Life Workers’ Compensation Group Savings Group Rating Program Sponsorships Sponsorship grants you the opportunity for visibility by presenting featured content directly to fellow member businesses on our diverse channels. Digital ads Business Academy webinars Events Coffee and Commerce Chamber conference rooms Videos & podcasts Ohio Matters digital magazine Legislative Update e-newsletter Business Academy webinars Key vote alerts Chamber Update e-newsletter Social media
2025 Events
2025 Events
JULY
JANUARY
Council of Economic Advisors
Workforce Summit
AUGUST
FEBRUARY
Tax Conference
Energy Summit Housing Summit
SEPTEMBER
Policy Conference Impact Ohio Regional #2 Future Forum
MARCH
Women in Business Access & Affordability to Childcare
OCTOBER
APRIL
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit Impact Ohio Regional #3 Travel and Tourism Summit
Behavioral Health Summit Future of Manufacturing Summit
MAY
NOVEMBER
Aerospace Summit
Post General Impact Summit Foundation Gala Healthcare Summit
JUNE
Golf Outing Chamber Day Impact Ohio Regional #1 Exploring AI
DECEMBER
Supplier Diversity
Why Sponsor? Events are a key way that the Ohio Chamber connects its members and fosters relationships within the business community. Our numerous gatherings throughout the year offer opportunities to share ideas, identify trends, raise awareness, spotlight member companies, and network. Engaging as a sponsor entails numerous ways to bring prominence to your organization and build upon the success of the event.
Public Policy Priorities FALL 2024 – 135TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1. WorkLearnOHIO (State Operating Budget Proposal – 136th General Assembly) Creation of a public–private partnership connecting Ohio college students with Ohio-based employers to facilitate Ohio-based internships, externships, and co-ops. Blueprint reference: Education & Workforce, Pg. 29, Recommendation 2.5 2. Ohio Manufacturing Technologies Assistance Program (House Bill 435) Adoption of a grant program targeting small and medium-sized manufacturers otherwise lacking the capital and capability to modernize their machinery and facilities. Blueprint reference: Innovation and Collaboration, Pg. 61, Recommendation 3.2 3. Certified Mental Health Assistant Program (Senate Bill 60/House Bill 97) New licensure concept to grow Ohio’s behavioral health workforce and improve access to behavioral health and recovery services. Certified Mental Health Assistants would have limited prescriptive authority, but not have the ability to diagnose. Blueprint reference: Sense of Place, Pg. 42, Recommendation 2.3 4. Enact Balanced and Comprehensive Data Privacy Legislation (House Bill 345) Equips Ohioans with consumer rights and recourse related to their personal data. Promotes a business environment that incentivizes implementation of cybersecurity protections of sensitive information with liability protections. Blueprint reference: Innovation & Collaboration, Pg. 60 and 62, Recommendation 4 5. Limiting Overnaming of Defendants in Asbestos Lawsuits (Senate Bill 63) Requires plaintiff attorneys to disclose the evidentiary basis for each claim against each defendant and provide supporting documentation about the connection between the plaintiff’s exposure and the named defendant. Stops businesses from incurring legal fees to remove themselves from asbestos lawsuits they never should have been brought into in the first place. Blueprint reference: Business Friendliness, Pg. 69, Recommendation 1.3 6. Third Party Litigation Financing (Senate Bill 19) Requires companies engaged in litigation financing to register with the Department of Commerce and obtain a corporate surety bond of at least $50,000. Restricts the fees allowed to be charged to 10% of the original amount provided to the consumer and cap annual interest,
protecting consumers from exorbitant fees and interest payments. Blueprint reference: Business Friendliness, Pg. 69, Recommendation 1.3 7. Authorize the Operation of Remote Dispensing Pharmacies (House Bill 136/Senate Bill 95)
Gives Ohioans the ability to fill their prescriptions at a pharmacy where the supervising pharmacist is operating remotely. Provides expanded access to pharmacies and pharmacists, which addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes.
Blueprint reference: Sense of Place, Pg. 41, Recommendation 2.1 8. Curtailing the Use of Public Nuisance Lawsuits (House Bill 555)
Prohibits public nuisance claims or causes of action at common law in which it is alleged that the design, manufacture, supply, marketing, distribution, promotion, advertising, labeling, or sale of a product unreasonably interferes with a right common to the general public. Blueprint reference: Business Friendliness, Pg. 69, Recommendation 1.3 9. Enabling Access and Affordability to Childcare (House Bills 484, 570, 576, 577, 578, 580, 610 and Senate Bill 273) Assorted bills that incentivize public-private partnerships, create tax credits for childcare expenses and philanthropic contributions to childcare programs, make childcare workers and kinship/foster caregivers eligible for publicly funded childcare benefits, and create a tri-share model dividing childcare expenses among willing employers, employees, and the state. Blueprint reference: Education & Workforce, Pg. 27, Recommendation 1.1 10. Employee Mobility Grant Program (House Bill 340) Incentivizes companies to provide transportation as an employee benefit by enabling an employer to offset the cost of chartering commuter vehicles for their employees. Promotes a voluntary mobility benefit that increase the value of jobs without increasing wages, improves workforce access, helps reduce roadway costs, and provides increased buying power for their employees. Blueprint reference: Infrastructure, Pg. 84, Recommendation 2.4
Public Policy Committees The Ohio Chamber of Commerce is a champion for Ohio businesses so that our state enjoys economic growth and prosperity. The Public Policy Committees are the lifeblood of the Ohio Chamber. They study the needs of Ohio’s business community and establish the Ohio Chamber’s position on key legislative issues and make policy recommendations to the board of directors. Public Policy Committee participation and committee specific emails keep you well-informed of issues and events at the Statehouse.
CRIME TASK FORCE Mission: To address the issues raised and discuss possible solutions to increase security and growth of Ohio businesses.
LABOR & EMPLOYMENT Mission: To protect employers’ rights to manage their workplace with limited governmental involvement and regulation and to simplify Ohio’s employment law statutes in a way that’s fair to both employers and employees. OHIO SMALL BUSINESS COUNCIL Mission: To promote and protect the establishment, growth and vitality of small business in Ohio. Members of the Ohio Small Business Council (OSBC) learn how to be an advocate for their business and voice their concerns directly to Ohio’s decision makers. Participation in OSBC is limited to individuals in executive leadership roles for a for-profit business that employs fewer than 400 directly supervised persons. Small business owners and presidents are especially encouraged to join this committee. PUBLIC AFFAIRS Mission: To monitor and evaluate public affairs issues and activities including elections, campaign finance, and ethics and lobbyist regulations, when of interest to the business community; to examine proposed state constitutional amendments or initiative petition efforts that affect the electoral process.
EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Mission: To respond to the needs of Ohio employers for qualified, well-trained employees by promoting policies that meet the demands of today’s workplace by pursuing strategies that link education and workforce development in a seamless system and embed skills-based learning into academic instruction. DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION Mission: To amplify diverse voices and experiences make for a stronger, more competitive, and better Ohio economy. We support and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the work we do. To that end, we will transparently share our DEI journey, assist our members in their DEI journey, and convene Ohio’s business community’s DEI journey. ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT Mission: To advocate for energy policies that promote Ohio’s economic competitiveness and protect businesses’ access to affordable, dependable energy and ensure environmental policies and regulations are not overly burdensome and are based on sound science. GAMING Mission: To advocate for sound policies and practices on gaming- related issues and promote recognition of the positive economic impact, sizeable tax revenue, and ongoing community contributions by Ohio’s casinos and racinos.
TAXATION & PUBLIC EXPENDITURES Mission: To foster a fair and equitable tax system that stimulates growth, innovation and job creation and minimizes compliance costs and administrative burdens.
TRAVEL & TOURISM Mission: To encourage policies that promote, protect, and support Ohio’s growing $53 billion tourism industry.
HEALTHCARE Mission: To advocate for an affordable and sustainable market-based health care system that provides access to quality, affordable health care for all Ohioans.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION Mission: To ensure Ohio's workers' compensation system runs efficiently and effectively for both state-funded and self-insured employers, is effective in providing proper medical treatment for injured employees, and keeps its cost for employers competitive with other states' systems. For Committee Information Contact: Candace Frank Senior Director, Member Engagement and Association Management cfrank@ohiochamber.com
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY Mission: To foster a next-generation environment that will accelerate Ohio’s economy through a focus on driving innovation into the state’s industrial base, both existing and emerging. This will help to ensure Ohio’s future global competitiveness and lead to high quality jobs.
Previous General Assembly Policy Accomplishments
✓ JobsOhio Extension Language (Enacted through House Bill 33 – State Operating Budget) A budget amendment conceived by the Ohio Chamber to eventually extend JobsOhio’s liquor franchise by 15 years. Equips JobsOhio with increased capacity to compete for more economic opportunities, longer-term agreements, and more aggressive incentives. Blueprint reference: Taxes & Costs, Pg. 52, Recommendation 1.2 ✓ Senate Bill 1 / House Bill 12 (Enacted through House Bill 33 – State Operating Budget) Restructuring of both the Ohio Department of Education and the State Board of Education to provide stronger emphasis on workforce skills and career readiness. $125 million to convene Innovation Hubs (modeled after Innovation Districts) in multiple mid-sized Ohio metropolitan centers, and in cooperation with regional business, higher education, and economic development partners, fully unlocking the potential of unique high-growth opportunities in various key industries. Blueprint reference: Innovation and Collaboration, Pg. 56 & Pg. 61, Recommendation 2.1 ✓ Ohio Workforce Housing State Tax Credit Program (Enacted through House Bill 33 – State Operating Budget) Creation of a state low-income housing tax credit program to develop approximately 4,700 affordable housing units over four years and allow Ohio to potentially draw down federal bond volume cap for multifamily development. Blueprint reference: Sense of Place, Pg. 41, Recommendation 1.1.2 Blueprint reference: Education & Workforce, Pgs. 28-30, Recommendations 2 & 4 ✓ Innovation Hubs (Enacted through House Bill 33 – State Operating Budget) ✓ Streamlining of Ohio’s Administrative Code (Enacted through House Bill 33 – State Operating Budget) Reduction of up to 1/3 of Ohio Administrative Code through the targeting of duplicative provisions, outdated sections, and unnecessary requirements. Blueprint reference: Business Friendliness, Pgs. 65 & 69, Recommendations 1 & 2 ✓ Promotion of Computer Science/STEM Offerings at the K-12 and Post-Secondary Education Levels (Enacted through House Bill 33 – State Operating Budget) Adoption and funding of key recommendations by the State Committee on Computer Science to make Ohio a national leader in Computer Science education and create a technological workforce pipeline. Blueprint reference: Education & Workforce, Pg. 30, Recommendation 4.2 ✓ Age Extension for Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities (MBIWD) Program (Enacted through House Bill 33 – State Operating Budget) Removal of the age cap for the Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities Program. Addressing this benefit cliff allows disabled Ohioans 65 and older to continue working, earning a living, and paying a monthly amount to receive their needed Medicaid coverage. Blueprint reference: Education and Workforce, Pg. 27, Recommendation 1.3 ✓ State Mineral Leasing Within Tier I & Tier II Lands (Enacted through Ohio Administration Rule 1501:155-1-01) Adoption of an administrative rule to create a standard lease agreement allowing mineral leasing on state lands, with most projects involving no surface impact to public lands, unleashing more economic opportunities for Ohioans and providing additional energy security for Ohio and the United States. Blueprint reference: Infrastructure, Pg. 77 & 83, Recommendation 1.2
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