October 24, 2025
By: Kristy Amy
At the recent Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) Annual Summit, the Manufacturing State Council session offered a deep dive into the political and policy forces shaping Ohio’s future. While much of the conversation focused on redistricting, tax reform, and the upcoming 2026 elections, one theme was clear: workforce and talent are at the heart of every economic decision Ohio will make in the coming years.
Policy is Changing—But People Remain the Foundation
As panelists discussed, politics and policy are deeply intertwined. Legislative changes—whether property taxes, income taxes, or incentives for business—ultimately impact local governments, job creators, and the communities they serve. Yet, as the session highlighted, the real drivers of economic growth are the people who live and work in Ohio.
Future Plans believes that talent data is the missing link in these conversations. While traditional strategies focus on attracting businesses and building infrastructure, sustainable economic recovery starts with understanding the skills, aspirations, and potential of Ohio’s workforce.
Why Talent Data is Essential Now
- Redistricting and Elections: As Ohio redraws its congressional maps and prepares for major statewide elections, the composition of the workforce will influence everything from education funding to business attraction strategies.
- Tax Reform: Debates over property and income taxes are not just about budgets—they’re about how communities can invest in people, support local employers, and ensure long-term prosperity.
- Housing and Infrastructure: The session made clear that housing is now recognized as an economic development policy. But building homes and infrastructure only creates value if there’s a skilled workforce ready to fill jobs and contribute to thriving communities.
The Future Plans Advantage
Future Plans’ talent data provides actionable insights that complement traditional economic development tools. By mapping the strengths and needs of Ohio’s workforce, we help policymakers, educators, and employers:
- Make smarter investments in training and education
- Align incentives with real labor market demand
- Support local governments in adapting to demographic and economic shifts
Building a Stronger Ohio—Together
As the policy session showed, Ohio’s future will be shaped by both policy decisions and the people those policies serve. My hope is that we will keep the conversation going long after this conference by integrating talent data into every stage of economic development, and then we can ensure that Ohio’s recovery is not just robust, but resilient and inclusive.
