The Dayton Development Coalition and the Ohio Federal-Military Jobs Commission (OFMJC) held a forum at Wright State University’s Nutter Center on Thursday to discuss federal job retention and expansion in the state.
Governor Kasich signed the commission into law in 2014 to make Ohio more competitive in job growth by leveraging the state’s military assets like Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Retired Col. Robert Decker is one of nine commissioners appointed by the Governor. He says Thursday's meeting was one of a series of forums taking place around the state.
“We’re looking at regions all over the state trying to get input as to what they need, what we can help with, what the state strategy can be to help all of the regions,” he said.
Miami Valley business leaders in healthcare, manufacturing, aviation and other fields participated in today’s meeting Among the concerns they raised was a possible Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) affecting missions at Wright-Patt and other state military operations.
Executive VP of the Development Coalition’s aerospace and defense division, Maurice McDonald says that threat is real.
“You know every state wants to keep all the military installations that they have in the state, but it is apparent the Department of Defense is going to be downsizing overtime so that drives, theoretically, competitiveness across the United States.”
Other concerns raised in the meeting were Ohio’s ability to compete nationally to bring more federal defense mission and contract business into the state, and inspiring future entrepreneurs and business owners among high school students and younger.
Statewide meetings should wrap up in the next month. Then, using the information gathered in these forums, commissioners will come up with a strategic plan to deliver to Governor Kasich’s desk by April.
