Jobs Ohio is a private non profit economic development group that seeks to attract investment in the state.  Last August, 21 News looked at JobsOhio and its request for an extension from the state to extend its contract into the year 2053.   

The current contract runs until 2038, and the extension is estimated to cost between $10 billion and $22 billion. 

Just last week, the state approved that extension. JobsOhio said this extension couldn't wait, but some say it's a bad deal. 

State Representative Tristian Rader (D-Lakewood), questioned JobsOhio's lack of transparency minutes before a 15 year extension was approved by the State Controlling Board.

“There's really no transparency or accountability mechanism,” said Rader.

JobsOhio is funded by state liquor profits. That's money that used to be in the general fund, subject to public oversight. 

But since 2011, that money has been privatized, with JobsOhio distributing liquor and getting a portion of the profits. Being private means when they make decisions and there are questions about those decisions, the public has to take them at their word. 

Representative Rader and State Senator Catherine Ingram voted against the JobsOhio extension. Rader said he still has lingering questions.

“I objected to this item because I just believe we need more transparency. We need more accountability when it comes to these decisions. Again, we're talking about billions of dollars, tens of billions of dollars of taxpayer money just going out of the door with very little accountability or transparency on how it's used,” said Rader.

Brian Stewart, Ohio Controlling Board member and Ohio representative, defends Jobs Ohio.

“Part of why we're successful is we're able to go to the market, have discussions with potential employers, and lure them here without every single part of the deal subject to being disclosed to their competitors before the deal is even done. That makes no sense,” said Stewart.

In 2011 when Jobs Ohio was formed, it purchased the liquor franchise for $1.4 billion. Attorney General Dave Yost had asked that this extension include a similar, good faith offering. 

“This new deal dilutes the value of the original deal, and I think I owe it to the people of Ohio that I represent, to raise these questions and offer some ideas on how we can do it better?” said Yost.

The extension went forward without any similar upfront payment. But that has raised questions across the political spectrum. 

“JobsOhio is set to go until 2038. So we already are looking at 13 more years. Why are we so anxious to extend it to 2053? That is just absolutely alarming, and it should be a concern for state taxpayers,” said Jim Renacci, former U.S. congressman.

So why now? 

A statement from JobsOhio said the following:

“Extending the liquor enterprise is critical to JobsOhio's ability to continue competing for, winning, and holding companies to their commitments. Many of these projects have commitment dates that stretch beyond the 13 years left in the agreement, making it more challenging to attract job creation projects for the people of Ohio.”

Representative Stewart claims despite opposition no one has ever tried to change how jobs Ohio operates.

“I've listened to legislators talk about things they like, things they don't, but nobody has ever come up with a bill to come up with something different because what we have works,” said Stewart.

In 2022, Ohio State Senator Catherine Ingram did introduce a bill that would require JobsOhio to follow public records and open meetings law, with exceptions built in for competitive purposes, but it died in committee without a single vote. Representative Rader says he plans to try again. 

“It's something I want to work with legislators on. I've already asked our friends over at the legislative service commission to draft me a bill to see if we can't create more transparency and accountability specifically through legislation,” said Rader.