AGP Executive Report

Legal & Public Safety: ICE lodged a detainer after an illegal alien charged in a fatal Ohio semi-truck crash in Brown County, renewing scrutiny of CDL fraud and cross-border enforcement. Healthcare Costs: A KFF Health News report shows hospitals and insurers buying doctor practices can shift the same care into pricier “site-of-service” settings, driving higher bills without changing the procedure. Energy & Trade: Canada scaled back environmental reviews for major energy projects as the U.S.-Canada trade fight escalates, while Ohio-area businesses brace for higher costs tied to the tariff uncertainty. Local Business & Jobs: Array Technologies opened a new $50M Albuquerque plant amid a volatile solar market, highlighting how policy swings can hit investment and hiring fast. Retail Closures: O’Charley’s shuttered company-owned locations across Tennessee and multiple states, signaling continued pressure on casual dining. Politics & Ads: Elon Musk’s America PAC launched a trans-issues ad push targeting competitive Senate races including Sherrod Brown in Ohio. Consumer Watch: Gas prices dipped in parts of Ohio, with Athens County premium hitting $4.99 and Hancock County regular at $3.49 in the week ending Aug. 29.

GE Aerospace Deal: GE Aerospace agreed to buy Cleveland-based precision casting supplier Consolidated Precision Products (CPP) for about $11.75B, aiming to secure upstream casting capacity for jet engines and reduce supply bottlenecks. Housing & Development: The NRP Group broke ground in Columbus on Stone Ridge at High Street, a 150-unit affordable project with apartments for households up to 60% of area median income. Data Centers & Real Estate: A National Association of REALTORS® report says data center effects on housing vary sharply by market, with central Ohio among the biggest clusters—while warning against assuming correlation equals causation. Trade War Hits Consumers: The U.S. moved to ban a wide range of Canadian alcohol, motorcycles and dairy imports as the Canada-U.S. tariff fight escalates. Local Business/Community: Cedarville University reported a record 7,542 students this fall, continuing 17 straight years of enrollment growth. Public Safety/Infrastructure: A crash in South Euclid struck a gas line, prompting evacuations and road closures while Enbridge crews worked to mitigate the leak.

Canada-U.S. Trade War: The U.S. escalated its dispute with Canada by banning imports of some Canadian alcohol, dairy products and motorcycles, with the new duties set to start Sept. 29 and Canada’s retaliatory tariffs already hitting U.S. goods—an issue expected to pressure industries in competitive states like Ohio. Local Energy & Permitting: Twinsburg lifted its moratorium on drilling and underground utility work after a June explosion, allowing projects to resume Sept. 9 under tighter contractor registration, advance resident notice, and stronger locating and stop-work rules. Ohio Business & Jobs: Target plans eight new store openings this fall, including Ohio, with the retailer projecting more than 2,000 jobs created across the expansion. Consumer/Travel Policy: TSA launched “Gateside by TSA Precheck,” a pilot letting some PreCheck members bring friends or family to the terminal gate area without a ticket at select airports. Community/Nonprofit: Animal Charity of Ohio is moving toward a nonprofit thrift store to raise startup money during a pause in intakes and investigations. Local Economy Watch: GasBuddy reported the lowest diesel price in Geauga County at $5.29/gallon for the week ending Aug. 29. Business Spotlight: Flatlands Coffee received a Bowling Green Chamber Investor Grant to fund equipment upgrades supporting its ongoing expansion.

Aerospace Deal: GE Aerospace is buying CPP in a roughly $11.8 billion move to expand mission-critical castings capacity, with CPP’s Cleveland base and aerospace demand expected to stay strong. Healthcare Real Estate: Welltower signed a sublease for 37,412 square feet at Frisco Station as the Dallas-area mixed-use office campus continues to add healthcare-focused tenants. Food & Safety: Barfresh says a $2.4 million USDA grant for its Defiance, Ohio plant is back on track after USDA re-approval tied to updated facility design and equipment installs. Local Business Rules: New Carlisle approved a yearlong moratorium on several new business types—including gas stations, pawn shops, tattoo/body piercing, and payday lending—while it updates zoning rules. Trade Watch: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods (15% to 50%) kick in, with Ohio and other swing-state industries in the crosshairs ahead of the midterms. Media Risk: The Toledo Blade says Block Communications may shut it down at end of 2026 if it can’t find a buyer. Consumer/Travel: TSA launched “Gateside” so TSA PreCheck members can pass security without a flight at select airports.

Midterm Politics & Cost Pressure: New reporting says Trump’s declining popularity is becoming a liability for Republicans as Labor Day events kick off the final sprint to Nov. 3, with Democrats showing stronger enthusiasm and fundraising momentum. Ohio Energy Watch: GasBuddy price checks show midgrade and E15/E85 deals popping up in Ohio counties this week, with Summit County midgrade hitting $3.94/gal (lowest reported) and Auglaize County E15 at $3.36/gal (lowest reported), while E85 lows include Allen County at $2.54/gal. Data Centers & Water Use: A Ceres report estimates data centers in seven states—including Ohio—withdraw about 3.4 trillion gallons of freshwater annually, raising concerns for water-stressed regions. Local Business/Community: Hamilton County launched “Who Dey to Madrid” to help Bengals fans get passports for the team’s Spain trip, and the Cleveland Comedy Festival returns for its 19th year (Sept. 30–Oct. 3). Health & Consumer Safety: Ohio-based American Regent recalled certain epinephrine injection lots nationwide due to sterility and particulate-matter concerns.

Data Centers & Power: A Texas regulator freeze on new data-center hookups is already squeezing AEP Ohio’s pipeline, raising fresh questions about how fast the AI buildout can scale and what it means for utility earnings. Workforce & Safety Policy: U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures (D-AL) and Ohio Rep. Dave Taylor (R-OH) introduced the REVOKE Act to crack down on “chameleon carriers” that dodge FMCSA enforcement by rebranding. Cost of Living & Wages: Policy Matters Ohio renewed its push to raise Ohio’s minimum wage, arguing the current $11 rate still leaves many workers unable to cover basics. Small Business Spotlight: A Youngstown rage-room operator, Yo! Crash, credits Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women program for helping it pivot to mobile after COVID closures. Consumer Fraud Watch: The BBB Scam Tracker shows several Ohio cities tied for low single-digit scam reports in July, while a Labor Day consumer warning flags Medicare and romance scams as fall risks. Local Economy Boost: Cincinnati’s Riverfest is expected to draw hundreds of thousands and drive business along the Ohio River over Labor Day weekend. Gas Prices: In the week ending Aug. 29, Wyandot County hit a low of $3.69 regular gas, with Ohio’s statewide average at $3.93.

Ohio Economy & Energy: GasBuddy data shows regular gas hitting $3.34/gal at the lowest in Fulton County for the week ending Aug. 29, with Ohio’s statewide average at $3.93. Diesel pricing also varies widely, with Darke County’s low at $5.04/gal and Madison County’s low at $5.29/gal for the same week. AI & Small Business: NBC reports “AI slop” storefront images are creeping onto restaurant menus and delivery listings, confusing customers and eroding trust—an issue Ohio University’s AI-focused faculty say is hitting tight-budget operators hardest. Ohio Politics & Security: Amy Acton’s gubernatorial campaign says an armed man lunged at her at the Canfield Fair, injuring multiple people; Patrick Havas was arrested. Trade & Cross-Border Pressure: Canada-U.S. trade talks remain stalled as Ottawa prepares retaliatory tariffs tied to the latest U.S. levies, raising uncertainty for businesses on both sides of the border. Workforce & Education: Bowling Green State University highlights College Credit Plus results, with thousands of students earning early college credits and a 97% course completion rate across its campuses. Local Business Growth: Mountain State Creamery in Vienna, W.Va. marked its second anniversary with a community ice cream celebration and a toy drive—an example of how small retail brands build local demand.

Data Center Backlash (Ohio & beyond): A national political fight over AI data centers is heating up as voters worry about power costs and local impacts, while tech and political allies push a pro-build message ahead of the 2026 midterms. Consumer Fraud Watch (Ohio): The BBB Scam Tracker shows Mount Orab tied for 141st in Ohio for July scam reports, with fraud losses hitting $12.5B nationwide in 2024. State Consumer Protection (Ohio): Ohio Attorney General D. Andrew Wilson sued Blue Ash’s J. Peterman, alleging long-running failures to deliver goods and process refunds, with prosecutors saying the business appears no longer operating. Local Economy/Cost of Living (Gas prices): GasBuddy reports Ohio’s regular gas averaged $3.93 per gallon for the week ending Aug. 29, with Washington County’s low at $3.75. Public Safety: Columbus’ Short North saw a stabbing and gunfire overnight, with suspects fleeing and police still investigating. Social Security Snapshot (Ohio): ZIP 43212 had about 2,100 Social Security beneficiaries in Dec. 2024, up 70 from the prior year. Workforce & Training (AI infrastructure): A guest column argues the AI buildout will depend on more skilled tradespeople, pointing to apprenticeship-style training as a model.

Public Safety: Ohio State Highway Patrol is ramping up enforcement for Labor Day travel, citing last year’s spike to 27 deaths in 23 crashes and warning that roadside work is especially dangerous when speeding and distracted driving hit. Healthcare & Aging Services: LifeCare Alliance is taking over Meals on Wheels in Montgomery, Miami, Greene and Darke Counties, stepping in after the previous provider ran into financial trouble, with about $1.5 million in contract funding and a transition targeted to be signed within 60 days. Tech & Industry: Meta is testing dual-armed robots to handle physical data-center tasks like swapping network cables and power cycling servers, with trials reported at its Prometheus campus in New Albany and an Altoona, Iowa facility. Community & Local Economy: New Concord Community Day in Muskingum County drew 40+ vendors and students from Muskingum University for a free, sponsor-backed event reconnecting campus and village businesses. Local Health Access: Mercy Health’s mobile mammography unit is scheduled to visit Perrysburg and Rossford in September, offering 3D screenings by appointment. Business/Politics Backdrop: A new Ohio-focused debate is heating up around data centers as lawmakers and communities clash over costs and growth.

STEM Contract: Beavercreek’s ARCTOS won a contract worth up to $60M to expand Air Force Research Laboratory STEM outreach, including internships, apprenticeships, and mentoring tied to Wright-Patterson. Retail & Real Estate: Sheetz is seeking approval for a 24-hour store and gas station near I-90 in Westlake, with an acreage fight still unresolved. Data Centers & Power: Ohio’s data-center debate keeps heating up as lawmakers and communities push back on incentives and permitting; one Ohio senator is targeting data-center tax breaks with a “federal clawback” idea. Higher Ed Policy: The U.S. House passed a bill cutting federal funding for colleges that participate in commercial boycotts of Israel, raising stakes for Title IV aid. Consumer & Fraud Signals: BBB Scam Tracker shows Mount Victory logged three scam reports in July, while Ohio cities remain heavily represented in fraud reporting. Energy Costs: GasBuddy data finds the cheapest E85 in Butler County at $2.44/gallon for the week ending Aug. 29, with Ohio E85 averaging $3.37. Local Business Campaigns: Shelby’s United Fund kicked off its 2027 campaign, targeting $145,000 for local nonprofits.

Workforce & Education: Ohio’s Mahoning Valley is among local partners named in Gov. Mike DeWine’s Regional Education Partnerships push, aiming to connect teachers, workforce groups, and employers to help young people transition into jobs and stay on track. Local Business & Talent Pipeline: Fairfield County families toured the Workforce Center in Carroll to explore no-cost pre-apprenticeship training, with the center reporting 58 graduates landing jobs in their chosen fields. Healthcare Access: Cuyahoga County’s first behavioral health crisis center, the Glick Recovery Campus, is set to open 24/7 later this month, offering crisis stabilization and integrated care without appointments. Real Estate/Development: Erieview Tower’s $218M overhaul in downtown Cleveland is moving again after financing closed, including Ohio’s first W hotel and 215 apartments slated for late 2027/early 2028. Public Safety & Policy: Ohio lawmakers are urging FEMA to approve a major disaster declaration after August storms left widespread damage and hundreds of thousands without power. Consumer/Compliance: Two IV saline recalls hit the market after particles were found in sealed bags, with no reported injuries tied to either action.

Ohio Supreme Court: The Ohio Supreme Court upheld two budget-bill laws limiting how healthcare providers can contact crime and accident victims, saying later amendments cured any “one-subject rule” problems and sending the case back for remaining issues. Data centers & energy politics: At an Ohio energy affordability summit, officials pushed faster permitting for major infrastructure as voters grow more opposed to data centers amid rising power bills and water/utility strain. Surveillance cameras: An Ohio GOP lawmaker proposed banning most Flock-style license plate readers without a search warrant and restricting sale of surveillance data, after local agencies paused use over privacy and misuse concerns. Higher ed & federal funding: The U.S. House passed a bill barring universities from federal funding if they participate in boycotts against Israel, setting up a Senate fight. Workforce & manufacturing: A “Foundry School” initiative aims to train millions for U.S. manufacturing, while a zinc die casting conference in Montreal highlighted growth in EVs, drones, data centers and energy storage. Local business & community: Purina opened a $550M automated pet-food plant in Ohio; Ohio’s SNAP recipients can use the Ohio Direction Card at farmers’ markets statewide; and Nelsonville announced its first Bigfoot Festival for Oct. 2–4.

Food & Consumer Safety: The FDA announced a nationwide voluntary recall of certain epinephrine injections from Ohio-based American Regent due to cracked/leaking vials and sterility/particulate concerns. Public Health & Affordability: Florida will receive 5.67 million eggs for food banks as part of a nationwide egg price-fixing settlement, expanding free distribution through Feeding Florida. Local Business & Infrastructure: Mason business owners say downtown’s “Mason Mile” hasn’t seen enough of the city’s promised investment, despite millions spent elsewhere. Workforce & Education: Northwest State Community College extended President Todd Hernandez’s contract through June 30, 2031, citing regional workforce and training goals. Energy & Utilities: FirstEnergy named Jon Dormo VP of Generation Project Development to plan and develop new power generation as demand grows. Civic Life: Parents in Lakota Local schools are volunteering as crossing guards after the district pulled staff from off-campus crosswalks. Community Events: The Ohio Fish & Shrimp Music Festival returns Sept. 12 at Freshwater Farms, adding the Freshwater Games for the first time in Champaign County. Health Policy & Tech: A growing debate over AI in schools continues, with local districts taking different approaches than NYC’s move to discontinue many pre-high-school AI tools.

OSU Settlement: Ohio State University agreed to pay $2.1 million to resolve federal claims it didn’t fully disclose researchers’ China-linked affiliations and funding tied to NASA and NSF grant applications. Local Business & Jobs: SafeGrain named Paul Kamm as CEO, continuing the Dayton-based grain monitoring company’s push to expand its dealer network and solutions. Wealth Management Deal: Sequoia Financial Group (Akron) acquired Boulder’s BSW Wealth Partners, adding $2.3B in client assets and expanding in Colorado. Auto Repair Standards: Zima Automotive (Springfield) joined the Motorist Assurance Program, aiming to boost transparent inspections and repair communication. Food Safety: Ohio consumers were warned about a voluntary recall of Kofinas Garlic Mediterranean Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil due to unapproved garlic essential oil flavoring; updates also continued on a jasmine rice recall. Public Safety/Surveillance: Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey is set to address growing scrutiny of Flock camera use and license-plate reader concerns. Infrastructure Disruption: A crash on I-680 in Youngstown led to lane closures during the morning commute.

Pediatric Cancer Support: Ohio’s Department of Health is rolling out a Pediatric Complex Care Navigation Program to help families of kids with cancer find doctors, trials, and insurance, funded with federal grant money. Manufacturing Workforce: Akron-area leaders at Akron Rubber Development Laboratory are weighing how automation and workforce development can offset retirements as manufacturing output per worker is expected to rise while jobs decline in Summit County. Power Grid Expansion: A proposed GridGrowthWest plan could bring new 765-kV and 345-kV transmission lines through rural Champaign County, with residents raising concerns as the project seeks permissions. Disaster Aid Request: Gov. Mike DeWine asked President Trump for a FEMA Major Disaster Declaration for 23 Ohio counties after August storms, floods, and tornadoes, citing major and minor damage to homes and businesses. Data Center Politics: A new super PAC-backed campaign is targeting Kansas, Ohio, and Wisconsin voters to build support for data centers amid local fights over land use and power strain. Local Business Closure: Mario’s Spa in Aurora has closed, leaving the property up for sale. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Brecksville and Tipp City each logged one scam report in July, while Ohio’s fraud losses keep climbing nationwide.

Real Estate & Celebrity Finance: Travis Kelce bought a $5.35 million, 1895 lakefront Bratenahl mansion (“Moyenage”) near where he grew up, a deal tied to a recent renovation and backed by local brokerage records. Biotech & Clinical Research: The Gabrail Cancer and Research Center says the FDA cleared an investigator-initiated trial to proceed, testing a T-cell engager approach for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma with enrollment targeted for Q4 2026. Consumer & Retail Risk: J. Peterman appears to have shut down after Ohio AG-related claims that the company failed to deliver orders and make refunds, with customer service reportedly unreachable. Local Courts: The Third District Court of Appeals heard two Defiance-area cases, including an insurance dispute over an ATV crash on private property. Great Lakes Economy: U.S. Army Corps dredging wrapped up in West Harbor (Marblehead) and is underway in Conneaut Harbor, supporting boating and commercial navigation. Business Restructuring: Red Robin completed most of its restaurant closings, selling 108 units for about $89.4 million as part of its debt-reduction plan. Public Safety & Compliance: Tallmadge City Schools pushed back on claims about spirit signs, saying Ohio Edison asked for removal due to safety and attachment rules. Healthcare Access: Life Line Screening rolled out a blood test aimed at estimating Alzheimer’s risk using p-tau217.