AGP Executive Report

Housing & Mortgages: A new Zillow study says the U.S. housing market is splitting: luxury sales rose 6.2% year over year, while starter-home sales fell 5.2%. Starter inventory is up and price cuts are more common (25% of starter homes vs. 20% of luxury homes), giving first-time buyers more negotiating power—if they can still save for a down payment. Ohio Consumer Protection: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Manchester tied for 56th among Ohio cities in July with 3 reported scams, while statewide fraud losses keep climbing; the FTC says Americans reported losing $12.5B to fraud in 2024. Local Nonprofit Funding: The Ohio SPCA is asking for public support to keep operating the Allen County Humane Society after grants and donations declined amid tough economic conditions. Healthcare Spending Watch: Medicaid “Surgery” billing in West Carrollton jumped to $166 in 2024 (up from $20 in 2023), highlighting how local claims can swing. Rural Health Tech: The Ohio Pharmacists Association won a $2M grant to connect rural pharmacies and clinics to a Health Information Exchange. Ag Infrastructure: Superior Ag opened a new $20M Ohio River fertilizer terminal, boosting storage and distribution for regional farmers.

Local Business & Community: Akron hosted the Black Business Wall Street Experience, with the Black Chamber of Commerce of Summit County bringing 50+ vendors together to boost local spending and close wealth gaps. Healthcare Infrastructure: The Ohio Pharmacists Association won a $2M grant to expand rural pharmacy connectivity, linking independent pharmacies and health partners to a Health Information Exchange to improve care coordination. Power Grid Planning: Fairfield County residents can weigh in on a major 765-kilovolt transmission project at an Oct. 1 open house in Lancaster, part of a broader effort to add capacity for rising demand. Public Safety & Local Economy: Sweet T’s Cafe in Perry Township plans to reopen after a vehicle crash damaged the front of the business, with promotions to offset lost revenue. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Warren logged six scam reports in July, while multiple Ohio cities remain in the mid-to-lower ranks with small but persistent totals. Health Costs at the Local Level: Medicaid “Surgery” spending jumped sharply in Conneaut in 2024, rising to $4,258 from $1,223 the year before, while Mason saw Surgery-category Medicaid bills rise to $453 in 2024.

Local Business Disruption: Sweet T’s Cafe in Perry Township is set to reopen after a vehicle crashed into its building; the owner says no one was hurt and the shop will run promotions to make up for lost revenue. Public Safety & Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Struthers and Winchester each tied for 141st among Ohio cities in July with one reported scam; nationwide, the FTC says fraud losses hit $12.5B in 2024. Healthcare Supply Chain: Two IV-saline recalls were issued after concerns about particulate contamination—B. Braun (zinc oxide) and Baxter (fiberglass)—with distribution to U.S. facilities. Sports Business & Labor: The Jacksonville Jaguars traded for Dolphins QB Quinn Ewers, sending a 2028 sixth-round pick—another reminder of how roster moves can shift team economics. Tech & Automation: Meta is testing robots in data centers, including in Ohio, signaling more automation pressure on physical tech jobs. Trade & Ohio Economy: Reports on the U.S.-Canada trade war highlight uncertainty for Ohio’s auto and construction supply chains as tariffs raise costs and delay building decisions. Consumer Markets: Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble stock analysis flags underperformance versus the Nasdaq despite its mega-cap scale. Community & Food Access: Ohio plans to use five refrigerated trailers to store donated deer during hunting season, turning venison into protein for residents facing food insecurity.

Home Health Growth: Viemed Healthcare (Viemed Healthcare, Inc.) says its home ventilation business has a big runway, targeting low-20% revenue growth in 2026 (about $317M revenue, $66M EBITDA) as it leans on complex respiratory care and adds sleep-resupply and maternal-health lines. Sports Sponsorships: College football is rolling out jersey patch deals after NCAA rules took effect Aug. 1, letting schools add up to two commercial logos on uniforms; Ohio State reportedly signed JPMorgan Chase, while other schools have already lined up major brands. Retail Fraud Watch: Franklin ranked among Ohio’s higher scam-report cities in July, tied for 56th with three BBB Scam Tracker reports; the BBB notes online purchases drove most reported losses. Industrial Real Estate: A Vandalia warehouse over 425,000 square feet sold for $37.6M, part of a broader Midwest logistics push by Sparrowhawk. Trade War Pressure: Ohio businesses and consumers are feeling the Canada-U.S. tariff fight, with one builder saying uncertainty is delaying new construction and pushing sourcing changes. Politics & Business Climate: Ohio governor candidates are trading sharp attacks as they try to define themselves and each other ahead of a high-stakes campaign.

Local Business & Community: Riverreach Construction in Ohio adopted an orange kitten found crying inside a Komatsu excavator, with the crew planning to raise Sue as a shop cat—Komatsu even sent safety-themed merch. Consumer & Legal Risk: A federal appeals court ruled Nevada can keep regulating Kalshi’s prediction-market contracts, setting up a possible U.S. Supreme Court fight and blocking sports/election trading in Nevada. Public Safety & Utilities: Belpre residents face potential natural gas disruptions after Knox Energy Cooperative warned 43 customers could be disconnected this winter due to declining gas output from supplier Wilson Energy. Local Economy & Jobs: Kraft Heinz is investing $30 million in its Kendallville plant, with a 10-year tax abatement aimed at retaining 338 jobs. Animal Welfare Enforcement: USDA suspended a Hancock County chinchilla breeder’s license for 21 days after inspectors found hundreds of extra animals and serious veterinary-care violations. Small Business/Nonprofit: NEOMED is mobilizing global health resources for Nepal disaster recovery, including student and faculty support focused on health and safe-water needs. Business Litigation: Trader Joe’s must face Smucker’s trademark suit over “Uncrustables” copycat sandwiches after an Ohio federal judge said Smucker sufficiently pled fame to survive dismissal. Sports & Media (Ohio angle): Ohio Sen. Jon Husted’s campaign is getting harder as Trump’s national conflicts and trade tensions with Canada intensify.

Data Centers & Energy Costs: Ohio manufacturers are warning that data-center electricity demand forecasts may be overstated, driving up generation and transmission costs without clear transparency on how forecasts are built. Economic Development Tax Credits: Ohio’s Tax Credit Authority reviewed 13 business projects tied to nearly $310M in new payroll and $1.1B in investment, including expansions in Hicksville and Leipsic and other statewide job-creation deals. Defense Manufacturing: Metallus in Canton and Perry Township is getting nearly $100M in U.S. Army-backed equipment funding to support artillery-munitions steel output, with JobsOhio also involved. Banking Expansion: Superior Credit Union held a ribbon cutting for a new Defiance location, with plans to lease additional space to other businesses. AI Finance & Backing: NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang defended the company’s AI investment approach, arguing traditional funding models fall short and pointing to strong data-center revenue growth. Illegal Dumping Enforcement: Ohio AG Andy Wilson announced a second round of grants totaling more than $1M to help communities clean up illegal dump sites and deter repeat dumping. Local Business Spotlight: D4 Auto Spa is expanding mobile vehicle detailing in Ohio, bringing interior/exterior services directly to customers’ homes or workplaces. Non-Emergency Medical Transport Tech: Bambi, a NEMT dispatch and scheduling software firm, won the NEMTAC Innovation Award for a second straight year. Political Money Watch: Corporate political donations hit a record $646M so far for the 2026 midterms, according to a watchdog analysis. Housing Supply: A new report says the U.S. housing market still has tight inventory, with “zombie homes” edging down but vacancy staying low.

NFL & Reputation Risk: San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York’s Ohio prostitution arrest is now under NFL review under the league’s personal conduct policy, with a suspension possible. Ohio Public Safety: A Gibsonburg man accused of stabbing an Ohio officer in the neck was charged with felonious assault after a bank scuffle; the officer was able to fire and the suspect was later arrested. Construction Jobs: A national construction employment analysis found Ohio added 13,700 jobs from July 2025 to July 2026, but warned tariffs, highway funding uncertainty, and data-center opposition could threaten momentum. Healthcare & Recalls: Baxter recalled certain IV saline lots nationwide, including shipments to Ohio, after fiberglass contamination was found; separately, Whole Foods expanded a Class I recall of jalapeño-linked Salmonella dips and guacamole across multiple states including Ohio. Foodborne Illness Watch: The FDA/CDC say the Cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce has grown to 20 states, including Ohio, with 11,485 reported illnesses. Local Governance: Avon Lake’s Ward 2 councilwoman was reappointed to Ohio EPA’s Materials Management Advisory Council. Business/Community: Superior Ag opened a $20M Ohio River fertilizer terminal in Indiana, aimed at improving regional supply reliability for farmers.

Clean Energy Finance: Invenergy secured a $215M tax equity investment for its 240 MW Pleasant Prairie Solar Energy Center in Franklin County, targeting commercial operations in 2027 and supporting about 300 construction jobs. AI Infrastructure & Power Constraints: Nvidia’s surge is colliding with real-world limits—data center developers face rising risks of delays or cancellations as power, cooling, and grid capacity can’t keep up. Local Energy Governance: Miami County commissioners oppose a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line, warning it could disrupt property owners, farmland, and future development; public meetings are set for late September. Housing & Credit Pressure: U.S. foreclosure activity rose in July, with more filings and completed foreclosures pointing to ongoing affordability strain for some homeowners. Healthcare Access: An Ohio poll finds strong voter support for affordable, local cancer screening and treatment, with concerns tied to coverage declines. Tech Policy: Ohio is set to receive $319M from the national $17B Meta settlement tied to child-safety changes. Business Expansion: Power Home Remodeling is opening a Cleveland territory, adding a new office and warehouse to serve homeowners with energy-efficient exterior upgrades. Local Economy/Jobs: LiquidPiston will exhibit at TETS in Dayton, pitching defense-focused hybrid power platforms.

Defense Manufacturing: Metallus in Canton commissioned new furnace equipment with support from a nearly $100M U.S. Army funding commitment and JobsOhio, aiming to boost domestic munitions supply capacity. State Business Climate: Ohio’s CNBC “best for business” ranking got a spotlight, with DeWine and Tressel touting strengths like infrastructure and cost of doing business while acknowledging gaps in education and workforce talent. Tech & Markets: Nvidia’s first-ever year-ahead forecast—projecting 70% revenue growth next fiscal year—sent investors scrambling, underscoring how fast AI demand is reshaping expectations. Social Media Accountability: Meta agreed to pay about $17B in a multistate settlement over teen social media harms, including new child-safety measures for Facebook and Instagram. Consumer Safety & Fraud: Ohio lawmakers and a watchdog push are targeting DOT passenger privacy practices, while local reports highlight scam-heavy rental listings on TikTok and ongoing BBB scam losses across Ohio cities. Energy Prices: GasBuddy data shows diesel and premium gas prices fluctuating across Ohio counties in the week ending Aug. 15, with diesel averaging about $5.33 statewide. Health Innovation: A personalized mRNA cancer vaccine is showing promise against melanoma recurrence in early trials.

Education & Workforce: Ohio is cutting the list of high school graduation credentials from 164 to 70, removing “shortcut” options that critics say don’t match what employers want. Big Tech & Consumer Protection: Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson announced Ohio’s share of a $17.1B multistate Meta settlement over Instagram and Facebook child-safety harms, with Meta required to add age checks, default teen time limits, and nighttime blocks. Cybercrime & Payments: Ohio residents are being warned about scam texts claiming unpaid E-ZPass tolls—don’t click links; verify through official apps or websites. Semiconductors & Competition: FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson flagged soaring chip costs and floated possible antitrust action as Nvidia pricing pressure hits electronics. Energy & Industry: A $500M clean-steel grant for Cleveland-Cliffs’ Middletown plant was reportedly redirected to support a coal blast furnace upgrade, drawing pushback from green-steel advocates. Local Business: Parker’s Records & Comics in Cincinnati expanded its online inventory to nearly 87,000 items. Banking: KeyBank named Mark Williams a New England business banking market leader.

Akron & Sports Tourism: LeBron James is bringing a PGA Tour event back to his hometown—his foundation’s Invitational will run July 6-7, 2027 at Firestone Country Club, pairing amateurs with PGA Tour Pathway to Progression Pro-Bound Five pros and adding mentorship for I Promise students. Ohio Jobs & Tax Credits: Leipsic’s Luxorion Plastics won an eight-year Ohio Job Creation Tax Credit to expand manufacturing and add 60 full-time jobs by 2029. Public Safety & Environment: Toledo neighbors near Brent Industries are demanding answers after a deadly explosion; they say they weren’t told what chemicals they may have been exposed to while the EPA tests continue. Local Government & Infrastructure: ODOT discussed more roundabouts in Van Wert County, including safety-focused projects and the multi-million-dollar price tag. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows several Ohio cities tied for low single-digit scam reports in July, with Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland leading the state totals. Legal/Policy: DOJ filings warn the Kennedy Center could face demolition if renovations and naming efforts stall—an Ohio congresswoman is central to the dispute. Trade & Energy Politics: EPA moves to reduce public notice for certain data-center pollution permits is drawing backlash as the AI power buildout accelerates.

AI Data Center Boom in Ohio: OpenAI plans a hyperscale 8-gigawatt data center in Pike County on the PORTS-Pike Technology Campus, with SB Energy as operator and Nvidia infrastructure investment tied to the project—another sign Ohio is becoming a major AI power hub. Corporate HQ Move: Valvoline will set up a new global headquarters in downtown Cincinnati, aiming to centralize Americas leadership functions and expand its footprint. Local Business Growth: OSU Mansfield welcomed a larger incoming freshman class (465, up from 404), while Waverly Goodwill opened a new store with a more convenient drive-up donation setup. Ohio Courts & Taxes: Ohio Supreme Court ruled a Columbus COSI-area parking garage is entitled to a property tax exemption because the city retains control through agreements. Public Safety for Freight: Ohio State Highway Patrol reminded commercial drivers to secure loads to prevent debris-related crashes. Healthcare Scam Warning: Ohio health systems are warning patients about MyChart-branded messages that are impersonations, urging people to verify before acting. Retail Opening: Chicken Salad Chick opened its first Northeast Ohio location in Fairview Park. Sports & Community: LeBron James and the PGA Tour are partnering on a new Akron amateur-focused event starting in 2027.

NFL & Local Courts: San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges after an Ohio prostitution sting in East Palestine; prosecutors say he responded to an undercover ad and arranged sex for $140, with the original “engaging in prostitution” charge reduced to disorderly conduct. Energy & Jobs: Ohio Gov. DeWine’s office approved tax credits for two Defiance-area expansions—Arc Solutions/Novamatiq in Hicksville (65 jobs) and Luxorion Plastics in Leipsic (60 jobs). Accounting & Regulation: Ohio AG Brenna Bird joined a coalition challenging Big 4 firms over climate-related financial reporting, arguing it conflicts with professional duties and could raise costs for small businesses. Higher Ed: Owens Community College received nearly $1M in state higher-ed loan funding to demolish older health buildings as it shifts programs into a newer healthcare education center. Food & Safety: A multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to imported jalapeños has sickened hundreds, including cases reported in Ohio, renewing scrutiny on food recalls. Local Business: Lima’s Merchants Building at the fair is spotlighting about 50 local vendors and nonprofits, giving small businesses a direct line to community customers. Public Policy & Health: Dayton leaders urged Ohio to minimize SNAP and health-care cuts tied to new federal work requirements, warning eligible residents could lose benefits due to added red tape. UAV Connectivity: L2 Aviation and Gotonomi announced a partnership to bring satellite connectivity to drones and advanced air mobility operations in areas with limited cellular coverage.

Data Center Backlash Meets Bill Relief: AEP Ohio is routing $18 million in new help to households through its Neighbor to Neighbor program, with major data-center firms (Meta, QTS, Amazon, SoftBank Energy and Google) funding the pot—an attempt to blunt cost-shifting fears as opposition to new AI power demand grows. Politics & Power: Trump is pushing communities to welcome data centers, but a new survey finds 61% of Americans oppose new builds near them, with concerns over bills, water use and construction. Ohio Solar Watch: Oak Run Solar’s long fight is nearing a final Ohio Power Siting Board decision after years of appeals over how the project would be seen from public viewpoints. Banking Spotlight: Stock Yards Bancorp (SYBT) landed on Bank Director’s “Ranking Banking” Top 25 list, ranking 17th overall. Local Consumer Fraud: BBB Scam Tracker shows Wilmington tied at 141st in Ohio for July with one reported scam, while Ohio cities overall continue to rack up major losses. Business & Community: Wilson’s Garden Center won a 2026 Consumer Choice Award in Columbus, and Crux closed a $215 million tax equity deal for Invenergy’s 240 MW Pleasant Prairie Solar project in Franklin County.

Browns QB decision looms: Cleveland coach Todd Monken says he’ll name a Week 1 starter Monday between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, adding Watson’s “disrespectful” comments about boos won’t drive the call. Browns roster shake-up: Starting DE Alex Wright suffered a ruptured Achilles in a joint practice vs. Buffalo and is out for the season; the Browns signed veteran pass rusher Derek Barnett. Trade shock hits Ohio-linked economy: U.S.-Canada talks collapsed and 50% tariffs on Canadian goods kicked in, with lawmakers warning of higher costs and uncertainty for businesses and consumers. AI data centers become political flashpoint: A new wave of backlash is shaping midterm strategy, with Ohio’s Senate race flagged as a test case for how communities and politicians respond to hyperscale growth. Ohio community & local business: GoPacks expanded its Mid-Ohio Valley resource fair to fight childhood hunger and connect families to services. Utilities and reliability: Cleveland Public Power restored service after two utility poles were struck, knocking out power on West 54th Street and Detroit Avenue. Consumer scams watch: Toledo ranked among Ohio’s top cities for BBB scam reports in July, with online purchase fraud the most common. Energy prices, Ohio-style: GasBuddy data showed one Shelby County station selling E85 as low as $2.78/gallon in the week ending Aug. 15.

Gas Prices Watch: Logan County midgrade hit a low of $4.08 in the week ending Aug. 15, with Ohio’s average midgrade up to $4.65. NBA Business & Diversity: Springfield, Ohio native Maurice A. Stinnett became the first Black man named VP of Diversity and Inclusion for an NBA team, highlighting how front-office roles are evolving. AI Earnings Signal: Nvidia’s Q2 results are set to test the renewed AI trade as investors weigh whether massive spending is paying off. Flood Recovery: Crooksville saw a second round of flooding after an earlier surge, leaving some families saying homes are total losses. Data Center Backlash in Ohio Politics: Sen. Bernie Moreno warns the energy strain from Ohio’s data center boom could become a midterm issue as voters push back on bills and grid impacts. Protected Mustangs Controversy: A report alleges federally protected wild mustangs were quietly sold to an Ohio livestock dealer, raising slaughter pipeline fears. Local Finance: Ohio Valley Banc Corp. extended its stock buyback program through Aug. 31, 2027. Workforce Outreach: OhioMeansJobs’ van will stop in Waverly Aug. 26 to connect residents with job and training resources. Steel Investment & Campaigning: JD Vance returned to Middletown to campaign at Cleveland-Cliffs’ Armco Steel site tied to a $1B modernization push.