Trending
Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel took a victory lap of sorts after CNBC said Ohio is the No. 1 state for business, with a nine-stop "Heart of Opportunity Tour" that wrapped in Springfield at the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence.
Other stops were in Cleveland, Youngstown, Toledo, Lima, Piketon, Middletown, Columbus and Cincinnati.
Regarding his stop in Springfield, DeWine said. "The investments we're making in aviation infrastructure, workforce, research and innovation are creating an environment that's allowing companies to build the future of flight right here in Ohio." He would have been forgiven for adding "again."
Meanwhile, Tressel talked more about those visited on the tour.
"Over the past several weeks, we've had the opportunity to see firsthand why Ohio is the No. 1 state for business," he said. "All across the state, we've seen what happens when businesses, educators, workforce leaders and communities work together. The Heart of Opportunity Tour has been about celebrating that teamwork and making sure every Ohioan knows there are opportunities right here in Ohio to build a great future."
While the celebration is earned, not every Ohioan knows there is opportunity close to home. Residents along the Ohio River and throughout Southeast Ohio won't have missed that the tour did not make its way to their communities.
If DeWine and Tressel (and their successors) are serious about building on the momentum reflected in the CNBC ranking, they must understand they cannot neglect such a large section of the state and still behave as though they have scored major wins for ALL of Ohio.
Great things have been accomplished, it's true. But some Ohio residents can't help but wonder: When will it be our turn?