Buckeye State Offers Relocation Incentives for Manufacturers

In today’s fiercely competitive battle for talent, Ohio is stepping up their offerings with new incentives for manufacturers.

JobsOhio has introduced its Relocation Incentive Program to help manufacturers and other businesses in targeted industries find STEM and other technical hires. Through this program, the organization is offering $15,000 to Ohio employers for each new employee who relocates to Ohio and establishes permanent residency. Employers may obtain this incentive for up to 15 employees or $225,000.

Key program considerations include:

1. The employer must be located in Ohio and conducting business in a targeted industry and business function.
   
   
2. The new hire must be a full-time W2 employee (1099 contractors do not qualify) working in a Priority Occupation, as defined by JobsOhio (which include many STEM or technical roles). Roles include:
   • Computer and Technology Architects, Analysts, Developers, and Designers
   • Biochemists, Material and Medical Scientists, and Life Science Technicians
   • Actuaries, Data Scientists, Statisticians, and Financial Analysts
   • Engineers, Electricians, Maintenance Workers, Millwrights
   • Production Operations, Assemblers, Machinists, Welders
     
3. Employers must provide basic details about their company, a description of the industry in which they operate. In addition, employers must be able to establish and provide a baseline number of out-of-state hires it has relocated over the past three years.

There are no minimum distance requirements for the incoming employee’s move, and new college graduates (even those who went to school in Ohio but have permanent residences out of state) can also be eligible.

Funds can be used creatively for costs, such as sign-on bonuses or recruitment, and do not have restrictions. Once the application is approved and the employee relocates and begins employment, employers can request their disbursement.

Relocation Incentive dollars are available on a first come first serve basis.

To read more about JobsOhio’s Relocation Incentives, visit JobsOhio Relocation Incentive.

To discuss issues specific to your manufacturing company, contact a member of HBK Manufacturing Solutions at 330-758-8613 or manufacturing@hbkcpa.com.