Shows
Central Ohio MattersBeating the Heat: Energy Savings and Health Tips for Extreme TemperaturesThe extreme summer heat is upon us, and its effects ripple through our communities in ways that extend far beyond discomfort. We're tackling this timely issue from multiple angles to help you navigate these challenging conditions.Federal policy shifts are threatening Ohio's growing clean energy economy. Alex Zorniger from Power to Hydrogen shares how proposed changes to energy tax credits in the "Big Beautiful Bill" could derail job creation and force companies to redirect business overseas. With solar manufacturers already reconsidering their investments and international companies crossing Ohio off their expansion lists, the economic stakes couldn't be...2025-06-2931 minCentral Ohio MattersThe Strongest Town in North America: Marion Ohio's Remarkable JourneyHow does a small Midwestern city rebound from decades of economic hardship to become North America's Strongest Town? The remarkable transformation of Marion, Ohio offers a masterclass in community resilience, citizen-led development, and the power of incremental progress.Regional Planning Director Evelyn "Evie" Warr-Omnis shares the philosophy that propelled Marion past 49 other towns to claim this prestigious award: identify a need, listen to citizens, take small actions, and repeat. This humble approach acknowledges the resource limitations of smaller communities while emphasizing their greatest strength – determined citizens willing to roll up their sleeves.• Marion's approach: see a ne...2025-06-1529 minCentral Ohio MattersSenator Brenner Gives Us A Budget Breakdown and Bill VictoriesSenator Brenner pulls back the curtain on Ohio's legislative process, sharing significant wins for wildlife rehabilitation and consumer protection while breaking down what matters most in the massive state budget bill moving through Columbus.The interview begins with a deep dive into Senate Bill 152, which addresses a critical gap for wildlife rehabilitation centers. Currently unable to humanely euthanize severely injured animals due to opioid crisis legislation, these centers must hire veterinarians, causing delays, increased suffering, and higher costs. The bill that passed unanimously out of the Senate creates a pathway for properly trained staff to administer euthanasia...2025-06-0834 minCentral Ohio MattersThe United Way Effect: Transforming Lives in Central OhioAffordable housing in Delaware County has reached a crisis point, with average home prices exceeding $400,000 and rental rates skyrocketing beyond what working families can afford. In this eye-opening conversation with Brandon Feller, President of the United Way of Delaware County, we explore how this critical issue impacts community sustainability and what is being done to address it.Brandon reveals the harsh reality many families face—spending 60-70% of their income on housing leaves them vulnerable to financial disaster when unexpected expenses arise. "We're at a tipping point," he explains. "We're negatively impacting the community by not having a...2025-06-0130 minCentral Ohio MattersSunbury's Evolution: From Village to CityStep into the dynamic world of Sunbury, Ohio as City Administrator Daryl Hennessey reveals how this small town is managing its dramatic evolution from village to city status. Four years after crossing the 5,000-resident threshold, Sunbury faces unique challenges balancing explosive growth with preserving its cherished small-town character. Topics covered include the following.• The city adopted a charter giving it more local control over decision-making processes• Assuming responsibility for state routes through the city created new maintenance obligations• Sunbury spans about seven square miles with a disproportionately large geographic footprint relative to its population• The city...2025-05-2529 minCentral Ohio MattersWhen Your Home Becomes a Tax Burden: Ohio's Property Tax CrisisCould Ohio become the first state to completely abolish property taxes? With skyrocketing home valuations forcing seniors out of their long-paid homes and creating financial strain for countless homeowners, a group of determined citizens is fighting to fundamentally change how public services are funded.Beth Blackmar from Citizens for Property Tax Reform joins us to share her personal story - a shocking 51.9% increase in her century-old bungalow's valuation that mirrors the experience of homeowners across the state. We dive deep into the frustrating appeals process that often provides little relief, even when professional appraisals contradict county assessments...2025-05-1830 minCentral Ohio MattersInside Olentangy Local Schools: Growth, Funding, and Success with Superintendent MeyerWhat happens when a school district grows from 2,000 to 24,000 students in just three decades? Superintendent Todd Meyer joins us to reveal how Olentangy Local Schools manages explosive growth while maintaining educational excellence. Topics covered include:• 1,600 vs 16,000 per student, why making a case at the statehouse for school funding matters. "For every additional dollar we get from the state," Meyer emphasizes, "that's one less dollar we have to ask from our local taxpayers."• District faces potential $90-100 million "clawback" of reserves needed for continued growth in the proposed budget• Need for 5 new school buildings in the coming...2025-05-1130 minCentral Ohio MattersNavigating Ohio's Highways: A Conversation with ODOT Press Secretary Matt BruningEvery day, millions of Ohioans travel across thousands of miles of roadway without giving much thought to the complex systems keeping them safe. That changes the moment we see those dreaded orange barrels or "Road Work Ahead" signs. What happens behind those barriers? How are decisions made about which roads get fixed and when?Matt Bruning, Press Secretary for the Ohio Department of Transportation, pulls back the curtain on the state's transportation infrastructure in this revealing conversation. From the strategic redesign of Columbus's notorious I-70/71 split (home to several of Ohio's most dangerous crash locations) to the...2025-05-0429 minCentral Ohio MattersSupply Chain Disruptions: Commodity Experts Explain Trade TensionsCommodity specialists from Posival & Company discuss the far-reaching impacts of recent tariff policies on global supply chains, Central Ohio businesses, and consumer prices.• Uncertainty is the biggest challenge, as businesses struggle to predict costs and maintain international partnerships• Consumer goods retailers like Dollar Tree face existential challenges with tariffs up to 145% on imported products• Reshoring manufacturing to the US isn't simple—it requires years of development, substantial investment, and higher labor costs• Southeast Asia presents alternative market opportunities as businesses pivot away from China• Even with tariff barriers, business continues because "people still need to eat"...2025-04-2729 minCentral Ohio MattersFarm to Market: How Global Politics Shape Ohio AgricultureThe global marketplace affects everyone—especially our farmers. As international trade tensions rise and tariff talks dominate headlines, Ohio's agricultural community finds itself at the center of the storm.Wendy Osborn, Director of Market Development at Ohio Corn and Wheat, joins us to unpack what these developments mean for Ohio's vital grain industries. As the seventh-largest corn producer in America, Ohio plays a critical role in both domestic and global food systems. The United States leads the world in corn production, with Mexico standing as our largest buyer and Canada purchasing 40% of our corn ethanol exports.2025-04-2027 minCentral Ohio MattersCommunity Banking: Transforming Communities with Coffee, Tech and TrustWhat makes your bank more than just a place to store money? For Richwood Bank CEO and President Chad Hoffman, it's about being deeply woven into the fabric of community life.Banking doesn't usually make headlines unless something goes wrong. Yet community banks like Richwood are quietly revolutionizing how local financial institutions serve their communities while competing against national giants. Their guiding vision—"to inspire, protect, and celebrate anything that helps our communities thrive"—shapes everything from their innovative in-branch coffee shops to their emphasis on cybersecurity and stopping fraud.Founded in 1867 and community-owned by farm...2025-04-1332 minCentral Ohio MattersFuture Growth: How a Rural Ohio County (Morrow) Plans for Development While Protecting FarmlandRural communities don't always get the spotlight, but Morrow County offers surprising depth and forward-thinking leadership worth your attention. Commissioner Tim Siegfried takes us beyond the cornfields to reveal the delicate balance of preserving rural character while embracing strategic growth.The county stands at a geographic crossroads, potentially impacted by major infrastructure projects, including a Highway 23 bypass that would connect to Interstate 71 through southern Morrow County. Located within the crucial 40-mile radius of Intel's massive development, the county's leadership has strategically positioned growth opportunities at the 61-71 and 95-71 interstate exchanges, where essential utilities are already in...2025-04-0629 minCentral Ohio MattersFrom Field to Future: Reimagining Soy Beyond Food, Farm Bill and Tariffs-toll on IndustryThe economic powerhouse of Ohio's agriculture takes center stage as Kirk Merritt, Executive Director of both the Ohio Soybean Association and Ohio Soybean Council, reveals the remarkable impact of the state's soybean industry. With 25,000 farmers generating $3-4 billion in direct revenue and contributing approximately $8 billion to Ohio's economy, soybeans are far more than just another crop.Facing a perfect storm of challenges, farmers are navigating historically low crop prices alongside stubbornly high input costs. Meanwhile, the critical Farm Bill—legislation that provides essential safety net programs for farmers—remains two years overdue. Merritt details how these programs only...2025-03-3031 minCentral Ohio MattersFood Banks in Crisis: State Cuts and Federal UncertaintyA perfect storm is brewing in Ohio's food security network. As state budget cuts loom and federal programs terminate, food banks across the Buckeye State face unprecedented challenges in meeting skyrocketing demand.Jory Novotny, Executive Director of the Ohio Association of Food Banks, takes us behind the scenes of what she calls "Food Banking 101." The association, formed in 1991, serves as the backbone for 12 regional Feeding America food banks supporting 3,600 local pantries across all 88 Ohio counties. Through innovative programs like the Ohio Food Program and Agricultural Clearance Program, they've created a system that simultaneously addresses hunger while supporting...2025-03-2328 minCentral Ohio MattersSolving Ohio's Housing Shortage and Workforce Challenges: Senator Michele Reynolds Shares Her VisionHousing scarcity meets economic opportunity in this compelling conversation with Ohio State Senator Michele Reynolds, District 3, who brings a refreshing problem-solving approach to some of our region's most pressing challenges.The senator doesn't mince words about Ohio's housing crisis – we're short approximately 200,000 housing units statewide, with property taxes skyrocketing 30-40% in many areas. Rather than imposing top-down solutions, Reynolds advocates for state government serving as a supportive partner to local communities through technical assistance, strategic planning support, and targeted grants. What makes Reynolds' approach particularly valuable is her recognition that housing and workforce development are fund...2025-03-1631 minCentral Ohio MattersGrit, Growth and Green Roads: How One "Ecopreneur" is Reshaping Central Ohio's FutureSteve Flaherty doesn't just talk about entrepreneurship—he embodies it. As founder and CEO of NECO Tech, he's pioneering sustainable asphalt solutions while simultaneously helping build Delaware County's entrepreneurial ecosystem through his work with Ohio Wesleyan University."The number one thing is grit," Flaherty explains when asked what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur today. This perseverance philosophy has guided his remarkable journey from MBA student to "ecopreneur," developing innovative road materials that reduce carbon footprints without sacrificing performance. Through methodical research, strategic patience, and what he calls "founder therapy" with fellow entrepreneurs, Flaherty navigated the ch...2025-03-0934 minCentral Ohio MattersMarion/Morrow/Crawford/Wyandot Counties Legislative Issues with State Rep Riordan McClainOhio State Representative Riordan McClain has been in the Ohio House since 2018 and has worked on several policy areas. He is currently serving his fourth term as State Representative for the 87th Ohio House District, which includes all of Crawford, Morrow, and Wyandot counties and a portion of Marion County. In addition to serving as a majority whip for the 136th General Assembly, McClain serves on the General Government, Small Business, Technology and Innovation, and Transportation committees. He lives in Wyandot County with his wife and five children.Issues covered:1. Change in property taxes2...2025-03-0231 minCentral Ohio MattersBalancing Development and Community: Insights from Union County's Economic LeaderThe housing crisis meets economic opportunity in this eye-opening conversation with Eric Phillips, Executive Director of the Union County-Marysville Economic Development Partnership. As Union County claims the title of Central Ohio's fastest-growing county, Phillips reveals the complex relationship between job creation, housing availability, and community development that shapes our region's future."A house is where a job goes home at night," Phillips shares, highlighting a sobering reality: within just 20 miles of Marysville, approximately 7,000 jobs remain unfilled while housing remains scarce. The conversation explores how development approval processes can take years, creating bottlenecks that stifle growth and opportunity...2025-02-2332 minCentral Ohio MattersDevelopment in Union CountyExecutive Director of the Union County/Marysville Economic Development Partnership and the Marysville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.Topics Discussed:Affordable Housing PlansNew Business coming to Union CountyCurrent Businesses growing and hiringBeing part of the Autonomous vehicle research corridor -what are we learning2025-02-2332 minCentral Ohio MattersTownship Government In Ohio with Ohio Township AssociationHear how Townships are working to provide a good community for their residents and businesses. What are the rules governing them that are hampering growth, and what legislation needs to change to make township trustees' jobs easier to work for their communities? We discuss challenges for trustees when dealing with their roads, cemeteries and housing with Ohio Township Association Executive Director Heidi Fought. https://www.ohiotownships.org/Support the show2025-02-1629 min
Midwest MomentumRyan Rivers-Hello Hocking HillsGet ready for an adventure with Ryan Rivers, the spirited force behind Hello Hocking Hills, a flourishing short-term luxury rental business nestled in the stunning landscapes of Ohio's Hocking Hills. Hosts, Michelle Gatchell and Dan Rockwell will walk you through Ryan's inspiring journey, from harnessing the allure of Hocking Hills to crafting the ultimate getaway experience. Ryan shares the challenges and rewards he faced, and the importance of having a dedicated team ensuring every guest has a remarkable stay.2023-09-0430 min
Midwest Momentum12 4 2022 Ryan Fogelman, J.D., MBADan Rockwell and Michelle Gatchell talk to Ryan Fogelman, J.D., MBA about his passion to help small businesses tell their story using social media platforms like Linked in.He talks about how he has helped companies go from 1- 18.2 million likes using TikTok. How he loves LinkedIn and what he says the key is to using it. Plus we talk to him about companies he is part of like Fire Rover, V.P. Marketing, COhatch, Co-Founder and Conversion Development Group, Founder.Listen to hear him talk about his momentum and let it insp...2022-12-0430 min