Identifying the best site for your project can be a daunting task.  This panel will explain the resources available for finding sites in Ohio and will describe site selection best practices, including how to assess the available workforce, how to minimize site risks, and how to maximize site efficiencies.  

Ohio has a state and local economic development incentives toolbox that is second to none, but choosing the right tools and using them correctly requires suitable experience, creativity, and flexibility.  This panel will describe the most important tools and will explain how to request them and use them correctly.  The panel also will address common mistakes businesses make in seeking and using economic development incentives.

In this session, the speakers will address (i) the environmental factors that should be considered when selecting sites in Ohio, and (ii) once a site is selected, how to best manage obtaining timely environmental permits for constructing and operating your facility.

All land is unique, and successfully purchasing and developing land in Ohio means avoiding certain pitfalls, often depending on its intended use and development schedules.  The presenters will address the importance of a well drafted purchase agreement, timing for diligence matters, Ohio-specific title insurance matters, and coordination of ancillary considerations and documents.

Learn about the Ohio land use approval processes, including county, township and municipality variations, challenging or appealing administrative zoning decisions and subdivision and annexation issues.

In this session, the speakers will address (i) the energy landscape (including procurement) in Ohio with respect to natural gas, electricity and renewable energy; (ii) considerations related to energy and utilities when selecting sites in Ohio, and (iii) pursuing energy and utility related incentives.

The speakers in this session will help attendees learn about how the Ohio government is structured from counties, cities and townships to port authorities, transportation improvement districts and more.  At the state level, they will address Ohio’s budgeting and legislative process, the Ohio Department of Development, as well as JobsOhio and its regional network partners. 

With economic development incentives, there are often “strings attached” that need to be addressed at various points in projects.  Like all states, Ohio has its own legal peculiarities for liens, payment requirements, and restrictions on liability-shifting in construction contracts, among other key topics.  The speakers will highlight important considerations from project inception to best practices for mitigating risks of claims during the construction phase and appropriate closeout processes.

In addition to a myriad of state-level taxes, Ohio has roughly 600 cities that impose an income tax on individuals and business.  Companies and employees that are new to Ohio are often caught off guard regarding their various tax obligations.  This panel will provide an overview of the operative state and local taxes (direct and indirect taxes) and related compliance considerations.

Many companies are facing difficulties recruiting the talent they need, whether it is for professional or manufacturing positions.  In this presentation, the speakers will review various visa options available from the production floor to the corporate office.

The speakers will provide a comprehensive overview of the Ohio workers’ compensation system, including how to treat employees fairly while controlling costs, and how to obtain self-insured status from the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

Ohio has a relatively employer-friendly environment when it comes to employment law.  However, if you are thinking about doing business or expanding a business in the Buckeye State, this session will provide an overview of the employment issues companies can expect to encounter.