Central Ohio Matters

The future of mobility is taking shape in Central Ohio, and it's happening faster than most people realize. A groundbreaking partnership between Lextant and the Marysville/Union County Port Authority is transforming the Automotive and Mobility Innovation Center (AMIC) into a hub for transportation innovation, drawing attention from companies worldwide. Ohio's Beta District—stretching alo...

The controversial plan to use $1.7 billion from Ohio's unclaimed funds to build a Cleveland Browns stadium takes center stage in this episode. Attorney Mark Dan breaks down why this decision violates constitutional protections while explaining how citizens can search for and claim their own unclaimed money—money that rightfully belongs to them, not the state. Beyond this political controversy...

Revolutionary War connections run deeper in Delaware County than most residents realize. As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Delaware County Historical Society Executive Director Donna Meyer reveals the fascinating links between our community and the nation's founding that have remained hidden in plain sight for generations. When the cash-strapped new American government couldn'...

The 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 credi...

How 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 to...

Senator 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 huma...

Affordable 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 rev...

Step 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...

Could 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 s...

What 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...

Every 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 Tra...

Commodity 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 im...

The 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 p...

What 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 nati...

Rural 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 proje...

The 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 ano...

A 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,...

Housing 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 skyrocket...

Steve 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 entre...

Ohio 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...

The 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&ap...

Hear 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 Di...