Featuring Steve Stivers, President & CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
We have had the pleasure of talking with Mr. Stivers in the past, first at a veterans’ job fair he hosted as Congressman representing Ohio’s 15th District in the U. S. House of Representatives. We have discussed his work with veterans and supporting military members and their families. Last year we discovered more about the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and his role as the President/CEO.
Many hear “chamber of commerce” and think only of a lobbying organization to help businesses. But chambers play a much larger role in our economic development. Steve talks about what he envisions the Chamber’s role should be and how the Chamber strengthens Ohio’s business climate.
The past few years have been difficult worldwide for the Ohio business outlook.
We know about INTEL coming to Ohio and Honda expanding, however, Ohio’s track record from 2020-22 was challenging. Steve offers some insight comparing the past few years and what we can expect in 2023 and beyond.
There are usually huge headlines when companies like INTEL decide on a new location to build. But we are guessing that there are many companies that have either moved in or expanded over the past few years. We go into more detail about other businesses Steve would like to highlight that are notable additions to Ohio.
We hone in on the issues of recruitment/hiring/retention in today’s workforce. Needless to say, the Ohio business outlook is not good without a skilled labor pool. We talk about some examples of employers meeting the challenge and offer advice for how employers can improve their hiring programs. Has the Chamber found successful training programs that employers can utilize to increase their employees’ capabilities and improve business capacity?
Businesses have faced infrastructure issues over the past few years.
Transportation was difficult before the pandemic, but took a dramatic dip with a lack of truck drivers and labor. Supply chains closed down cutting off goods/inventory. Now goods/services/labor are all rising in price. What do we need to do to keep the flow of companies coming to Ohio and how does the Chamber support such efforts?
Companies were provided government funding during the pandemic to maintain growth. Do we need to revisit this funding to keep our small businesses afloat?
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Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.
Copyright 2022 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson
