AGP Executive Report

AI Infrastructure in Ohio: OpenAI is reportedly in advanced talks to lease a proposed 10-gigawatt data center campus on federal land in Ohio, with a possible Nvidia-backed chip stack plan and a first phase targeted for 2028—an eye-popping scale that would demand major power, cooling, and grid upgrades. Rare-Earth Supply Chain: REalloys says it secured preferential access to Appalachian rare-earth feedstock ahead of a 2027 defense deadline to cut Chinese-origin magnet materials from U.S. supply chains. Health Tech & Research: Ohio University researchers won a nearly $4M NIH grant to expand opioid use disorder treatment support in primary care across about 40 Ohio and West Virginia clinics; Ohio University Libraries also announced campus access to UpToDate starting July 1. Workforce & Training: Youngstown State launched a Technician Fast Track apprenticeship program, and Ohio State’s AgOne leadership cohort is now accepting applications for Ohio agriculture leaders. Public Safety Tech: A new Ohio-related report highlights how AI-powered crime apps can mislabel incidents, raising concerns about accuracy and trust. Food Safety: FDA issued a highest-risk Alfredo sauce recall affecting 41 states, including Ohio. Climate Extremes: A national roundup flags record heat and severe winter swings as climate-driven risks keep intensifying.

OpenAI’s Ohio Data-Center Push: A new report says OpenAI is in advanced talks to lease a proposed 10-gigawatt data-center campus on federal land in Ohio, with a first phase targeted for 2028 and potential Nvidia backing. Rare-Earth Supply for Defense: REalloys says it secured preferential access to Appalachian rare-earth feedstock tied to a Pentagon deadline to cut China-origin materials from U.S. defense supply chains. Opioid Treatment in Primary Care: Ohio University researchers won a nearly $4M NIH grant to expand a model that helps primary-care clinics prescribe medications for opioid use disorder, scaling to about 40 clinics across Ohio and West Virginia. Workforce Training Funding: Gov. DeWine announced $5.1M for 22 Ohio workforce partnerships in fields like manufacturing, skilled trades, IT, and healthcare. Solar Siting Rules: Ohio’s Supreme Court ruled an agrivoltaic solar farm must provide more visual-impact information before approval. Education Cheating Crackdown: Ohio lawmakers advanced a bill that would impose civil penalties on businesses that sell academic work to students. Athlete Recovery Science: Ohio State and the U.S. Soccer Federation are partnering on recovery research for the 2026 World Cup, including a vibroacoustic relaxation approach.

Ohio AI & data centers: OpenAI is reportedly in advanced talks to lease a proposed 10-gigawatt data center campus on federal land in Ohio, with the first phase targeted for 2028 and possible Nvidia backing—another sign of how fast AI infrastructure is moving into the state. Policy pushback: At the same time, lawmakers are trying to restrict AI data centers, but many proposals stall as Republicans split and tech giants lobby against moratoriums and off-grid mandates. Ohio water & wetlands fight: Ohio EPA approved Project Dazzler, a hyperscale data center plan in Scioto County, signing a permit allowing permanent destruction of nearly 24 acres of wetlands—despite community opposition. Public health in Ohio: Ohio University researchers won a nearly $4M NIH grant to expand opioid use disorder treatment support in primary care across about 40 clinics in Ohio and West Virginia. Clinical tools: Ohio University Libraries will add UpToDate access starting July 1 for students and clinicians. Space science: Hubble and Webb observations of the Black Eye Galaxy revealed counter-rotating gas disks that help explain new star formation.

AI + Power Grid: Federal energy regulators are set to decide this month whether the costs of connecting fast-growing AI data centers should land on existing power customers or on the companies driving the demand—an outcome that could shape household bills and the pace of new Ohio-area buildouts. Ohio Research + Health Care: Ohio University researchers won a major NIH grant to expand primary-care access to opioid use disorder treatment across about 40 clinics in Ohio and West Virginia, aiming to close the gap between proven meds and real-world prescribing. Ohio University Tech Access: Starting July 1, Ohio University Libraries will provide campus access to UpToDate, a point-of-care clinical decision support tool for clinicians and students. Rare Earth Supply Chain: REalloys secured preferential access to Appalachian rare earth feedstock tied to Pentagon deadlines to reduce Chinese-origin magnet materials from defense supply chains. Autonomous Freight: PepsiCo and Gatik launched a driverless heavy-truck deployment on a fixed U.S. corridor, signaling more automation moving from tests to revenue routes. Ohio STEM + Aging: Ohio University work on balance control in older adults and Parkinson’s disease points toward treatments that restore automatic stability rather than just teaching workarounds. Gun Safety Tech Policy: New York’s approach to requiring 3D printers to block firearm designs is gaining attention as states debate privacy, rights, and whether printers can reliably detect weapon blueprints. Local Infrastructure: Cincinnati’s Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project will permanently close two Second Street exits and temporarily close a third, with major impacts for drivers. Ohio Public Safety: An Ohio police chief was arrested in Florida after a Clermont County grand jury returned a 70-count child sex offense indictment.

AI Infrastructure & Power Strain: OpenAI is reportedly in advanced talks to lease a proposed 10-gigawatt data center campus on federal land in Ohio, potentially backed by Nvidia, with a first phase targeted for 2028—an enormous buildout that would demand major power, cooling, and grid upgrades. Rare Earth Supply for Defense: REalloys says it secured preferential access to Appalachian rare-earth feedstock ahead of a Pentagon deadline to cut China-origin magnet materials, aiming to bolster domestic supply of neodymium and other magnet metals. Ohio Health Research: An Ohio University team won a nearly $4M NIH grant to expand a primary-care model for prescribing medication for opioid use disorder across about 40 clinics in Ohio and West Virginia. Education & Evidence-Based Practice: Ohio University Libraries is adding UpToDate for clinicians and students starting July 1, while separate reporting highlights how many teacher-prep programs still fall short on training the “science of reading.” Manufacturing Jobs in Ohio: AeroVironment plans a $15M expansion in Greene County near Dayton to grow advanced production tied to defense and biotech, with about 200 jobs expected. Public Safety Tech Policy: New York is moving toward requiring 3D printers to refuse gun designs, with California considering similar steps—raising questions about what printers can detect and privacy impacts.

AI Infrastructure in Ohio: A new report says OpenAI is in advanced talks to lease a proposed 10-gigawatt data center campus on federal land in Ohio, with a possible Nvidia-backed plan and a first phase targeted for 2028—raising big questions about power, water, and grid upgrades. Ohio University Research & Health: OHIO researchers won a major NIH grant to expand a primary-care model for opioid use disorder treatment across about 40 clinics in Ohio and West Virginia, aiming to close the gap between proven meds and real-world prescribing. Clinical Tools for Clinicians: Starting July 1, Ohio University Libraries will provide campus access to UpToDate, giving clinicians quick, updated decision support via web and mobile login. Rare Earth Supply for Defense: REalloys secured preferential access to Appalachian rare-earth feedstock ahead of a Pentagon deadline to reduce Chinese-origin magnet materials in defense supply chains. Autonomous Freight: PepsiCo and Gatik announced a driverless heavy-truck deployment on a fixed U.S. corridor, signaling more commercial AI trucking beyond testing. Education & Governance: Ohio Governor Dewine appointed a student trustee to Ohio University’s Board, while OHIO trustees reviewed strategy progress and scholarship growth.

Ohio University Health & Research: A new NIH grant (nearly $4M over four years) will expand an Ohio primary-care model for opioid use disorder treatment to about 40 clinics across Ohio and West Virginia, pairing prescribing support and mentorship with long-term patient outcome tracking. Ohio University Tech & Medicine Access: Starting July 1, Ohio University Libraries will provide campus access to UpToDate, a point-of-care clinical decision support tool. Public Health & Aging Science: Ohio University aging researcher Cory Baumann received a $2.9M grant to study how muscle proteins change with age and why recovery slows—aiming to preserve strength and mobility. AI in Healthcare Trust: Ohio researchers report that transparency about AI use can boost patient trust in both clinicians and AI tools, but higher AI diagnostic accuracy may not always increase trust. Rare Earth Supply Chain: REalloys secured preferential access to Appalachian rare-earth feedstock tied to a Pentagon deadline to reduce Chinese-origin magnet materials. Workforce for Data Centers: Meta’s $115M “America’s Workforce Academy” will begin paid training with job offers in Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio, and Texas. Ohio Data Centers Policy: Ohio’s first broad data center bill stalled amid a tax-break fight between the House and Senate. Wildlife Tracking: ODNR collared a nearly 600-pound black bear in northeastern Ohio to track movements as sightings hit record levels. Transit Tech: Kansas City’s RideKC reinstated bus fares and rolled out contactless payments with fare capping.

Rare Earth Supply for Defense: REalloys secured preferential access to Appalachian rare-earth feedstock tied to a Pentagon deadline, aiming to boost domestic supply of magnet metals like neodymium and dysprosium. Opioid Treatment in Primary Care: Ohio University researchers won a nearly $4M NIH grant to scale a model that helps primary care clinics prescribe medications for opioid use disorder, expanding to about 40 clinics across Ohio and West Virginia. AI in Medicare Oversight: A House appropriations move would halt funding for an AI-driven prior authorization pilot affecting radiology services in six states, with lawmakers demanding clearer impacts on access and provider burden. School AI Guardrails: States and districts are scrambling to set rules as AI use in K-12 grows, with new legislation pushing AI coordinators, teacher training, and student literacy. Ohio Data Center Tax Fight: Ohio Republicans backed off a plan to shrink a major sales tax break for data centers after lawmakers learned the credit cost about $2B in 2025. Health & Community Tech: Ohio launches “Reading for Resiliency” to support family mental wellness through shared reading, while Ohio University libraries add UpToDate access starting July 1.

Rare Earth Supply for Defense: REalloys secured preferential access to Appalachian rare earth feedstock tied to a Pentagon deadline, aiming to boost domestic supply of magnet metals like neodymium and dysprosium. Opioid Treatment Access: Ohio University researchers won a nearly $4M NIH grant to expand a primary-care model for prescribing opioid use disorder medications across about 40 clinics in Ohio and West Virginia. Clinical Tech for Ohio: Ohio University Libraries will add UpToDate access starting July 1, giving clinicians and students point-of-care decision support via web and mobile logins. AI in Healthcare Trust: A study on patient-provider relationships finds transparency about AI use can raise trust, while higher AI accuracy can sometimes stall or reduce it. School AI Guardrails: States and districts are scrambling to set policies as AI use in K-12 grows, with lawmakers pushing for AI literacy and clearer classroom rules. Data Center Backlash: SOKY Indivisible hosted a public discussion on data centers and local regulation, following a Bowling Green moratorium vote. Ohio STEM/Manufacturing: NAWAH opened its first North American VACNT manufacturing facility in Englewood, Ohio, targeting composite materials production. Energy Cleanup Funding: The U.S. released more money to help states plug abandoned, methane-leaking oil and gas wells.

NIH Opioid Care Expansion: Ohio University researcher Berkeley Franz won a nearly $4M, four-year NIH grant to scale a primary-care model for prescribing medications for opioid use disorder across about 40 Ohio and West Virginia clinics, testing whether brief prescribing support and mentorship can close the gap between research and real-world practice. Clinical Tech Access: Ohio University Libraries will add UpToDate starting July 1, giving students and clinicians point-of-care clinical decision support via web or mobile login. AI Trust in Healthcare: A study using a scenario survey found that transparency about AI use boosts patient trust in both providers and the AI tool, while higher AI diagnostic accuracy can reduce or stall trust—raising concerns about doctors outsourcing judgment. SNAP Fraud Fight: The Ohio House passed a bill to move SNAP EBT cards to chip-enabled versions, targeting skimming and PIN theft after $17M was stolen from 34,000+ households. Local Data Center Rules: Washington Township’s zoning commission advanced proposed updates for data centers while Howland approved a six-month moratorium to study impacts. Solar Momentum: New U.S. solar data shows 7.8 GWdc installed in Q1 2026 and Ohio ranking among top states, with solar plus storage driving most new capacity. Workforce for AI Infrastructure: Meta’s $115M “America’s Workforce Academy” bootcamp is training skilled trades for AI data centers, including a Columbus pilot.

NIH Grant for Opioid Care in Primary Clinics: Ohio University researcher Berkeley Franz won a nearly $4M, four-year NIH award to expand a pilot model that helps primary care providers prescribe medication for opioid use disorder, scaling it across about 40 Ohio and West Virginia clinics with outcome tracking and mentorship support. Ohio Healthcare Access: Ohio University Libraries will add UpToDate starting July 1, giving students and clinicians point-of-care clinical decision support via web and mobile login. Ohio Education Policy: Ohio House advanced a revamped K-12 math bill (SB 19) aimed at improving statewide proficiency after pandemic-era declines, with further Senate approval needed. AI in Schools Catch-Up: A national look at K-12 AI policy shows districts and states scrambling for guardrails, with lawmakers pushing AI literacy, coordinator roles, and teacher training. Local Control for Traffic Cameras: Ohio bills would let residents vote on whether municipalities can use automated traffic enforcement cameras, with rules for new installs and contract changes. Data Centers Under Pressure: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered regulators to require data center developers to cover infrastructure costs and protect consumers, as backlash grows over power and water impacts. Meta’s Workforce Push: Meta announced a $115M “America’s Workforce Academy” to train skilled trades for AI data center buildouts, including free training and job offers in Ohio and other data-center states. Ohio Tech Courts: An Ohio appeals court ruled Google Search isn’t a common carrier, limiting attempts to treat it like a regulated utility. Ohio River Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps’ locks-and-dams electrical systems got circuit breaker relay maintenance support from Prime Power troops across multiple states. Ohio Business & Finance: Grocery Outlet reshuffled top leadership with dual EVP appointments, while Solidion closed a $35M private placement to fund commercialization of its extreme-climate battery tech. Public Health Watch: A report highlights FDA scrutiny gaps around peptide weight-loss “retatrutide” sales and hospitalizations tied to unapproved use.

Data Center Tax Fight in Ohio: New reporting says Ohio approved at least $2.3B in sales tax breaks for data centers, with Meta, Google and Amazon getting 100% exemptions for up to 40 years—sparking lawmakers’ push to cap future deals at 50%. Local Governance: In the Mahoning Valley, communities and officials are debating a Lordstown-area AI data center boom, weighing jobs and tax base against power and water strain. Workforce & AI Infrastructure: Meta is rolling out “America’s Workforce Academy” with $115M to train skilled trades for AI data center construction, with Ohio listed among pilot states. Policy Watch: Arizona lawmakers also agreed to a three-year pause on new data center tax exemptions, echoing the national backlash over utility impacts. Public Tech & Services: Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague announced “Buckeye Billfold,” a digital wallet option for paying state agencies, including crypto converted to dollars at checkout. Health Tech Research: Ohio State researchers found unmet social needs like housing instability and transportation barriers are linked to lower colorectal cancer screening rates. Local STEM: Youngstown State partnered with South Side Academy to build a pollinator garden, blending classroom STEM with real-world environmental work.

AI in Ohio healthcare: A new study finds patients trust both doctors and AI tools more when clinicians are transparent about AI use, but trust can stall or drop when AI diagnoses are “too accurate,” raising fears that doctors may outsource judgment. Workforce for AI infrastructure: Meta is funding America’s Workforce Academy with $115M for paid, credentialed training and job guarantees in skilled trades tied to data center buildouts, with an initial Ohio launch. Ohio carbon capture law: Ohio lawmakers unanimously passed a framework allowing CO2 injection underground, including rules that can override landowner objections and shift long-term liability to taxpayers. Utility planning scrutiny: Ohio state senators advanced a bill pushing independent third-party review of utility electricity demand forecasts to prevent speculative projections from driving customer costs. VA records rollout: The VA expanded its Electronic Health Record system to four more Ohio/Kentucky sites, aiming to improve record sharing and reduce duplicated testing. Local tech & mobility: Waymo bought Apple’s abandoned self-driving test proving ground for $220M, boosting its controlled testing capacity. Public health access: A Cleveland Clinic study reports rural patients at high risk for sleep apnea are less likely to get referrals than urban patients. Ohio weather watch: Cincinnati faces a heavy-rain flood risk with 1–3 inches possible.

STEM Workforce Boost: Ohio’s Choose Ohio First is awarding more than $26M to 59 institutions for new STEM scholarships starting in 2027-28, aiming to grow the state’s pipeline of science, tech, engineering, and math talent. AI Infrastructure Reality Check: A new look at AI power planning shows utilities facing a widening gap between announced data center demand and what they can actually deliver, with Ohio’s AEP seeing big early requests trimmed after stricter requirements. Skilled Trades for Data Centers: Meta is rolling out its America’s Workforce Academy, a $115M free training program with job guarantees for graduates, launching pilots in Ohio along with Louisiana, Indiana, and Texas. Local Tech in Public Safety: Sitestream won a five-year automated speed enforcement contract for Kirtland Hills, installing and managing two speed cameras under a SaaS deal. Ohio Education Debate: A public pushback in Ohio County Schools rejected later start times, despite claims of improved student outcomes. Health Tech & Care: Research highlights how transparency about AI use can raise patient trust in clinicians and AI, while AI diagnostic accuracy alone may not boost trust the same way.

AI in healthcare: A new Ohio State–linked pilot study finds an online patient portal for national cancer trials was easy to use and boosted willingness to stay engaged, while separate research highlights how transparency can raise trust in AI-assisted care—even as higher AI diagnostic accuracy may not always increase patient confidence. Biotech funding: City Therapeutics (Ohio) says it has $99.5M for RNA interference drug testing, including a Factor XI program now in Phase 1. Workforce + data centers: Meta will launch its AI infrastructure workforce academy with training sites including Columbus, aiming to fill construction and build roles for AI data centers. Urban heat tech: Cities are using data tools like lidar to map tree canopies and plan for extreme heat, with predictive analytics becoming part of emergency preparedness. Ohio energy + jobs: A new shale investment dashboard reports about $2.9B in direct investment in Ohio’s shale sector in early 2025. Local governance + courts: Stark County is accepting applications to replace a retiring Family Court judge, while Athens officials face questions after a property owner dropped a lawsuit tied to a fire training mishap. Public safety surveillance debate: Cities continue to push back on AI camera networks, with some officials covering cameras to limit automated tracking.

Data Centers Backlash: Ohio lawmakers are moving to regulate data center development as voters push back over energy use, water impacts, and local quality-of-life concerns, with political caution despite broad public opposition. Public Safety Tech: Ohio launched a new online Ohio Crime Statistics Dashboard to make felony charges, arrests, and sentencing trends easier to explore across all 88 counties. Health & Research: OSU’s mail-in Buckeye Tick Test is helping residents understand tick-borne disease risk by testing submitted ticks for pathogens. STEM for Kids: Eastern Ohio’s Educational Service Center will host a Camp Invention: Spark program for third through fifth graders, focusing on hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math. Health Tech Startups: Westwood-based Kin Health raised $9 million to build a patient-first app that helps people remember and understand doctor visits. Energy & Batteries: Solidion Technology announced new patents for silicon anode battery tech aimed at extreme-climate use, including space and lunar applications. Local Enforcement: Westlake Police stepped up crackdowns on reckless driving around Crocker Park with targeted traffic enforcement. Corrections Policy: Ohio is breaking from large juvenile facilities, launching smaller downsized juvenile justice sites intended to reduce violence and improve rehabilitation.