AGP Executive Report

Urban Seismology: A Penn State-led study shows “thunderquakes” can be used like X-rays of the ground, using fiber-optic cables to map underground features such as groundwater flow, contamination, sinkholes, and foundation risk. EV Charging Expansion: Wawa is rolling out its branded fast-charging network across multiple states, including several Ohio-area locations with up to 400 kW capability and CCS/NACS options. Defense Drone Progress: DARPA advanced heavy-lift drone work after its Lift Challenge, with a new program aimed at maturing the tech for military and commercial use. AI for Billing & Collections: Columbus-based OH.io is partnering with voice-first AI firm Overtime to generate qualified meetings for debt buyers and receivables teams. Data Center Power Costs: EdgeCore says it will fund the power infrastructure needed for its expanding data center campuses, raising the policy question of what utilities and regulators should cover. Ohio Health Workforce: NEOMED and Mercy Health expand training in Mercy facilities to help address Ohio’s primary care physician shortage, especially in rural areas. Climate & Aging: Ohio University and Ohio State team up to help older adults plan for extreme heat, flooding, and power outages as communities age. Steel Modernization: Cleveland-Cliffs’ Middletown Works gets a $500M DOE grant as part of a broader $1B modernization plan. Ohio Agriculture Tech: Ohio State and Emergent use AI plus LoRaWAN field networks to deliver real-time agronomic guidance to farmers. Surveillance Cameras Debate: A San Diego “Darth Vader” stunt highlights ongoing public pushback over Flock license-plate readers and privacy concerns, including parallels to Ohio misuse complaints. El Niño Watch: Forecasters warn a developing El Niño could be the strongest in living memory, with impacts likely extending into 2027. Data Center Backlash Politics: Reporting notes growing voter resistance to data centers amid concerns about electricity, pollution, and community disruption—an issue shaping midterm messaging.

Data Centers & Power: A new Ohio data-center push is colliding with grid reality and public backlash, with regulators and analysts warning that interconnection queues can be inflated and that electricity demand from AI facilities is reshaping local energy landscapes. Local Privacy Fight: Ohio lawmakers and advocates are raising alarms that license plate readers and Flock camera systems could be used to track people traveling for abortion care, as other communities debate removal or tighter rules. School Funding: Ohio’s share of the public school funding formula is projected to hit its lowest level in decades, putting more pressure on districts as the state’s base-cost portion drops. AI in Health Care: Akron’s Summa Health is rolling out an AI-heavy technology “stack” after its acquisition, detailing how new tools aim to speed diagnoses and streamline care. Nuclear Science: FRIB researchers report progress on a long-running gamma-ray mystery, linking unexpected low-energy emissions to magnetic transitions inside atomic nuclei. Community Tech & Education: AWS added generative AI inference recommendations to SageMaker AI Studio, while Ohio community colleges continue emphasizing faster, workforce-focused pathways for students.

AI & Cybersecurity: OpenAI paused work on its Astra model after internal tests suggested it could independently identify and execute cyberattacks on hardened systems, highlighting a new kind of risk as labs move from “bad outputs” to “digital weapons.” Ohio Transit Tech: COTA and Ohio State are switching eligible riders from BuckID cards to a digital pass inside the Ohio State app for frictionless bus boarding. Privacy & Surveillance: Flock Safety’s license plate reader network faces renewed scrutiny after reports of misuse; in Ohio, Reynoldsburg officers resigned after internal probes tied to excessive searches. Energy & Data Centers: PJM proposed a new framework for large data centers to enter service without fully securing capacity, with the uncovered portion subject to reduction if supplies get tight. Ohio Health Tech: Mercy Health expanded breast cancer care with endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy options at its Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center. Critical Minerals: The DOE selected Nth Cycle for up to $100M in negotiations to build a commercial black mass refining facility. Weather/Resilience: Central Ohio flooding triggered multiple water rescues and road closures, with warnings still in effect.

Data Centers & Ohio Politics: Republicans are privately warning AI firms that the “toxic” public image of data centers could cost Sen. Jon Husted his Ohio seat, with backlash tied to noise, power use, and water concerns. Local Governance: Chillicothe Council is still gathering info after a July “data center” announcement, but says legal questions are now handled by a law firm, slowing any local action. Privacy & Surveillance Tech: Vermilion is weighing an ALPR ban over constitutional and privacy worries, while Hamilton protesters demand an end to Flock license plate readers; Wyandot County has started removing Flock cameras after resident feedback. Public Health Research (Ohio): OSU researchers report that a bladder infection after traumatic brain injury can worsen cognitive problems in mice, highlighting a common but overlooked complication. Tech in the Real World: Amazon plans a major Prime Air drone expansion to nearly 500 U.S. cities/towns by end of 2026, including Cleveland. Climate Science: An OSU-linked study using Andes ice cores finds a global tropical methane record, supporting tropical sources as a major driver pre-industrial.

FDA Leadership: President Trump says he’ll nominate Dr. Heidi Overton as the next FDA commissioner, a high-stakes pick for an agency under staffing strain and political scrutiny. AI Data Centers in Ohio: NVIDIA, OpenAI, and SB Energy detailed the PORTS-Pike Technology Campus in Pike County—an 8 IT-GW AI buildout with a major financing backstop, phased power delivery, and a long-term lease plan for OpenAI. Local Impact of AI Infrastructure: Ohio residents and officials are raising concerns about neighborhood disruption as data-center expansion accelerates, while state-level politics tighten around permitting and standards. Industrial AI in Ohio: Eaton-linked Bullen Ultrasonics is using an AI-and-digital-twin project with Phenx to analyze billions of production data points and improve manufacturing efficiency. Workforce & Training: A new $16M MCCTC LEAD Center in Mahoning County adds robotics, automation, cybersecurity, AI software development, and HVAC—aimed at connected, future-ready training. Public Health Access: Ohio National Guard’s GuardCare clinic in Southeast Ohio delivered thousands of free medical, dental, vision, and mental health services to hundreds of patients. Education Snapshot: Fairview Park schools report steady enrollment around 1,500 as Ohio kindergarten cutoff changes push families into difficult enrollment decisions.

AI Infrastructure in Ohio: Nvidia says it will back OpenAI’s Ohio AI data center with up to $105B in financial guarantees tied to a 4.25GW start (expandable), with phased rollout beginning 2028 at SB Energy’s PORTS-Pike campus in Pike County—renewing debate over “circular financing.” Local Tech & Privacy: Toledo city council weighs adding Flock license-plate cameras at 16 school sites as supporters cite safety and critics warn about surveillance and data access; separate reporting shows Flock searches by agencies in the region are drawing scrutiny. Health Tech & Research: Andelyn Biosciences and Queen’s University partner to develop and manufacture AAV9-GM2 gene therapy for GM2 gangliosidoses using Andelyn’s Curator® platform. Workforce & Education: Cincinnati Public Schools unveils a new strategic plan as it seeks a 7-mill levy and recovers from staffing cuts, aiming to strengthen teaching, graduation pathways, and student safety. Community Science/Service: Ohio National Guard’s GuardCare 2026 clinic in Southeast Ohio delivered thousands of free medical, dental, and vision services to residents regardless of insurance status. Energy & Manufacturing: LG Energy Solution begins full operations at its Lansing, Michigan battery plant, boosting North American capacity for both ESS and EV batteries. Public Safety Tech: Ondas opens a new testing and flight operations center in Clark County for autonomous defense air mobility work, with pilots and technicians training alongside Ohio and Air Force partners.

OpenAI & Nvidia Ohio AI buildout: OpenAI is set to lease a massive 20-year data center campus in Pike County, Ohio, with Nvidia backing the deal with up to $105B in financing guarantees and serving as the exclusive chip supplier; SB Energy (SoftBank) will build and run the site on a former uranium enrichment facility, with plans to reach as much as 8 GW of capacity and major local grid upgrades. Workforce & training in Ohio: Mahoning County Career & Technical Center will open its new Leadership Employment Advancement Discovery Center (LEAD) with programs in robotics/automation, networking/cybersecurity, AI software, and HVAC, while A3 and MCCTC are also rolling out no-cost robotics and automation training statewide through a $499,000 grant. Health & science: A new study links higher prenatal fluoride in drinking water to lower child cognition, and an Ohio eighth-grader’s project highlights indoor air pollution—incense produced the highest PM2.5 among tested household sources. Local tech & privacy: Rhode Island pauses new automated license plate reader camera installations after privacy concerns, and Ohio’s Cleveland Museum of Art begins a major outdoor Fine Arts Garden restoration.

AI Data Centers in Ohio: OpenAI has agreed to lease about 8 GW of IT capacity at the PORTS-Pike Technology Campus in Pike County for 20 years, with SB Energy building and operating the site and Nvidia providing “exclusively” its AI compute; the deal includes Nvidia’s $105B-scale financing/credit support and more than $4B in local energy buildout. Power-Grid Pressure: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang argues the next AI growth bottleneck is physical infrastructure—land, power, and data-center space—not just chips. Memory Costs: Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu says memory prices have surged (reportedly up to 500% in a year), making it harder for tech firms to operate without raising prices. Public Safety Tech Debate (Ohio): Cleveland Heights residents packed city hall to oppose Flock license-plate cameras, warning about data sharing and surveillance concerns. Health & Community Services: Ohio National Guard’s GuardCare clinic in Southeast Ohio delivered 3,092 services to 491 patients, including dental, vision, labs, vaccinations, and women’s health. PFAS Cleanup: Ohio is expanding its AFFF firefighting-foam takeback program, funded by the DuPont settlement, to help fire departments safely dispose of PFAS foam. Policy Watch: Ohio’s recreational marijuana remains far pricier than Michigan’s, and a new law makes bringing cannabis back into Ohio a criminal offense—raising the stakes for cross-border shoppers.

AI Infrastructure in Ohio: Nvidia says it will finance OpenAI’s Pike County data center with up to a $105B lease-payment guarantee, plus a $1.5B investment in SB Energy, securing up to 8 gigawatts of AI computing capacity at the PORTS-Pike Technology Campus; OpenAI is the tenant under a 20-year lease, with initial capacity starting in phases from 2028 and thousands of jobs tied to construction and operations. Local Tech Jobs & Power Buildout: The deal also points to major grid and power work—SB Energy plans at least 10GW of new power generation and $4.2B in Ohio grid infrastructure—while Nvidia positions itself as more than a chip supplier by bundling land, power, and compute. Policy & Risk Backdrop: European Central Bank analysts warn that a potential US tech crash could trigger asset fire sales and financial stress in the eurozone, with eurozone investors heavily exposed to US tech stocks. Community Health Tech Access: Ohio National Guard’s GuardCare clinic in Southeast Ohio delivered free medical, dental, vision, and mental health services to 491 residents, including hundreds of visits, labs, vaccinations, and eyeglasses. Workforce Growth in Defense Tech: JobsOhio and L3Harris plan to add 50 roles in Cincinnati for advanced fuzing and sensors, expanding engineering and operations to meet increased military output demands.

AI Infrastructure & Ohio Data Centers: Nvidia scaled back its OpenAI Ohio data-center financing guarantee to under $120B, down from $250B, as investors questioned Nvidia’s risk exposure while the 10-gigawatt project with SB Energy/SoftBank moves toward a binding lease. AI Finance Boom: Nvidia also announced a $500B AI compute financing initiative with major Wall Street firms, aiming to mobilize third-party capital and shift more funding power to buyers. Cancer Diagnostics: A Q&A explains how liquid biopsies can help monitor known cancers and detect recurrence earlier, but warns they’re not reliable enough for screening people without symptoms. Public Health (Ohio): Ohio National Guard’s GuardCare 2026 delivered free medical, dental, vision and lab services to 491 residents in Southeast Ohio, including vaccinations, women’s health visits and hundreds of blood labs. STEM Education: Ohio State University at Lima’s “STEAM on the Quad” returns for its 10th year with hands-on activities for K-8 students and partners including the Columbus Zoo and the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum. Local Tech & Industry: Bryan City Schools opened a career-technical education center backed by a $2.5M state equipment grant, expanding industrial arts, advanced manufacturing and skilled trades training. Environment & Materials: A new OSU-led study reports bottled water contains about three times more nanoplastic particles than treated tap water, with guidance to switch to filtered tap water in reusable containers.

Ohio Health Access: Ohio National Guard’s GuardCare 2026 clinic in Athens delivered 3,092 free medical, dental and vision services to 491 residents, including 179 pairs of glasses and 196 medical visits, regardless of income or insurance. Water Safety & Research: An Ohio State study reports bottled water can contain about three times the nanoplastic particles found in treated tap water, raising concerns about exposure and recommending filtered tap water in reusable containers. AI Infrastructure in Ohio: Nvidia is reportedly discussing up to $3B in investment tied to SB Energy’s Ohio data center campus for OpenAI, while earlier reporting says Nvidia’s guarantee may be far lower than previously discussed. Manufacturing Sustainability: Avery Dennison launched its Sustainable ADvantage tape portfolio aimed at cutting material use and improving recyclability without sacrificing bonding performance. Weathering Testing Upgrade: Q-Lab unveiled a Universal Water Repurification System for weathering testers, designed to reduce high-purity water use and support two testers at once. Local Tech & Policy: Cincinnati’s Vision Zero push is spotlighted as pedestrian deaths rise, with residents urging road design changes like speed cushions and safer crossings. Ohio Business Expansion: Superior Plastics plans a $5M expansion in Logan County, adding 25 jobs. Public Safety Tech: Reports of scattered Frontier Communications outages across multiple states, including Ohio, continue as customers complain.

Public Health & Tech: A new Ohio State University study finds bottled water can contain about three times more nanoplastic particles than treated tap water, with counts up to 11.5 million per liter—prompting calls to switch to filtered tap and reusable glass or stainless. Cancer Research: Ohio State researchers say targeting the SET protein may weaken glioblastoma’s resistance to radiation and chemotherapy in preclinical models, pointing to a potential drug pathway. Local Infrastructure: Ironton held a ribbon cutting for Green Valley storm sewer improvements, adding 10,000 feet of sewer, road reconstruction, and a new pump station to cut flooding and combined sewer overflows for hundreds of homes. Energy & Industry: GM is backing out of a Samsung SDI battery venture in Indiana while restarting Ohio production after a shutdown, as it adjusts to slower EV demand. AI & Defense: The Navy and DIU backed Shield AI’s X-Bat with $50M to prove jet-powered, runway-independent strike drone operations from warships. Ohio Policy & Aviation: NBAA praised the FAA and Ohio senators for opposing closure of Burke Lakefront Airport. Climate & Safety: Marathon organizers are shifting dates and start times as hotter weather increases health risks for runners.

Public Health Access: Ohio National Guard’s GuardCare 2026 brought free medical, dental, vision and mental health services to Southeast Ohio, delivering 3,092 services to 491 residents over three days at Ohio University’s Heritage Hall, including 179 pairs of eyeglasses and 163 vaccinations. Environmental Science: A new Ohio State University study reports bottled water can contain about three times the nanoplastic particles found in treated tap water, with counts reaching 11.5 million per liter—prompting calls to switch to filtered tap water in reusable glass or stainless-steel. STEM & AI Safety: A free Sept. 10 webinar spotlights practical AI uses in workplace safety, plus privacy and ethics, aimed at helping Ohio-area safety leaders integrate new tools with human oversight. Education Trends: Mahoning County logged just 86 pre-K students in 2024-25, down sharply year over year, as Ohio enrollment overall fell to 1.47 million in FY2025. Energy & Tech Infrastructure: Coverage highlights how data centers’ rapid growth is colliding with power demand and the greentech transition, with hyperscale sites drawing far more electricity than conventional facilities.

Public Health Access: Ohio National Guard’s GuardCare 2026 delivered 3,092 free medical, dental, and vision services to 491 Southeast Ohio residents over three days, including 179 pairs of glasses and 163 vaccinations. Environmental Health: OSU researchers report bottled water can contain about three times the nanoplastic particles found in treated tap water, with counts up to 11.5 million per liter—suggesting containers shed microplastics. AI & Safety Training: A Sept. 10 webinar will walk safety leaders through practical AI uses in workplace risk management, plus privacy and human oversight. Transportation Infrastructure: ODOT and partners are advancing a diverging diamond interchange plan for I-75/CR 99 in Findlay to cut congestion and improve safety. Surveillance Policy: Flock Safety’s proposed data-retention cut to seven days is sparking debate in NW Ohio/SE Michigan, with law enforcement warning it could slow casework. Food Safety: FDA/CDC began inspections tied to a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to Taylor Farms’ recalled iceberg lettuce, with cases reported in Ohio. Local Tech/Community: A Paulding Chamber leadership change names Jen Rosebrook as executive director.

Public Health & Environment: A new Ohio State University study finds bottled water can contain about three times more nanoplastic particles than treated tap water, with counts up to 11.5 million particles per liter—prompting calls to switch to filtered tap water in reusable glass or stainless-steel. Energy & Storm Recovery: AEP Ohio says power restoration is nearly complete for central Ohio customers, targeting “nearly all” by 10 p.m. after the Aug. 11 storms knocked out up to 130,000 customers. Defense & Drones: DARPA’s Lift Challenge in Ohio pushed vertical-lift drone tech toward heavier payloads, awarding teams for performance in a barbell-carrying test. Manufacturing & Training: T. Bruce Sales in Warren is machining major CT-scanner components and bringing in a Youngstown State University mechanical engineering student for hands-on work. Biotech/Ag Watch: Michigan soybean researchers warn growers to scout for red crown rot, a soil-borne fungal disease showing up in the region. Local Tech & Community Health: The YMCA of Youngstown promotes Tamra Lucas to executive director of the Davis Family YMCA, while GuardCare 2026 delivered thousands of free medical, dental, and vision services in Southeast Ohio.

Public Health & Access: Ohio National Guard’s GuardCare clinic in Athens County delivered 3,092 free medical, dental, and vision services to 491 residents, including vaccinations, labs, women’s health visits, and 179 pairs of eyeglasses. Environmental Science: An Ohio State University-led study reports bottled water can contain about three times more nanoplastic particles than treated tap water, raising concerns about exposure from bottles and filters. Air Quality & Transportation: Ohio EPA announced $2 million from the Volkswagen settlement to help public airports replace aging diesel ground support equipment with cleaner alternatives. Space Science: SDSS-V Data Release 20 expands the sky map with new Southern Hemisphere spectra, boosting research into stars, gas, and galaxies. Cyber Policy: A new U.S. memorandum would let vetted private firms conduct offensive cyber operations against foreign criminal networks under federal oversight. Health Policy: Patient Advocate Foundation’s Amy Niles discusses 2026 prior authorization changes and ongoing pressure on coverage access. Local Health & Safety: A town hall in the Peoples Cartage fire area reviewed preliminary environmental testing, including metals, dioxins, PFAS, and semi-volatile compounds. Tech & Industry: Joby’s $500M acquisition of Dayton defense firm Resonant Sciences signals a push to scale military programs alongside its eVTOL work.