AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & Power Strain: As heat pushes electricity demand toward record levels, a new report maps data centers into grid-stressed regions, with PJM warning Ohio and neighbors about potential peak overloads and curtailment risk. Semiconductor Supply Chain: A semiconductor industry group warns the U.S. against memory-chip price or capacity meddling, arguing it could worsen the AI-driven squeeze; the push is for long-term deals and output-focused tax breaks. Ohio Transportation: Gov. DeWine and ODOT announced $8.5M for road projects in 21 counties, aiming to unlock private investment and support tens of thousands of jobs. Aquatic Invasive Species: Ohio ramps up its annual Great Lakes AIS Landing Blitz, urging boaters to “Clean, Drain, Dry” to stop aquatic hitchhikers. Cyber & Scams: AI is making fraud schemes harder to spot, with federal charges tied to romance scams targeting Ohioans. Retail Tech & M&A: Kroger’s $1.65B acquisition of Giant Eagle expands store and pharmacy reach across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Public Safety Tech: Coast Guard searches continue on Lake Erie for a missing 11-year-old boater. Health & Training: Marion Public Health gets an AARP grant for home-safety trainings for older adults, while Trinity Health System’s medical lab science program celebrates new graduates. Community Tech/Jobs: Ohio University researchers focus on helping teachers manage behavioral issues in classrooms.

Heat & Health: A brutal heat wave pushed dangerous temperatures across the central and eastern U.S., forcing people indoors and raising dehydration and heatstroke risks. PFAS Accountability: Chemours agreed to a multi-state settlement over “forever chemicals,” with alleged PFAS discharges tied to the Ohio River among other waterways. AI & Cloud Compute: AWS rolled out new EC2 C9g/C9gd instances powered by Graviton5, while Alibaba’s SkillWeaver claims to cut AI agent token use by 99%+ for multi-step tool tasks. Nuclear Fuel Supply: Centrus cleared a major step toward commercial HALEU production in Piketon, Ohio, after a $900M DOE task order. Data Centers & Emissions: A new report warns “behind-the-meter” gas plants for data centers could drive massive greenhouse gas increases, with Ohio among the focus areas. Ohio Education Research: Ohio University researchers discussed classroom coaching approaches to help teachers manage behavioral issues, especially for students with ADHD. Local Innovation: CDL-Cleveland is set to launch as a health-care-focused accelerator linking startups with University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve. Ohio Courts/Child Welfare: Investigators described severe conditions in an Ohio home where 16 children were found; the case continues with legal steps for the accused family members.

Energy Storage Manufacturing: Honda says its Jeffersonville plant has started full-time lithium battery cell production for grid and storage uses, with packaging handled by LG Energy Solution’s U.S. unit. Defense & Advanced Manufacturing: Techmetals in Dayton is hiring 50 jobs after winning an Ohio tax credit to build a Next Generation Coatings Center for missile components. 3D-Printed Jet Engines: Beehive Industries bought two Ohio machine shops to scale metal 3D-printed jet engine production for defense, aiming for 8,000+ engines annually across its network. Local Climate & Weather: A dangerous heat wave is driving extreme heat warnings across the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes, with heat index values pushing into triple digits. Wildlife in Ohio: Black bear sightings keep rising across the state; Ohio DNR is tracking bears with new collars as the population re-establishes. Food & Retail: Kroger announced it will buy Giant Eagle for $1.65B, setting up major changes for shoppers across northern Ohio and beyond. Community Conservation: Mahoning Soil & Water Conservation District is offering backyard conservation grants that reimburse homeowners for approved stormwater and habitat projects. Healthcare Research: A study challenges the idea that migraine patients have higher circulating CGRP levels, finding the opposite in blood tests. Public Accountability: The Dispatch published payroll data for CMHA leadership, highlighting top executive pay and bonuses.

Farm Pest Watch: Ohio State researchers are running statewide slug monitoring with weekly updates to help farmers scout and manage before damage hits, with activity varying by location and easing as crops mature. Medicare Market Pressure: Ohio Medicare agents say insurers are cutting commissions on new enrollments and pulling plans from markets, leaving agents to absorb losses while still trying to guide clients. Ohio Life Sciences Expansion: Gladstone Commercial leased 34,361 sq. ft. in New Albany to Ohio Life Sciences, boosting a biomanufacturing workforce training push tied to simulated labs and clean rooms. Lake Erie Algae Fight: OSU CFAES reports nanobubble ozone tech reduced cyanobacteria up to 99% and cyanotoxins 92% in controlled trials, aiming for less disruption to aquatic life. Data Center Emissions: A report warns “behind-the-meter” gas plants for U.S. data centers could emit greenhouse gases on par with major countries, raising health concerns too. Retail Tech & Consolidation: Kroger agreed to buy Giant Eagle for $1.65B, promising integration-driven price cuts and a bigger Midwest/Mid-Atlantic footprint. Cyber Fraud Prevention: Cuyahoga County’s Scam Squad is launching a teller-based fraud stop-and-think questionnaire for large cash withdrawals. Trade Policy: The U.S. won’t renew USMCA “in its current form,” keeping it in force while negotiations continue. College Sports Law: The Protect College Sports Act cleared a key Senate committee step, aiming to stabilize college athletics and add NCAA antitrust protections. Ohio Workforce Pipeline: Ohio Soybean Council and Ohio Soybean Association named Brandon Kern executive director starting Jan. 1, 2027.

Ohio Tech & Policy: A new Supreme Court ruling struck down limits on how political parties can coordinate spending with candidates, a shift that could turbocharge campaign advertising nationwide. Data Centers & Power: Ohio’s data-center boom keeps colliding with public budgets and privacy concerns, with fresh reporting highlighting how tax subsidies and siting pressure are reshaping local debates. Biotech & Health: Cleveland Clinic-linked research finds GLP-1 receptor agonists may lower long-term deaths, amputations, and hospitalizations for people with peripheral artery disease. Space/Defense: Ohio’s aerospace and defense ecosystem stays active, including new contracts and expansion moves tied to drones and commercial space safety. Environment & Climate: Scientists warn ocean temperatures hit record highs, while separate work examines how fireworks residue can alter water chemistry and potentially affect aquatic life. Local STEM: Libraries and schools are rolling out summer science kits and hands-on STEM events, including experiment packs and Minecraft-style learning challenges.

Ohio Tech & Health Data: NEOMED launched a new Master of Science in Health Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, aiming to train clinicians and researchers to use AI responsibly in patient care. AI Infrastructure & Power: Coverage highlights how data center growth is colliding with grid limits and rising energy costs, with new AWS Graviton5-powered EC2 instances pushing more compute demand. Cyber & Public Safety Tech: Ohio lawmakers advanced the Kelsey Smith Act (HB 677), which would let police get a missing person’s cell phone location without a court order when life is in immediate danger. Water & PFAS: Drinking-water utilities are bracing for PFAS monitoring and treatment funding gaps as regulators move forward on “forever chemical” cleanup. Policy Shockwaves: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down federal limits on coordinated party spending in federal elections, likely reshaping campaign tech and ad spending. Local Community Tech: Cleveland students delivered 3D-printed prosthetic arms to people in Ecuador, showing how Ohio makerspaces can translate into real-world healthcare impact. Environment & Invasives: A reminder that multflora rose is widespread across Ohio and tightly regulated due to its aggressive spread.

Right-to-Repair: A new map shows most U.S. states still don’t fully protect drivers who want to fix their own cars, as a Trump push would have federal regulators clarify limits tied to emissions systems. Aurora Watch: NOAA forecasts Tuesday’s Northern Lights could be visible across up to 19 states, depending on solar storm strength and local skies. Advanced Manufacturing in Ohio: South Korea-based Sam Dong Ohio plans a $13M Delaware expansion, adding copper casting equipment to more than double oxygen-free copper rod output and create 30 jobs. Plastic Machining: Middlefield’s Jaco Products highlights why precision plastic CNC work needs material-specific know-how for engineered polymers used in electronics, medical devices, aerospace, and more. Warehouse Automation: Ambi Robotics and Pickle Robot Company announce an integrated system aimed at reducing the “handoff” problem between trailer unloading and pallet building. Privacy Tech: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled cellphone location history has constitutional privacy protections, limiting how geofence warrants can be used. Ohio Education Tech: Blackboard recognized Youngstown State’s Sarah Jenyk for a tech-supported Personal Financial Literacy course design. Health Tech (Ohio University): Researchers report a nanosensor approach that can distinguish autism from intellectual disability using nitric oxide signals from patient-derived stem cells. Carcinogen/Water/Climate: NOAA also flags Lake Erie algal bloom risk, while heat and grid strain remain a recurring theme in this week’s coverage.

AI at Work Caution: Researchers warn companies are only starting to understand subtle AI failures in real workplaces, including “antihuman” bias and confident-but-wrong outputs that can also expose private info. Ohio Defense Tech Jobs: Ukrainian Defense Drones’ U.S. assembly and manufacturing center is headed to Holland (Lucas County), with a planned $18.4M investment and at least 300 jobs by 2029, tied to the federal Drone Dominance push. Nanosensing for Autism: A carbon-fiber nanosensor using patient-derived stem cells can distinguish autism from intellectual disability by measuring nitric oxide signals, even when the cells share the same genetic mutation. Healthcare Disparities in Ohio: Cleveland Clinic research finds socioeconomic disadvantage and insurance type shape overactive bladder treatment patterns, with delays and different therapy choices. Cleveland Water Innovation: The Cleveland Water Alliance’s digitally connected freshwater test bed is helping local utilities and global companies validate new water tech using real-time data. Surveillance Cameras Backlash: Dayton’s experience with Flock Safety highlights how AI camera networks can expand faster than local oversight, even as cities cancel contracts over data access concerns. Housing Zoning Reality Check: A Central Ohio duplex study finds zoning allows duplexes on only 17% of parcels, with big variation by community. Space & Policy: The U.S. begins developing a new nuclear warhead for next-gen submarines, while Ohio’s leaders and experts debate safety claims tied to Haiti after a Supreme Court move on temporary protected status.

Hypersonics & Supercomputing: The Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson in Ohio just turned on a new $20 million supercomputer, “Flyer,” built to simulate the extreme conditions hypersonic weapons face—aimed at closing the U.S. gap with China and Russia. Public Safety Tech: Ohio’s Ashland County is rolling out biometric bracelets in jail to track vitals and prevent deaths, while privacy advocates warn about surveillance creep. Surveillance Cameras: Flock Safety’s license-plate reader network is expanding fast across the U.S., raising alarms about how much more than plates it can track and share. Water Tech & Politics: Greenwater Services is at the center of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool cleanup effort using an “ozone nanobubbler,” as questions grow over results and the broader renovation plan. Ohio Industry & Jobs: Skanska USA named Bryan Northrop to lead its Advanced Technology unit, covering semiconductor and data center construction across multiple states including Ohio. Aerospace Manufacturing: Youngstown’s Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense got $750,000 for renovations to create manufacturing-ready space for new and relocating companies. Emergency Communications: INDIGITAL says its MEVO 911 continuity platform kept calls flowing during major hurricanes using satellite-enabled backup options. Supply Chain Standards: GS1 is pushing retailers toward 2D barcodes for richer product data like batch and expiry, urging system upgrades ahead of future requirements. AI Energy Costs: New reporting highlights how AI’s electricity and water demands are rising fast, with efficiency gains potentially driving even more usage. Housing Affordability: A new policy guide argues cities need help streamlining approvals, planning density, and using low-cost construction techniques—while warning that inexperienced stakeholders can create long-term problems.

College Sports Policy: A new push in Congress over the Protect College Sports Act is raising alarms that universities may be letting conference leaders speak for them instead of engaging directly. Ohio Justice Tech Funding: Ohio’s Office of Criminal Justice Services awarded $4.5M in Byrne Justice Assistance Grants across 65 counties, including support for a Northern Ohio violent crime consortium focused on data, technology, and personnel. Water Quality & AI-Adjacent Tech: Ohio State researchers are testing AI-assisted cattle IVF to improve egg selection consistency and boost conception success. Agriculture Conservation: ODA and Indigo Ag are teaming up with H2Ohio to add incentives for farmers using conservation practices, with carbon credits tied to verified soil outcomes. Public Health Access: The Alzheimer’s Association Northwest Ohio Chapter is rolling out free virtual programs on early warning signs and dementia basics. Local Tech & Infrastructure: AEP Ohio held an open house on a planned 765-kilovolt transmission line tied to a future data center at the former Portsmouth site. Community Science & Learning: OSU CFAES showcased student research at an undergraduate forum connecting agriculture, water quality, crop monitoring, and safety to real-world decisions. Ohio Environment Watch: Volunteers counted 344 sandhill cranes in the 2026 Midwest Crane Count, with weather affecting some survey coverage. Data Center Debate (Local): A Scioto Township reader warns that data centers could pressure farmland, unclear land use, and future teardown costs.

Algae & Water Quality: A fresh look at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool’s green algae bloom says it’s usually a symptom of nutrient-rich water plus warmth and calm conditions—not sabotage—shifting the focus to what drives blooms. STEM Education: New Lexington Schools hosted the Appalachian STEM Collaborative, bringing educators and students together around hands-on science and agriculture-linked STEM pathways. Opioid Treatment Access: Ohio University researchers won a nearly $4M NIH grant to expand opioid use disorder medication support in about 40 primary-care clinics across Ohio and West Virginia. Clean Air & Industry: Gary residents renewed pressure on U.S. Steel over job and air-quality concerns tied to furnace upgrades. Data Centers & Power: A Southern Ohio reindustrialization plan for the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion plant ties new power generation to major data-center development, putting grid capacity and local impacts front and center. Community Tech & Safety: Ohio State Marion psychology students landed paid research roles at COSI, while a volunteer sonar search team recovered a missing truck with an unidentified body in Northeast Ohio. Cyber/AI Policy: A new “AI on the Ballot” interview series aims to force clearer candidate positions on AI’s jobs, energy, and infrastructure impacts ahead of 2026.

Data Centers in Ohio: Ohio’s data-center boom is colliding with policy, with Gov. DeWine’s pause on new tax exemptions and ongoing state debate as communities ask who pays for the power and cooling load. AI Water Use Warnings: A new UN-backed analysis argues AI efficiency won’t automatically cut resource use, pointing to rising electricity and cooling water demands. Southern Ohio Reindustrialization: An open house at the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion plant highlighted plans for major new power and advanced computing tied to a SoftBank-led effort, with thousands of construction jobs projected. Higher Ed Pathways: Virginia and Ohio leaders are teaming up on a three-year bachelor’s degree model, aiming to reduce time-to-degree while keeping rigor. Healthcare & Caregiving: Alzheimer’s Association programs in Northwest Ohio focus on caregiver support and communication strategies. Public Safety & Drugs: The DEA warns about fentanyl mixed with carfentanil, saying Narcan may be less effective as potency rises. STEM Recognition: A Rossford alum was named an AIAA Fellow for work on NASA’s nuclear propulsion efforts.

Workforce Participation: Ohio’s job picture looks steadier than it is, with a shrinking labor force participation rate—58,000 fewer working Ohioans than a year ago—raising long-term growth worries for rural and poorer regions. Cybersecurity for Local Government: Perry County commissioners adopted a new cybersecurity policy and sent an IT administrator to Ohio Cyber Reserve training, aiming to add protection before threats hit. Algae Safety in Lake Erie: NOAA’s forecast points to a mild-to-moderate harmful algal bloom this summer, with guidance to keep kids and pets away from scum as toxicity can harm internal organs. Quantum Computing & Security: A major push for quantum computing is underway, with U.S. orders targeting research, military uses, and defenses against future quantum cyberattacks. PFAS Accountability: Chemours faces major financial penalties tied to “forever chemicals,” underscoring ongoing pressure on PFAS cleanup and accountability. Local Tech & Health Access: Mercy Health rolled out a mobile mammography unit offering 3D scans across northwest Ohio, expanding screening capacity. Workforce Partnerships: Ohio awarded millions through Industry Sector Partnership grants to strengthen pipelines in manufacturing, IT, construction, and healthcare. STEM in Action: A robotics team in Waverly won an Optimum grant, while Youngstown’s construction careers camp is pushing hands-on trades exposure for girls.

Healthcare & Research: Ohio University researchers are challenging a long-held belief about osteopathic medicine and cancer treatment, while Toledo-area coverage highlights the push toward more accurate, cost-effective Alzheimer’s diagnosis so therapies match the right brain changes. Public Safety Tech: Multiple reports spotlight how police use automated license plate readers and other surveillance tools, raising concerns about misuse and the need for stronger limits and oversight. AI Infrastructure & Politics: Data centers are emerging as a major election issue, with communities questioning impacts as developers expand and local governments consider moratoriums or new rules. Ohio Tech & Industry: REalloys closed a $100M private placement to fund working capital, and Ohio State received an NSF award for quantum sensing research. Local STEM & Agriculture: Ayersville FFA competed in Envirothon; Paulding County Extension hosts an Agronomy Day on nutrient management, soil health, and farm succession planning. Environment: Lake Erie’s mayfly swarms are explained by the lake’s shallow, warm breeding conditions. Community & Education: Eastwood Local Schools approved funding steps for a new grades 5-12 building, and Goodwill opened a new Athens location in a former movie theater.

Autonomous Freight in Ohio: Kratos says it completed a cross-country autonomous “tandem” haul for NASCAR logistics, building on a prior Columbus-to-Indianapolis run and aiming to expand platooning tech as driver shortages persist. Health & Environment: A new pilot study on East Palestine residents links post-spill blood changes to chronic inflammation and immune system shifts, while another report flags ongoing health damage concerns tied to toxic exposure. AI Reliability: DuckDuckGo’s AI search briefly amplified a rabies death hoax about Trump, showing how flawed online claims can get echoed by AI tools. Energy & Power Policy: State regulators are still folding EPA carbon rules into new gas plant permits even as EPA moves to repeal them, keeping compliance requirements in flux. Ohio Tech & Cyber: OSU researchers are developing “Burnyard,” a malware analysis workflow that keeps suspicious samples local to reduce the risk of attackers finding their own code. Wildlife Watch: ODNR reports 344 sandhill cranes in Ohio in the 2026 Midwest Crane Count, a weather-hit dip from 2025 but a sign of improving habitat conditions. Education Workforce: Mid-Ohio ESC’s Teacher Boot Camps bring educators into local manufacturing and healthcare sites, pairing classroom learning with in-demand job skills.

Rehab Tech Launch: Battelle-backed NeuroLife debuted a non-invasive wearable that reads muscle and nerve signals to guide hand-and-arm recovery after stroke or spinal cord injury. Emergency Communications: Motorola Solutions expanded its 911 “Assist AI” tools, adding real-time translation and live call audio sharing to speed up emergency response. School Cybersecurity: Napoleon Area City Schools adopted the CIS Critical Security Controls framework to meet Ohio’s cybersecurity policy requirements. Ohio Health Costs: A new Ohio hospital price-transparency law exists on paper, but reporting found monthly audits aren’t happening consistently, leaving patients confused about charges. PFAS Accountability: An attorney questioned a Chemours PFAS settlement, warning that loosened exposure limits could make the deal less meaningful. Supreme Court & Pesticides: The Court upheld federal pesticide labeling rules, limiting state failure-to-warn lawsuits tied to Roundup. Lake Erie Forecast: Scientists predicted a moderate 2026 Lake Erie harmful algae bloom, with timing and duration tied to weather. Data Centers & Power: FuelCell Energy signed a deal to supply up to 380MW of behind-the-meter fuel cell power for data centers. Ohio Policy Fight: Ohio Republicans weigh whether they can override Gov. DeWine’s veto of a mail-vote photo ID requirement. Local Tech & Community: Volunteers in Belpre joined a Day of Action with neighborhood cleanups and landscaping support.