Week in review: Oct. 15, 2023

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/URBAN REVITALIZATION

The DeWine administration announced Friday that 51 communities will receive more than $10.6 million to support community development projects around Ohio through a federal block grant program. The funds will assist in completion of infrastructure improvements and public services, spurring economic growth and improving residents' quality of life. The projects can include street repairs, sidewalk improvements, parks and recreation facilities, water and sewer line replacements, and community centers. Cities and counties considered U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) non-entitlement communities are eligible to apply for these allocation program funds biannually. Ohio's 101 eligible communities are divided between even and odd years of funding, with 51 communities in 46 counties receiving a total of $10.65 million for 2023.

ECONOMY

The nation added 336,000 non-agricultural jobs in September, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and the national unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.8 percent. Among major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (3.8 percent), adult women (3.1%), teenagers (11.6%), Whites (3.4%), Blacks (5.7%), Asians (2.8%) and Hispanics (4.6%) showed little or no change in September. The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was little changed at 1.2 million in September. The long-term unemployed accounted for 19.1% of all unemployed persons. Both the labor force participation rate of 62.8% and the employment-population ratio of 60.4% were unchanged for the month.

MARIJUANA/HEMP

Two more dispensaries are now legally operating under the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program, according to the Ohio Board of Pharmacy (OBP). OBP has issued certificates of operation to the following dispensaries: Elevated Growth, located at 7520 High Cross Blvd. in Columbus; and Culture Cannabis Club, located at 1568 E. Archwood Ave. in Akron. There are now 107 dispensaries operating under the MMCP.

This feature was provided by Hannah New Service and selected for you by OSCPA Government Relations Staff.