In October of 2022, JobsOhio announced that the Dayton region will be leading the future of electric vehicles with a $4.4 billion Honda/LG joint venture investment and 2,200 jobs in Fayette County — and now Montgomery County will be the future of electric powered air travel. Gov. DeWine, Lt. Gov. Husted and JobsOhio have carved a path for success, and companies like Honda and Joby are sprinting down.
The manufacturing opportunity with Joby Aviation not only solidifies the region’s position in advanced aviation manufacturing, but it creates the opportunity for the entire region to succeed. The Dayton area higher education community and manufacturing supply chains will have the opportunity to position themselves to support this unprecedented economic growth. We have a robust workforce, adaptable higher education institutions and amazing suppliers that have trained, evolved and retooled to meet the changing needs of our business community. That same flexible spirit will evolve and change to meet the needs of the future of manufacturing. It’s what we’ve always done and it’s what we will continue to do as a community.
Our region knows well that those who collaborate will succeed. Dayton has always worked well together and it is through these strategic partnerships that we are building an economic foundation for the future of our region. What has been inherent to our community is now being noticed outside of our region. Companies and employees want to be in a community that puts divisiveness aside and embraces collaborations and public-private solutions that support economic growth.
This characteristic has been in the fabric of our community for decades and it is now an advantageous economic development tool that is attracting people and businesses to the Dayton region. Let’s continue to leverage the opportunity and do what we have always done best.
The eyes of the world are on Dayton and Ohio. If you’re not looking, you’re missing out.
Chris Kershner is the president and CEO Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.
Credit: Marshall Gorby
Credit: Marshall Gorby