Editor's Note: This paid content was written by JobsOhio and approved by Area Development for publication.
AI-driven data centers, automated advanced manufacturing and the digitization of our world are growing America’s appetite for electricity faster than at any point in a generation. States that step forward will capture an outsized share of growth, jobs and tax revenue for decades to come. Ohio is an attractive location because of its plentiful, lower-cost natural resources, reduced risk of natural disasters, affordable land and pro-business regulations.
As Ohio prepares for the future, JobsOhio, the state’s private nonprofit economic development corporation, is taking strategic steps to support the state’s energy production to meet increased demand. Since 2019, JobsOhio has secured more than 3,000 projects representing at least $99 billion in investments, 159,000 jobs and $9.2 billion in direct payroll. Most of those projects remain under construction — their full power requirements have yet to reach the grid. Forecasts put the peak electricity load 50 percent higher by 2034. Ohio’s strategy is backed by policy, capital and public-private coordination across natural gas, nuclear and the energy supply chain.
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Enabling and investing in innovation. House Bill 15, Ohio’s first major energy policy overhaul in 17 years, passed with near-unanimous support and was signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine in May 2025. The legislation provides favorable tax treatment for new power generation, requires siting decisions within 150 days and expands behind-the-meter generation, allowing large users to produce their own power. In addition to the revised policy, companies with eligible energy projects could receive project assistance through JobsOhio’s $100 million Energy Opportunity Initiative — the five-year program is the only such program offered by a state economic development organization — directing grants, low-cost loans and talent services toward infrastructure, generation and nuclear supply chain projects.
States that step forward will capture an outsized share of growth, jobs and tax revenue for decades to come.
Natural gas strength. Ohio is the leading oil producer east of the Mississippi River, and the Ohio Valley is projected to supply nearly half of the nation’s natural gas by 2040. Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania are the only three states east of the Mississippi with sizable natural gas reserves and production. According to Cleveland State University’s Shale Investment Dashboard, cumulative shale-related oil and gas investment in Ohio through 2024 is estimated at approximately $114.6 billion. Of this, $82.5 billion has been in upstream industries, $22.5 billion in midstream industries and $9.5 billion in downstream industries. Nine new gas-fired generation projects are expected within five years, adding to the 16,430 megawatts already operational.
Most of those projects remain under construction — their full power requirements have yet to reach the grid.
Nuclear renaissance. Centrus Energy recently announced plans to invest $1.57 billion to expand its uranium enrichment facility in southeastern Ohio — the only U.S. plant licensed to produce fuel for both today’s reactors and tomorrow’s advanced designs. Nearby, Oklo and Meta agreed to develop a 1.2-gigawatt nuclear power campus that begins preconstruction this year and targets completion by 2034. Meta and Vistra also announced an agreement in which Meta is purchasing 433 megawatts of incremental nuclear energy and capacity to increase generation output at the Perry and Davis-Besse power plants in Ohio and Beaver Valley in Pennsylvania.
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Building the workforce. Every megawatt needs people behind it. Centrus enlisted JobsOhio and its regional network partner, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, to help grow head count by approximately 60 percent by year’s end. JobsOhio’s Talent Acquisition Services program and the Energy Opportunity Initiative will identify opportunities for funding a portion of the company’s talent strategy, including investments to accelerate educational pathways at Ohio technical schools and universities. The state’s workforce ecosystem has a long history of helping companies hire for engineering and technician roles that Centrus is focused on.
Every megawatt needs people behind it.
A wide range of companies — from advanced manufacturing and automotive to chemicals and energy to aerospace and defense to AI and microelectronics — will find the power they need to grow in Ohio. Learn how JobsOhio can support your company’s growth goals at jobsohio.com.
