PICKAWAY COUNTY, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel visited an Anduril Industries site in Pickaway County on Wednesday, highlighting the defense technology company’s plan to bring 4,000 jobs to the area in what state officials called the largest job-creation project in Ohio history.
The stop was the seventh in the state’s Heart of Opportunity Tour, a series of regional events DeWine’s office said are meant to showcase the partnerships, investments and workforce strategies behind Ohio’s recent economic growth, including its ranking as CNBC’s No. 1 state for business.
California-based Anduril, a defense technology firm, expanded into Ohio with a project the governor’s office said is bringing 4,000 new jobs to the state, a build-out that has already sent the county’s jobs agency scrambling to help fill open positions at the site. The Wednesday panel discussion focused on Ohio’s position in aviation, aerospace and defense manufacturing and the role of partnerships with state universities and community colleges in supplying workers for those industries.
Panelists included Anduril Senior Vice President of Strategy Zachary Mears, Ohio State University President Ravi Bellamkonda and Columbus State Community College President David Harrison, according to the governor’s office. The company’s Ohio buildout has also drawn a $3,000-unit federal order for missiles built in central Ohio.
“I truly believe that this is Ohio’s time in history,” DeWine said in a statement. “This state has experienced significant economic growth over the last several years, and a great deal of credit goes to our local partners who have helped make this happen. It’s a team effort.”
“The goal of this tour is to remind folks of the opportunities that exist in Ohio and the pathways to get there,” Tressel said in a statement. “The pendulum has swung in Ohio’s favor, and we want Ohioans to take advantage of that.”
Throughout the tour, DeWine and Tressel have been meeting with employers, educators, workforce leaders and community partners across the state to discuss factors behind Ohio’s top business ranking and how the state can build on that momentum, according to the release.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
