Ohio grades well for employers, but workforce needs attention

Ohioans have always had an entrepreneurial and adventurous spirit. But according to a new report by CNBC, it now has the pro-business credentials to match. The news outlet ranked the top states in the country for business in 2025 — using 135 metrics in 10 categories — and the Buckeye State landed at fifth. In fact, the only category in which Ohio received a letter grade below a C was for workforce, for which the state received a D+. Methodology for grading workforce was explained this way: "In addition to measuring each state's concentration of science, technology, engineering and math workers and the percentage of workers with college degrees, we also consider workers with associate degrees and industry-recognized certificates. We look at which states are most successful in attracting talent at all levels, considering the net migration of educated workers to each state, and how states are faring in the competition to attract skilled workers. We look at state worker training programs, right to work laws, and worker productivity based on economic output per job." But aside from that area — in which public officials and educators have understood for quite some time there is room for improvement — Ohio is first in the country for infrastructure, second for cost of doing business and sixth for technology and innovation, among other successes. There is room for improvement, certainly, but there is much to be proud of here. "This ranking not only proves we're open for business in Ohio but also that we're doing it right," said Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. "Our office serves as the starting point for every new business in this state, and we're now among the top five pro-business states in the nation, in part, because of the work we've done to help job creators get started more efficiently, affordably and sustainably than ever before." Now, here's the other side of that coin regarding that workforce. Unemployment in Ohio was at 4.9% in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is steady from the previous month, but continues to mark an uptick from the start of the year, when the rate stood at 4.6%. The national rate for May was 4.2%. So there are more Ohioans unemployed and actively seeking work than there are on average across the country, but we're doing better for business than almost everyone else. Perhaps it's just a matter of some of those new businesses getting their feet under them and reaching full staffing levels. Maybe the horse has begun the gallop and the cart can't help but stay caught up. That would be wonderful news, indeed. For now, though, LaRose is right to celebrate, but he and other public officials such as the folks at JobsOhio will have to keep their eye on whether the hard work we've done for employers is paying off for Ohioans who want to work.