Diversity Boosting Ohio’s Economy
This month’s Ohio Business Spotlight is inspired by Black History Month. This is a time to not only learn about our shared history, but also highlight those who have overcome obstacles that can serve to inspire others in pursuing the American dream. Click here to learn about what businesses we are spotlighting this month.
- The Secretary joined President Barbara Smith of Journey Steel, Inc. to meet her Soaring Impact student graduates who have completed a training program provided by this thriving business in Cincinnati. Journey Steel, Inc. is one of the businesses we are highlighting for our Ohio Business Spotlight program in February.
Resources for Ohio Entrepreneurs
This week, Secretary LaRose visited Assets Toledo, an organization that provides a free three-month course on how to set up and run your own business – all you need is an idea!
Secretary LaRose also met with the Northwest Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which works with the Hispanic Leadership Institute to pair mentors and mentees in the business community. Learning from experienced entrepreneurs in the business community is a great way to get an understanding of the tools needed to start your business. Click here to read an article from The Blade on the event.
Lightship Venture Capital’s primary focus is finding underrepresented innovators and helping them grow throughout the country. Through this firm’s innovative approach, they have raised more than $100 million dollars to help startups become thriving businesses.
Bunker Labs Columbus hosted a conversation with Secretary LaRose and 175 veterans about strengthening veteran businesses and entrepreneurship in the state of Ohio. Secretary LaRose has a team member dedicated to helping veteran and military members get the business resources they need each day.
Learning from the Business Community
While in Flag City U.S.A., Secretary LaRose met with the Findlay Hancock Chamber of Commerce and local business leaders to learn what the City of Findlay and Hancock County at-large are doing to increase business growth.
NFIB Ohio invited Secretary LaRose to speak at their quarterly meeting where he touched on how impressive business growth has been during a global pandemic and learned how NFIB Ohio is hoping to keep that trend going. In 2020, more than 170,000 new businesses filed in Ohio!
Appreciating Black History
For the second video in our “Celebrating Ohio’s Black History” series, Secretary LaRose visited the Ella P. Stewart Academy in Toledo to learn more about the amazing woman who started her own pharmacy business in 1922 to serve a community in need. Click here to watch this week’s video.
Boosting Digital Security
Secretary LaRose announced the initial reports submitted under his first-in-the-nation Vulnerability Disclosure Policy are now publicly available online. Last year, Ohio broke new ground by becoming the first Secretary of State's office to implement a Vulnerability Disclosure Policy. Click here to learn more.
Keeping Survivors Safe
Secretary LaRose is championing a piece of legislation to expand the successful Safe at Home address confidentiality program. Click here to learn more about our Safe at Home program.
Additional Meetings
- This week the Ohio Voter Rights Coalition and Secretary LaRose virtually met to discuss their mutual desire to preserve Ohio's postion as national leader in voting rights. Additionally, they explored ways to build on this record of success.
- Secretary LaRose met with Pastor Willie Perryman, the new President of the NAACP Toledo and other minority leadership in Northwest Ohio.
- Secretary LaRose met for coffee with elected officials in Marion County to ensure fair elections and a growing economy.
- Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters met with the Secretary this week to discuss their priorities for 2021.