(Photo provided) The Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition held its spring quarterly gathering on March 20 in Marietta.

Approximately 60 attendees gathered for the Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition Spring Quarterly Gathering on March 20 in Marietta.

The event commenced with a tour of AOMC’s state-of-the-art manufacturing support center, a premier training facility dedicated to advancing regional workforce development. Following the tour, attendees convened for a networking dinner at the Broughton Community Building, catered by Da Vinci’s.

AOMC Director Adam Barr welcomed guests before the evening’s presentations. The event featured two speakers, Drew Cooper, director of government affairs & external engagement at JobsOhio, and Matt Abbott, president and CEO for Ohio Southeast Economic Development.

Cooper leads engagement, outreach and collaboration with government officials and key economic development stakeholders across Ohio. He plays a role in strategic development and policy education, ensuring JobsOhio’s visibility and impact statewide.

During his presentation, Cooper emphasized JobsOhio’s commitment to supporting businesses, attracting new investments, and strengthening communities. He highlighted Ohio’s economic transformation since 2011, stating, “The rankings we were at the bottom back then, we’re leading now.”

Cooper also identified three key factors influencing investment decisions: energy, workforce talent and available sites.

He introduced JobsOhio’s “Find Your Ohio” initiative, an online platform designed to connect job seekers with Ohio-based employers. Additionally, Cooper outlined how advancements in automation technology, near-shoring efforts and a skilled workforce position Ohio’s advanced manufacturing sector for sustained growth.

Abbott, a recognized leader in regional economic development, detailed OhioSE’s efforts in supporting business retention, expansion and attraction across 25 counties in Southeast Ohio. Since 2011, the region has added more than 12,600 jobs, leveraging resources from JobsOhio to enhance downtown projects, housing and healthcare initiatives that contribute to overall economic vitality.

Abbott underscored the region’s workforce potential, noting that over 148,000 Southeast Ohio residents–more than one in three–commute outside the region for work. He remarked, “We have a workforce that’s here–but they’re driving somewhere else to work.” By addressing local opportunities and improving infrastructure, OhioSE aims to retain and attract top talent while fostering sustainable economic growth.

AOMC is a manufacturer-led coalition in collaboration with education, social services, and community leaders focused on aligning the learning system with the needs of the manufacturing community to support economic growth and a high quality of life in the Southeast Ohio region. AOMC is an Ohio Manufacturers’ Association Endorsed Sector Partner.