State officials on Tuesday announced 17 economic development projects that have received approval from the Ohio Tax Credit Authority, in the hope those projects will result in more than $148 million in new payroll and more than $1.1 billion in investments.

It is an impressive list that is projected to create 2,347 jobs and retain another 8,592.

In Logan, Madison, Sandusky, Marion, Cuyahoga, Lake, Crawford, Wyandot, Wood, Lucas, Williams, Butler, Montgomery and Clark counties, these projects range from a new Net World Sports location in London, Ohio, for which the company will receive a 1.176%, seven-year job creation tax credit; to the creation of 20 full-time-equivalent jobs at Crusoe Energy Systems LLC/Crusoe Cloud Holdings LLC, in Springfield, for which the company will receive a 50%, 10-year data center sales tax exemption.

There’s a little bit of everything on the list, even an Italian agri-food company specializing in packaged salads, fresh ready meals and cold-pressed juices.

But those who noticed state officials touting the number of jobs these projects will create or retain “statewide” or “across Ohio,” and who still hear the echoes of Gov. Mike DeWine’s assurance that the state was working toward attracting a large employer to build within commuting distance of every Ohio resident will have noticed something. With the exceptions of Cuyahoga and Lake counties, there is NOTHING listed in the eastern half of the state — certainly nothing in southeast Ohio.

So, roughly drawing a line from the Lake/Ashtabula County border to Cincinnati, there is nothing on this “statewide” list below the line.

Certainly, it may be possible the Ohio Tax Credit Authority will consider projects from the eastern and southern parts of the state at its next monthly meeting; or that there were simply no projects from that half of the state presented by JobsOhio and its regional partners.

The alternative — that there are no projects or employers worthy of state support through tax credits and other incentives — is incredibly disappointing.

Ohio’s Appalachian counties are used to being forgotten — having to make our own way. But enough is enough. Regional and state economic development officials and those in supporting state boards, commissions, authorities and agencies have a responsibility to ALL Buckeye State residents.