Over 50 members of the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance (EODA) gathered at the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center in Cambridge, Ohio on December 1, 2023 to hear an update provided by Andrew Cooper (photo below), Director of Government Affairs and Engagement for JobsOhio. JobsOhio is a state-authorized, non-profit corporation comprised of economic development professionals focused on attraction, retention and expansion of businesses and career opportunities throughout the state. Mr. Cooper shared several recent success stories and updates on developing projects such as Intel. Ed Looman, Manager of Engagement and Relationships for OhioSE, also provided an update on active projects. OhioSE is the JobsOhio regional network for economic development in a 25-county region in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio. Mr. Cooper and Mr. Looman agreed that workforce and housing availability are expected to be among the key issues for discussion in upcoming economic development meetings in the state. Dr. Chad Brown, President of Zane State College offered his insight into these issues and how the college is preparing to assist in addressing them. The meeting concluded with Susanne Simpson, Southeast Regional Liaison for Ohio Auditor of State, Keith Faber, presenting commendations to Jeannette Wierzbicki and Cindi Metz-McClung for their service with the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA). Ms. Wierzbicki recently retired as the Executive Director of OMEGA. Ms. Metz-McClung recently retired as the Finance Director and Assistant Executive Director of OMEGA.