Opponent Testimony — Substitute House Bill 147 (Lorenz)

Summary

Written opponent testimony dated February 24, 2026, submitted to the Ohio House of Representatives Development Committee (Chair James Hoops, Vice Chair Brian Lorenz, Ranking Member Karen Brownlee) on Substitute House Bill 147. It is submitted by the President and CEO of the Jackson County Economic Development Partnership, who also chairs the Joint Economic Development Initiative of Southern Ohio (JEDISO). The testimony opposes the bill's provision allowing developers to bypass port authorities if an agreement is not executed within a 30-day window and to seek sales tax exemptions directly from the Ohio Tax Credit Authority. It also argues that the bill's $25 million construction-cost threshold broadens its scope and circumvents local oversight. The letter urges the committee to reject the bill, in support of the Ohio Council of Port Authorities.

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Full text

JICEDP

Jackson County Economic
Development Partnership

February 24, 2026

Ohio House of Representatives
Development Committee

Hon. James Hoops, Chair

Hon. Brian Lorenz, Vice Chair

Hon. Karen Brownlee, Ranking Member
77 South High Street

Columbus, Ohio 43215

RE: Opponent Testimony — Substitute House Bill 147 (Lorenz)

Dear Chair Hoops, Vice Chair Lorenz, Ranking Member Brownlee, and Members of the House
Development Committee:

My name is Samuel L. Brady, and I serve as President and CEO of the Jackson County
Economic Development Partnership, as well as Chairman of the Joint Economic Development
Initiative of Southern Ohio (JEDISO), representing the counties of Jackson, Pike, Ross, and
Scioto. Our region is served by three port authorities directly impacted by Substitute House Bill
147: the Jackson County Port Authority, the Ross County Port Authority, and the Southern Ohio
Port Authority.

On behalf of our organizations, and in strong concurrence with the Ohio Council of Port
Authorities, I respectfully submit this testimony in firm opposition to Substitute House Bill 147.
Port authorities are indispensable economic development partners across Ohio. Their role in
disciplined public finance, project structuring, and stewardship of public resources cannot be
overstated. In southern Ohio where communities are frequently competing for capital
investment, workforce opportunities, and long-term economic stability port authorities often
serve as the critical bridge between private sector ambition and responsible public policy. Their
involvement ensures that development incentives are strategically aligned, fiscally sound, and
responsive to local priorities.

Sub. H.B. 147 would undermine this framework by allowing developers to bypass port
authorities entirely if an agreement is not executed within an arbitrary 30-day window. Complex
economic development transactions require careful due diligence, financial modeling, legal
review, incentive coordination, and alignment with local and regional development strategies.
These processes exist to protect taxpayers, safeguard public investments, and ensure projects
deliver long-term economic value. A statutory 30-day deadline is neither realistic nor
responsible.

Jackson County Economic Development Partnership, Post Office Box 69, Jackson OH 45640
Phone: 740-286-2838 Fax: 740-286-9641 www.JacksonCountyOhio.com
By permitting developers to seek sales tax exemptions directly from the Ohio Tax Credit
Authority (TCA) under such circumstances, the bill weakens meaningful local review and erodes
the collaborative process that has historically ensured sound economic development outcomes.
The result would be rushed decisions, diminished fiscal accountability, and a heightened risk of
poorly structured incentive packages.

The bill’s threshold of $25 million in construction costs further broadens its scope in ways that
were likely unintended. Most large-scale development projects involve commitments to public
infrastructure improvements through development agreements, building permits, or Tax
Increment Financing (TIF). In such cases, public infrastructure is typically financed through
established public mechanisms, not direct private capital. Sub. H.B. 147 fails to adequately
distinguish between these funding structures, creating a pathway that circumvents local oversight
while duplicating or conflicting with existing public incentive frameworks.

Port authorities bring consistency, experience, and fiscal discipline to economic development
transactions. While individual deals may vary, the statutory framework and professional
standards applied by port authorities remain consistent statewide. Differences in outcomes reflect
the unique circumstances of each project, not a lack of structure or accountability. Removing
port authorities from this process diminishes the quality of project review and weakens the public
interest safeguards that Ohio taxpayers rely upon.

For southern Ohio in particular, where strategic economic development tools are essential to
reversing decades of industrial decline, this bill threatens to destabilize a proven and effective
system. Port authorities are not obstacles to development; they are facilitators of responsible
growth.

For these reasons, and in full support of the Ohio Council of Port Authorities, I respectfully urge
the Committee to reject Substitute House Bill 147.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony. I would be pleased to answer any questions.

Respectfully submitted,
Samuel L. Brady ,

President & CEO
Jackson County Economic Development Partnership

Chairman
Joint Economic Development Initiative of Southern Ohio (JEDISO)

Representing Jackson, Pike, Ross, and Scioto Counties

CC: File

Jackson County Economic Development Partnership, Post Office Box 69, Jackson OH 45640
Phone: 740-286-2838 Fax: 740-286-9641 www.JacksonCountyOhio.com

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