As the Inflation Control Act marks its second anniversary, Ohio communities are seeing change driven by investments in clean energy and infrastructure.
Federal climate change packages, including the funds in this bill, have pumped billions of dollars into regions like the Appalachians, aiming to revitalize local economies by transforming former coal regions into clean energy hubs.
Dana Kuhnlein, senior program director at the nonprofit ReImagine Appalachia, said the investment is making a difference in the area.
“Appalachian Ohio River Basin communities are beginning to reimagine themselves as leaders in a new clean economy,” Kuhnlein explained, “and recognize their place in a more prosperous, sustainable and equitable future.”
Progress in the Ohio River Basin mirrors broader trends in Appalachia, with projects like Fox Squirrel Solar and the Oak Run Site in Ohio playing key roles. Supported by the Inflation Reduction Act, these efforts are helping to reduce carbon emissions and create union jobs, which could help revitalize the local economy.
Kuhnlein noted that this is just the beginning, and he expects to see additional incentives and programs to encourage further growth.
But the continuation of this work depends on continued federal support. While this legislation sets the stage for an economic transition in Ohio and Appalachia, concerns remain about maintaining momentum. Kuhnlein emphasized that continued investment is necessary to ensure communities continue moving toward a cleaner, more prosperous future.
“When communities in Ohio and across Appalachia have the capital and the ability to put a vision into action, incredible things happen,” Kuhnlein said. “Oftentimes, we have the ideas, we have the talent, and we have people ready to work. We just need a catalyst to make it happen.”
She added that there is hope that the Inflation Control Act will lead to lasting economic improvements in the region. Projects like Cleveland-Cliffs' $575 million Middletown plant show the potential impact of the investment. But Kuhnlein stressed that the long-term success of Ohio's clean energy efforts will depend heavily on the federal government's continued commitment.
Receive stories like this via email
The USDA proposed rule would clarify fair practices in the U.S. meat industry.
The Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets Rules amend regulations under the Slaughter and Livestock Act of 1921 to define “unfair practices” as business conduct that harms markets and market participants.
Just four companies process about 85% of U.S. beef, the result of a long period of corporate consolidation that began in the 1980s and has been laid bare by COVID-era market turmoil.
Nick Nemec, a longtime farmer and rancher, said the proposed rules could help.
“If we had 12 to 20 slaughterhouses — I don't know the exact number — that slaughtered beef, that would create real competition in the market,” Nemec said.
Vice President Kamala Harris said in a speech last week that competition drives prices down, promised to help small businesses and enact the first federal law to ban price gouging, a tactic her opponents call “price controls.”
Currently, laws banning price gouging exist at the state level, and some states have no price gouging laws at all.
Nemec, who runs a heifer-calf production operation in South Dakota, said that although he doesn't do business directly with the Big Four beef companies, he and his colleagues still feel the effects of the monopolies.
“We're tiny, bottom of the food chain,” Nemec said. “There's nothing we can do about it, so we're at the whims of the market.”
The comment period on the proposed rules ends on September 11th.
Receive stories like this via email
As Social Security approaches its 89th anniversary, the program's future remains a topic of significant debate.
AARP Ohio Chapter President Jennifer Carlson led a community conversation to mark the occasion, focusing on the challenges facing Social Security and the importance of protecting it for millions of Americans. Carlson said the program remains vitally important to older Americans.
“94% of Ohio voters over the age of 50 are likely to vote for a candidate who will work to protect Social Security,” Carlson reported. “Our view is that if you pay into Social Security and work hard to earn it, you should be able to rely on Social Security.”
During the event, Carlson highlighted the financial challenges facing Social Security, particularly the risk of a 20% cut in benefits if Congress does not act. Panelists discussed potential solutions, such as removing the payroll tax cap and improving the cost-of-living adjustment formula, to ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program.
Carlson maintained that keeping communities involved is key to securing the future of Social Security, and that AARP is committed to helping older Americans discover their options.
Max Lichtman, president and CEO of the National Committee to Protect Social Security and Medicare, sought to dispel common misconceptions surrounding Social Security. Lichtman mentioned one of the most common misconceptions: that Social Security is bankrupt.
“That's just not true, that's just completely false,” Richman stressed. “And when people hear that, they think, 'Well, I better not support this program because it's going to bankrupt me,' but that's just not true.”
Lichtman explained that while the Social Security Trust Fund is being drained, it will not be completely depleted unless the country faces 100% unemployment. He also refuted the claim that illegal workers are draining the system, pointing out that illegal workers also contribute to Social Security, but cannot receive benefits without a valid Social Security number.
Romina Boccia, director of federal budget and benefits policy at the Cato Institute, noted the economic impact of the potential solution, warning that raising payroll taxes to avoid benefit cuts could put a strain on younger workers.
“American workers who make around $60,000 a year would end up paying more than $10,000 in taxes to continue to fund this program as is,” Boccia said. “For people with fairly modest incomes, that would be a tax increase of more than $3,000.”
The event concluded with a clear message: Social Security remains the cornerstone of economic security for millions of people, but its future depends on informed public debate and responsible political activism. A future event is planned for Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Disclosure: AARP Ohio contributes to the fund for coverage of budget policy and priorities, health issues, and aging issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, please click here.
Receive stories like this via email
August is National Black Business Month, and a new program in the Milwaukee area is being highlighted as a groundbreaking initiative to empower minority-owned businesses looking to launch. This year, several partners launched MKE BOSS, which stands for Build, Operate, Scale, Sustain. The digital platform connects entrepreneurs of color with a variety of resources, including financing and technical assistance.
Pam Bell, city executive director for Self Help Federal Credit Union, said navigating the financial services sector can be difficult for many Black and brown business owners.
“No matter what kind of business it is, even if it's food service, even if you're skilled at what you do, you have to think, 'But how do I scale this?' How much does it cost to make the product, how much do I need to reinvest in the business to make a profit,” she explained.
The program's partners, including Self-Help, hope to help these business owners bring their vision to life and build more generational wealth in underserved areas. Though the effort is Milwaukee-centric, organizers hope to create a benchmark that can serve as inspiration for other towns and cities. Various rankings have found Wisconsin to be one of the states with the worst racial disparities.
Wendy Baumann, president of the Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation, another partner, said government agencies can go beyond aid and increase support by soliciting service contracts from minority-owned businesses.
“Counties, states, municipalities and all the things they buy. Money speaks. [and these agencies need to do] We buy directly from these companies,ā she said.
According to the Small Business Administration, 99 percent of businesses in the U.S. are small businesses, defined as those with 500 or fewer employees. Bauman said that's an important statistic to remember when thinking about how to create a more level playing field in the nation's economy. The BOSS program is funded by a grant from JPMorgan Chase.
Disclosure: Self-Help Credit Union contributes to funds for reporting on consumer issues, the environment, health issues and social justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, please click here.
Receive stories like this via email