LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — State lawmakers are taking a closer look at Ohio’s role in supporting the military and defense industry.
State Rep. Tracy Richardson, R-Marysville, who represents Union and Marion counties and chairs the House Veterans and Military Development Committee, was in Lima on Thursday. The committee toured the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center, where combat vehicles are built for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Local representative and House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, along with members of the committee and Ohio National Guard Maj. Gen. Matthew Woodruff, also attended. Richardson said the goal is to make Ohio the most military- and veteran-friendly state in the country while strengthening its defense economy.
“Part of what we do is travel across the state so that we can be part of the community and see firsthand the military installations and those locations where we can listen, create policy and better understand what is happening throughout the state in support of our military, our veterans and our defense economy,” Richardson said.
The committee has been traveling across the state, touring military sites and meeting with local leaders to better understand what support is needed.
“They were at Wright-Patt, they were at Youngstown, NASA Glenn, and ask local people and the military at those bases what the Ohio General Assembly can do to make it easier for them to not only maintain what they do, but also how to get more business,” Huffman said.
Lawmakers say feedback from these visits helps shape policy as they work to attract more military investment and operations in Ohio.
