On Monday, Governor Mike DeWine recognized Winter Safety Awareness Week. He encourages all Ohioans to use extra caution while driving on winter roads and to have a plan in place for severe weather. 

Also on Monday, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted hosted the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board meeting at the headquarters of the Superior Group, a national electrical and technology engineering and construction firm located in Columbus.

On Tuesday, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Matt Damschroder joined Ohio Department of Veterans Services Director Deborah Ashenhurst in touring the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Electrical Trades Center of Central Ohio. The tour, held in conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week and Hire-a-Vet Month, highlighted the benefits of apprenticeships to those looking to build a career, and particularly to veterans.

On Wednesday, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted traveled to the University of Cincinnati (UC) for an event recognizing the success of the Ohio IP Promise, a statewide commercialization initiative that streamlines the patent and licensing process.

Also on Wednesday, Lt. Governor Husted helped announce that British Airways will begin direct flights from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport to London in 2023.

On Thursday, the Ohio Department of Health was awarded reaccreditation status, and five local health departments in Ohio gained initial accreditation status.

Accreditation or reaccreditation is achieved after the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) performs a systematic review process against national standards. PHAB considers this status a demonstration of the health departments’ commitment to building and maintaining a strong infrastructure to better serve their communities.

Also on Thursday, Ohio. Find it Here. kicked off its annual Holidays in Ohio campaign, designed to guide Ohioans and out-of-state visitors to some of the holiday season's best events, attractions, and activities. Learn more by visiting ohio.org.

On Friday, Governor DeWine and Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr. announced that the Department of the Air Force has formally selected the 179th Airlift Wing in Mansfield to become the Air National Guard’s first cyberspace wing. 

The selection announcement follows a yearlong assessment of the site by the Air Force and National Guard Bureau, which confirmed in August 2021 that the 179th was the preferred location for this unique, emerging national defense mission. 

“The 179th is the right choice for this mission, which will bring the unit, the Ohio Air National Guard, and the surrounding community into the forefront of cyberspace capabilities with a clear stake in emerging National Defense Strategy," said Governor DeWine. "Gaining the new cyberspace wing involved a comprehensive effort at the local, state, and national levels to ensure the unit remained in Mansfield and relevant into the future.”

Also on Friday, Governor DeWine announced that nearly $5 million in federal Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants have been awarded to help communities prevent and control crime.

The annual grants support the crime prevention work of law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, corrections facilities, crime victim and witness initiatives, and others.

“Local communities all have varying needs when it comes to combatting crime, and these grants are tailored to support crime prevention initiatives that will make the most difference in each community,” said Governor DeWine.