On Aug. 12, 2025, JobsOhio, Ohio’s private economic development corporation, announced the Relocation Incentive, a new program intended to spur innovation in growth industries and sectors by attracting new science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent to Ohio. Businesses located within Ohio should evaluate this new cash grant for potentially significant incentive opportunities, including cash grants up to $225,000 per company. The following article briefly summarizes the incentive and explains how recent changes may offer new benefits.
Executive summary: JobsOhio announces Relocation Incentive
Relocation Incentive cash grants up to $225,000
Required commitment and cash grant amount
The Relocation Incentive is available to any size business (in certain sectors) expanding its workforce in STEM and technical-related fields. Employers must be physically located in Ohio, conduct business in a target industry, hire permanent ‘W2’ roles in ‘priority occupations’ (1099 contractors are not eligible hires), and be able to provide a baseline for the average number of individuals within the priority occupations the employer has relocated over the previous three years. Eligible sectors generally include advanced manufacturing, aerospace and aviation, automotive, financial services, food and agribusiness, healthcare, logistics, military and technology. ‘Priority occupations’ include over five dozen different job titles under categories such as computer and technology, life sciences, business, research and data analysis, engineering, installation and maintenance, and production.
Employers meeting eligibility criteria receive incentive payments for each individual they hire and relocate to Ohio beyond their established three-year annualized baseline. Each non-Ohio resident must be hired to work in a permanent W2 position in one of JobsOhio’s priority occupations and must establish residency in the state. The incentive is $15,000 per qualifying hire, up to $225,000 per company.
Employers must prequalify and enter into an agreement with JobsOhio detailing the terms and conditions for receiving the Relocation Incentive. Companies also have flexibility in how they use the funds, including signing bonuses, relocation packages, or out-of-state recruiting campaigns as examples.
Takeaways
JobsOhio’s listed goals are to attract STEM talent to Ohio, discourage in-state poaching by making out-of-state recruitment as cost-effective, and provide flexibility in how funds are used. Like many state incentives, there are aspects of the projects that become public information. Additionally, even with efficiency increases, there remains an application process and a number of nuanced rules and deadlines to consider. Finally, many states are offering more competitive programs in recent years and taxpayers should thoroughly evaluate all available incentives in context with their business goals.
Taxpayers considering the tax credit program, or considering investing or hiring in Ohio generally, should speak to their Ohio tax advisers with questions about eligibility, available credit programs and application strategy.
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