Down To Business
Down To Business features Ohio Chamber members and community leaders discussing what Ohio businesses are up to, changes on the horizon and general updates on public policy impacting Ohio’s business climate and economic outlook.
Episodes
25 episodes
Ohio on the Move: Infrastructure, Tourism & Legal Wins in 2025
2025 was a big year for Ohio’s business landscape! From record-breaking transportation budgets to tourism marketing boosts, economic development projects, and key legal reforms, the Ohio Chamber team breaks down the wins and the work ahead. Tun...
From Lightbulb Moment to National Movement: Claire Coder on Building Aunt Flow
When Claire Coder unexpectedly started her period at a startup event — with no products in sight — she had a lightbulb moment: why aren’t pads and tampons stocked like toilet paper? That spark led her to leave college at 19 and launch Aunt Flow...
Tourism, Trails & Transformation: The Impact of the Great Miami Riverway
In this episode of Down to Business, host Matt MacLaren, Director of Travel and Tourism at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, sits down with Ginger Clark, Manager of the Great Miami Riverway, to explore the powerful intersection of tourism,...
Ohio's 135th General Assembly: Wins, Challenges, and the Road Ahead
The 135th General Assembly has wrapped up, and we reflect on a year of policymaking—one largely consumed by campaigning but capped off with a flurry of legislative activity during the lame duck session.Our Government Affairs team breaks ...
Bridging the Gap: Workforce Development & Higher Education in Ohio with Emily Tully & Nick Derksen
In this episode of Down to Business, we explore the critical role higher education plays in workforce development. Justin is joined by Emily Tully, Executive Vice President of Operations of Association of Independent Colleges and Unive...
Addressing Ohio's Behavioral Health Crisis: Workplace Challenges and Solutions
In this episode of "Down to Business," the Ohio Chamber chats with Luke Russell from NAMI Ohio and Molly Mottram from the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation about the crucial role of mental health support in the workplace. They explore "postven...
Powering the Ballot: Why Energy Policy Matters This Election
In this episode of "Down to Business," we explore the crucial intersection of energy policy and the upcoming election in Ohio. Join host Tony Long as he sits down with Chris Zeigler from the American Petroleum Institute (API) Ohio. They delve i...
Ohio’s Shores and Islands: Big Fun, Big Business, Big Impact
Join Matt MacLaren, the Director of Travel and Tourism Policy for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, as he dives into the vibrant world of Ohio’s tourism industry. In this episode, we welcome Larry Fletcher, president of Shores and Islands Ohio, to ...
Exploring Ohio's Largest Playground: Tourism and Economic Impact with Scott Hutchinson
In this episode of Down to Business, Matt MacLaren, Director of Travel and Tourism Policy for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, explores the vibrant tourism landscape of Warren County with Scott Hutchinson, Director of Marketing and Commun...
Bridging the Digital Divide in Ohio
In this episode of "Down to Business," we tackle one of the most pressing issues affecting Ohio's economic growth and social equity: broadband accessibility. Host Rick Carfagna, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs at the Ohio Chamber o...
Navigating Ohio's Housing Landscape: Insights from Industry Leaders
In this episode of Down to Business, host Steve Stivers and guests Dave Robinson and Jon Melchi engage in a dynamic discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing Ohio's housing market. From regulatory hurdles to infrastructure needs,...
Government Affairs Insights 2024
Explore the latest in governmental affairs and policy updates as we dive into the issues shaping the landscape for 2024. Join our expert government affairs team as they provide insightful analysis and discuss the key developments affecting busi...
Securing Ohio's Economy: Unmasking the Threat of Organized Retail Theft Crime
Join Rick Carfagna, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, in a riveting episode of Down to Business as he explores the pressing issue of organized retail crime in Ohio. With insightful contributions from ...
Taking Charge of Your Healthcare: Cobi Blumenfeld-Gantz on Chapter's Medicare Navigation
In this episode of "Down to Business" by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, host Tony Long, General Counsel, and Director of Energy and Environmental Policy, engages in a dynamic conversation with Cobi Blumenfeld-Gantz, co-founder and CEO of Chapter...
The Housing Needs of Ohio
Ohio Chamber Director Of Tax and Economic Policy Tony Long was joined by Senator Bill Blessing and Representative Dani Isaacsohn to discuss the scarcity of housing and what can be done at the state level to provide solutions that lead to more a...
The State of Childcare in Ohio
Ohio Chamber SVP Rick Carfagna is joined by Lois Rosenberry, Founder and CEO of Children's Discovery Center; Shannon Jones, President of Groundwork Ohio; and State Representative Andrea White to discuss childcare affordability and availability ...
How to negotiate - Catherine Strauss & Masallay Komrabai-Kanu of Ice Miller LLP
In this episode of Down To Business, Cathy Strauss and her colleague Masallay Komrabai-Kanu discuss the importance of negotiation to professionals in the business sector.Cathy Strauss is an advocate for employers, and a skilled coach to...
Starting Ohio's only black owned bank with Franklin County Commissioner, Kevin Boyce
Former City Councilmember, Legislator, Ohio Treasurer, and businessman Kevin Boyce, joined us to discuss the need for wealth building in the black community and the importance of removing barriers to financial equity.Adelphi Bank's miss...
The Importance of Senate Bill 288 (Distracted Driving) with Beth Riczko from Nationwide
Beth Riczko, President of Personal Lines Insurance at Nationwide, joined us to discuss Senate Bill 288 (Distracted Driving) and how this an important step in making roads safer for Ohioans.
Government Affairs End of Year Wrap Up
For our last episode of the year we introduce two new additions to the Government Affairs team and discuss some of the wins of the business community over the past two years, Lame Duck and what to look forward to in 2023.
Impact Ohio General Election Preview
Rick Carfagna and politics reporter Andrew Tobias breakdown the upcoming General Election and discuss issues shaping the November races and beyond.
U.S. Bank - Fraud
Nathan Johnson and John Hammond of US Bank, join us for a discussion on fraud and the different trends being seen within the industry
Mid Year Legislative Update From The Government Affairs Team
The Ohio Chamber Government Affairs Team gives a recap of their completed and pending priority bills from the 134th General Assembly. The team also discusses the upcoming General Election and events in the fall and what to expect during the leg...
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