Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance
With the responsibility to represent the needs of our members, the ACAA works to grow the business community’s participation in the advocacy process and create a united front from members in the Akron-Canton region on key policy issues.
Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance
With the responsibility to represent the needs of our members, the ACAA works to grow the business community’s participation in the advocacy process and create a united front from members in the Akron-Canton region on key policy issues.
ACAA Dashboard
Find more information and track the status of our current legislative priorities
Senate Bill 11
Prohibits employers from entering or attempting to enforce a non-compete agreement, which would eliminate a crucial safeguard for businesses that have built their success on innovation and client trust. CLICK HERE for opponent testimony provided by the ACAA and other partners.
$100M
Opportunity Zones Tax Credit Program
$100,000,000 over biennium for nonrefundable tax credit incentives to investors for projects in economically distressed areas known as “Ohio Opportunity Zones.” Tax credit is equal to 10% of dollars invested and House Bill 96 includes a $5,000,000 per project cap. This is $50,000,000 more when compared to last biennium.
$4M
Minority Business Enterprise Loan Program
$4,000,000 over biennium to provide financial assistance to certified minority-owned businesses in Ohio via loans with low interest rates designed to help them purchase equipment, expand operations, or support other qualifying business activities. Aka the Ohio Minority Business Direct Loan Program.
$200M
Brownfield Remediation
Over $200,000,000 over biennium for grants to cleanup of brownfield sites, to assist in the remediation of hazardous substances or petroleum at an industrial, commercial, or institutional property. Remediation includes acquisition of a brownfield, demolition performed at a brownfield, and the installation or upgrade of the minimum amount of infrastructure necessary to make a brownfield site operational for economic development activity.
$10M
Women Owned Business Loan Program
$10,000,000 over biennium to stimulate the growth of existing women-owned businesses by providing loans at market rate or below market rate interest (currently up to 3%). The minimum loan amount is $45,000 up to a maximum of $500,000. Loans will be repaid within 10 years for equipment and machinery and 15 years for owner-occupied real estate.
$22M
TourismOhio Administration
$22,000,000 over biennium to support Ohio’s official tourism agency (within Ohio Department of Development) whose primary goal is to market Ohio as a travel destination, aiming to boost the state’s economy and encourage both in-state and our-of-state tourism – through a variety of initiatives, programs, and marketing campaigns.
$250M
Transformational Mixed Use Development (TMUD)
$250,000,000 over biennium for tax credits against development costs incurred during the construction of a project that will be a catalyst for future development in its area and covers things like new construction and/or improvement of vacant buildings that will have a major economic impact on the site and the surrounding area. Eligible projects include combinations of retail, office, residential, recreation, structured parking, and other similar uses into one mixed-use development. This is $50,000,000 more than last biennium.
$100M
Residential Development Revolving Loan Program
$100,000,000 in FY26 to support the development of new, single-family homes in rural areas by providing loans to local governments for infrastructure improvements. The program, funded with $100 million, is specifically designed for areas where it's uneconomical for developers to build due to high infrastructure costs.
$5M
Micro-Loan Program
$5,000,000 over biennium to stimulate the growth of new and existing businesses by providing micro-loans at 0% interest. The minimum loan amount is $10,000 to a maximum of $45,000. Loans will be repaid within five years for permanent working capital and seven years for equipment. The business must have its principal place of business and its business operations located in Ohio. This program is exclusively for Ohio-certified MBEs and WBEs.
$38.8M
Reappropriated Unencumbered OTSCIF Funds
Following the awards made last year under the One-Time Strategic Community Investments Fund, House Bill 96 reappropriates all unencumbered funds from awarded projects. This is a routine but critically important step for projects like these who may be in the process of utilizing their funds but haven’t yet completed the steps on the back end to receive their award. Full list of previously funded projects can be found here.
Qualifying Business Income Deduction
Makes the 20% Section 199A pass-through deduction (aka Qualifying Business Income Deduction) permanent and increased phase in limitations to $75,000 for individual filers and $150,000 for joint filers.
Why it matters: This provides long-term tax certainty for pass-through businesses like sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S-corps. By raising the income thresholds to $75,000 (individual) and $150,000 (joint), more small and mid-sized businesses can benefit from the full deduction, improving cash flow and encouraging reinvestment and hiring.
Restores, permanently, 100% bonus depreciation for capital investments
Restores, permanently, 100% bonus depreciation for capital investments and enables businesses to immediately expense qualifying costs associated with certain property acquisitions and improvements between Jan. 20, 2025, and Jan. 1, 2030. Also allows businesses to claim a 100% deduction for qualifying new or improved factories and production facilities placed in service before January 1, 2034 (e.g., manufacturing, agriculture, chemical production, etc.).
Why it matters: Allowing businesses to fully expense capital investments immediately (rather than depreciating over time) incentivizes large-scale investments in equipment, infrastructure, and production capacity. This is especially valuable for manufacturers, agricultural producers, and industrial firms long-term planning and positions them for growth.
Residential Development Revolving Loan Program
$100,000,000 in FY26 to support the development of new, single-family homes in rural areas by providing loans to local governments for infrastructure improvements. The program, funded with $100 million, is specifically designed for areas where it's uneconomical for developers to build due to high infrastructure costs
Makes Opportunity Zone program permanent
Makes Opportunity Zone program permanent (with minor changes) but as under prior law, (a) gains invested in a qualified opportunity fund (QOF) are deferred for five years (assuming no sales prior to year five), (b) gains invested in a QOF receive a 10% basis step-up at year five and (c) all gains are excluded after a ten-year hold period is met. Under new law, to take full advantage of gain exclusion, taxpayer must dispose of their QOF investment within 30 years after making investment.
Why it matters: Making the Opportunity Zone program permanent gives investors confidence to commit long-term capital to economically distressed areas. The 30-year exit window and continued tax benefits (deferral, step-up, and exclusion) make it a powerful tool for community revitalization and private-sector–led development.
One Big Beautiful Bill
Qualifying Business Income Deduction
Makes the 20% Section 199A pass-through deduction (aka Qualifying Business Income Deduction) permanent and increased phase in limitations to $75,000 for individual filers and $150,000 for joint filers.
Why it matters: This provides long-term tax certainty for pass-through businesses like sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S-corps. By raising the income thresholds to $75,000 (individual) and $150,000 (joint), more small and mid-sized businesses can benefit from the full deduction, improving cash flow and encouraging reinvestment and hiring.
Retroactively Expense Qualifying R&D Investments
Permanently restores immediate expensing for domestic R&D expenses and allows small businesses with gross receipts of $31M or less to retroactively expense qualifying R&D investments back to 12/31/21, and all other domestic R&D between 12/21/21 and 1/1/25 can accelerate remaining deductions over a 1- or 2- year period.
Why it matters: Restoring immediate expensing of domestic R&D costs lowers the after-tax cost of innovation. The retroactive provision for small businesses (gross receipts ≤ $31M) provides a cash flow boost and rewards past investments, while the accelerated deduction option for others encourages continued R&D activity in the U.S.
$10M
Industry Sector Partnerships
$10,000,000 over biennium to fund collaboration between businesses, education and training providers, and other community leaders who are invested in improving their region’s workforce. These collaborations create a more skilled workforce and benefit both Ohioans and Ohio's job creators.
$47.41M
TechCred Program
$47,412,792 over biennium to give employers the chance to upskill current and future employees in today’s tech-infused economy. Employers who submit successful applications will be reimbursed up to $2,000 per credential when current or prospective employees complete eligible technology-focused credentials.
$100M
Third Frontier Research and Development
Over $100,000,000 million over biennium for a variety of programs aimed at fostering innovation and job growth by supporting technology-based companies, universities, and research institutions. It provides funding, resources, and support to help turn advanced ideas into new technology businesses and make Ohio a destination for technology entrepreneurs.
Child Tax Credit
Makes the child tax credit permanent and increases credit to $2,200 in 2026 and indexes for inflation moving forward.
Why it matters: A more generous and permanent child tax credit helps working families manage the cost of raising children, which in turn supports workforce participation—especially among parents. This can help businesses retain talent and reduce turnover, particularly in industries with tight labor markets. Indexing it for inflation will provide the certainty needed for long-term planning and future concerns with appropriate funding levels.
Enhanced Employer-Provided Child Care Credit
Increases the credit rate for qualified employer-provided child care expenses from 25% to 40%, and raises the maximum credit amount to $500,000. For small businesses (defined under Section 448(c)), the credit rate is further increased to 50% and the cap is raised to $600,000. Applies to tax years beginning after 2024.
Why it matters: A more generous child care credit helps businesses support working parents by offsetting the cost of providing child care benefits. This can improve employee retention, reduce absenteeism, and enhance productivity—especially in competitive labor markets. The increased credit and higher cap make it more feasible for employers, particularly small businesses, to invest in family-friendly policies that strengthen workforce stability.
Public Policy Agenda
Our Public Policy Agenda is developed by business leaders who participate in the ACAA and is formally approved and adopted by the Boards of Directors from the Greater Akron Chamber and Canton Regional Chamber. This document guides our advocacy efforts and represents timely legislative issues that are directly related to our region’s economic growth and success. For more information about our priorities, visit our Public Policy Agenda.
2024-2025 Advocacy Priorities
The OMCC, nine chambers of commerce including the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and Greater Akron Chamber that jointly advocate for issues impacting the metropolitan areas of the state, has announced its 2024-2025 policy priorities
Public Policy Agenda
Our Public Policy Agenda is developed by business leaders who participate in the ACAA and is formally approved and adopted by the Boards of Directors from the Greater Akron Chamber and Canton Regional Chamber. This document guides our advocacy efforts and represents timely legislative issues that are directly related to our region’s economic growth and success. For more information about our priorities, visit Public Policy Agenda.
2024-2025 Advocacy Priorities
The OMCC, nine chambers of commerce including the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and Greater Akron Chamber that jointly advocate for issues impacting the metropolitan areas of the state, has announced its 2024-2025 policy priorities
Information and Updates
Advocacy Updates
To stay up to date on the most relevant activities related to government, policy and regulation, enroll in our advocacy updates. They provide key information in a timely and consistent manner and often include invitations or recaps to unique engagement opportunities reserved for ACAA members.
Recent Advocacy Updates
Voting Information
Voting is a right and the ultimate expression of our freedom. As the voice of the business community, the ACAA encourages our members to promote the importance of voting to their employees and to educate them on the ballot issues. Visit your county Board of Elections website for information on how to register to vote, vote early, or find your polling location.
For more voting and elections information, visit the Ohio Secretary of State website.
Advocacy in Action Podcast
In early 2025, the ACAA introduced the Advocacy in Action podcast series, spotlighting the people, partnerships, and policies shaping advocacy efforts across the region. Each episode features conversations with leaders and changemakers who are driving progress, offering insights into key issues, legislative developments, and upcoming initiatives that impact our communities and industries. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or new to the conversation, this series keeps you informed and engaged.
Advocacy in Action Podcast
The ACAA is thrilled to announce the launch of our new Advocacy in Action podcast series! In the first episode, GAC President and CEO Steve Millard leads a conversation with Jeff Dafler, President and CEO of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, and John Rizzo, Vice President of the ACAA, on the partnership, recent milestones, and a preview of key issues for 2025 – including upcoming advocacy efforts and events scheduled for the first quarter of the year.
For more or questions about our advocacy efforts, please contact:
John Rizzo
Vice President
jrizzo@akroncantonadvocacy.org
Daisha Okolo
Coordinator
dokolo@akroncantonadvocacy.org
