H.B. 259 Summary

• Creates the Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Pilot Program in the Development Services Agency to provide technical assistance to eligible for-profit businesses with 6-99 employees, $750,000 to $25 million in annual revenue, and a 2-year Ohio presence.

• Eligible businesses must have increased both full-time equivalent employees and gross revenue during at least 3 of the preceding 5 years and must enter into an agreement requiring meeting attendance, job creation reporting, and financial data submission.

• Program director authorized to provide market intelligence services, business databases, geographic information systems, search engine marketing, business connections, and mentoring to participating businesses across multiple industries and geographic regions.

• Requires annual reporting to the governor and legislature on participating businesses, job creation, employee compensation, business types, and program effectiveness, with recommendations for improvements.

• Appropriates $250,000 from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2014 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2015, with the pilot program repealing two years after the effective date.