OH HB159

Creates the Manufacturing Technologies Assistance Program within the Ohio Department of Development, providing grants up to $150,000 to eligible manufacturers with 500 or fewer employees for projects adopting manufacturing technologies like machinery, robotics, hardware, software, and equipment

Requires applicants to have operated in Ohio for at least 3 years, derive at least 51% of gross revenue from manufactured goods, provide matching private funds equal to the grant amount, and obtain a project assessment from the Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Appropriates $24 million total ($12 million for FY 2026 and $12 million for FY 2027) from the General Revenue Fund to the Manufacturing Technologies Assistance Fund

Reserves half of program funds for manufacturers with 50 or fewer employees and half for manufacturers with 51-500 employees, with the Director able to reallocate between categories with Controlling Board approval

Imposes a 10-year clawback provision requiring grant repayment (reduced by 10% per year) if recipients initiate bankruptcy, discontinue or relocate operations out of state, or violate applicable laws