With huge wins surrounding the Intel and Honda EV battery projects under their belts, Ohio has no time to rest on its laurels.

That message was part of one Lt. Gov. Jon Husted delivered personally during a Monday business roundtable at the Chamber. Husted visited Chillicothe to talk about the DeWine-Husted workforce priorities in the 2024-25 biennial budget proposal.

Technology and the workforce are two of the priorities for the future.

Husted said the state - and the country, for that matter - has a "demographics problem" regarding the workforce. It is simple: Finding talent to replace the scores of retiring people - mainly when there aren't as many people in the generations after Baby Boomers. 

"This is not going away," he said, adding that collaboration is the key to alleviating those issues.

Hearing about Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center's immense growth and interest in the student population, Husted said connecting teachers to businesses is critical. "Invite them into your businesses," he said. "They will be your evangelists."

Technology is increasing its hold on the workplace. Last week, Husted said he toured a McDonald's that will begin using artificial intelligence to take orders; and a recycling plant that will use a combination of AI and optical sort technology to streamline efforts. 

Regardless of the issue, the key is collaboration.

"I say this a lot, but those who collaborate will win the most," Husted said. "Do these collaborations because they will work."