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There’s something special about summer in Ohio. Between the county fairs and Fourth of July fireworks, I hope you’ve been able to relax with friends and family. For me, summer is a chance to step outside the Washington bubble and spend valuable time here in Ohio.

During this year’s August district work period, I attended and held numerous events across each county in Ohio's 12th Congressional District. I had the opportunity to visit dozens of communities and meet hundreds of hardworking men and women—the folks who keep Ohio, and the nation, moving forward.

Drought Assistance

Before I share a few highlights from the past month, I want to address the ongoing drought affecting many farmers and small business owners across Ohio.

The USDA has designated 22 Ohio counties as natural disaster areas due to severe drought conditions, which have significantly impacted water supplies and agricultural operations. If you’ve been affected, my office is here to help. Visit my website HERE for a list of available resources, or call us at (614) 523-2555.

There are several programs available to assist those experiencing hardship. I encourage you to reach out so my office can help determine what resources may be available to you.

Powering Ohio

Ohio has been a longtime leader in energy innovation and production, but in the last few years we’ve also seen a historic increase in energy demand. While the shale revolution in eastern Ohio has unlocked a new wave of affordable, abundant American energy, the growing investment in manufacturing and data centers in central Ohio has underscored the need to expand and protect our electric grid’s capabilities.

In early August, I hosted an energy roundtable in Licking County, where local and national industry leaders gathered to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing our communities. The clear takeaway? The biggest threat to our grid’s reliability is bad public policy.

If you want to learn more about my latest efforts in D.C. to stop misguided policies, you can read more HERE.

One of the United States’ greatest strengths as a global energy leader is our ability to take advantage of the resources we already have.

Take Three Rivers Energy in Coshocton, for example. Ohio—and much of the Midwest—is known for growing corn, and Three Rivers has capitalized on this by becoming a regional leader in ethanol, producing 55 million gallons annually. This fuel is sold to local refineries and retail outlets in Ohio and neighboring states. They explained to me how a recent retrofit to their equipment has expanded their production to include high-purity GNS alcohol, the primary ingredient in hand sanitizers and disinfectants. Believe me when I say their facility is truly incredible.

But in order to fully meet Ohio’s growing electricity demand, policymakers must understand the limits and capabilities of our electric infrastructure. In early August, I led a tour of one of AEP’s substations in Sunbury with fellow Ohioans and colleagues Reps. Bob Latta (OH-5), Mike Carey (OH-15), and Max Miller (OH-7).

Substations play a crucial role in our electric grid, converting high-voltage electricity from large transmission lines to a safer level for homes and businesses across Ohio. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, it was great to give my colleagues an inside look at Ohio’s electricity infrastructure and discuss the need for our infrastructure to keep pace with our state’s growth.

Facilities like this don’t build themselves. Highly skilled contractors, such as New River Electrical in Granville, are responsible for turning plans into reality. During my tour of their facilities, they explained their expertise in high-voltage construction and maintenance for electrical utilities and industrial customers. The team also shared their ongoing workforce development initiatives and the unique challenges facing their industry as the electric grid is modernized and expanded. I appreciate the entire New River team for taking the time to meet with me. It’s good to know that we will be able to rely on Ohio workers to get the job done and prepare our electric grid for the future.

Made in America, Made in Ohio

Ohio has long been at the heart of American manufacturing, and I had the privilege of visiting several local businesses this summer that are keeping the "Made in America" tradition alive.

McWane Ductile in Coshocton is an iron pipe foundry that has operated in its current location since 1910. They employ 600 people who produce and ship more than 130,000 tons of ductile iron pipe annually—essential supplies for water systems and electrical infrastructure projects. This site represents the only iron pipe foundry in the entire Midwest, and they continue to grow. Currently, McWayne Ductile is in the middle of a $45 million expansion and hiring rapidly, including an impressive surge in female employees. They’re even adding another women’s locker room to accommodate their growing workforce.

In McConnelsville, I visited a family-owned and operated business that began as a garage woodworking shop and has since grown into something much larger. Ryan Schaad built Schaad & Sons from the ground up, turning his passion for woodworking into an 18,000-square-foot operation in Morgan County. According to Ryan, they’re not done growing either. He shared plans for another expansion to keep up with the demand for their Made in America cabinets and architectural millwork. After seeing their work firsthand, I can confidently say their products outshine anything coming off an assembly line in China.

These companies represent some of the best of Ohio manufacturing—hardworking, innovative, and committed to producing high-quality goods right here in America.

Expanding Rural Health Care

In Washington, I’m proud to serve on the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, where I focus on policies that ensure affordable health care is in reach for every Ohioan, regardless of their zip code. I’ve launched the Congressional Digital Health Caucus and introduced several bills aimed at expanding access to cutting-edge technologies, bringing quality care directly to patients’ homes.

One of my key priorities is expanding healthcare in rural communities. That’s why I’m thrilled to support Nationwide Children’s Hospital's decision to open a new Close to Home center in Muskingum County this August. This state-of-the-art facility will offer specialized pediatric care to the Zanesville area, providing services such as cardiology, genetics, hematology/oncology, lab work, and urology.

I’m proud to have helped secure federal funding to make this expansion possible, and it is so exciting to see this vision come to life. This summer, I also visited the Mount Vernon Health Center in Knox County and OhioHealth’s O’Bleness Hospital in Athens.

The Mount Vernon Health Center is doing exceptional work as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), bridging the gap between urban and rural healthcare. FQHCs provide essential services based on a patient’s ability to pay, making health care accessible to underserved communities. In Knox County, their impact on residents' well-being is undeniable.

I also want to extend my thanks to the staff at O’Bleness Hospital for showing me around their Athens facility. We discussed the recent improvements they’ve made and the unique challenges they face serving Ohio’s Appalachian region.

Saluting Our Veterans

I’ll wrap up by giving a shout-out to the Holmes County Veteran Service Commission’s Monthly Coffee Group. I had the honor of attending their August gathering to listen to their unique needs and share with them how I’m working to serve them and their fellow veterans in Washington. Our current and former servicemembers represent the best of America, and it is my mission to serve them to the best of my ability.

If you are a veteran, know that my office is here to serve you. Whether it’s dealing with the VA or ensuring you receive the benefits you’ve earned, I have a team dedicated to assisting you. Call my Pickerington office at (614) 523-2555 or email me for more information: https://balderson.house.gov/contact/