Secretary Husted Releases New Business Filing Figures for June 2017

Three out of four Ohio businesses are now started using Ohio Business Central

COLUMBUS– Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted today announced 9,834 new entities filed to do business in Ohio during June 2017, an increase of 1,354 when compared to the same month in 2016.

To date, 63,179 new entities have filed to do business in Ohio this year. With the creation of Ohio Business Central, the online business filing site founded by Secretary Husted in 2013, the number of new business filings continues to climb. Today, three out of every four new entities are started online. Since Ohio Business Central’s launch nearly four years ago, the Secretary of State’s Office has processed over 264,282 online filings.

June 2017 marked 20 months since Secretary Husted reduced the cost of starting and maintaining a business in the Buckeye State by 21 percent. This change has saved Ohio businesses more than $4.3 million to date. 

Secretary Husted’s efforts to cut costs and enhance government efficiencies don’t stop there. For the remainder of his term, Secretary Husted will run the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office without using any tax dollars – a move that will save taxpayers nearly $5 million in the next two years. This cut in state spending is the result of Secretary Husted’s wise financial stewardship since entering office in 2011. During his first term, he reduced spending by $14.5 million, a 16 percent reduction when compared to the previous administration. He is also operating his office with nearly 32 percent fewer staff. With only 130 employees, down from 190 when Secretary Husted took office, payroll costs at the Secretary of State’s Office are now at the lowest level in nine years. 

Secretary Husted’s success in improving customer service is also apparent by the fact that more people are choosing Ohio as the place to do business. Earlier this year he announced that 2016 was the seventh consecutive year the state has seen a record number of new entities filing to do business in Ohio  (read more). With strong filing growth in the first quarter of 2017, Ohio is well on its way to another record year.  
 
Though the most visible role of the Secretary of State is that of chief elections officer, the office is also the first stop for individuals or companies who want to file and start a business in Ohio. While recognizing these numbers can’t provide a complete picture of Ohio’s jobs climate, they are an important indicator of economic activity that Secretary Husted hopes will add to the ongoing discussion of how to improve the state’s overall climate for business. 
                                                                                              
NOTE: New business filings are classified as forms filed with the Ohio Secretary of State that declare the formation of a business entity, including for-profit, non-profit and professional corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships. Filing as a business in Ohio does not guarantee the company will begin operations, be profitable or create jobs.

Editor’s Quick Facts:

• 9,834 new entities filed to do business in Ohio during June 2017 making it the best month for new businesses in Ohio history.
  • 1,354 more entities filed in June 2017 than during the same month in 2016.
• Since Ohio Business Central was launched, over 264,282 entities have been formed online through June 2017.
  • Three out of every four businesses are now started online in Ohio.
• Since Secretary Husted reduced the cost of starting and maintaining a business in Ohio businesses have saved over $4.3 million.
• Cut spending by more than $14.5 million during his first term – a 16 percent reduction compared to the previous administration.
• Reduced staff by 32 percent – from 190 in 2011 to 130 today.
• Requested and was approved of a 100 percent cut in tax dollars needed to run his office for the next two years, saving taxpayers nearly $5 million.