• Share what's happening in your business with policymakers through the Business Outlook and Trends Survey
• Examine how immigrant populations contribute to our region's labor market and economic outlook on June 18 at the Immigration and Regional Growth event
• How the "Build to Scale" Reauthorization Act would position our region for innovation and job growth

General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Important Deadlines

Voter registration deadline: October 5



Early in-person voting:

October 6 – November 2



Absentee voting by mail:

October 6 – November 2



*Absentee ballots must be received by your board of elections on election day by 7:30 p.m



What You'll Need to Register Online

• Ohio driver license or Ohio identification card number
• Name
• Date of Birth
• Address
• Last four digits of your Social Security number



*For more information, or to check your voter registration status, click here.

Your Voice Matters: Business Outlook and Trends Survey

Help shape the economic outlook for Greater Akron. The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland’s 2026 Business Outlook & Trends Survey is now open—offering a quick, 5-minute opportunity to share what you’re seeing in your business.

In partnership with the Greater Akron Chamber, this data directly informs policymakers, enhances regional economic analysis, and provides early insight into trends before they appear nationally.

The questions are best answered by the business owner or a key financial decisionmaker in the business, and all responses remain confidential. The survey is open through June 10, 2026.

A Candid Conversation on Immigration and Regional Growth

For employers, immigration is not abstract—it directly impacts workforce availability, talent pipelines, and the ability to grow.

Hosted by the Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance, this event will explore data-driven insights from the American Immigration Council (AIC) in a candid conversation with Congresswoman Emilia Sykes; Juan Alvarez, American Immigration Council; business leaders, and community stakeholders on how immigrant populations impact key industries, population trends, local and regional economies, and workforce gaps across our region.

Attendees will receive an exclusive first look at the AIC's new report detailing updated datapoints on how immigrant populations fit into our regional economy, and have the opportunity to participate in Q&A with presenters.

Join the conversation on Thursday, June 18 from 8:30-11:30 AM at Embassy Suites, North Canton. Registration opens at 7:30 AM with breakfast and networking, and the program will begin promptly at 8:30 AM.

Property Taxes, State Capital Budget, Data Centers at the Center of ACAA meeting

At the ACAA’s recent bi-monthly meeting, members discussed several key issues shaping Ohio’s business climate, including property taxes, the State Capital Budget, and the growing impact of data centers.

Property Taxes

Keary McCarthy, Executive Director of the Ohio Mayors Alliance, presented on behalf of the Ohioans to Protect Public Services Coalition, outlining the potentially devastating impacts of eliminating property taxes on public services and local communities.

As the ACAA discussed its own position, members explored how the state might respond to lost revenue, such as potential increases to income and sales taxes, and the broader implications for businesses and the talent pipeline. While no formal position was taken during this meeting, the ACAA is committed to educating members on what property tax elimination could mean for our communities.



State Senator Casey Weinstein also provided updates on how legislators are responding to these proposals, along with the latest updates with the State Capital Budget process and the ongoing conversations around data centers in Ohio.

Data Centers

Data centers have become a hot topic for government, business, and nonprofit stakeholders. While there is broad agreement on their impact on Ohio’s economic future, there is a debate on how state and local governments should facilitate their development.

The Joint Data Center Committee recently launched and is holding hearings to “have the debate” and gather perspectives as the legislature considers policy action. Around the same time, Governor DeWine paused the Data Center Tax Exemption, emphasizing the importance of allowing the Joint Data Center Committee process to unfold.

Regional leaders are actively discussing this situation. If you are interested in participating alongside key stakeholders and state legislators, please reach out to John Rizzo.

State Capital Budget

The State Legislature is planning to introduce and pass a capital bill in June, with an estimated $150M - $200M allocated for Community Projects.

Many of our community partners have projects relying on this process, and applicants are encouraged to stay in close contact with their legislators and reach out if they have any questions.

If these topics or conversations are of interest and you would like to explore joining the ACAA – which will provide the opportunity to regularly engage in these dialogues – please contact Daisha Okolo to schedule an initial meeting.

"Build to Scale" Reauthorization Act Positions Regions for Innovation and Job Growth

The bipartisan Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026, introduced by Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) and Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN), seeks to extend and strengthen the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) current Build to Scale program through fiscal year 2030, reinforcing federal support for entrepreneurship and regional innovation.

This bill is designed to help startups scale, strengthen regional innovation ecosystems, and drive job creation nationwide, especially in communities that have historically faced barriers to economic growth. For regions like ours, continued investment could enhance our ability to compete in emerging, technology-driven industries.

Key provisions of the Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026 include:

• Reauthorize the program through 2030.
• Expand access to capital for startups and entrepreneurs.
• Increase outreach to rural, trade-impacted and distressed communities.
• Reduce barriers to participation through cost share waivers for distressed communities.
• Strengthen coordination with federal innovation initiatives, including national science foundation programs and regional tech hubs.

Overall, the legislation would enhance technology-based economic development nationwide, creating new opportunities for innovation, investment, and workforce growth. By strengthening regional innovation hubs and improving access to resources, the bill aims to ensure that more communities can participate in, and benefit from, the innovation economy.

Once the reauthorization is enacted, the ACAA will actively work with regional partners to help ensure that our region gets its fair share of funding. 

The Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance is a collaboration of the Greater Akron Chamber and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce to represent the needs of our 4,500 members and engage with elected officials and policymakers for the benefit of the Akron-Canton region.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

For more information, contact John Rizzo, Vice President, at jrizzo@akroncantonadvocacy.org or Daisha Okolo, Coordinator, at dokolo@akroncantonadvocacy.org.

STAY CONNECTED