Committee hears testimony for bill to fund job training at nonprofit thrift retailers

Chairman Romer opened the House Ways and Means Committee hearing on House Bill 100, which would authorize a grant program through the Ohio Department of Development for nonprofit organizations that sell donated goods to create or expand job training and placement programs. Ann Richards, president and CEO of Goodwill of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio, and Willie Knighton Jr., reentry support specialist at Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio, testified in support.

Richards said the Ohio Association of Goodwill Industries operates local Goodwill organizations that serve people with disabilities, veterans, returning citizens and others with barriers to employment, and asked lawmakers to “support this bill to create a new program through the Department of Development by which nonprofit organizations that sell donated goods could apply for a grant to create or expand job training and job placement programs.”

Nut graf: Supporters told the committee the proposed grants would expand training and placement services for groups that face persistent employment barriers, and cited programs already run by Goodwill affiliates as examples of how the money could be used.

Willie Knighton described direct reentry services his organization provides and said Goodwill’s reentry program has a recidivism rate of 5 percent compared with the state’s 30 percent and the national 49 percent. “By passing House Bill 100, you will have a direct effect on helping people in our state who need a hand up to financial independence and a true second chance,” Knighton told the committee.

Lawmakers asked about program details. Representative Hall asked whether the grant would include an administrative set‑aside; Richards said typical grants include about 10–12 percent for administration but that the applicants she represents planned to direct funds to programming rather than administration. Representative Richardson asked why Goodwill needed additional funding given its thrift revenue model; Richards said outside for‑profit competitors and donation diversion are reducing the donated goods that fund Goodwill programs and cited a national Deloitte study projecting declines if the organization does not adapt.

Committee members and witnesses also discussed program scale and application limits. During questioning a committee member referenced that the statewide ask in testimony was $5,000,000 with awards up to $1,000,000 per application; Richards and Knighton described local use cases such as a “Prosperity to Work” employer partnership and veteran employment services that provide resume help, licensure assistance and placement connections.

Ending: The committee recorded written testimony from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and concluded the second hearing on House Bill 100 without a committee vote. Witnesses said the grants would expand existing workforce programs if funded.