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Ohio treasurer's office outlines new small-business loan program and STABLE-account changes during Greene County meeting
Summary
John Gomez of the Ohio Treasurer’s office briefed Greene County commissioners on Star Ohio investment performance, a new Buckeye Business Advantage linked-deposit loan program (up to $1 million with a 2.5–3% buy-down), updates to AgLink and Ohio Homebuyer Plus, and changes to STABLE accounts including fee elimination and expanded eligibility coming Jan. 1, 2026.
John Gomez, a representative of the Ohio Treasurer’s office, told Greene County commissioners on Oct. 9 that the state’s pooled investment fund Star Ohio continues to generate about 4.5% in yield and manages roughly $20 billion to $25 billion in assets.
Gomez used his presentation to highlight consumer and small-business programs the treasurer’s office operates. He introduced Buckeye Business Advantage, a linked-deposit loan program the office plans to start accepting applications for around Oct. 20. Under the program, businesses with fewer than 150 employees may apply for loans of up to $1,000,000; the treasurer’s office will buy down participating banks’ interest rates by roughly 2.5 to 3 percentage points for an initial two-year period, Gomez said. The office finances the subsidy by purchasing certificates of deposit and using the interest to reduce borrower rates.
Gomez said the treasurer’s office has about $1.5 billion available initially for Buckeye Business Advantage, but that figure is fluid as loan repayments return to the fund. He described Buckeye Business Advantage as similar to AgLink, an existing program for farmers.
The treasurer’s representative also reported that AgLink has saved Ohio borrowers about $10 million in interest during the first six months of the year and that Ohio Homebuyer Plus continues to enroll financial institutions and consumers (Gomez estimated about 100 participating institutions and between 17,000 and 20,000 accounts).
On STABLE accounts—tax-advantaged savings accounts for people with disabilities—Gomez summarized changes enacted in the most recent state budget. He said account fees have been eliminated as of July 1, the annual contribution limit is about $35,000, and the state has removed STABLE accounts from Medicaid estate-recovery. Gomez added that a separate change, the STABLE Age Adjustment Act, will take effect Jan. 1, 2026, increasing the age-of-onset eligibility from 26 to 46, which the treasurer’s office expects will expand the eligible population.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions. One commissioner asked whether a parent or legal guardian may open a STABLE account for a child; Gomez answered yes and said there is no youngest-age limit for guardians acting with appropriate authority. Another asked whether Homebuyer Plus has a ceiling on total state support; Gomez said linked-deposit programs are limited by state law to a percentage of the treasury’s investable assets and that the treasurer’s office had not exhausted its statutory cap.
Gomez framed the programs as tools to save local governments and residents money on bond projects, support farmers and small businesses, and make homeownership and long-term savings more accessible. He encouraged county officials to contact the treasurer’s office for conference and continuing-education information and provided a one-page summary of the office’s programs.
The presentation concluded with commissioners thanking Gomez. The meeting record shows no formal action or vote tied to the treasurer’s report.
