Ohio partners with businesses to tackle military spouse un- and underemployment
Colombus, Ohio — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes (HOH), in partnership with the state of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Veteran Services, officially launched the Ohio Military Spouse Economic Empowerment Zone (MSEEZ) on Tuesday.
The Ohio MSEEZ is a collaboration of businesses and community partners across the state committed to identifying opportunities and barriers to entry for military spouses seeking meaningful employment. As part of the effort to tackle military spouse un- and underemployement, the MSEEZ will work to connect military spouses with employment opportunities throughout Ohio.
“Governor DeWine and I want to make Ohio the most military-friendly state in the country, and that means taking care of our military spouses, too,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. “This MSEEZ designation will help military spouses overcome employment challenges so they can find great jobs. Whether their time in Ohio is brief or long-term, we want them to know that our state has welcomed them and will support them.”
Since 2018, Hiring Our Heroes has launched 20 MSEEZ throughout the country including, a Remote MSEEZ focused on remote working opportunities. These nationwide economic empowerment zones have three overarching goals; hire, train and advocate.
“This is not just about finding employment but finding meaningful employment and the right career opportunities for military spouses,” said Ryan Blackburn, the Manager of Veteran Workforce Development, Ohio Department of Veterans Services. The Ohio MSEEZ working group, chaired by Blackburn, will further advance the mission of helping military spouses tackle employment issues head-on.
“Being visible as a military spouse-friendly employer is important – it signals that you understand their unique work histories. It also means you understand the unique challenges spouses face as they move around the country and sometimes the world due to their spouses’ military responsibilities,” said Eric Eversole, president of Hiring Our Heroes and vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
