2004 Finalist: Oil and Gas Emergency Management Web site

This Web site provides the oil and gas industry, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and local emergency responders with immediate access to up-to-date information about oil and gas well ownership, emergency contacts, location, oil storage capacity, production history and other data necessary to respond to an oil spill, gas leak or well fire.

2003 Winner: Ohio Business Gateway

This program is a Web-based filing and payment system that allows business taxpayers to file and pay various state level taxes to different state agencies at one Web site electronically for free.  The program is designed to provide a "one stop shop" for businesses to comply with a variety of state agency tax and reporting requirements, including sales tax, employer withholding, worker's compensation, unemployment compensation and unclaimed funds.

2003 Finalist: Parks Subcontracting Process

This process is designed to determine when it is more economical and efficient to contract work out, and when it’s best to use existing staff. The process was developed through a collaborative agreement between labor and management in the Department of Natural Resources.

2003 Finalist: Project Employee

This program creates a new category of appointed state employees which allows state agencies to hire union workers to fill short-term positions created through state and federal grants. The new designation avoids some of the more cumbersome aspects of the traditional hiring process, benefiting both state agencies and unions.

Have an innovative program in your state? Apply for an Innovations award!