Defense technology company Anduril Industries will build a manufacturing facility in Pickaway County, about 80 miles from Dayton

In today’s Morning Briefing, we tell you about the largest single job creation and new payroll project in Ohio’s history and the impact it will have on the state. We also go over the surprising removal of U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

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Defense firm to bring 4,000 manufacturing jobs to Ohio

Anduril Industries will build a large manufacturing facility in Pickaway County, bringing a key Air Force vendor to an area about 80 miles from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Dayton area.

• About Anduril: Based in Costa Mesa, Calif., Anduril seeks to build U.S. military weapons and platforms by “hyperscaling” manufacturing with advanced software and production technologies.

• Location: The facility will be built on 500 acres in Pickaway County near Rickenbacker International Airport, , with room for future growth. By 2035.

• Jobs: It will employ some 4,000 workers, who company and government officials say will have an average salary of $132,000. In addition to the 4,000 direct jobs, the project is anticipated to create a total of 4,500 indirect and induced jobs over the next decade and more than $2 billion in annual economic output.

• What do they manufacture? Some of the first products to be made at the planned facility will be the company’s autonomous “Fury” aircraft, as well as the “Barracuda” a low-cost cruise missile, and the “Road Runner” surface-to-air weapon.

• What Anduril co-founder and CEO Brian Schimpf said: The facility, dubbed “Aresenal-1,” will produce “tens of thousands of autonomous systems annually” and greatly add to the “war-fighting capabilities” of America and its allies.

• Arsenal 1: The 5 million-square-foot facility represents the largest single job creation and new payroll project in Ohio’s history and is projected to add nearly $1 billion to Ohio’s gross domestic product.

• What Gov. DeWine is saying: “With Wright-Patterson Air Force Base continuing to grow where it is today, it puts the companies like Anduril very close to the customer (the Air Force). That, I think, is a vitally important thing.”

Turner removed as Intelligence Committee chair

In a surprise shake-up that seized national attention, U.S. Rep. Mike Turner was removed Wednesday from his position as chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

• The Intelligence Committee: Created in 1977, the Intelligence Committee is responsible for oversight of the U.S. intelligence community. In fiscal year 2022, the intelligence community had funding of nearly $90 billion.

• Turner’s tenure on the committee: Turner had been the top Republican on the committee since the start of 2023. He has served on the committee since 2015. Turner was Dayton’s first elected official to serve in a leadership role on a national security committee in the U.S. House.

• 'Gang of Eight': Turner was a member of the so-called “Gang of Eight,” a small group of lawmakers and federal officials enjoying prized access to some of the most classified data.

• Trump’s influence: Turner has told people that House Speaker Mike Johnson, who removed him from the position, informed him his ouster was the result of a request from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

• Turner’s statement: “I’m very proud to have served on the House Intelligence Committee and as its chairman,” Turner posted on X. “There are great members on the committee, and I’m honored to have served with them. Under my leadership, we restored the integrity of the committee and returned its mission to its core focus of national security. The threat from our adversaries is real and requires serious deliberations.”

• His replacement: Johnson appointed Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., as the new chairman of the committee on Thursday.

What to know today

• One big takeaway: After a historic rise in property taxes and continually high sales prices, county auditors say expanding the Homestead Exemption program and other measures could provide needed tax relief to Ohio communities.

• Tip of the day: How to check for vole damage to your garden after the snow melts.

• Person to know today: Tia Bellinger. For this Fairborn woman, helping animals in need seemed a natural segue in her career path after growing up around them her entire life.

• Big move of the day: Dayton Children’s is expanding its primary care services along both north and south Interstate 75 after acquiring two independent pediatric offices.

• Dayton eats: Barry Bagels is opening a second location in the Dayton region this summer. The Toledo-based chain serves bagels, spreads, bagel sandwiches, soups, salads and much more.

• Quote of the day: “Through food, we can deliver love, support, and a sense of healing,” said Bill Castro, general manager and partner of El Meson, which is partnering with World Central Kitchen to contribute to wildfire relief efforts in Southern California. “A warm meal can bring a smile, even in the darkest of times, and remind people that tomorrow can be a better day.”

• Things to do: Martin Luther King Jr. Day is this coming Monday. Here is a list of events.