If you woke up today and heard a rumor about a massive plant closing down the road, you probably went straight to the Ohio WARN notices list. It’s the natural instinct. But honestly? The way we read these notices has changed completely because of the new "Mini-WARN" laws that just kicked in.
The data for 2026 is already rolling in. It's not just a dry spreadsheet from the Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) anymore. It’s a map of how the state’s economy is shifting in real-time.
The Big News: New Horizons and Recent Filings
Yesterday, on January 16, 2026, a major notice hit the desk. New Horizons Baking Company is shuttering its Toledo plant. We're talking about 68 people losing their jobs.
Basically, the company says the old infrastructure at the New York Avenue facility just can’t keep up with their growth plans. This isn't a "maybe" situation; the layoffs start around March 17.
What’s wild is that New Horizons is actually expanding in Columbus with a high-speed bun facility, but that doesn't help the folks in Toledo who are now looking at the calendar.
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It’s been a busy month for the ODJFS. Just look at these other recent hits:
- Double Tree Cleveland: 66 people out of work by the end of January.
- FTI Buyer LLC (BIDFTA): Over 100 people in Cincinnati affected by a closure in March.
- Sumaria Systems: A defense contractor at Wright-Patterson AFB cutting nearly 60 jobs because of a lost F-16 contract.
Why Ohio WARN Notices Today Look Different
You’ve probably noticed the list feels a bit "heavier" lately. That’s because of Ohio Revised Code 4113.31.
Most people call it the "Mini-WARN Act." It officially took flight late last year, and 2026 is the first full year we’re seeing it in action. Before this, companies could sometimes dodge the 60-day notice if the layoff didn't hit a specific percentage of their workforce.
Not anymore.
Now, if a company has 100+ employees and they cut 50 or more people at one site within 30 days, they must file a notice. The "33% rule" from the federal law is gone for Ohio. If 50 people go, the notice goes up. Simple.
This change is why you’re seeing more "mid-sized" layoffs appearing on the public tracker. It’s not necessarily that more people are being fired compared to five years ago, but rather that the state is finally forcing companies to be transparent about it.
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The "Mini-WARN" Nuance You Need to Know
Honestly, the paperwork is a headache for HR departments, but it’s a win for you. Under the new rules, the notices have to be way more detailed.
They can't just say "we're closing." They have to give a detailed statement explaining why. They also have to notify the chief elected officials of both the city and the county.
If you’re a union worker, like the team at the New Horizons plant in Toledo (represented by United Steelworkers Local 1-377), the requirements are even stricter. The company has to break down exactly which departments are being gutted and whether you have "bumping rights" to take a job from someone with less seniority.
Common Misconceptions
I hear this all the time: "If my company isn't on the WARN list, I'm safe."
Wrong.
The WARN Act has loopholes. If a "faltering company" is actively seeking capital to stay afloat and thinks a layoff notice would ruin their chances of getting that money, they can sometimes delay the notice. Same goes for "unforeseeable business circumstances." If a warehouse burns down today, they aren't going to give you 60 days' notice.
Also, remote workers are a gray area. If you work from your couch in Dayton for a company based in California, do you count toward the Ohio site’s 50-person trigger? Usually, the law looks at where your work is "assigned" from, but it’s a messy legal battleground right now.
How to Track These in Real-Time
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, don't just wait for the news to report it. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services maintains a public database.
You can filter by year—make sure you're looking at the 2026 Public Notices of Layoffs and Closures.
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But here is a pro tip: look at the "Date Received" versus the "Layoff Date." Usually, you have a two-month window. If you see a notice today, the actual job losses often won't happen for 60 to 90 days. That is your window to polish the resume and hit the ground running.
Actionable Steps if Your Company Appears
If you see your employer on the list, or you just received a letter, don't panic. But don't wait.
- Check for "Bumping Rights": If you’re in a union, read your contract immediately. You might be able to move to a different facility.
- File for Unemployment Early: You can't usually collect until you’re actually out of work, but you can start the "Rapid Response" process. Ohio has teams that specifically help WARN-affected workers.
- Audit Your Benefits: Under the new Ohio law, if a company fails to give proper notice, they might owe you back pay and benefits for every day they were late. That's money in your pocket.
- Watch the "Date Received": If the company filed the notice less than 60 days before the layoff date, they better have a very good reason (like a natural disaster), or they’re in violation.
The economy in 2026 is moving fast. Between the winter storms that just shut down half of Northwest Ohio and the shifting defense contracts in Dayton, the Ohio WARN notices are the only way to see the "canary in the coal mine" before the floor drops out.
Keep an eye on the ODJFS portal every Tuesday—that’s often when the bulk of the new filings get uploaded to the public view. Stay informed, stay skeptical of "everything is fine" emails from management, and keep your LinkedIn profile active.
Next Steps for You
- Visit the ODJFS WARN Portal to see the full 2026 spreadsheet.
- Search for your specific county's "Rapid Response" coordinator to see what retraining grants are available this quarter.
- Review your employment contract for specific language regarding "mass layoffs" to see if your severance package exceeds the state minimums.