FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) — More businesses and public areas in Ohio are reopening.

Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine says the number of cases and deaths he's seeing in the state is a positive sign for the future.

Gov. DeWine says he's looking to secure more money for state and local governments, and won't put the health of his citizens over the reopening of businesses.

"It looked pretty good, people are doing what they need to do to distance and protect themselves," he says.

Ohio was one of the first states in the country to close down schools and businesses, and now like many others, they are reopening.

DeWine says more than 90% of businesses will be able to be back up and running by this week.

"We want to do it, we just have to do it safely," he adds.

The state is feeling the pandemic's effect.

DeWine says local and state governments will have less money to work with, which will lead to budget cuts, specifically in education. He's hoping more federal money, and flexibility with those dollars can change that.

He also says for Northwest Ohio, farmers could be getting some more help soon.

DeWine says he understands the past two years have been hard for farmers, but points to programs like the H2Ohio and grant money coming in to help them ease some of their pain.