Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 5147.16

The board of county commissioners may purchase or lease beds of limestone, or other suitable road-building material, after such material is approved by the director of transportation as suitable for the construction of roads, or such board may lease and operate a plant for the manufacture of brick or other road-building materials or supplies needed for the construction or maintenance of public roads in such county and employ a superintendent to supervise the work. When such property is purchased or leased, the board shall make the arrangements necessary to work the convicts of the county.