FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2008

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced that Westside Industrial Retention and Expansion Network (WIRE-Net) has been awarded an $850,000 grant to identify, expand, and promote Ohio's wind energy supply chain. WIRE-Net was the successful applicant to the Ohio Wind Supply Chain Request for Proposals released by the Ohio Energy Office in February.

"By leveraging Ohio's historic strengths - our large manufacturing base and dedicated workforce - to establish a strong and sustainable manufacturing supply chain, Ohio can sharpen our competitive advantage in the wind industry," said Fisher, who serves as the Director of the Department of Development. "Our wind supply chain creates new jobs and investment from current Ohio component manufacturers, and attracts new companies to our State by providing critical resources, access to a skilled workforce, manufacturing capacity, and transportation infrastructure. We are pleased to team with WIRE-Net to increase this opportunity to lead the country in manufacturing wind turbines and component parts."

Wind energy is the world's fastest growing energy resource with over 29% annual growth over the past 5 years. Record demand for wind power has caused a two-year supply shortage of wind turbines and is pushing up the costs of ambitious wind energy projects in the United States. The demand is causing developers to secure deals for new wind turbines long before construction begins on their projects. In some cases, if developers have not secured their turbines immediately, they face at least a two-year wait.

WIRE-Net's Great Lakes Wind Network will partner with several Ohio organizations, including the Edison Welding Institute, the Edison Materials Technology Center, and Ohio University on this project over the next 12 months. The Network connects leaders from manufacturing companies serving the wind industry to help create new business opportunities, link buyers with sellers, and educate on market needs and trends.

WIRE-Net provides businesses with support in identifying and sharing best practices among manufacturing firms, making the direct connection between innovation and successful manufacturing business strategy, providing hands-on and peer-to-peer support for company leaders to use innovation as a growth strategy, and links company leaders to cost-effective resources to assist with successful innovation implementation.

The Ohio Energy Office within the Ohio Department of Development works with individuals, communities, non-profit organizations, businesses of all sizes, industry, and government agencies to create a robust economy supported by multiple energy sources, energy efficiency, and advanced technology with added value for the quality of life for all Ohioans.

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Media contacts: Melissa Vince at (614) 466-6619 or Kelly Schlissberg at (614) 466-4133