Press Room >> 2010 Press Releases

For Immediate Release:
January 29, 2010   

GOVERNOR, PATT-MCDANIEL ANNOUNCE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR
OHIO HUBS OF INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY 

COLUMBUS – Governor Ted Strickland and Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, today announced that the Ohio Department of Development is accepting proposals for the Ohio Hubs of Innovation and Opportunity initiative from regions across the state to establish an Ohio Hub. By year’s end, Ohio will have eight Hubs.

The goal of the Ohio Hubs of Innovation and Opportunity is for regions to leverage their resources to attract clusters of connected businesses, encourage new investments and an influx of talented workers, and create new opportunities to grow jobs and develop Ohio’s key industries.
“Ohio Hubs of Innovation and Opportunity help build connections between industry strengths already anchored in the urban core and the surrounding region,” Strickland said.  “Ohio’s Hubs will help our cities and regions do more of what they do best while positioning our state for long-term prosperity.”
To be designated an Ohio Hub, a region must identify core strengths and develop a strategic plan for urban and regional development.  An Ohio Hub designation is a commitment from both the state and region to work collaboratively and target economic development efforts toward building upon those identified strengths.
“Ohio is a state of many regions, each of which have their own rich history of innovation and a reputation for developing products that change the way we live and work,” Lt. Governor Lee Fisher said. “To compete globally we must first think locally and strengthen the assets that already make Ohio a great location to build your businesses.  Ohio Hubs will allow our state to take full advantage of what we are working to do better than anyone else – combine academic research with proven strategies to carry through to commercialization.”

Grants will be awarded by mid April 2010 to establish Department-designated Hubs in regions of Ohio. The largest metropolitan areas will be emphasized, and the Department remains committed to selecting the most meritorious proposals. The Department will provide additional technical assistance and support to regions not designated as Ohio Hubs as a result of this solicitation.  This work will be designed to encourage regions to revise and resubmit their proposals and enable the Department to better understand the specific dynamics of particular regions as they relate to the overall Ohio Hub concept.  Through this process, the Ohio Department of Development will be able to designate additional Ohio Hubs in Fiscal Year 2011, which begins July 1, 2010.

“Ohio Hubs represent an important commitment to catalyze opportunities within our regions,” Patt-McDaniel said.  “The Ohio Hubs complement and leverage the resources and investments already working in our communities including the Ohio Third Frontier, Ohio Edison Centers and Incubators, Clean Ohio Fund, Job Ready Sites, and Ohio Department of Development economic and community development programs.”

Today, Governor Strickland and Director Patt-McDaniel announced a $250,000 grant to the Ohio Aerospace Hub in Dayton, which the Department identified as Ohio’s first Hub in September 2009. The Dayton Hub builds upon investments and research related to the Aerospace and Aviation cluster.  The Ohio Aerospace Hub has an application and technology emphasis on sensors and advanced materials. It is a collaboration among the City of Dayton, CityWide Development Corporation, University of Dayton, Montgomery County, and the Dayton Development Corporation, with the active support of the Ohio Department of Development.  An urban center was identified stretching from the University of Dayton to the Tech Town complex encompassing the Oregon District and Miami Valley Hospital. 

Proposals will be weighted based on market-driven, applied, technology assets; regional focus; commercialization support; human capital; stewardship/leadership; and timeline and budget.

The Ohio Hubs of Innovation and Opportunity Request for Proposal inquiry period opens January 29 and ends February 17, 2010 with responses accepted through March 15, 2010. To view the request for proposal, visit  www.development.ohio.gov/OhioHubs. Please contact the Policy Research and Strategic Planning Office at (614) 466-2116 with questions about the Ohio Hubs of Innovation and Opportunity initiative.

Proposals may be submitted to:

Ohio Department of Development
Policy Research & Strategic Planning
77 S. High St., 27th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Hubs@development.ohio.gov 

The Policy Research and Strategic Planning Division provides data and analysis on the economic, industrial, demographic, and program trends of the state of Ohio, its businesses, and its people.

Working with our partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the nonprofit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is absolutely necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio’s future. 

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Media contacts: Katie Sabatino at (614) 466-6212
or  Eileen Turner at (614) 728-6674