Ohio Department of Development

Press Room >> 2010 Press Releases

For Immediate Release
March 31, 2010

GE Commits To $51 Million Dayton Facility With Help From Ohio Third Frontier
$7.6 Million Research and Development Center Attraction Program Grant Helps Grow Aviation Industry in Ohio

COLUMBUS – Director of the Ohio Department of Development Lisa Patt-McDaniel today announced that the Ohio Third Frontier Commission has awarded a $7.6 million Research and Development Center Attraction Program Grant in support of GE Aviation Systems. The grant will be used to support the creation of an Electrical Power Integrated Systems Research and Development Center near Dayton, Ohio; a partnership between GE Aviation Systems and the University of Dayton Research Institute.

"Helping to launch innovative technology in the aviation industry is an important aim of Ohio Third Frontier," Ohio Governor Ted Strickland said. "This investment underscores the importance of linking Ohio's educational and industrial research strengths to boost Ohio as an advanced technology leader."

"GE's new research and development center will be focused on making improvements to aircraft," Patt-McDaniel said. "It will further cement Dayton's position as a leader in advanced aviation technology and will help GE Aviation Systems gain market share in the aerospace electrical power systems market."

The exact location of the facility has yet to be determined, however GE has committed to bringing this $51 million facility to the Dayton region. It will be the only GE Aviation Systems center of its kind in the world, and the company expects operations to begin in 2012.

"The close proximity to the University of Dayton Research Institute, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and its Air Force Research Labs was a big part of GE's decision to come to Dayton," said Vic Bonneau, president of Electric Power for GE Aviation Systems. "This center will be used to design products that will deliver electrical power efficiently for our military and commercial customers."

GE Aviation currently has more than 1,000 employees at facilities in the Dayton area. The company is working closely with the University of Dayton Research Institute as a collaborative research partner on this venture, helping to create 10 to 15 new jobs in the first year, with the potential of an additional 100 to 200 jobs depending on future contracts for development of advanced electrical power systems for next generation military and civilian aircraft.

The advanced electrical power systems will serve as an integrated power source to an aircraft's engine starting, communications, lighting, air conditioning, braking, landing gear, and flight control systems. The University of Dayton Research Institute will assist with modeling, simulation, analysis, and validation of new electrical power systems in partnership with GE Aviation Systems that will engineer, design, and manufacture the systems.

For more information about Ohio Third Frontier, please visit www.OhioThirdFrontier.com.

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.

Ohio Third Frontier, an unprecedented and bipartisan commitment to create new technology-based products, companies, industries, and jobs, has commercialized or created more than 630 companies and attracted more than $4.76 billion in private investment to Ohio, and a nearly 9:1 return on investment since its inception.

GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE, is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components, and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings. GE Aviation Systems LLC and GE Aviation Systems Ltd. are subsidiaries of the GE. For more information, visit www.ge.com/aviation.

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or the Communications and Marketing Office at (614) 466-2609