Press Room >> 2009 Press Releases FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BARBASH ANNOUNCES OHIO THOMAS EDISON GRANTS COLUMBUS – Mark Barbash, Interim Director of the Ohio Department of Development, today announced the award of nearly $800,000 in Ohio Thomas Edison Grant funding to accelerate the ability of Ohio’s manufacturing industry to compete on a global scale. Targeted industry sector support, combined with partnership from the U.S. Department of Commerce, enhances Ohio’s ability to continue to bring world-class goods and services to market. The awards were approved today at a meeting of the Industrial Technology and Enterprise Advisory Council. ### Media contacts: Robert Grevey at (614) 466-6619 or
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership Connects Industry and Innovation
“Aligning resources that expand Ohio’s manufacturing community assures that our state’s companies have the opportunity for robust competition in the global economy,” Barbash said. “The evolution of the manufacturing industry necessitates a strategic focus to ensure that Ohio’s historical strength in manufacturing grows as an asset to our state generations to come.”
TechSolve and MAGNET, partners to the Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership, were each awarded $250,000 for their work to provide programs and services to Ohio’s manufacturers for cost and quality improvement, market diversity, and sustainability. The award by the State of Ohio is match funding to the federal award made to the Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership. The Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership is a cooperative agreement between the Ohio Department of Development and National Institute of Science and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce. This award supports TechSolve and MAGNET in their continuing work to enhance Ohio’s manufacturing strength by connecting the industry to the cutting-edge resources that they need to sustain global competitiveness.
The Center for Innovative Food Technology in the City of Toledo was awarded $90,000 for its work to expand Ohio’s food processing industry. Food Processing and agriculture are recognized industry strengths for the State of Ohio, combining our state’s abundant resources and the technologies necessary to bring them to the worldwide marketplace. The Center for Agriculture and Food Technology is an Ohio Edison Center, providing product and process innovation and commercialization services to both established and early-stage technology-based businesses. Toledo’s Center for Innovative Food Technology will expand its reach throughout the state to assist food processors and manufacturers in achieving growth and sustainability.
The Innovation Center at Ohio University, an Edison Program Technology Incubator serving Southeast Ohio, was awarded $100,000. The award represents an increase in funding assistance resulting from the demonstrated success the center has achieved in launching new start up businesses creating significant economic impact and new jobs. Diagnostics Hybrids, a recent graduate of the Innovation Center, is now one of the largest employers in Athens County. Diagnostics Hybrids has been a key contributor of supplies designated for the H1N1 flu virus test kits.
The Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition was awarded $100,000 to continue its work to advance the production of fuel cells in Ohio. At the 2009 Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium, May 27 & 28, Fuel Cells: Integration and Application For Advanced Energy Here and Now, the Fuel Cell Corridor will be engaged in a two-day, focused exploration of the initial waves of fuel cell commercialization.
The Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership is a cooperative agreement between the Ohio Department of Development and National Institute of Science and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, providing resources for complex manufacturing challenges to Ohio’s manufacturing community.
Working with our partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the non-profit 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.
the Communications and Marketing Office at (614) 466-2609