August 19, 200519 yr From Columbus Business First, 8/17/05: Ohio Chamber supports Issue 1 The Ohio Chamber of Commerce has thrown its weight behind Issue 1, the state's $2 billion bond package to fund infrastructure and high-tech development. The chamber said Tuesday the issue will support two important needs in Ohio: rebuilding infrastructure and promoting entrepreneurs. The issue, known as the Jobs for Ohio package, will appear on the November ballot. The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions, a conservative think-tank based in Columbus, opposes the Third Frontier because it involves the state in private enterprise. And the Ohio Roundtable, a group that promotes conservative Judeo-Christian values, opposes the Third Frontier because it does not include a ban on embryonic stem cell research. Full story at http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2005/08/15/daily21.html?from_rss=1
August 24, 200519 yr From the AP, 8/20/05: Ohio farm bureau to support ballot issue on tech bonds Saturday, August 20, 2005 Associated Press Columbus - The Ohio Farm Bureau, the only group to oppose technology bonds when voters defeated them two years ago, said Friday it would support a revamped ballot question that pairs the high-tech borrowing with public-works bonds. "Our concerns from two years ago have been addressed," said Jack Fisher, executive vice president. Full story at http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/112453022741861.xml&coll=2
August 27, 200519 yr From the 8/26/05 Cincinnati Business Courier: Third Frontier fuel-cell grant proposals sought Ohio officials are searching for companies interested in going after Third Frontier money intended for fuel-cell development. The Ohio Department of Development, which oversees Third Frontier, released a request for proposals Friday for grants dedicated toward the effort. The state set aside $100 million to promote fuel-cell technology in Ohio. The grants are designed to have companies move products to market or develop working prototypes. Full story at http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2005/08/22/daily44.html?from_rss=1 From the 8/26/05 Dayton Daily News: Venture capital money offered Third Frontier program wants to fund inventors By Stephanie Irwin [email protected] DAYTON | Ohio's Third Frontier program opened up another round of grant funding this week, this time for venture capital groups who help inventors move their bright ideas out of their basements. The Third Frontier Commission is taking requests for its $6 million Pre-Seed Initiative, formerly called the Validation and Seed Fund Initiative. As one of six funding groups under Third Frontier's wing, the Pre-Seed Initiative targets the nascent business, when an individual or company has that "what if" idea — and not much else. Full story at http://www.daytondailynews.com/business/content/business/daily/0826thirdfrontier.html
September 20, 200519 yr From the 9/15/05 Dayton Business Journal: Chamber endorses Issue 1 The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce has endorsed state Issue 1, the $2 billion initiative intended to boost job creation. Local and state officials expect the money to fund infrastructure projects and development-ready sites across Ohio. Issue 1 will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot. Full story at http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2005/09/12/daily34.html
September 28, 200519 yr From the 9/23/05 Cincinnati Business Courier: Development group backs Issue 1 The Ohio Economic Development Association Friday threw its support behind state Issue 1, the $2 billion initiative intended to create more jobs. The group's endorsement represents the support of more than 350 economic development professionals statewide. Local and state officials expect the money to fund infrastructure projects and development-ready sites across Ohio. Issue 1 will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot. Issue 1 includes the sale of bonds to continue $1.35 billion in funding for a state-subsidized infrastructure program, $500 million for the Third Frontier program and $150 million to help create shovel-ready development sites. Full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050924/NEWS02/509240390/-1/NEWS
September 29, 200519 yr From Columbus Business First, 9/26/05: Take two for Third Frontier Columbus gets a big buck from state for tech work, but will Ohioans say 'yes' to more? Dan Eaton Business First Central Ohio businesses and institutions account for almost one-third of the $325 million the state has doled out for Third Frontier Project funding since the program's 2002 start. Supporters say the money is generating private investment and economic growth, though critics of the program are skeptical of job projections and have questioned using public money to promote private ventures. Anthony Dennis, president of Omeris, the state agency that builds and promotes Ohio's bioscience business, said the program is progressing. Full story at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2005/09/26/story4.html
October 1, 200519 yr From the 9/28/05 Dayton Daily News: Glenn to lead Jobs for Ohio issue Takes position after getting assurances of bipartisan effort By William Hershey Dayton Daily News COLUMBUS | Former U.S. Sen. John Glenn agreed to lead the campaign to win voter approval of State Issue One, the $2 billion Jobs for Ohio bond proposal on the Nov. 8 ballot, after he determined it would be a genuinely bipartisan effort, former lobbyist Paul Tipps said Tuesday. Glenn's involvement in the campaign was confirmed by Tipps, a longtime Glenn friend and a former chairman of both the Montgomery County and Ohio Democratic Party, and by Mary Jane Veno, a Glenn aide. At a campaign kickoff event today in Columbus, Glenn and business, labor and local government leaders who support the issue are scheduled to join Lt. Gov. Bruce Johnson, who is also the state development director. Gov. Bob Taft is not expected to attend. Republican Taft, who led the failed effort to win approval of a $500 million Third Frontier bond issue in 2003, is scheduled to be at three school dedications in Clark County. Full story at http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0928glenn.html From Columbus Business First, 9/27/05: Realtors vote 'yea' on Issue 1 The Ohio Association of Realtors on Tuesday came out in favor of state Issue 1, a $2 billion bond proposition to build and restore infrastructure and promote high-technology development in Ohio. The Columbus-based group said is expects Issue 1 will help spur job creation and improve the quality of life of its 34,000 members. The state can pay off the bonds without raising taxes, the association said. Issue 1 will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot. The package consists of: * $1.4 billion for public works projects around the state, including roads, bridges and water projects. * $150 million to clean up former industrial sites, known as brownfields. * $500 million for the Third Frontier project, the state's program to spur tech development. The state would use the money to provide grants or loans to technology companies or research institutions. Full story at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2005/09/26/daily15.html
October 6, 200519 yr From the 10/2/05 PD: New territory for failed Third Frontier Folksier ballot drive downplays tech, Taft Sunday, October 02, 2005 Julie Carr Smyth and Becky Gaylord Plain Dealer Reporters Columbus -- In a memo two years ago, Ohio State University board Chairman Dan Slane accused Gov. Bob Taft and then-chief of staff Brian Hicks of seizing control of the Third Frontier concept from private interests and gutting its effectiveness as a high-tech job creator. Slane, then the board's vice chairman, lamented to President Karen Holbrook that Taft and Hicks got the idea from Cincinnati bond lawyer H.C. "Buck" Niehoff, allowed "voters to believe the Third Frontier was anything they wanted it to be," and "all the CEOs walked away." Full story at http://www.cleveland.com/ohio/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/112826787953380.xml&coll=2
October 7, 200519 yr From the 10/5/05 Dayton Daily News: Groups join to oppose Issue One, cite stem cell question By William Hershey Dayton Daily News COLUMBUS | A coalition of anti-abortion and pro-family groups Tuesday announced its opposition to State Issue One, the $2 billion Jobs for Ohio bond proposal. The coalition said the issue "leaves the door open for taxpayer-funding of embryonic stem cell experimentation on human embryos," said Lori Viars, president of Warren County Right to Life, a coalition member. Issue One, a constitutional amendment on the Nov. 8 ballot, would provide: $1.35 billion for continuing a public works program that helps local governments pay for roads, bridges and other projects; $500 million for Taft's Third Frontier project, aimed at linking universities with businesses to create products and high-paying, high-tech jobs, and $150 million to prepare sites for industrial and commercial development. Full story at http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/1005bond.html
October 8, 200519 yr From the 10/6/05 Toledo Blade: PHOTO: Bruce Johnson NOV. 8 VOTE Toledoans urged to support $2B ballot issue By TAD VEZNER BLADE STAFF WRITER The state's second-in-command visited Toledo yesterday to promote a multibillion-dollar bond issue the Taft administration will ask Ohioans to approve in November, but he remained vague about dollar amounts that might be allocated to projects in this area. Lt. Gov. Bruce Johnson pitched the $2 billion initiative, known as Issue 1, as essential for job growth statewide. He urged members of the Regional Growth Partnership and the Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce to support the measure locally. Full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051006/NEWS09/510060340/-1/NEWS From the 10/6/05 Youngstown Vindicator: Officials to drum up support for Issue 1 An official says the program is one of the greatest Ohio has ever had By D.A. WILKINSON VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU LISBON — Columbiana County commissioners have endorsed state Issue 1, which would fund capital improvement projects throughout the state. The commissioners said Wednesday they plan to meet with township trustees and other groups to drum up local support for the issue, which will be on the Nov. 8 ballot. Full story at http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/322517836422639.php
October 12, 200519 yr More support, from the 10/10/05 AP: Dispatch endorses state Issue 1 By the Associated Press COLUMBUS | The Columbus Dispatch on Sunday endorsed state Issue 1, a jobs and construction bonds measure. The jobs proposal, part of Gov. Bob Taft's Third Frontier initiative, has bipartisan support, with former astronaut and U.S. Sen. John Glenn serving as chairman of the campaign pushing for passage. The Dispatch said the issue's passage on Nov. 8 was essential because its three elements would provide needed jobs, sites where people could work and infrastructure improvements that businesses need to stay and grow. Full story at http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/1010ohissue1.html
October 13, 200519 yr From the 10/12/05 Enquirer: Others will sell Issue 1 Unpopular governor out of U.S. By Howard Wilkinson Enquirer staff writer If Ohio voters go to the polls in November and pass Issue 1, a $2 billion jobs and construction bond measure, Ohio Gov. Bob Taft is likely to look on it as a lasting legacy of a troubled governorship. The irony is that he will have had very little to do with passing it. Earlier this year, Taft pledged to "sell the issue to Ohio voters." But with polls showing him the most unpopular governor in the nation - and the Nov. 8 Election Day only weeks away - he's opted to sell it by sending out his lieutenant governor, as he did Tuesday in Southwest Ohio. And by leaving the country. Full story at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051012/NEWS01/510120353/1056/rss02 From the 10/12/05 Enquirer: Groups oppose initiative over embryo research By Jon Craig Enquirer Columbus Bureau COLUMBUS - A dozen organizations concerned about the financial and right-to-life impacts of Issue 1 held a Statehouse news conference Tuesday to voice their opposition to the Nov. 8 ballot initiative. "Issue 1 leaves the door wide open for taxpayer dollars to be used to fund experiments on human embryos," Lori Viars of Warren County Right to Life said. She said there have been no successful clinical treatments developed using embryonic stem cells. Issue 1 is one of five issues Ohio voters will decide next month. Full story at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051012/NEWS01/510120359
October 21, 200519 yr From the 10/19/05 Toledo Blade: Redfern urges GOP not to push funding ban bill House measure prohibits financing for embryonic stem cell research By JIM PROVANCE BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU COLUMBUS - The Ohio House Democratic leader yesterday urged Republicans not to push a controversial bill prohibiting the spending of state research funds on projects involving embryonic stem cells and human cloning. House Speaker Jon Husted (R., Kettering) said talks continue among Republican members over whether to pass the bill before voters are asked on Nov. 8 to approve a package of three bond issues totaling $2 billion. As part of that package, $500 million would be earmarked for Gov. Bob Taft's pet program formerly known as Third Frontier, an investment in high-tech and biomedical research and product development. Mr. Husted said he sees no urgency for passage, saying he believes Issue 1 will pass despite attempts by more conservative groups to defeat it at the polls because it contains no restrictions on funding embryonic stem-cell research. Full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051019/NEWS24/510190435/-1/NEWS
October 22, 200519 yr From the 10/20/05 Toledo Blade: GOP drops bid to ban stem-cell funding BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU COLUMBUS - A controversial bill prohibiting the spending of state Third Frontier money on research involving human embryonic stem cells and cloning has been indefinitely shelved by House Republican leadership. "We had a heart-to-heart, well-thought-out discussion, but when it was concluded, we talked about where we are for votes on this," House Speaker Jon Husted said (R., Kettering) yesterday. "I informed Rep. [Mike] Gilb (R., Findlay) and the advocates that we do not have sufficient support among Republicans to pass the bill. They have indicated to me that they will pursue Democrat votes to break off from their leadership to pass the bill." Full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051020/NEWS24/510200388/-1/NEWS
October 23, 200519 yr DAMMIT! From the 10/21/05 Dayton Daily News: Senate to vote on stem cell research By William Hershey Dayton Daily News COLUMBUS | A day after the issue appeared dead in the Ohio House, Senate President Bill Harris, R-Ashland, said the Senate next week would vote on legislation to restrict state funding for embryonic stem cell research and he would support it. The debate over using state money for this research has become entangled in the campaign surrounding State Issue 1, a $2 billion "Jobs for Ohio" bond proposal on the Nov. 8 ballot. The legislation the Senate will vote on would restrict the use of Third Frontier money to embryonic stem cell lines in existence in August 2001, the same policy as the federal government's. Full story at http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/1021stemcell.html
October 26, 200519 yr From the 10/24/05 PD: Critics pan Ohio Issue One funding Venture capital firms invest Ohio grants elsewhere, critics say State's money aids firms elsewhere Monday, October 24, 2005 Becky Gaylord Plain Dealer Reporter Ohio has poured $325 million since 2002 into high-tech research and companies under a program called the Third Frontier. State officials want to spend $500 million more on the projects, which are intended to help homegrown jobs. Some of the $18 million that Ohio awarded venture capital firms under the program, however, has flowed across the state's borders. Full story at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051023/NEWS01/510230490/1077/rss02 Cincinnati Enquirer: Where state bond issue money has gone in Greater Cincinnati (10/23/05)
October 26, 200519 yr From the 10/25/05 Dayton Daily News: Issue 1 backers launch ad campaign on TV By William Hershey Dayton Daily News COLUMBUS | Supporters of State Issue 1, the $2 billion Jobs for Ohio proposal on the Nov. 8 ballot, launched their TV advertising campaign Monday with a 30-second spot that uses the word "jobs" 10 times but doesn't mention the Third Frontier high-technology initiative. The ads are running in the Dayton, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo and Youngstown media markets, Lt. Gov. Bruce Johnson said. The ad shows a welder and other workers, but no politicians. Full story at http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/1025issueone.html
October 26, 200519 yr From the 10/26/05 Dayton Daily News: Senate to discuss Frontier funds, stem cell research On use of Third Frontier money for such work By Laura A. Bischoff Dayton Daily News COLUMBUS | — State senators will take up the issue of public funding for embryonic stem cell research today when they debate a bill that would restrict Third Frontier money for such work. Senate President Bill Harris, R-Ashland, said he won't rush the legislation to the Senate floor because he wants people to have an opportunity to testify on the bill. He hopes to move on the measure by the end of the year. Senate Republicans had quickly introduced the legislation last week after the House GOP dropped a broader proposal. The current bill, sponsored by state Sens. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, and Lynn Wachtmann, R-Napolean, would allow state Third Frontier grants and loans for embryonic stem cell research only on stem cell lines approved by the federal government in August 2001. Full story at http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/1026stemcells.html
October 28, 200519 yr From the 10/26/05 AP: Poll finds voter support for development bond issue Associated Press COLUMBUS, Ohio - Voters support a ballot issue to fund road and bridge construction in Ohio for the next 10 years but are split on four issues that would change how elections are conducted, according to a poll released Wednesday. The poll found that 67 percent of registered voters surveyed would support Issue 1, which would allow the state to borrow $1.5 billion for infrastructure improvements and to clean up industrial sites for new development. Full story at http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/13005371.htm
November 3, 200519 yr From the 10/31/05 Toledo Blade: Costly boondoggle or investment in jobs, Issue 1 ignites argument $2B cost expected to rise 50% to nearly $3B with interest By JIM PROVANCE BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU COLUMBUS - Is it the biggest investment in job-creation in the history of Ohio or an ill-advised $2 billion charge on the state's credit card for which taxpayers would pay roughly $1 billion in interest over the next three decades? It depends on who you talk to and which aspect of Issue 1, a three-pronged borrowing package for scientific research, local roads and waterlines, and economic development infrastructure improvements is being debated. Full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051031/NEWS09/510310330/-1/NEWS
November 4, 200519 yr From the 11/2/05 Dayton Daily News: Issue one support ads hit airwaves in seven markets By the Dayton Daily News The campaign for State Issue 1, the $2 billion Jobs for Ohio proposal on next Tuesday's ballot, has begun airing 30-second TV ads tailored to seven media markets, including Dayton's. Each ad features two workers from the region declaring support for the issue because it would produce jobs. The ad buy was for more than $1 million, Lt. Governor Bruce Johnson said Tuesday. The other markets are: Toledo, Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Youngstown and southeast Ohio. Full story at http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/1102issueone.html
November 5, 200519 yr From the 11/3/05 PD: Issue 1 critic says it takes pay to play to new level Supporter calls claim ludicrous' Thursday, November 03, 2005 Julie Carr Smyth Plain Dealer Bureau Columbus -- Issue 1 opponents accused the Taft administration on Wednesday of packaging the "Jobs for Ohio" measure to mask a high-tech initiative that will do little more than return public dollars to the private companies that back it. Ohio Roundtable President David Zanotti, who chairs the political action committee behind a new anti-Issue 1 ad, called a pattern of political giving among Third Frontier grant applicants "extraordinarily troubling." Full story at http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1131014190122320.xml&coll=2 From the 11/3/05 Dayton Daily News: Issue 1 foes use Taft in ads Group says it has reason to tie governor to $2B bond issue: 'It's his idea' By William Hershey Dayton Daily News COLUMBUS | Gov. Bob Taft is in a TV campaign ad about his Third Frontier project after all. Opponents of State Issue 1, which includes $500 million for the Third Frontier, unveiled a 30-second ad Wednesday featuring Taft and urging a "no" vote. It questions whether voters should trust the Republican governor. David Zanotti, president of the Ohio Roundtable, a suburban Cleveland public policy group that opposes Issue 1, unveiled the ad. Full story at http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/1103issueone.html
November 24, 200519 yr From the 11/21/05 PD: Frontier money pays firms' interns Critics call subsidy corporate welfare Monday, November 21, 2005 Julie Carr Smyth Plain Dealer Bureau Columbus - When you think high-paying, high-tech jobs, $6,000-a-year college internships may not come to mind. But that's precisely how Gov. Bob Taft's Third Frontier Project is investing $15 million over three years. Some of the money to create the apprenticeships was awarded in 2003 to a Dayton business entity headed at the time by Rep. Jon Husted, a fellow Republican who became House speaker this year. The $246,776 grant to the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce's Education and Public Improvement Foundation was announced on letterhead bannering the Third Frontier slogan - "High-Paying Jobs for Ohio's Future." Full story at http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1132565529145440.xml&coll=2
December 7, 200519 yr From the 11/6/05 Enquirer: Bill would limit Ohio 'Frontier' project State ownership called off limits By James McNair Enquirer staff writer Ohio's public and private sectors might not merge after all. A bill introduced in the state Senate by John Carey, R-Wellston, would preclude the state from becoming a part-owner of any businesses or private entities that receive money from the state's Third Frontier project - an initiative to attract high-tech companies and workers to boost the state's economy. The prohibition was one part of the bill laying out implementation of the Nov. 8 bond issue that authorized the issuance of $1.35 billion in bonds for public works and $500 million for Third Frontier. Issue 1 added language to the Ohio Constitution to permit the state, state agencies and local governments to invest in, and become part-owners of, private businesses. The measure drew negligible opposition, but what little opposition it drew pointed to the financial disaster triggered by the state's investment in private canal-building ventures in the 1830s and 1840s. Full story at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051206/BIZ01/512060335/1076/rss01
December 15, 200519 yr From the 12/8/05 Youngstown Business Journal: Ohio Senate Moves Ahead on Issue 1 Dec 8, 2005 9:18 a.m. COLUMBUS --The state of Ohio yesterday moved closer to implementing Issue 1 with passage of Senate Bill 236. The bill, which passed in the Senate Wednesday afternoon, includes language implementing the state issue, which was approved by Ohio voters last month. The issue provides bond authorization for the Ohio Public Works Commission, the Third Frontier Commission and the Job Ready Site Program. Full story at http://www.business-journal.com/OhioSenateIssue1.asp
January 11, 200619 yr From the 1/5/06 Youngstown Business Journal: Taft Signs Bill to Fund Third Frontier, Job Site Development Jan 5, 2006 9:06 a.m. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Gov. Bob Taft signed a measure Wednesday that authorizes the state to issue $100 million in debt in fiscal 2006 and '07 to fund Third Frontier research and development. It also expands the Third Frontier Commission to nine members from three. Ohio voters last November approved the issuance of the bonds to fund the debt when they passed Issue 1. Taft’s Third Frontier is an initiative to fund high-technology research and prepare or remediate sites that help business grow. Full story at http://www.business-journal.com/TaftSignsThirdFrontier.asp
February 28, 200619 yr From the 2/28/06 Toledo Blade: PHOTO: Susan Tave Zelman of the Ohio Department of Education speaks to state officials via the Third Frontier network. ( THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT ) TPS, Piketon 1st 2 schools to connect to '3rd Frontier' Toledo Public Schools and Scioto Valley Local Schools in Piketon, Ohio, became the first two school districts in the state yesterday to connect to Ohio's most advanced fiber-optic network for education, research, and economic development. State education officials praised the network as a means for students to interact with students elsewhere on the planet, learn from medical researchers, watch spaceships being launched by NASA, talk with scientists about new inventions, and take virtual field trips. Susan Tave Zelman, superintendent of public instruction at the Ohio Department of Education, said all schools in the state would eventually be connected to the network, which is known as the Third Frontier Network. Full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060228/NEWS04/602280456/-1/NEWS
April 9, 200619 yr From the 4/8/06 Dispatch: Research-center idea called costly Saturday, April 08, 2006 Mike Lafferty THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The state might establish super-research centers to boost its Third Frontier science initiative, although the idea has scienceand-technology types wondering how they will ever meet the program’s financial requirements. The Third Frontier Commission, which oversees Ohio’s ambitious program to fund scientific research to improve the state’s economy, would use the proposed Wright Mega-centers for Innovation for more expansive research in biomedical, energy, science and other areas. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/04/08/20060408-D1-01.html
April 27, 200619 yr A couple of older ODOD press releases.... TAFT ANNOUNCES THIRD FRONTIER GRANTS Wright Project Funds to help commercialize Ohio R&D projects FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 30, 2006 Columbus, OH -- Governor Bob Taft today announced that more than $7.4 million in Third Frontier Project grants for the Wright Project Funds have been awarded to four universities and one non-profit research agency for capital equipment used in the research, development and commercialization of new projects. “The ability of companies to commercialize new products and create new jobs is critical to the future success of Ohio’s economy,” Taft said. “These funds are helping Ohio innovators turn great ideas into marketable products.” Created in 2003, the Wright Project program supports product commercialization through grants for capital equipment that will be used for entrepreneurial and commercial purposes. The grants support collaborations between Ohio colleges, universities, non-profit research institutions and Ohio companies to help further the near-term commercialization of products with significant, defined market opportunities in the areas of information technology; power and propulsion; advanced materials; and instruments, controls and electronics. The Third Frontier Commission awarded the grants through a competitive RFP evaluation process in which proposals from 17 different entities were reviewed and scored by Taratec Corporation, an independent evaluating corporation. To qualify, companies receiving awards must have their principal place of business in Ohio. The Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) administers the grants. “Today’s award recipients are developing technologies and products that are making them industry leaders,” said Lt. Governor Bruce Johnson, who also serves as State Development Director and Chair of the Third Frontier Commission. “Through initiatives like the Third Frontier, we are reclaiming Ohio’s culture of innovation.” 2006 Wright Project grant awardees include: The Ohio State University (OSU), located in Columbus (Franklin County), has been awarded $1,152,400 for its “Superconductivity Technology Center” project that will promote the commercialization of magnesium diboride (MgB2). MgB2 is a superconductive material that can be used to develop more advanced superconducting wire for the wire coils of medical imaging equipment. The challenge of using MgB2 in this new application will be to produce long lengths of wire with no defects and creating a method of making persistent joints in the wire. MgB2 wire will also be beneficial for other applications in the power industry, such as fault current limiters, transformers, motors and generators. The grant will equip the Center with the equipment needed to address the challenges of using MgB2 and to further develop superconducting wire. OSU’s commercialization partner on the project is Hyper Tech Research (HTR) of Columbus. HTR projects MgB2 wire sales for MRI machines to have revenues of $7.5 million in 2009 and $32.6 million in 2011. Total company employment is expected to be 40 in 2009 and 80 in 2011. National Composite Center (NCC), located in Kettering (Montgomery County), was awarded $1,800,000 for its “Nano-enhanced SMC Scale-up for Composite Part Production” project. This grant will benefit the manufacture of sheet molding compound (SMC) with significant reductions in weight and thickness but equal strength as traditional materials. This will be accomplished by replacing some of the conventional filler material and glass fiber in SMC with nano-clays, which have a much larger surface area. The SMC will be used with Class 8 truck (cab components) and recreational marine (jet skis) applications. Equipment for bench scale work with these materials is available in academic institutions. However, to produce quantities of material sufficient to mold actual parts for testing, it is necessary for this equipment be scaled up by a factor of six, which will be achieved with this funding. The new equipment will enable the production of three to six million pounds of SMC. The initial commercialization partners will be Core Molding Technologies, a molded parts line and supplier to International Truck. Polymer Ohio and Comfort Line will also work with NCC to find other applications for SMC. Other collaborators include Inspired Innovations, LLC and Iten Industries. NCC projects that 39 jobs and revenues of up to $9 million will be created during the coming three years. University of Dayton (UD), located in Dayton (Montgomery County), was awarded $2,100,000 for its “Low-cost Nanocomposite Tooling for Agile Manufacturing” project. UD intends to support the development of low-cost tooling solutions based on newly commercialized polymer nanocomposite materials. These materials offer the opportunity for a significant reduction in lead times and costs associated with the production and replacement of machine and steel tooling. Nanocomposite tooling is expected to be especially effective in product lines that have limited production runs. UD’s collaborators, American Trim, Sherwood Composites and KETCO, project a combined increase in revenue of $8.3 million and 50 additional jobs due to cost and time savings involved in nanocomposite tooling-based manufacturing, as well as the production of nanocomposite tools. James A. Rhodes State College, located in Lima (Allen County), was awarded $1,384,990 for its “Advanced Materials Commercialization Center.” The Center will assist companies with process development and the preparation of initial proofing samples of parts. The initial process to be developed is a surface finishing process incorporating physical vapor deposition (PVD), which deposits a “near chrome” finish on metal parts. The equipment to be obtained will allow Rhodes’ collaborator, American Trim, to continue its process development activities on full size bumpers and trim parts for Class 8 trucks. In recent years, strict EPA regulations and labor-intensive processes have forced conventional chrome plating processes out of the U.S. Initial estimates show that this “near chrome” process may be 25 percent more cost effective than conventional chrome plating, with performance and appearance results that still meet customer expectations. American Trim expects to bring its finishing operation in-house and build a new production facility, investing $8 million and creating 60 new jobs. This facility will generate annual revenues in the range of $12 to $14 million. University of Toledo (UT), located in Toledo (Lucas County), was awarded $1,000,000 for its “Test Facility for Experimental Development of High-speed Rotating Components and Subsystems.” This facility will be dedicated to the experimental development of advanced, high speed (up to 150,000 rpm) rotating equipment. UT’s collaborator, Teledyne Continental Motors – Turbine Engines (TCM-TE) plans to use the facility to test bearings and compressors. TCM-TE expects initial sales of newly developed turbine engines to be $3.25 million with 10 to 20 new jobs created. The 2006 round of Wright Project funding marks the fourth year for the program. To date, 20 projects have been funded totaling more that $32 million in investments across the state. The 10-year, $1.6 billion Ohio Third Frontier Project is the state’s largest-ever commitment to expand Ohio’s high-tech research capabilities and promote start-up companies to create high-paying jobs for generations to come. http://www.odod.state.oh.us/newsroom/2006pr/releases/1453.asp GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES THIRD FRONTIER PRE-SEED FUNDS Grants to help start-up technology firms FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 30, 2006 Columbus, OH -- Governor Bob Taft today announced that more than $6.4 million in Third Frontier Project grants from the Pre-Seed Initiative have been awarded to four Ohio-based early-stage capital organizations. The funding, approved today by the Third Frontier Commission, will help the new start-up technology companies to develop new products and technologies and bring them to market. “These investments are critical to Ohio-based start-ups, and they show investors that the state is committed to cultivate the long-term success of high-tech companies,” Taft said. “Ohio has a long history of innovation and we’ll continue to help and encourage entrepreneurs who grow their ideas into successful companies.” Formerly named the Validation Fund and Seed Fund Initiative, the Third Frontier Pre-Seed Initiative is designed to help fill the need for early-stage capital through the establishment of professionally managed, pre-seed capital investment funds to support promising Ohio start-up technology companies in the imagining and incubating stages. The initiative also prepares companies for seed-stage investment from angel, strategic or venture capital investors and requires each fund to provide its portfolio companies with technical and commercial assistance as well as enhanced management services to improve marketing and management. “To date, this program has helped to create 450 jobs and draw down funding for 64 Ohio companies,” said Lt. Governor Bruce Johnson, who serves as Director of Development for Ohio. “These strategic investments are what we mean when we say, ‘Ohio Means Business’.” The Third Frontier Commission awarded Pre-Seed Initiative grants to the following: Jumpstart Inc., located in Cleveland (Cuyahoga County), was awarded $2,000,000 for its 2006 JumpStart Pre-Seed Fund, which will provide pre-seed stage investment capital in 10 to 12 imagining and/or incubating phase companies in Northeast Ohio. JumpStart is matching the State grant with an additional $1,000,000. Collaborators on this project include Bioenterprise Corporation, Ohio Polymer Strategy Council, the Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center, The Cleveland Foundation and The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. NCT Fund Management, LLC, located in Columbus (Franklin County), was awarded $1,985,921 for its NCT Pre-Seed Initiative investment fund, which will support the formation and incubation of 10 to 15 Ohio pre-seed companies from the commercialization of the intellectual property that is created by The Ohio State University, the Children’s Research Institute and other sources. Collaborators include: The Center for Entrepreneurship at The Ohio State University, Fisher College; Todd Seitz; Ed Cohn of Unizan Bank; Pat Norton; Deloitte & Touche LLP; Fahgrenmortine; Cappello Capital Corp.; Columbus Children’s Research Institute; and The Entrepreneurship Steering Committee at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. The University of Cincinnati, located in Cincinnati (Hamilton County), was awarded $1,100,000 for its Southern Ohio Creates Companies Pre-Seed Fund project, which will invest in pre-revenue and low revenue, technology start-up companies with novel, enabling and potentially useful ideas across all high technology areas. Collaborators include: BIO/START; Blue Chip Venture Company, Ltd.; Ohio University; Fort Washington Capital Partners Group; and the Miami University Center for Innovation and Commercialization. TechColumbus, located in Columbus (Franklin County), was awarded $1,500,000 for its TechColumbus Regional Commercialization Fund, which will provide pre-seed capital and professional management assistance to fuel the imaging and incubating phases of early stage technology-based business opportunities. Collaborators include SciTech of Columbus and Omeris of Columbus. The 10-year, $1.6 billion Ohio Third Frontier Project is the state’s largest-ever commitment to expand Ohio’s high-tech research capabilities and promote start-up companies to create high-paying jobs for generations to come. http://www.odod.state.oh.us/newsroom/2006pr/releases/1452.asp
May 5, 200619 yr From Business First of Columbus, 5/4/06: Universities, industry team up for tech fund Business First of Columbus - 9:48 AM EDT Thursday Tech companies in Southern Ohio will have a new source for funding with the creation of a $1.65 million fund by Ohio University and five other investors. The Southern Ohio Creates Companies Pre-Seed Fund is aimed at technology startup companies in the southern part of the state. David Wight, director of Ohio University's Edison Biotechnology Institute, said the money will fill the gap between late-stage academic research and venture capital funding. The University of Cincinnati; the Miami University Center for Innovation and Commercialization; BIO/START, a Cincinnati-based bioscience incubator; Blue Chip Venture Company Ltd. and Fort Washington Capital Partners Group are partners on the project as well. The state's Third Frontier Program donates $1.1 million of the funding. The Third Frontier Project is the Ohio Department of Development's $1.6 billion program to aid high-tech companies in Ohio. Full story at http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/05/01/daily23.html?from_rss=1
July 13, 200618 yr TAFT ANNOUNCES THIRD FRONTIER GRANTS FOR RESEARCH COMPANIES' COMMERCIALIZATION EFFORTS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 12, 2006 Columbus, OH -- Ohio Governor Bob Taft today announced that over $2 million in grants have been awarded to seven Ohio companies to assist in the commercialization of high-tech products through the Ohio Research Commercialization Grant Program (ORCGP), which is a part of the Third Frontier Project. The Third Frontier Commission approved the grant awards. "Since the first flight of the Wright Brothers, Ohio has a proud history of research leading to breakthrough discoveries and products," said Governor Taft. "Through the Third Frontier Project, Ohio continues to encourage innovation by helping companies to take their research, create new products and advance new business ventures that create new jobs for Ohioans." Created in 2004, the ORCGP works to improve the commercial viability of research and development projects in Ohio. This assistance increases the ability of small technology companies to assess and realize the commercial potential of research projects and to promote the competitiveness of these companies through the augmentation of federal research and development funding. To date, more than $6 million in ORCGP funds have been awarded to projects across the state. "'Ohio Means Business' when we say that research that leads to commercialization is paramount to the Third Frontier Project," said Lt. Governor Bruce Johnson, who also serves as state development director. "Grants that support small businesses in that pursuit are a demonstration of our commitment to projects that will create jobs and personal wealth in Ohio." As development director, Johnson also serves as chair of the Third Frontier Commission. The 2006 ORCGP award recipients include: Cleveland Medical Devices, Inc., located in Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) was awarded $248,193 for its quantitative movement disorder assessment system, ParkinSenseTM. ParkinSenseTM is a small, lightweight monitor worn by a patient with Parkinson's disease. It is used to quantify and record the involuntary movements that are associated with the disease and enables the physician to optimize the timing and dose of medication. The device measures both three-dimensional motion and electrical muscle activity. AlphaMicron, Inc., located in Kent (Portage County) was awarded $350,000 for commercialization of its Digital MirrorTM. Digital MirrorTM is an automatically dimming rear view mirror based upon liquid crystal technology. The product is targeted at the automotive and motorcycle accessory after markets. Kent Displays, Inc., located in Kent (Portage County) was awarded $350,000 for web manufacturing of flexible LCDs. The company will produce thin flexible electronic displays for handheld and other portable electronic devices. These displays are based upon cholesteric liquid crystal display technologies and will employ plastic substrates on a continuous process machine (roll-to-roll). They do not require power to maintain an image, thereby extending battery lifetime several fold. Syscom Technology, Inc., located in Columbus (Franklin County) was awarded $349,600 for commercialization of its metal-clad polymer conductor, AmberStrandTM that is intended to replace much heavier copper wiring in satellite systems. Powdermet, Inc., located in Euclid (Cuyahoga County) was awarded $350,000 for commercialization of its lightweight syntactic foam, SynFoamTM. SynFoamTM is metal foam containing 30-70 percent high strength, ceramic microballoons. These materials have low mass, good thermal insulation and possess excellent high strength properties. Target markets for SynFoamTM include refractories for the glass, ceramics, and metal casting industries; lightweight, high temperature structures for aerospace applications; bone replacement and prosthetics applications; and impact-resistant structures including armor. Wright Material Research Co., located in Beavercreek (Greene County) was awarded $350,000 for commercialization of lightweight foamed composites for ballistic protection These new classes of lightweight advanced composite material have superior ballistic impact, flame, and moisture resistant properties. The materials are shapeable and will be used for vehicle armor and personnel protection. Technology Management, Inc., located in Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) was awarded $349,323 for commercialization of their Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System. The company plans to commercialize an auxiliary power unit (APU) for managing the hotel functions of Class 8 trucks based upon a solid oxide fuel cell. This device will eliminate the need for overnight idling of the truck engine. It offers competitive advantages with its compact design, sulfur tolerance, multi-fuel capability, and ease of end-user maintenance. http://www.odod.state.oh.us/newsroom/2006pr/releases/1530.asp TAFT ANNOUNCES THIRD FRONTIER GRANTS FOR BIOTECH COMMERCIALIZATION EFFORTS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 12, 2006 Columbus, OH -- Ohio Governor Bob Taft today announced that $32.1 million in grants have been awarded to five Ohio entities to assist in the commercialization of biotechnology processes and products through the Biomedical Research Commercialization Program (BRCP). Formerly the Biomedical Research and Technology Transfer Partnership, the BRCP is a part of the Third Frontier Project. The Third Frontier Commission approved the awards. "Ohio is rich in world class hospitals and cutting edge biomedical partnerships," Taft said. "The Biomedical Research Commercialization Program supports organizations that are involved in research and committed to commercializing new innovations that will create jobs in the future." The BRCP was created to support biomedical and biotech research, leading to commercialization in Ohio and long-term improvements to the health of Ohioans. Prior to today's announcement, $73.4 million in grants had been awarded, creating 620 jobs and seven new companies and have leveraged more than $192 million in co-investments. Today's awards bring the total to $105.5 million in BRCP awards. "Ohio is committed to research that leads to commercialization and improves Ohioans quality of life," said Lt. Governor Bruce Johnson, who also serves as state development director. "Today's awards are a resounding answer to biomedical companies looking for a place to expand their business and asking 'Why Ohio?'" As development director, Johnson also serves as chair of the Third Frontier Commission. The 2006 BRCP award recipients and collaborators include: Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland), $8 million to extend the research and capabilities of the Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine. Cited as an exemplary model of the kinds of projects the BRCP aims to support, the Center has exceeded all previous goals and objectives, and is now in an excellent position to pursue new applications for adult stem cell therapies. The major projects to be pursued are: 1) use of bone marrow stem cells to be administered after an ischemic injury to the heart for improved recovery; 2) develop an effective cellular therapy to modulate the severe immune reaction of host tissues following the grating of skin and bones; 3) develop therapies to re-vascularize heart muscles following a heart attack; and 4) finding an approach to activate the stem cells in the heart and regenerate muscle cells following congestive heart failure. Collaborators: The Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals of Cleveland, and Athersys Corporation (Cleveland) ChanTest, Inc. (Cleveland), $4.7 million to develop the Ion Channel Panel Screening for Drug Safety and Discovery. This project involves the creation of 72 ion channel cell lines that will facilitate and enhance the discovery of drugs for diseases that have ion channels as primary targets. Ion channels are the membrane proteins responsible for the electrical activity of all cells. Ion channels comprise about 15 percent of drug targets for diseases that include cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, heart failure, epilepsy, asthma, diabetes and cancer. Drug development for ion channels has been slow and difficult. This project will enhance the repertoire of channel targets that can be screened functionally at high throughput. It will provide a safety and discovery service that will benefit human health through the development of safer and more effective drugs. Collaborators: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (Rootstown), Analiza, Inc. (Cleveland) Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland), $8 million to extend the research capabilities of the Ohio Neurostimulation and Neuromodulation Partnership. This award will provide for a diversification of the Partnership's successful R&D efforts over the past three years. The project will be able to research, develop and market devices for peripheral nerve stimulation in the control of pain (failed back surgery syndrome, inguinal entrapment syndrome), cardiac function (atrial fibrillation), motor function (regaining of motor control after spinal cord injury) and pelvic control (urge incontinence, bladder control, erectile dysfunction). Collaborators: NDI Medical, Inc., The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, MetroHealth Medical Center (Cleveland) The Ohio State University (Columbus), $3.5 million to develop the Advanced Biomedical Devices for Disease Diagnosis and Therapy project. The award is based on the excellent commercialization potential of this magnetic cell separation technology. The project involves a commercial partner, Flowsort, to continue improving the equipment and arrange for its manufacture, performance and regulatory testing and documentation. The application of this magnetic cell separation technology will be for T-cell depletion for miss-matched bone marrow transplantation and for rare cancer cell enrichment therapies. Collaborators: Medical University of Ohio (Toledo), the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Flowshort, Inc. (Floyds, IN) The Ohio State University (Columbus), $7.9 million to the Biomedical, Structural, Functional, and Molecular Imaging Enterprise to further enhance and diversify cutting edge developments already made. This award will assist in establishing the next level of hybrid imaging, which uses Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Positron Emission Tomography (MRI/PET) and imaging based therapy (magnetic resonance (MR) based high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)). Specifically, the project is directed towards the use of imaging as a non-invasive therapeutic tool and has the potential to treat a broad spectrum of malignant and non-malignant diseases, as well as enabling regionally targeted gene of Nanotechnology based therapies. Collaborators: Phillips Medical Systems of Cleveland, Cardinal Health (Dublin) http://www.odod.state.oh.us/newsroom/2006pr/releases/1529.asp
July 13, 200618 yr WE need a whole lot. The most important in my view is retaining our best and brightest. (youngins) Make Ohio a place that people want to move. Excellent point, and the inspiration for Michigan's ambitious, yet inherrently flawed, Cool Cities initiative. Overall, I think Ohio has much, much more to work with in terms of standing urban centers. Some of theme are actually thriving. I look at a city like (my new home) Columbus, and I see youngin magnet. From what I can gather about Ohio's other metropoli, there's lots more potential out there as well. The US's biggest advantage in the world, and the secret to our success, period, has been our ability to plunder great minds from just about every other country on the planet. If Ohio can do the same in its own little way, well go Ohio.
August 18, 200618 yr From the 8/17/06 Times-Reporter: Taft touts Third Frontier program in visit to Stark County Employment Source also offers internships in Tuscarawas County By G. PATRICK KELLEY, Copley Ohio Newspapers CANTON – “Manufacturing is alive and well in the state of Ohio,” Gov. Bob Taft told listeners Thursday at Hendrickson. The governor was at the truck-trailer suspension manufacturer to witness and extol the benefits of his Third Frontier Internship program. “We started the program three years ago because too many of our best and brightest were leaving the state, while companies here were having a hard time filling good jobs,” Taft said. The program provides funding to help companies hire interns in jobs such as advanced manufacturing, advanced materials, bioscience, information technology, instruments, controls and electronics, and power and propulsion. Full story at http://www.timesreporter.com/index.php?ID=57355
December 12, 200618 yr From Business First of Columbus, 11/20/06: State funds $56.8M for tech development Business First of Columbus - November 20, 2006 The state, through its Third Frontier Project, has doled out $56.8 million in grants to six regional organizations that support small technology-based companies and startups. Through the project's Entrepreneurial Signature Program, created to improve the state's technology environment and economic development, the following organizations received a share of the grant: * TechColumbus in Central Ohio: $6.8 million. * NorTech in northeast Ohio: $12.4 million. * Regional Growth Partnership, in northwest Ohio: $11.8 million. * Ohio University supporting the southwest region: $3.5 million. * Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, supporting the southwest region: $11 million. * Dayton Development Coalition, in west central Ohio: $11.3 million. Full story at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/11/20/daily1.html?surround=lfn
December 18, 200618 yr State gives $18.6M to power UT research Program to develop solar energy cells JOSHUA BOAK / TOLEDO BLADE December 16, 2006 TOLEDO - A University of Toledo-led team received an $18.6 million state grant to create facilities to develop and test solar power cells, the governor's office announced yesterday. During the next three years, UT will get a total of $9 million from the Third Frontier Project, a $1.6 billion state program for nurturing a technology-based economy. The grant will establish the Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization Center at UT, a research organization dedicated to improving the efficiency and lowering the cost of generating electricity from the sun's rays. Full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061216/NEWS21/612160431/-1/NEWS
January 20, 200718 yr All of the winners in this press release from ODOD, 12/15/06: TAFT ANNOUNCES $168 MILLION IN THIRD FRONTIER FUNDS Nine projects to commercialize research, create jobs, advance quality of life FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 15, 2006 Columbus, OH -- Governor Bob Taft today announced almost $168 million in Third Frontier awards for nine Ohio projects which received approval by the Third Frontier Commission. "These projects have far reaching implications to improve the quality of life here in our state and they will reposition the Ohio economy for future growth and job creation," said Governor Taft. "This is exactly what we set out to accomplish when we created the Third Frontier Project and I want to thank Ohio voters for their support of our Jobs for Ohio bond issue last fall, which is fully funding the Third Frontier." Much of the funding for today's awards is the result of voter approval of the "Jobs for Ohio Bond Initiative" in November 2005, which fully funded the 10-year, $1.6 billion Third Frontier Project. With today's announcements, the Third Frontier Project has invested a total of $632 million since it was launched in 2002. To date, Third Frontier investments have leveraged $945 million in private and federal investment in Ohio, attracted or created more than 200 companies and retained or created more than 2,600 jobs with an average salary of more than $63,000 per year. Taft today announced the following winners: Cleveland State University (Cuyahoga County) received $23,840,576 in Wright Centers of Innovation funds to establish the Sensor Systems Engineering Center (SSE). The center will develop smaller, faster and less expensive sensors for current market applications and integrate nanotechnology and microfabrication technology into sensor systems and devices. The University of Dayton received $28 million in Wright Centers of Innovation funds for the establishment of the Institute for the Development and Commercialization of Advanced Sensor Technology (IDCAST). Sensor research and development falls into two targeted areas: biological and chemical sensory technology, including air and water quality monitors; and remote sensory technology, including infrared cameras and object detection. The University of Toledo (Lucas County) received $18,635,238 in Wright Centers of Innovation funds to establish the Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization Center (PVIC). This grant follows a 2004 Wright Project grant for support of University of Toledo's existing solar power program. The project will focus on research into advanced materials to be used in constructing solar cell arrays, development of those solar cell arrays, prototyping and demonstrating various system components, development and installation of a complete system, and graduate level education and consumer awareness. The Swagelok Company of Solon (Cuyahoga County) received $5.5 million in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds for processes to carburize steel at relatively low temperatures. Carburization, the infusion of carbon to a steel surface, increases the hardness of the surface by a factor of four and decreases fatigue. Applications include steel exposed to corrosive chemicals, jet aircraft components and bearings. Case Western Reserve University is collaborating on this project. Graftech International of Parma (Cuyahoga County) received $7,945,465 in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds to synthesize nanocomposite technologies with graphite-based materials for improved thermal and electrical conductivity. The project will strengthen Ohio's presence in the lightweight, high performance electronic device market and make it more cost effective. The University of Akron (Summit County), in partnership with the University of Dayton (Montgomery County) received $8 million in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds for targeting the market applications of polyimides. The project is an extension of the Center for Multifunctional Nanocomposites and Devices (CMPND), a 2005 Wright Center of Innovation. Polyimides (PIs) are high performance polymers with a wide range of properties that can be easily adapted to withstand extreme thermal, electrical, and mechanical environments. Kent Displays, Inc. (Portage County) received $7,992,375 in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds for specialized flexible liquid crystal displays and liquid crystal eyewear. The grant will support the development of two roll-to-roll processing line of liquid crystal film, one for flexible displays such as credit cards, wrist watches, and ID tags, and a separate line for eyewear. The Ohio State University (Franklin County) in partnership with the University of Dayton, received $8 million in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds for the development of next-generation nanomaterials and nanocomposites. The project is an extension of the Center for Multifunctional Nanocomposites and Devices (CMPND), a 2005 Wright Center of Innovation. The newly developed processes result in more durability and fire resistance and can be applied to jet engines, truck panels and other uses. Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Cuyahoga County) received the first ever Wright Mega-Centers of Innovation award, totaling $60 million, to establish the Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center (GCIC). This project will support and expand work begun following a 2005 Wright Center of Innovation grant to the Atrial Fibrillation Innovation Center. The GCIC's focus will be atherothrombotic vascular disease and valvular heart disease, the two major causes of heart failure. The GCIC has identified three cardiovascular technology platforms, including novel devices, cellular and molecular therapies and new biomarkers. Click here to see a full list of project collaboraters and descriptions of the awarded Third Frontier programs (PDF) http://www.odod.state.oh.us/newsroom/releases/1687.asp
April 25, 200718 yr Both from ODOD, 3/28/07: FISHER ANNOUNCES $26 MILLION IN ENTREPRENEURIAL SUPPORT GRANTS Six Regions to Receive Third Frontier Project Funds FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 28, 2007 Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced that $26 million from the Third Frontier Project's Entrepreneurial Signature Program (ESP) has been awarded to entities in six regions of the state to spur innovation and new product development. The ESP is a three-year, $85 million program that was created to significantly increase technology-based entrepreneurial commercialization outcomes in six defined geographic regions and to focus on technology-based sectors offering important economic development prospects for each region. "Each region of our state holds unique opportunities for technological innovation and commercialization," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "By better utilizing our resources and encouraging regional collaboration, Ohio is positioning itself to get a better return on its investment in terms of jobs created, investments leveraged and products created." The Third Frontier Commission approved the following funding today. Northeast The Northeast Ohio Technology Coalition (NorTech) was awarded $2.6 million. NorTech collaborators include: JumpStart, BioEnterprise Corporation, GLIDE Incubator & Innovation Fund, Akron Global Business Accelerator, Youngstown Business Incubator, Brain Tree Partners, MAGNET Innovation Center, Northcoast Angel Fund, Glengary LLC, The Fund for Our Economic Future, Cleveland Foundation, Greater Cleveland Partnership and Cuyahoga County. Northwest Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) was awarded $3.2 million. Regional Growth Partnership collaborators include: Bostleman Corp, Brooks Insurance Agency Inc., Carson Associates, Center for Innovative Food Technology, Fifth Third Bank, Hylant Group, KeyBank, Lucas County Improvement Corp., National City, National Electrical Contractors Association, Sky Bank, University of Toledo and White Family Investment Company. Central TechColumbus was awarded more than $6.1 million. TechColumbus collaborators include: Ohio TechAngel Fund II Members, Greif, NCT Ventures, Nationwide, OhioHealth, Village of New Albany, Village of Dublin, The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business, Fisher College Center for Entrepreneurship, Huntington Bancshares, Columbus Children's Research Institute, City of Columbus, Columbus Chamber of Commerce, DCB Financial Corp., TechColumbus, City of Upper Arlington, Franklin County and Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio. West Central Dayton Development Coalition - Development Projects, Inc. was awarded $3.7 million. Collaborators include: The Entrepreneurs Center, National Composite Center, University of Dayton Research Institute, BusinessFirst!, Springfield Community Improvement Corporation, Wright State University Foundation, Four Seasons Advisors, Mayfield and Robinson, University of Dayton, The Turner Foundation, Sinclair Community College Foundation, Premier Health Partners, CYMI Ltd., Soin International and the Dayton Angel Network. Southwest Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber was awarded $3.8 million. Collaborators include: BIO/START, Hamilton County Business Center, The University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, TechSolve, Castellini Foundation, Fort Washington Capital Partners, City of Blue Ash, National City, Thompson Hine, The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, University of Cincinnati College of Business and The Circuit. Southeast Ohio University - Voinovich Center was awarded $6.5 million. Collaborators include: Ohio University Edison Biotechnology Institute, the Innovation Center, Adena Ventures, OSU South Centers, and East Central Tech Angel Fund. The Entrepreneurial Signature Program is a comprehensive, coordinated network of high value services that is visible and easily accessible to technology-based entrepreneurs and small tech-based companies throughout its region as defined in O.R.C. 184.01(B)(2). Each ESP represents an approach that tightly integrates sources of deal flow, entrepreneurial support, and capital to effectively grow the technology-based entrepreneurial commercialization outcomes throughout its region. http://www.odod.state.oh.us/newsroom/2007PR/releases/1727.asp $2.5 MILLION AWARDED TO HIGH TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES Third Frontier Commission Offers Incentives for Expansion and Job Creation FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 28, 2007 Columbus, OH -- The Third Frontier Commission today awarded $2.5 million from the Targeted Industry Attraction Program (TIA) to two high tech companies. The awards are intended to assist the firms in advancing Ohio's manufacturing presence in the fuel cell industry and further development and commercialization in the biopharmaceutical industry. The TIA program is designed to attract and generate growth in Ohio’s high tech industries. Funds awarded are subject to final approval by the State Controlling Board. UltraCell Corporation, located in Dayton (Montgomery County) has been awarded a $1 million TIA grant to expand its research and development operation to a full scale manufacturing operation. UltraCell develops and manufactures complete micro fuel cell systems for portable devices. The company plans to initially lease 33,000 square feet of an existing 100,000 square-foot facility at the Dayton International Airport and purchase machinery and equipment to establish a manufacturing operation. UltraCell expects to expand in a phased manner to accommodate increasing sales demands. The new facility will be a manufacturing operation, but also will house administration, research and development, a training center, field service, a product repair service center, test and measurement and distribution and field sales. The company’s goal is to grow rapidly to manufacture millions of fuel cells per year from the Ohio facility. The $79.5 million project is expected to result in the creation of 235 full-time, high paying jobs within three years, with the possibility of a total 360 new jobs over a four-year period. The new jobs will be managerial, engineering, administrative and technical in nature. The Third Frontier Commission has committed a $1.5 million TIA Program grant to Amylin Ohio LLC, should it choose to expand its West Chester Township (Butler County) facility. Amylin Ohio is a 100 percent-owned subsidiary of Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative medicines to improve the lives of people with diabetes and obesity. Amylin has developed and gained approval for two first-in-class medicines to treat diabetes, BYETTA® (exenatide) injection and SYMLIN® (pramlintide acetate) injection, both of which were commercially launched in the United States during the second quarter of 2005. Amylin's manufacturing facility in West Chester is under construction and it is expected to produce and package a long-acting version of BYETTA® that is currently in development. The State of Ohio and Amylin are currently exploring expansion opportunities and the TIA Program funds could be accepted if the company elects to increase its investment in Ohio in the near future. http://www.odod.state.oh.us/newsroom/2007PR/releases/1729.asp
July 11, 200717 yr Strickland pushes Third Frontier agenda BY MIKE BOYER | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER July 11, 2007 COLUMBUS - Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland said Wednesday he wants to grow his predecessor’s Third Frontier high-tech initiative. “I’d like to see it embellished and expanded in the years to come,’’ Strickland said following a speech at the Duke Energy Center promoting the state’s aerospace industry and energy development efforts. After speaking to the 43rd Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Strickland said the state’s current budget problems don’t permit it, but he’d like to see the Third Frontier program expanded in the future to focus on the state’s energy needs.
July 23, 200717 yr Yet another reason arguing why the northern half of the state should secede from the rest of the state.
July 23, 200717 yr Are you being sarcastic, or do you mean the sideline story (not posted) about how the grant process is going to get more political, thus resulting in less money to NEO?
July 23, 200717 yr I have long thought that NEO or perhaps the entire northern part of the state should become the 51st state. We have so little in common with Columbus and southern Ohio. We are much more like an east coast city, than other cities in Ohio. The tax money that is drained from this area to fuel the Columbus economy is staggering. I occasionally work in Columbus as a consultant, and I can say first hand that they do not understand Cleveland, not do they care to. They are afraid of the Cleveland area because it is too urban and continue to impose development plans, etc. as if they were planning for Columbus and it's suburban environment. A good example is the current planning for the inner belt bridge. How do others in NEO feel about this? If there is support for this idea, how would we go about doing this?
July 24, 200717 yr years ago-ok, well maybe 3 yrs ago-someon had a 5 sentence editorial in the PD on why CLE/NEO should become the 51st state. They wanted to call it the "State of the Western Reserve". We can be the Netherlands of America! Liberal, but green! Solar/Hydro/Wind power! Architecture! Urban renewal! Ahhh..... :laugh: Eat your heart out Columbus! (Not trying to start a fight!) :wink:
July 24, 200717 yr Oh, and to answer your question-sort of-they also explained the process to secede +/- from Ohio and become a new state. I think Euclid has a better chance of putting Michigan Ave. to shame before NEO is a state! (not that I think Euclid Ave is a lost cause or Michigan Ave. the greatest thing since Nutella but... :wink:)
July 24, 200717 yr I don't understand why NE Ohioans have the notion that being their own independent state would be good/better for them. The Third Frontier Program is nice and all, but NEO gets an inordinate amount of State support. Essentially it's areas like Cincinnati and Cbus (Cincinnati in particular) that are putting money into State coffers just so it can go to Cleveland. SW Ohio received MUCH less than it's fairly equal counterparts of Cbus and Cleveland. I just don't understand how that is justifiable. Cincinnati/SW Ohio typically gets the short straw when it comes to funding out of Columbus...and guess what, Cincinnati is growing jobs...gaining population...and increasing the economic standing of SW Ohio. I love Cleveland and all, but if it weren't for Cincinnati and Cbus...there wouldn't be this money availabe for NE Ohio.
July 24, 200717 yr OK, OK First, I admit this my fault the thread went off topic. There is a thread devoted to NEO becoming its own state. http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=3487.0 Now shhhh, Before you know who comes along and zaps us.
July 24, 200717 yr Personally I think Third Frontier needs to be larger. $600M or so, just isn't enough for how large Ohio is. We really need to be pushing the envelope to catch up economically to other states.
July 24, 200717 yr I love Cleveland and all, but if it weren't for Cincinnati and Cbus...there wouldn't be this money availabe for NE Ohio. I don't know I think the roughly 4.6 million people (40% of Ohio's population) would have issue with that statement. NEO got 46% of the money and has 40% of the population, OK so we got a little more than our fair share. I think the big thing here is that companies/hospitals/research institutions, in Cleveland are at the forefront of the new economy.
July 24, 200717 yr $300M is only a drop in the bucket in the overall economy of Ohio. Hell, the new Russian Steel Plant alone is a $2B investment.
July 24, 200717 yr I don't understand why NE Ohioans have the notion that being their own independent state would be good/better for them. Well, I don't think that anyone really is thinking about leaving. The frustration stems from the poor political representation (conservative) that Cincy and the rural areas of the state provide.
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