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1. Ohio climbs high in its rankings for the best small business states
December 29, 2009
According to the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council's Small Business Survival Index 2009, Ohio's small business climate continues to improve. In the new index, Ohio ranks 11th, which shows a vast improvement from three years ago when Ohio ranked 38th.
The rankings are based on 15 categories, including a variety of different taxes, the number of health insurance mandates, electricity costs, workers' compensation costs and highway cost effectiveness. Topping the rankings is South Dakota followed by Nevada, Texas, Wyoming, Washington, Florida, South Carolina, Colorado, Alabama and Virginia.
The Virginia-based Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council annually releases the ranking. This year's is the 14th edition of the rankings, which the authors say provides a profile of states' public policy climates for small business and entrepreneurship.
2. Growth registered on Personal Income in Ohio
December 17, 2009
According to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Personal Income in Ohio grew 0.5 % in the third quarter compared to the preceding quarter.
The bureau further said that health care and social assistance provided the largest bump in the percentage change in personal income, growing 0.16 %, whereas the insurance and finance sector contributed 0.09 % to the gains.
According to the bureau report, the results mark the second consecutive quarter of growth in personal income in the state. State personal income across the country gained 0.3 % during the quarter, with 19 states seeing net earnings growth for the first time in a year.
3. Dayton ranks 52nd on new Forbes list of Best Bang-For-The-Buck Cities
December 08, 2009
Forbes.com has ranked the Dayton area the 52nd on its list of “America’s Best Bang-For-The-Buck Cities” out of the country’s 100 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
The Forbes.com list ranks metro areas based on foreclosures as a percentage of housing units; vacancies; unemployment rates; a three-year job growth forecast, housing affordability, median travel time to work and median real estate taxes.
The Internet site said the Dayton MSA — which includes Greene, Miami, Montgomery and Preble counties — ranked 11th on the housing affordability index compiled by Moody’s Economy.com. At the same time, it ranked 45th out of the 100 MSAs when it came to median real estate taxes, based on U.S. Census data.
Affordable housing and shorter commute times are the two attributes the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce pushes when trying to recruit companies to the area.
4. Ohio approves tax credits for Caterpillar Logistics Services near Dayton
December 07, 2009
The Ohio Tax Credit Authority has awarded a 10-year, 75 % job creation tax credit to Caterpillar Logistics Services Inc., which is planning a US$ 65 million project in Clayton, Ohio. The state of Ohio has approved US$ 1.8 million in tax incentives to lure the company to the city and in return is expected to bring in more than 500 jobs here.
To get the full credit, the company is required to maintain its operations at the site for 13 years. As per a company statement, the construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2010, provided state and other incentives are approved. Once fully operational in 2011, Clayton will replace Caterpillar’s regional distribution site in Indianapolis and perform some of the work being done at the company’s parts distribution center in Morton, Ill. The new facility will be known as the Clayton Distribution Center and span more than 1 million square feet.
Caterpillar Logistics Services is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Peoria, Ill.-based industrial equipment maker Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT). Caterpillar Logistics does work for its parent company and 65 other companies.
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1. Ohio awards US$ 6 million for solar technology research
December 18, 2009
The state of Ohio's Third Frontier program awarded US$ 6 million to push the state's growing photovoltaic sector, including US$ 4.25 million to several firms with strong ties to the University of Toledo.
One such company is Toledo-based Xunlight Corp., which was awarded US$ 999, 271 for its Next Generation Solar Module Manufacturing Technology project. Perrysburg-based Glasstech Inc. is to receive US$ 1 million to further develop commercialization of a heat treating process to strengthen the glass substrates for solar panels.
Independence, Ohio-based Five Star Technologies Inc. is to receive US$ 1 million in collaboration with the Photovoltaic Innovation Center at the University of Toledo to commercialize specialty electronic inks that enable a new generation of solar cells and can be incorporated immediately into existing cell fabrication lines. Mount Vernon, Ohio-based Replex Plastics is to receive US$ 1.25 million in collaboration with UT's Photovoltaic Innovation Center to commercialize low-cost, low-concentration solar modules that use inexpensive acrylic mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto photovoltaic cells in regions that have less-than-optimal solar energy conditions.
The Ohio Third Frontier Photovoltaic Program supports research and development. The awards must be approved by the State Controlling Board.
2. Ameridian Specialty Services’ Solar array will be area's largest
December 17, 2009
Ameridian Specialty Services is managing construction of the 1.1-megawatt project for Dayton-based DPL Inc., parent of Dayton Power & Light Co. The US$ 5 million project is expected to produce enough electricity to supply about 150 homes when it is completed in March.
This is expected to be a signature project for the company as it is not only the area’s largest solar array project, but it is Ameridian’s largest single contract in 10 years of doing business.
About 50 workers, including Ameridian employees and subcontract workers, are expected to work for the project.
Located on a nine-acre site in Montgomery County near the Yankee Trace Golf Course, the solar project consists of 9,000 south-facing photovoltaic solar collectors. The solar panels convert the sun’s energy into electric current.
The largest solar array currently operating in Ohio is a 1-megawatt facility at the Ohio Air National Guard Station near Toledo.
3. Toledo based Pilkington plans solar project in Northwood
December 02, 2009
Toledo-based glass maker Pilkington North America Inc. is planning to install a US$1.4 million solar array at its plant in Northwood. The installation of the plant has been made possible with the help of a state and federal grant that will offset nearly half the cost of the company.
The 3,450-panel project, to be built by fall 2010 at the company's Plant 21 site on East Broadway, is one of 25 alternative-energy projects in Ohio that will share more than US$13 million in federal stimulus money.
The 250-kilowatt solar field is to be built on a former Brownfield and is to supply power to Pilkington's research and development facility.
4. Now is the right time to invest in renewable energy
December 01, 2009
According to Mr. Fred Michel, a professor with Ohio State University’s Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering now is the time to invest in solar, wind and other renewable energy. Mr. Michel says that state and federal funding is available, but should be used soon, before it goes away. Besides, he said, another reason to invest now is the approach of 2025, when the state’s renewable energy standard will require at least 25 % of its energy is produced from alternative and renewable sources.
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland signed the energy standard into law in 2008, making Ohio’s push towards renewable energy as one of the most aggressive in the nation.
Mr. Michel further said “Now is the time to do these things because incentives will likely end once that pot of money is used, and once renewable energy standards are met. And, energy rates are likely to rise”.
5. Companies in Ohio going green
December 01, 2009
Ohio Governor, Mr. Ted Strickland announced that 25 Ohio wind and solar power projects will receive more than US$13 million in grant across the state, including 10 in Northeast Ohio. The awards are funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's State Energy program.
According to Mr. Strickland this is a great day for Ohio as the state is seeing investment of these resources into new technologies, which will create jobs in Ohio.
Cuyahoga County is receiving a million dollars to install a wind turbine at the fairgrounds. Turbines are also going up at Cleveland’s Lincoln Electric and Green City Growers Cooperative. The Great Lakes Brewing Company is also receiving stimulus money to install two hot water heating systems.
Mr. Strickland believes that Ohio can eventually become the supplier of the world's energy needs.
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a) Real Estate
1. Real estate developer, Industrial Realty Group LLC, eyes Dayton
December 18, 2009
One of the largest real estate developers in the United States, Industrial Realty Group LLC, which has already purchased two Dayton-area properties is looking for more acquisitions in southwest Ohio.
According to Mr. Stuart Lichter, founder, president and senior managing partner of Downey, California-based Industrial Realty Group, “the Dayton market has plenty of opportunities”.
The company is finding good properties that can be purchased at cheap rates and then renovate them to make them attractive to buyers or tenants. In this way, they are able to turn one company’s trash into another’s treasure.
b) Polymers
1. Composite Technologies plans second location in Dayton
December 07, 2009
Dayton-based manufacturing company, Composite Technologies Co., plans a US$ 2.9 million expansion and to hire as many as 50 workers. The company was awarded a six-year, 35 % job creation tax credit so it can open a second location in Dayton. The value of the tax credit is estimated at more than US$ 55,000. The company currently operates a location in Keowee Street.
Launched in 1994 as a subsidiary of Soin International, Composite Technologies is a compression molder of thermoplastic resin. In other words, it converts recycled material into industrial and consumer products. The company makes everything from pull carts and putting greens to industrial pallets.
2. Akron Polymer Systems undertakes US$3.4 million expansion
December 02, 2009
The Akron based polymer firm Akron Polymer Systems developer of specialty polymers is planning a US$3.4 million expansion in an effort to develop and make more of its own polymers for products such as liquid crystal displays and solar cells.
For the last seven years, the company has been developing materials alongside larger companies and is yet to release any of its own products.
Now, with the expansion plans, the 13-person company aims to employ 40 to 50 people within two years. The new space will encompass about 16,000 square feet, which is about three times larger than the offices the company rents in Akron. The company also plans to add enough equipment to produce low volumes of polymers for specialty products and to test products needed in larger amounts.
The company plans to manufacture polymers for flexible liquid crystal displays, flexible solar cells, missile nose cones, fuel cells and bone replacement implants.
c) Software
1. Northeast Ohio based JumpStart Invests in Electron Database
December 07, 2009
JumpStart Inc., the Northeast Ohio venture development organization that accelerates the progress of high growth early-stage businesses, announced a JumpStart Ventures investment commitment of US$ 250,000 in Electron Database Company.
The Richfield, Ohio based Electron Database Company is creating a database software application that will dramatically improve the performance of enterprise applications, data warehouses, and cloud computing infrastructures.
Current database software does not fully leverage many hardware innovations introduced over the last 10 years and will not be capable of leveraging many upcoming advancements.
In addition to JumpStart Ventures' investment, the company received a US$1 million grant from the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore. These funds will be used to further develop the software and establish strategic partnerships.
d) Healthcare
1. Ohio’s leading hospitals join forces for skilled workforce
December 01, 2009
Two of Northeast Ohio’s largest hospitals have decided to join forces to develop synergies amongst its skilled workforce. The collaboration amongst The Cleveland Clinic and MetroHealth System connects five high-level departments to best serve Northern Ohio's most severely injured patients.
The collaboration network called, Northern Ohio Regional Trauma Network (NORTN), means that badly injured patients who are treated at MetroHealth or the Cleveland Clinic's four area hospitals will have care that is coordinated among specialists who draw from the expertise at both institutions, underscoring the power of creating synergies amongst Ohio’s skilled workforce.
With the new trauma network, clinicians will share best medical practices and work together to ensure that patients are transported to the hospital that can best care for their particular level of trauma.
The collaboration involves a US$2.4 million donation over the next two years by The Cleveland Clinic to a foundation earmarked for use by MetroHealth to offset the costs of uncompensated care and support education and research in trauma care.
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1. Soy- based Polymer emerges as a winner
December 09, 2009
The Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) in collaboration with Battelle and Univenture, was recently awarded its fifth R&D 100 award for the development of a soy meal-based polymer during the 47th Annual R&D 100 Awards ceremony in Orlando, Florida.
Only the top 100 innovations of the year receive this honor. Award recipients were determined by an independent judging panel and editors of R&D Magazine.
The soy meal-based polymer technology has the potential to be used in nearly any type of molded-plastic application and could be utilized in various industries such as packaging, construction, electrical, furniture and machinery.
According to Mr. Keith Kemp, OSC chairman, "R&D 100 awards are a very prestigious honor. To have received five of these awards is outstanding. I can't say enough about all of the great work that the researchers at Battelle are doing to create these new markets for Ohio's soybean farmers."
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