Buzz

JumpStart seeks to provide easier paths to success for entrepreneurs

THE PLAIN DEALER, 10/26/10 Thursday, November 04, 2010

A network of business advisers, investors and mentors is trying to solve the puzzle of starting and cultivating a company in Northeast Ohio, reports The Plain Dealer.

The JumpStart Enterprenurial Network, unveiled Tuesday, unites dozens of business-support organizations in 21 counties under a single website and a shared mission: making it easier for entrepreneurs to figure out where to look for space, who to ask for money and how to find education and advice.

Read the full story here.

Twinsburg manufacturer rolls out iPad to bridge corporate cultural devide

CIO, 11/2/10 Thursday, November 04, 2010

At Industrial Mold & Machine's 29,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Twinsburg, a wall divided computer savvy office workers and shop floor workers unfamiliar with technology, reports CIO.

Hence, communication between the two groups came in the form of e-mails sent from office computers to a handful of often-neglected PCs stationed around the shop floor. Then Apple released the iPad.

Read the full story here.

BlueGreen Alliance creates green jobs' incubator

SOAPBOX, 11/2/2010 Thursday, November 04, 2010

Cincinnati could soon be on the path to becoming a green jobs incubator, reports Soapbox.

The critical steps to make this a reality are starting to be taken, say those involved with drafting the report, "Pathways and Policies Towards Green Jobs in Cincinnati."

Read the full story here.

Ohio looks to link security cameras

WKBN, 10/27/10 Thursday, November 04, 2010

If you look around at many intersections, businesses, or schools, you probably will find some type of security camera, notes WKBN.

Ohio's Department of Homeland Security, for the first time, is looking at linking those cameras together to one central network.

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Charting a course toward better times

MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/7/10 Thursday, October 21, 2010

Turning Wisconsin's sluggish economic indicators around will require innovative thinking and the courage to take bold action similar to steps taken by Ohio, says the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in an editorial.

A new document arising from a series of economic summits is full of good ideas, including creation of a $1-billion Wisconsin Prosperity Fund, similar to Ohio's Third Frontier initiative, the newspaper says.

Read the full item here.

Honda to add 100 jobs at Ohio plant

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 10/15/10 Thursday, October 21, 2010

After two years of job cuts, Honda is expanding in Ohio, a possible sign of the company's confidence in the economic recovery, reports the Columbus Dispatch.

The automaker plans to add 100 jobs and 200,000 square feet of factory space at its transmission plant in Russells Point.

Read the full story here.

Solar industry jobs will grow 6 percent in Ohio, nonprofit study says

THE PLAIN DEALER, 10/18/10 Thursday, October 21, 2010

The solar industry is expected to create 24,000 jobs in the coming year, a 26 percent increase over August 2009 levels, reports the Plain Dealer in an article reflecting a new survey by the non-profit Solar Foundation.

The study, completed last week and released Monday by Environment Ohio, also estimated the number of solar-related jobs in Ohio could rise 6 percent.

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Third Frontier awards $2.1 million for wind center at Stark State

YOUNGSTOWN BUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/19/10 Thursday, October 21, 2010

The Ohio Third Frontier Commission and Advisory Board has approved $2.1 million for creation of the Wind Energy Research and Development Center at Stark State College of Technology, reports the Youngstown Business Journal.

The project brings together the college, Timken Co., Stark Development Board Inc. and Stark County Port Authority.

Read the full story here.

OSU President touts venture capital fund idea

DAYTON DAILY NEWS ,10/18/10 Thursday, October 21, 2010

To spur the creation of more small businesses from university research, Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee wants to create a statewide university and privately financed venture capital fund, reports the Dayton Daily News.

Earlier this year Gee appointed former J.P. Morgan Chase executive Geoff Chatas as OSU's chief financial officer to help deepen the pool of venture capital money specifically devoted to universities and their research projects.

Read the full story here.

Feds commit to send $51 million Ohio�s way for small-biz credit effort

BUSINESS FIRST, 10/8/10 Thursday, October 21, 2010

The small-business jobs legislation President Barack Obama signed earlier this month could help Ohio leverage more than $500 million in loans, reports Business First.

The federal government has committed to extending $55.1 million to Ohio through its State Small Business Credit Initiative, which allows states to seek federal funding to develop or build on existing programs to partner with private lenders.

Read the full story here.

Northeast Ohio wins $4.25 million from U.S. 'Sustainable Communities'

WKYC ,10/15/2010 Thursday, October 21, 2010

Northeast Ohio has been awarded a $4.25-million grant from the U.S. Sustainable Communities Program, an initiative designed to support regional approaches to land use, housing, environmental and economic development issues, reports WKYC in Cleveland.

Northeast Ohio is one of 45 communities selected nationwide.

Read the full story here.

College dropouts cost Ohio $300 million, study reveals

DAYTON DAILY NEWS, 10/11/10 Thursday, October 21, 2010

Cash-strapped states and the federal government spent $9 billion funding freshmen college students who never returned for a second year between 2004 and 2009, reports the Dayton Daily News.

The Daily News cites a new study by the American Institutes of Research that found billions in state and federal aid and grants are spent on students who drop out.

Read the full story here.

Bad Girl Ventures loans $25,000 to Pet Wants

Soapbox, 10/19/2010 Thursday, October 21, 2010

Bad Girl Ventures, launched March 3 as a micro-lending organization focused on women-owned startups, has graduated its first inaugural class and made its first loan, reports Soapbox.

On October 12, Bad Girl Ventures announced the $25,000 award to Pet Wants, an urban feed market that opened in Findlay Market about six months ago.

Read the full story here.

Xavier's Leadership Center uses acting to train business leaders

Soapbox, 10/19/2010 Thursday, October 21, 2010

Though the words "'Cause I said so!" may carry some clout on the home front, authoritative power is rarely as influential in the workplace, according to one of the newest programs being offered at the Xavier Leadership Center. The Xavier Leadership Center's day-long course, "Influencing Without Authority," demonstrates that "power of influence" is in fact an oxymoron, reports Soapbox.

The popular program is designed to train business professionals at all levels more effective, and less imposing, methods of leadership using enhanced interpersonal communication skills.

Read the full story here.

Ohio eliminates taxes on renewable energy projects

GOV.MONITOR, 10/4/10 Thursday, October 07, 2010

Gov. Ted Strickland has signed an executive order to eliminate Ohio's tangible personal property tax and real property tax for advanced and renewable energy project facilities, reports Gov.Monitor.

Strickland announced in his State of the State address this year his plan to eliminate these taxes for energy projects to make Ohio more competitive for energy companies looking to locate and grow in Ohio and spur job creation.

Read the full story here.