Buzz

AEP to buy power from Ohio solar plant at former coal mine

BLOOMBERG, 10/5/10 Thursday, October 07, 2010

AEP Ohio, a unit of American Electric Power Co., has agreed to buy power from a 49.9-megawatt solar project being developed by Agile Energy Inc. and New Harvest Ventures at a former coal mine in southeast Ohio, reports Bloomberg.

San Bruno, California-based renewable energy developer Agile and local developer New Harvest signed a 20-year contract for the Turning Point project, AEP said Tuesday.

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Ohio offers $8-million boost to ethanol, biodiesel plants

DOMESTIC FUEL.COM, 9/24/10 Thursday, October 07, 2010

The federal government may be dragging its heels on its support for biofuels, but many states, including Ohio, are stepping up to plate, reports Domestic Fuel.com.

Ohio has designated an $8 million fund to boost biofuel production by subsidizing ethanol and biodiesel refining equipment purchases. The program is designed to give ethanol and biodiesel equipment manufactures based in Ohio a market boost.

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New tool helps explore path to more tech grads

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 9/28/10 Thursday, October 07, 2010

Policymakers and philanthropists have a new resource to increase the number of graduates in science, technology, engineering and math, reports the Associated Press.

An online tool developed by the Business-Higher Education Forum with help from Ohio State University debuted late last month and allows people to see what combinations of policies might create the most interest in such degrees and careers.

Read the full story here.

Smucker jobs in California coming to Ohio

THE CONTRA COSTA TIMES, 10/5/10 Thursday, October 07, 2010

Between 20 and 25 jobs will be transferred from Smucker Natural Foods plant in Chico, Calif., to Ohio, reports the Contra-Costa Times.

Citing a Plain Dealer report, the Times says 20 to 25 nonfactory jobs will be transferred to Smucker's Orrville headquarters by summer 2011.

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Huntington Bank to add branches, jobs, at 105 Ohio grocery stores

THE RECORD-COURIER, 9/30/10 Thursday, October 07, 2010

Huntington Bank and Giant Eagle have signed an exclusive 15-year deal to add full-service bank branches to at least 103 grocery stores in Ohio, reports the Record-Courier.

The bank estimates the agreement will create 500 jobs and will give Huntington nearly 500 branches in Ohio � the largest number of bank branches in the state.

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Ohio releases faster passenger train schedule

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 9/24/10 Thursday, October 07, 2010

State officials say trains running on Ohio's planned passenger rail project are capable of completing the entire Cleveland-to-Cincinnati route in just over 5 hours, much faster than a previous estimate, reports the Associated Press.

The new schedule is based on a more detailed computer analysis of train performance on the 255-mile route and would make the service more competitive with driving.

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UC researchers win 2010 Earth award to bring Biofuel foam to market

SOAPBOX, 10/5/10 Thursday, October 07, 2010

A University of Cincinnati professor has won a 2010 Earth Award, a global award for innovative, consumer-driven ideas, for an artificial photosynthetic foam that can be converted into biofuel, reports Soapbox

David Wendell, assistant professor of biomedical engineering and civil and environmental engineering, designed the foam with Carlo Montemagno, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

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RGP's Weathers to lead Savannah development authority

SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS, 9/28/10 Thursday, October 07, 2010

The Savannah Economic Development Authority has named Steven W. Weathers of Toledo to lead the authority as its president and CEO, reports the Savannah Morning News.

Weathers, a native of South Carolina, is president and CEO of Regional Growth Partnership and president and managing director of Rocket Ventures, RGP's venture capital arm.

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Ohio attorney general to review Southwest/AirTran deal

DOW JONES, 10/5/10 Thursday, October 07, 2010

Ohio's attorney general says he will review the impact on competition from plans by Southwest Airlines Co. to acquire AirTran Holdings Inc., reports Dow Jones.

Richard Cordray was at the forefront of state-level efforts to assess the planned merger of Continental Airlines Inc. and the parent of United Airlines, UAL Corp., and extracted concessions over their future Ohio operations after their merger.

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BioOhio Annual Conference to embark on regional innovation tour

BIO OHIO, 9/9/10 Thursday, September 23, 2010

In 2010, BioOhio's Annual Conference is multiplying. For the first time, BioOhio will host its annual event in three regions on three different dates, the organization reports.

The "Innovation Road Show" will focus on biomedical innovation and how essential it is from R&D to the marketplace, while leaving time for networking. The road show will make stops in northeast Ohio on Sept. 28, central Ohio on Oct. 28, and southwest Ohio on Nov. 17.

Read the full account here. To register, go here.

NorTech wins grant for print-on-flex

PRINTED CIRCUIT DESIGN AND FAB, 9/21/10 Thursday, September 23, 2010

The US Small Business Administration has awarded a $500,000 program to NorTech, a regional technology advocacy group focused on the development of electronics devices printed on flexible materials in the Northeast, reports Printed Circuit Design and Fab.

NorTech reportedly will work jointly with other small companies to flesh out projects that result in commercial products, under the auspices of Kent State University.

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Cruze control: At Lordstown, part of GM's future is under way

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 9/18/10 Thursday, September 23, 2010

Much is riding on the new compact sedan General Motors launched earlier this month at its Lordstown plant, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Not only is GM counting on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze to boost its comeback after last year's bankruptcy and recovery, the U.S. and Ohio economies are depending on the small car's success as well.

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Ohio's motion-picture tax credit: 1 year later

THE PLAIN DEALER, 9/09/10 Thursday, September 23, 2010

The tally in the first year of Ohio's film tax credit is nine movies and at least one new resident, reports the Plain Dealer.

Wickliffe native Monique Hahn, a movie makeup artist, has moved back home, leaving Los Angeles this year after learning eight to 10 movies were expected to take advantage of Ohio's credit.

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Colorado State, OSU, share research leadership position

NORTHERN COLORADO BUSINESS REPORT, 9/17/10 Thursday, September 23, 2010

Colorado State University and Ohio State University announced creation of a three-year shared leadership position to explore energy and environment-related research and economic development opportunities, reports the Northern Colorado Business Report.

The new position - called the Vice President and Enterprise Executive for Energy and the Environment - will be filled by Ron Sega, a former astronaut and undersecretary of the Air Force who currently serves as CSU's vice president for energy and the environment.

Read the full story here.

Hexion to merge with N.Y.-based Momentive

TROY RECORD, 9/13/10 Thursday, September 23, 2010

Columbus-based Hexion Specialty Chemicals will merge with Momentive Performance Materials Inc., of Colonie, N.Y., to form one of the largest chemicals and materials companies in the world, reports the Troy Record.

The new company will be based in Columbus but will assume the Momentive name. The company will have projected annual sales of about $7.5 billion and employ more than 10,000 at its various locations.

Read the full story here.