Ohio Leads the U.S. in Advanced Energy Growth

Both Site Selection Magazine and Pew Charitable Trust have recognized Ohio for leading the nation in advanced energy job creation, company expansions and new locations.

Factors leading to Ohio's success include:

• A firm state-commitment that includes one of the nation's most aggressive renewable portfolio standards (RPS) and industry-specific incentive programs.
• Cutting edge innovation unique to Ohio's university system and non-profit organizations.
• A history of manufacturing excellence making way for an existing supply chain and green-collar workforce.
• A prime market for power generation thanks to a location within 600 miles of 60% of the U.S. population and a robust distribution grid.
• The lowest tax rates in the Midwest.

Ohio's advanced energy and environmental technologies industry includes companies that offer products and services that are based on the production of energy and environmental improvement. The scope of Ohio's advanced energy and environmental technologies industry encompasses research and development, manufacturing of solar, wind, biomass, clean coal, fuel cells, hydroelectric, geothermal, storage facilities that promote better utilization of renewable energy resources and other energy generating processes along with remediation and environmental engineering, research, testing and control systems. Whether it's in these fields or others—batteries, efficient lighting, advanced coal, bioenergy, nuclear—Ohio is the place to grow your business in advanced energy.

Ohio’s Public-Private VC Programs Offer Key to Growth

Experts in venture capital and early stage investing say Ohio’s 2010 venture capital success is dependent on the combination of public programs such as Ohio Third Frontier, coupled with private venture capital investments throughout the state.

A recent report issued by the Brookings Institution cites programs such as the Ohio Third Frontier, an unprecedented and bipartisan commitment to create new technology-based products, companies, industries, and jobs, as successful complements to private venture capital funding to encourage innovative start-up companies, entrepreneurship, and business development.

Read more about Ohio's formula for entrepreneurial and growth success.

Ohio Ranks Number One For Fourth Consecutive Year

It's not surprising to executives who live and work in Ohio that Site Selection magazine has awarded Ohio with the annual Governor's Cup Award for the fourth year in a row.

The Governor's Cup Award is based on the number of private capital investments for new or expanded facilities that involved an investment of at least $1 million, created a minimum of 50 new jobs or added at least 20,000 square feet of new floor area. Ohio came in first place with 381 projects. Texas ranks second in the nation with 374 projects, followed by Michigan (371), Pennsylvania (333) and Tennessee (234).

There are many reasons why Ohio continues to be the ideal place to establish or grow a business but three key reasons include the purposeful redesign of Ohio's business climate, the state's world-class assets in advanced design, advanced materials and advanced manufacturing; and focused academic support that enables business success.

Read more about the award and why Ohio continues to beat out all the other states in the nation in the race for new business.

Cincinnati Leads the Nation in Green Building Innovations

With Cincinnati leading the pack, Ohio is emerging as a leader in the green building movement. Changing demographics and lifestyles are making green choices more popular, and the success of projects in Cincinnati shows that the future of building in Ohio is about making it green, building sustainable and competitive industries in the region.

Chad Edwards is 2010 president-elect of the US Green Building Council Cincinnati Regional Chapter and an architect with Emersion DESIGN in Cincinnati, whose office is certified LEED Platinum, the highest green rating available. He says Ohio's green business expansion started in 2004 with initiatives to build new schools to LEED standards. In fact, Ohio was one of the first states to mandate LEED construction for schools. As a result of Ohio’s leadership in the area, Ohio now has more LEED certified schools than California, Washington, Oregon, Texas, New Mexico and Florida combined.

Click here to learn more about Cincinnati’s green building boom.

Advanced Energy Business Incubator to Expand Ohio’s Technological Strengths

Millions in state and federal funding has recently been secured to launch a green and advanced energy business incubator in Warren, Ohio. The purpose of the incubator is to help foster the development of technology businesses in Ohio’s Mahoning Valley. Essentially, the businesses spawned from the incubator will produce parts for geothermal, solar and nuclear energy plants, increasing the number of tech jobs in the state.

The Northeast Ohio Technology Coalition (Nortech) will be lending its expertise on the incubator project. Rebecca Bagley, president and CEO of Cleveland-based Nortech, said that over the next 10 months Nortech will help to identify the site for the incubator. Nortech will also help the incubator's 26-person steering committee develop an operational plan.

So far, nearly $3 million has been secured for the project. About $2.2 million in federal funds will be used to help equip the site. Another $500,000 in state funds has been earmarked to purchase the incubator building. Operating capital is expected to come from both federal and state dollars, including Ohio Third Frontier, a bipartisan commitment to expand Ohio's technology business.

Click here to learn more about the advanced energy business incubator in Warren, Ohio.