Oho is national leader in aerospace and aviation

As the birthplace of aviation, Ohio's aerospace and aviation industry covers a complete spectrum of advanced propulsion technologies for all aerospace vehicle types (aircraft, rockets and spacecraft) both military and commercial. Ohio's network of suppliers draws in billions of dollars annually from global companies like Boeing and Airbus.

Ohio also is home to some of the world's largest aerospace and aviation industry businesses including GE Aviation, Boeing, Parker-Hannifin, Goodrich and Timken, just to name a few. In addition, Ohio also is home to a world-class research environment that includes two dedicated federal aerospace laboratories - Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton and NASA Glenn in Cleveland - and ten aerospace related doctoral programs at Ohio universities. Graduates of these institutions provide a cluster of highly skilled and educated workers.

Ohio's aerospace jobs rank 1st among the 12 comparable states in private sector aerospace and defense manufacturing value-added, nearly double the national average. More than 66,000 specialized aerospace and aviation workers-double the national average-provide Ohio with an abundant pool of professionals to effectively meet industry needs.

Aerospace companies located in Ohio also benefit from Ohio's central location supported by a world-class logistics infrastructure, easy access to markets and supply chains, a highly skilled workforce, and public-private sector leadership.

Ohio is within 600 miles of 60 percent of the U.S. and Canadian population and is within a one-day drive of 70 percent of North America's manufacturing capacity. The state's central location and world-class logistics capabilities help companies reduce operating costs by getting components and finished goods quickly to their destination anywhere in the U.S. or around the globe.

Understanding today's global economy, Ohio lawmakers dramatically revamped the state's tax structure, creating the lowest rates in the Midwest and an extremely profit-friendly business climate for companies that locate in the state.

The advantages Ohio offers positions the state as an international leader for business success in the 21st century global marketplace. Companies continue to discover the benefits of investing in Ohio, finding a preferred location for capital investment, a competitive business environment and a perfect balance between business pursuits and personal aspirations.

Entrepreneur turns dreams into reality in Ohio

A California native with an entrepreneurial itch, Dr. Patrick Hood admits he never thought of starting a business in Ohio, until a job offer after college from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base brought him to the Buckeye state. “Ohio felt like a different country. People would talk to you,” says Hood, now CEO of Cornerstone Research Group (CRG), remembering what he thought after moving to the state.

Hood’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to start CRG from his basement in 1997 with five hundred dollars in capital. Located in Dayton, Ohio, CRG is dedicated to providing high-quality research and development services that lead to breakthrough technologies. Today, the company employs about 60 employees and constantly works on new material that leads to innovative breakthroughs for a wide array of industries with a major focus on commercial and government contracts. Major clients include NASA and the Department of Defense.

“We offer the ability to take an idea and develop that concept from cradle to grave,” says Hood. The fact that CRG is mostly a knowledge-based company can be a detriment when it comes to investors. “I sell dreams. It’s hard to convince someone that we are going to take an idea and turn it into a business,” says Hood.

Hood leveraged Ohio's offering of entrepreneurial resources, such as access to capital and knowledgeable work force by utilizing two Ohio Third Frontier Programs, including an internship program that connected CRG to vital high-tech students, some of who are now company executives.

CRG touts technology and products that range from underwater to aerospace. For five consecutive years, CRG has had the honor of being on the Inc. 5000 list, a ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies.

Ohio‘s central location allows easy access to key North American and global markets, enabling CRG to quickly travel to clients and key prospects. With a large number of government clients, Ohio’s proximity to Washington, D.C. and various military bases, as well as access to three major airports, prove to be valuable for the company.

In addition, Ohio’s favorable business climate and high quality of living, combined with low business and personal costs, made Ohio the top choice for CRG executives, employees and their families.

With his West Coast background and firmly planted Ohio roots, Hood describes CRG as a fast-paced business with Midwest values.

Read the rest of Hood's story about achieving his entrepreneurial dreams in Ohio.

Ohio Third Frontier Supports Breakthroughs in Advanced Materials Industry

Strategic investments made by Ohio Third Frontier have resulted in a thriving advanced materials industry cluster and are leading the way for technological breakthroughs that will help the state compete on a global level.

Ohio Third Frontier's most recent contribution to the advanced materials cluster is a $3 million award to the University of Dayton Research Institute to fund the scale-up and production of a new multifunctional, multitasking nanomaterial. The new material, known as Nano Adaptive Hybrid Fabric (NAHF-X™), is nicknamed "fuzzy fiber" for its multiscale capabilities in electrical and thermal conductivity, chemical sensing and energy storage and conversion.

Researchers at the University of Dayton Research Institute say the material is "game-changing" due to its ability to be produced in customized sizes, much like other fabrics.

In addition to the advanced materials cluster, Ohio Third Frontier has fostered the emergence of new technology clusters across the state, including fuel cells, photovoltaics, and biomedical imaging.

According to the 2009 "Making an Impact" report conducted by SRI, Ohio Third Frontier's strategies for investing in Ohio's high-tech clusters contain all the elements associated with global best practices in technology cluster development, and indicate that these investments are already generating positive economic outcomes for Ohio's economy in terms of growth in technology sector employment, output and wages. Since its inception, the Ohio Third Frontier has created, capitalized or attracted more than 600 companies, has created nearly 55,000 direct and indirect jobs and helped create $6.6 billion in economic impact in Ohio, a 9:1 return on investment.

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Aerospace Weekend Celebrations in Dayton, Ohio

This weekend kicks of celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Apollo missions crew members are reuniting tonight in Dayton at the National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) for the 2009 Milton Caniff "Spirit of Flight" Award Ceremony. Legendary Apollo 11 crew members Neil Armstrong and "Buzz" Aldrin are among the award recipients.

Tonight is the first time in years these American heroes have been assembled together, but there's more going on in Dayton celebrating aviation history this weekend. The National Aviation Hall of Fame, on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, is enshrining the late film star Jimmy Stewart, a WWII bomber pilot and airpower advocate. NAHF will also enshrine Eileen Collins, U.S. Air Force test pilot and first female Shuttle commander; Russell Meyer, Jr., former Chairman and CEO of Cessna Aircraft Company; and the late Edward H. White II, Gemini and Apollo missions astronaut who lost his life in the Apollo 1 launch pad fire in 1967.

Dayton has always played an important part in the development of American aviation technology, from the birth of flight as home of the Wright Brothers to the latest aeropropulsion military advances today. It's no wonder the Dayton Air Show, also taking place this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, is one of the most popular events of its kind in the country.