Thoughts from an Ohio Executive

I recently spoke with John R. Nottingham, the co-founder and co-president of Nottingham-Spirk Design Associates, Inc., one of the leading new product and package innovation groups in the US with over 500 commercialized patents to date. Nottingham-Spirk product innovations have helped to create jobs and growth for Ohio companies and throughout the US for over 35 years. Notable design support projects include Crest SpinBrush®, Swiffer SweeperVac®, and Sherwin-Williams Twist & Pour® paint container.

John shared with me how his company benefits from the state's talented labor pool in the fields of product design, engineering and marketing. In addition, Nottingham-Spirk Design Associates offers an internship program for college students and new graduates.

The state of Ohio is committed to building, maintaining and retaining a talented labor pool that meets demands for Ohio businesses. From K-12 schools that challenge and inspire students to be both imaginative and analytical in their thinking, to postsecondary institutions that promote the development of moral character and produce highly skilled graduates, every level of Ohio's education and workforce development system is designed to create an educated, innovative and reliable workforce.

Click here to read more about my interview with John.

IndustryWeek features innovative Ohio workforce training program

All over the state of Ohio, the education system is working overtime.

The national business monthly IndustryWeek has recognized just how hard Ohio is working in our 21st-century economy in a March story about Northeast Ohio workforce training for the bioscience industry.

This winter IndustryWeek went out to visit Cuyahoga Community College – Tri-C to locals – to check out the new Bioscience Workforce Training Center. I couldn't be more pleased with the story that came out of this visit. The coverage not only recognizes the growing demand for bioscience workers in Northeast Ohio, it captures perfectly the message of Ohio public-private partnership in action for the world to see.

From Tri-C's major state grant, to its collaboration with top employers, and its outreach to manufacturing workers for job retraining, IndustryWeek really got the story right. I encourage you to read it and share it with your friends and colleagues.

Ohio’s leadership in the bioscience industry doesn't stop here. With more than $2.5 billion in funding and 1,141 bioscience entities in operation throughout the state, Ohio has established an international leadership role in the industry. From early research to full commercialization, from diagnostic to therapeutic, from pharmaceutical to medical devices, and from agricultural biotech to advanced materials, Ohio’s bioscience capabilities reflect extraordinary range.

Based on the color model established by European bioscience leaders, Ohio’s strength in the Red (health), Green (agriculture) and White (industrial) bioscience industry sectors uniquely stimulates innovation, promotes cross-collaboration and provides cost-effective solutions to scientific challenges. In fact, according to Business Facilities Magazine, Ohio ranks best in the Midwest and 4th in the nation for its strengths in the bioscience industry.

Ohio is working hard to proactively redesign its business climate to support a global leading 21st-century economy. With the state's new tax reform, Ohio will become even more competitive in the state’s leading industries.