Monday, September 21, 2009

Tech Across Ohio - Dayton Designated Ohio Aerospace Hub

Dayton Designated Ohio Aerospace Hub - click here to see original posting at whiotv.com

DAYTON, Ohio -- Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and Department of Development Interim Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel joined other state and Dayton-area leaders Tuesday to announce the creation of the first Ohio Hub of Innovation and Opportunity. The Dayton Hub, an urban revitalization partnership, will catalyze the city and region’s distinct aerospace and technology assets and drive sustainable growth for the community.

“To accelerate Ohio job growth and economic recovery, we must work in strategic partnerships toward a common vision,” Strickland said. “The designation of Dayton as Ohio’s Aerospace Hub positions the region for near and long-term growth by building on its historic strengths in aerospace and technology innovation.”

The goal of the Ohio Hub strategy is for a region to leverage its resources to attract clusters of connected businesses, encourage new investments and an influx of talented workers, and create new opportunities to grow jobs and develop Ohio’s key industries.

To be designated an Ohio Hub, a region must identify core strengths and develop a strategic plan for urban revitalization. A Hub designation is a commitment from both the state and region to work collaboratively and target economic development efforts toward building upon those identified strengths. Dayton’s Ohio Aerospace Hub of Innovation builds upon the area’s strengths in aerospace, sensor technologies, and advanced materials to create new companies, sustain existing partners, and attract new investment based on Ohio’s world-class research, development, and industry assets, including The University of Dayton and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

“Ever since the Wright Brothers cemented Dayton’s place in aerospace history by inventing the airplane here, we have been creating an economic base built around invention, creativity and originality,” Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin said. “Today’s hub designation further solidifies the strong relationship we have forged between such institutions as the University of Dayton Research Institute, Tech Town, and Wright Patterson Air Force Base. These relationships have helped create a powerful knowledge center that attracts talented professionals and technical expertise worldwide.”

“Ohio’s Aerospace Hub will bring Dayton’s physical resources and human talent together to create a whole that is much greater than the sum of the individual parts,” said Lt. Governor Lee Fisher, who helped create the Ohio Hub concept in the Ohio Department of Development’s Strategic Plan for Economic Development. “Building off the incredible aerospace assets in the Dayton area will catalyze dynamic and innovative new businesses in the community.”

The Aerospace Hub will encourage urban revitalization in Dayton’s core through technology and commercialization-based economic development producing a knowledge intersection – where aerospace companies and core research facilities can build mutual assets, and support emerging sensor and technology companies, strengthening our established industry cluster.

“Targeted investments in brownfield sites and technology breakthroughs are creating exciting new development opportunities like Dayton’s Tech Town,” said Lisa Patt-McDaniel, interim director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Collaborative development plans like the Ohio Hubs program capitalize on historic and emerging regional assets to expand exciting start-ups and invest in the future of the long-time partners.”

The Ohio Hub program develops a unique, concentrated environment that spurs innovation, company growth, employment, capital investment, product sales, and community development in designated zones.

“This designation comes at a truly appropriate time,” said Montgomery County Commissioner Deborah A. Lieberman. “Right now, the Dayton-Montgomery County Region is hosting 10 Israeli aerospace companies, proving that we are already forging a reputation as a global leader in aerospace research and commercialization of the technologies developed here. These Israeli companies are exploring partnerships with local firms and educational institutions in order to market newly developed technologies in sensors, advanced composite materials and human sciences. The HUB designation reinforces the region’s growing global reputation.”

“We are very excited about the announcement that Dayton is the Ohio Hub of Innovation and Opportunity for Aerospace,” Dayton Development Coalition President and CEO Jim Leftwich said. “We see this designation as validation of many years of planning and hard work to base our regional economy around the aerospace industry. I appreciate Governor Strickland, Lt. Governor Fisher, and the Ohio Department of Development for recognizing this region’s aerospace strategy. I look forward to working with them to develop the future of the Dayton Region.”

“The University of Dayton is excited to have this opportunity, especially since we are among the top universities in the nation for Department of Defense aerospace research,” said Mickey McCabe, Vice President for Research and Executive Director of the University of Dayton Research Institute. “We will focus on turning technology into positive economic outcomes for the City of Dayton, our region and the State of Ohio.”

The governor today also signed an Executive Directive requiring the Department of Development to establish an advisory group of aerospace and aviation industry leaders to assist with efforts to maximize aerospace and business aviation opportunities in Ohio.

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