2008 Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium brings together global leaders to highlight innovations in Ohio's internationally recognized fuel cell industry AKRON, Ohio, May 12
AKRON, Ohio, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Clean energy innovations and Ohio's
international leadership in the fuel cell industry will unite global leaders
at the annual Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium at the University of Akron Tuesday and
Wednesday. According to the Ohio Business Development Coalition, the nonprofit
organization that markets the state for capital investment, the symposium
highlights how Ohio's nurturing business environment and collaboration among
industry insiders offers companies and executives the opportunity to realize
their highest goals and ambitions.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071107/CLW113LOGO )
"Ohio's collaborative environment among industry, academic, and government
leaders has created an unparalleled Fuel Cell Corridor that is leading to
global fuel cell applications providing clean power for Ohioans and citizens
of the world," said Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, who also serves as
Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "At the Ohio Fuel Cell
Symposium, there is a great deal of excitement about not just the existing
uses of Ohio-produced fuel cells such as providing vehicular power, but also
their future role in augmenting public energy resources."
Prominent business and government leaders including Gov. Ted Strickland
and Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted have joined together to share the excitement
of Ohio fuel cell industry powered products in use now and on the horizon.
Fresh on the heels of the passage of Ohio's Energy Bill, the Symposium also
provides an opportunity for fuel cell industry leaders to discuss the critical
role of alternative energy resources for Ohio's future.
This month, Ohio Gov. Strickland signed into law a landmark energy reform
bill that will require at least 25 percent of the electricity sold in Ohio to
be generated from advanced energy technology by 2025 -- with a minimum of 12.5
percent from renewable energy resources. At the same time, Ohio government
leaders have agreed to pursue a jobs and economic development stimulus package
that will provide $150 million in advanced energy supply chain funding to
further stimulate industry development.
"Ohio is one of the few places in the world where all phases of fuel cell
development take place," said Ken Alfred, executive director of the Ohio Fuel
Cell Coalition. "Ohio not only hosts all phases of fuel cell development, from
research and development to component and material supply to final product
manufacturing, but also has the added advantage of cross-sector support from
business, government and educational institutions to further innovation and
commercialization opportunities."
The state has further committed to supporting the industry with the Ohio
Fuel Cell Initiative, a multi-million-dollar program that aims to spur job
creation in Ohio while positioning the state as a national leader in the
growing fuel cell industry. The initiative is an integral part of the Third
Frontier Program, a $1.6 billion high-tech jobs development program designed
to help catalyze connections between companies and academia to support job
growth and wealth creation. Over $75 million in state grants have been
invested in fuel cell R&D and manufacturing process improvements,
demonstrations and commercialization projects since 2003 with a continuing
state commitment to additional funding support.
"Once known for its abundance of blue collar workers, Ohio is now
transforming its economy to meet the advanced energy needs of the 21st
century. Combined with new programs to educate and train a new generation of
green collar workers, Ohio's depth in advanced design, advanced materials and
advanced manufacturing combine to create the perfect combination of skill sets
and capabilities to make the state a global leader in this rapidly growing
industry," said Ed Burghard, executive director of the Ohio Business
Development Coalition. "Business owners profit from the bottom-line benefits
of better work:life balance for their employees. Ohio's low-cost, low stress
communities and combination of micropolitan and metropolitan cities provides
executives and employees the resources and time to make any ambition
achievable. Ohio truly is the state of perfect balance."
About the Ohio Business Development Coalition
The Ohio Business Development Coalition is a nonprofit organization that
provides marketing strategy and implementation to support Ohio's economic
development efforts. For more information, visit
http://www.ohiomeansbusiness.com .
For more information about the Fuel Cell Corridor and the Ohio Fuel Cell
Symposium, visit www.fuelcellcorridor.com .
SOURCE Ohio Business Development Coalition
