2008 Woodie Awards
Strickland plan hopes to spur area job creation
Ann Koblenzer
Issue date: 4/1/08 Section: Front Page
As state legislators return to work April 1 after spring break, a new job creation plan proposed by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland will likely be among the first issues debated.
Mark Shanahan, Governor Ted Strickland's energy adviser, presented the governor's "Building Ohio Jobs" plan in Monroe, Ohio March 29-explaining how the $1.7 billion plan will bring 80,000 jobs to Ohio as well make the state economically competitive.
At this point, there seems to be support for the plan among some members of the community and industry in southwest Ohio. Lauren Goode, communications director for the Building Ohio Jobs Coalition said that Monroe and surrounding areas in southwest Ohio will benefit from the plan, since the district has seen recent economic growth-such as the March opening of IKEA in West Chester.
"Southwest Ohio stands to benefit greatly from this proposal," Goode said. "There is a lot of growth, particularly in Butler County … There is an opportunity to build up the county infrastructure. That will benefit the people who live here currently, the businesses here and then any business that we are able to attract to this area."
The plan will invest $700 million in specific industry sectors, specifically $250 million in advanced energy, $100 million in bio-products, $200 million in biomedical energy and $150 million in logistics and distribution infrastructure. The plan will also invest $1 billion in infrastructure, $400 million in both the Clean Ohio Fund and Public Works Commission and $200 million in the Main Street Renewal Project.
According to Goode, the Main Street Renewal Project focuses on the preservation of Ohio's unique main street areas.
"There are a lot of opportunities for communities to dress-up their downtown, which will help attract businesses and keep people downtown," Goode said.
Areas in Southwest Ohio that are close to transportation opportunities, such as highways, are also being looked at for industry investment.
Mark Shanahan, Governor Ted Strickland's energy adviser, presented the governor's "Building Ohio Jobs" plan in Monroe, Ohio March 29-explaining how the $1.7 billion plan will bring 80,000 jobs to Ohio as well make the state economically competitive.
At this point, there seems to be support for the plan among some members of the community and industry in southwest Ohio. Lauren Goode, communications director for the Building Ohio Jobs Coalition said that Monroe and surrounding areas in southwest Ohio will benefit from the plan, since the district has seen recent economic growth-such as the March opening of IKEA in West Chester.
"Southwest Ohio stands to benefit greatly from this proposal," Goode said. "There is a lot of growth, particularly in Butler County … There is an opportunity to build up the county infrastructure. That will benefit the people who live here currently, the businesses here and then any business that we are able to attract to this area."
The plan will invest $700 million in specific industry sectors, specifically $250 million in advanced energy, $100 million in bio-products, $200 million in biomedical energy and $150 million in logistics and distribution infrastructure. The plan will also invest $1 billion in infrastructure, $400 million in both the Clean Ohio Fund and Public Works Commission and $200 million in the Main Street Renewal Project.
According to Goode, the Main Street Renewal Project focuses on the preservation of Ohio's unique main street areas.
"There are a lot of opportunities for communities to dress-up their downtown, which will help attract businesses and keep people downtown," Goode said.
Areas in Southwest Ohio that are close to transportation opportunities, such as highways, are also being looked at for industry investment.
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