In This Issue
News From Around Ohio
Weekly News and Opinion from Ohio's
Newspapers
August 4 - 10, 2009
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Cleveland State University
Welcome to the latest issue of Economic News from
Ohio's Regions, a new weekly newsletter from the
Ohio Urban University Program and the Maxine
Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland
State University. We'll search Ohio's papers to bring
you economic news and key happenings that impact
Ohio's regions.
The Ohio Urban University Program
News From Around Ohi0
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Pickaway County secures $2 million for Pickaway
East-West Connector (Chillicothe Gazette, August 4,
2009) The Connector provides an essential link to the
expected growth in the logistics sector in Central Ohio
over the next 20-30 years. It has been estimated that
15,000-20,000 new jobs can be created in the
Rickenbacker area over that time frame. The catalyst
for this growth is the Intermodal.
Cleveland State University
Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs,
Send to:
m.s.schnoke@csuohio.edu
Editorial: Great Lakes effect (Akron Beacon Journal,
August 6, 2009) A promising way to boost the
economy of Northeast Ohio? Invest in the region's
most valuable natural resource. Andy Buschbaum
serves as the co-chairman of the Healing Our WatersGreat Lakes Coalition, a Michigan-based collaboration
of 100 organizations. He emphasized in an article over
the weekend by Bob Downing, a Beacon Journal staff
writer, that a proposed $400 million devoted to
restoring the Great Lakes won't be a ''one-shot deal.''
Akron does second round of layoffs (Akron Beacon
Journal, August 7, 2009) Akron gave its second round
of layoff notices this morning to 14 temporary or
seasonal employees. The city gave layoff notices to 21
employees last week who were temporary, seasonal or
part-time. These are the first layoffs in Akron in 27
years.
Editorial: Cincinnati Rail Proposal (Cincinnati
Enquirer, August 8, 2009) A proposed city charter
amendment on this November's ballot has not only
altered the debate over the city's plan for a $185
million, riverfront-to-Uptown fixed-rail streetcar route, it
has all but obliterated it. It has sucked the air out of
any substantive discussion about such a system's
actual merits.
OU elliptical users generate energy for the grid
(Columbus Dispatch, August 8, 2009) Ohio University
students who use the 20 elliptical machines at the
recreational center are boosting more than their heart
health. The Charles J. Ping Recreational Center at the
Athens school is the 10th facility in the nation and the
first in Ohio to purchase equipment that allows users to
generate energy by exercising on the popular
machines.
Spending the stimulus (LimaOhio.com, August 8,
2009) The numbers are daunting: More than 27,000
applications were filed in Ohio. Most weren't approved,
but those that were account for more than $7 billion.
Some funding is distributed directly from the federal
government to local agencies. Some goes to the state,
which then passes it along. Other money is funneled
through the state to smaller districts that ultimately
distribute the funds.
Scholarship cash lures Ohio grads to Toledo
(Columbus Dispatch, August 8, 2009) The University of
Toledo will have three times as many freshmen from
Columbus this coming school year as it did a year ago,
and nearly half of them will receive a full academic
scholarship.
Federal payrolls are good for region (Dayton Daily
News, August 8, 2009) What's the biggest bright spot
in the Dayton region? Arguably, it's the federal
government. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base reported
its regional economic impact at $4.4 billion in fiscal
year 2008.
Youngstown, other Ohio cities aim to dispel
Forbes's grim view (Youngstown Vindicator, August
8, 2009) Mayor Jay Williams and a local community
activist will attend a symposium in Dayton of leaders
from eight of the 10 communities listed by Forbes as
the nation's fastest-dying cities. The Forbes 10 Fastest
Dying Cities Symposium will bring together
government officials, grass-roots activists, concerned
citizens, artists and entertainers Saturday from cities
on the list, said Peter Benkendorf, an organizer of the
event.
Business climate healthier in Ohio, entrepreneurs
say (Detroit Free Press, August 9, 2009) Ohio's 11.1%
unemployment rate in June was more than four
percentage points lower than Michigan's 15.2% rate.
And although both states badly lag overall U.S. growth,
Ohio's economy has grown 40% since 1999,
compared with just 28% for Michigan's.
Symposium explores ways to revive Dayton
(WHIOtv.com, August 9, 2009) Hundreds of people
gathered on Saturday at the Dayton Convention
Center to explore ways to reverse the city's decline
over the last few years. The decline has been
measured in job loss and other economic setbacks. It
follows a Forbes magazine article a year ago that
named Dayton as one of America's fastest dying cities.
The 2008 Forbes article told the nation that Dayton
was dying and was among the fastest-dying cities in
America. The article served as a wake-up call of sorts
to Mike Elsass, who runs the Color of Energy Gallery
in the Oregon District.
Stimulus forces Ohio city to rethink future
(Newsday, August 9, 2009) A small city that created a
niche for itself as a hub for Appalachian artists is
coming to grips with its stake in President Obama's
stimulus package.
Rolls-Royce role grows in NE Ohio fuel cell sector
(Crain's Cleveland Business, August 10, 2009) Even
without the expansions, Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell
Systems already is one of Ohio's biggest fuel cell
companies with 45 employees, 35 of whom are full
time. On top of that, a few other companies have
started small fuel cell operations nearby, to make
North Canton a focal point within Ohio's emerging fuel
cell industry.
Will Cuyahoga County corruption probe threaten
renewal of Health and Human Services levy next
year?(The Plain Dealer, August 10, 2009) Elected
officials have a little more than a year to convince
Cuyahoga County voters that if they renew a health
and human-services levy, their tax money won't be
squandered on luxury living by people holding the
public's purse strings.
Edited and compiled by: Molly Schnoke, Center for Civic Education, Maxine Goodman
Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University
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