Media Contact:
Kelly South
216-241-8458
ksouth@nortech.org
EDA Grant Boosts NorTech Advanced Energy Cluster Development in Northeast Ohio
May 6, 2010 (CLEVELAND) -- NorTech, a regional nonprofit economic development organization and
catalyst for growing technology industries in Northeast Ohio, has been awarded a $300,000 grant by the
Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. This marks the first
competitive federal grant to NorTech and Northeast Ohio for the development of a regional innovation
strategy for the advanced energy industry. The funding is key to the ongoing efforts of NorTech Energy
Enterprise, an initiative focused on accelerating commercial activity in the region’s advanced energy
industry.
“We are pleased to be working with EDA on such an important initiative for the Northeast Ohio region.
The funding validates NorTech’s work to develop a thriving advanced energy cluster and its potential to
serve as a national model for regional technology-based economic development,” said Rebecca O.
Bagley, President and CEO of NorTech.
There has been significant investment and momentum in many advanced energy sectors in Northeast
Ohio. The EDA grant will be used to fund a series of roadmaps that will develop a regional vision in four
emerging globally-competitive advanced energy sectors: Energy Storage, Smart Grid, Transportation
Electrification, and Biomass/Waste-to-Energy. NorTech will continue to work broadly within the
region’s advanced energy cluster while leading the roadmapping process.
“The roadmaps will help us create a clear vision and path to develop a thriving advanced energy cluster
in our region. The process will help us further identify Northeast Ohio’s advanced energy assets and how
the region can leverage those assets to create a distinct advantage to become globally competitive in
this industry now and in the future,” said Dave Karpinski, Vice President of NorTech and Director of
NorTech Energy Enterprise.
To develop the roadmaps, NorTech Energy Enterprise will engage regional industry, academia,
government, and funding partners in a series of workshops to gain valuable insight and input. The
process will help identify the unique strengths of the region in the specific sectors; characterize the
global market drivers and opportunities; assess the competitive landscape and outline the regional
opportunities. The roadmapping process will be completed in early 2011.
"Through our skilled workforce and strong supply chain, Ohio will lead the nation in the clean energy
economy," said Sen. Sherrod Brown. "These funds will ensure that Northeast Ohio’s workers have the
training they need to upgrade our energy infrastructure, increase our energy efficiency, and help attract
new jobs in the clean energy industry."
“President Obama is committed to reinvigorating the competitiveness of communities and regions
impacted by the downturn of the auto industry,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Economic Development John R. Fernandez. “This EDA investment will advance regional collaboration to
boost an emerging green economy sector that has major potential to provide higher-skill, living-wage
job opportunities in northeast Ohio.”
Media Contact:
Kelly South
216-241-8458
ksouth@nortech.org
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About NorTech:
NorTech is a regional nonprofit technology-based economic development organization that serves 21
counties in Northeast Ohio. As a catalyst for growth in technology industries, NorTech is the only
organization in Northeast Ohio that focuses solely on the technology-based economy across all sectors.
NorTech’s efforts are focused on developing regional technology clusters that make Northeast Ohio
more economically diverse. By accelerating commercial activity, marshaling resources, and forging
collaborations, NorTech is leading an effort to build regional technology clusters in Northeast Ohio that
will create jobs, attract capital and have a long-term, positive economic impact on the region.
www.nortech.org
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration:
This year, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) marks 45 years of public service, with a
mission of leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and
preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA is an agency within
the U.S. Department of Commerce that partners with distressed communities throughout the United
States to foster job creation, collaboration and innovation.‪www.eda.gov