Mar 2 2007
PolymerOhio, a statewide network of polymer-related companies, today announced an award of $1.5 million from the Third Frontier Project. The grant will be used to establish PolymerOhio Company Attraction, an organization dedicated to attracting advanced polymer companies to establish operations in Ohio.
Polymers represent unique economic opportunity The polymer industry is currently Ohio's largest manufacturing industry cluster, with 140,000 employees in 2,800 companies. A continual stream of new technology and applications provides for ongoing growth and vitality.
"PolymerOhio Company Attraction will leverage the state's extensive polymer assets to attract new businesses to Ohio," said Wayne Earley, president of PolymerOhio Company Attraction. "Our vision is for Ohio to become the primary destination for business operations expansion for businesses in target segments of the polymer industry. This can ultimately have significant impact on the long-term health of Ohio's economy.
"PolymerOhio has in-depth knowledge of the polymer industry, a high level of expertise in polymer and polymer-related technologies and experience managing business organizations and economic development organizations," Earley said. "Because of this, PolymerOhio has developed relationships with key Ohio, national and international leaders in the polymer industry."
Collaborative effort
PolymerOhio Company Attraction will work in partnership with Ohio's local, regional and state economic development groups. PolymerOhio will also serve as a collaborator with Omeris, the recipient of a similar grant to attract bioscience companies, some of which will have polymer-related applications. Activity and funding for both programs will begin in the second quarter of 2007.
The company attraction programs being led by PolymerOhio and Omeris will complement current Ohio economic development efforts, namely the Ohio Business Development Coalition's "Why Ohio?" marketing campaign. Both programs will utilize lead management tools maintained by the Ohio Department of Development.
Polymer industry acknowledged as a powerful force
The polymer industry has won a major share of Third Frontier grants over the past two-three years. These grants were highly competitive and were reviewed by the National Academy of Science (NAS) and other third parties. In addition to the PolymerOhio Company Attraction award, the polymer industry recently received the approval of the Third Frontier Commission for three additional polymer projects and played a key role in a fourth, totaling more than 60 percent of the state's Research and Commercialization awards. This demonstrates the near-term commercial opportunity for growth.