Issue 1 Attracts Overwhelming Support Across Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The United for Jobs and Ohio's Future coalition announced today that it has secured more than 150 endorsements for Issue 1 from a diverse mix of organizations across Ohio. Issue 1 is a statewide ballot measure on the May 4 primary ballot that will renew the Ohio Third Frontier, Ohio's most successful economic development and jobs creation program.

The current funding mechanism for the Ohio Third Frontier, approved by Ohio voters in 2005, expires in 2012. Passage of Issue 1 will authorize $700 million in bonds to extend funding through at least 2016. Issue 1 will not raise taxes.

"Supporters of Issue 1 come from all parts of Ohio and represent every sector of our economy," said Jo Ann Davidson, co-chair of United for Jobs and Ohio's Future. "The growing list of endorsements for Issue 1 shows that once people understand how effective the Ohio Third Frontier has been at creating jobs, building new companies and expanding existing businesses, they want to ensure the program's benefits continue to grow and reach even more Ohioans."

Created in 2002 with bipartisan leadership and support, the Ohio Third Frontier makes targeted state investments in promising technologies, research and entrepreneurs. Since its inception, the Ohio Third Frontier has helped launch 571 new companies, supported expansions of many existing businesses and created more than 48,000 new jobs while generating $6.6 billion in economic activity.

"The Ohio Third Frontier has delivered on its promise to create quality jobs in Ohio and to fuel economic activity in all regions of the state," said coalition co-chair David Wilhelm. "Voter approval of Issue 1 will build on that success and bring tens of thousands more jobs to Ohio by creating an environment that fosters innovation, attracts investment and supports entrepreneurs."

Because of its proven record of success, State Issue 1 has attracted broad bipartisan support from individuals and organizations across Ohio. Issue 1 supporters include both candidates for governor, the vast majority of both Democrats and Republicans in the Ohio General Assembly, both the Ohio Democratic and Ohio Republican Party, and representatives of business, labor, higher education, agriculture, manufacturing and other major sectors of the economy.

To learn more about Issue 1, visit www.UnitedForJobsOhio.com.

Issue 1 Supporter List

The following organizations have formally endorsed Issue 1, the statewide ballot measure on the May 4 primary ballot that will renew and continue Ohio's most successful economic development and jobs creation program, the Ohio Third Frontier initiative. [updated 4.7.10]

Statewide Supporters

Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio

Clean Fuels Ohio

Communication Workers of America, State Council of Ohio

League of Women Voters of Ohio

Ohio AFL-CIO

Ohio Association of Realtors

Ohio Business Roundtable

Ohio Chamber of Commerce

Ohio Children's Hospital Association

Ohio Corn Growers Association

Ohio Council of Retail Merchants

Ohio Democratic Party

Ohio Environmental Council

Ohio Faculty Council

Ohio Farm Bureau Federation

Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition

Ohio Laborer's District Council

Ohio Republican Party

Ohio Society of CPAs

Ohio State Medical Association

Ohio Township Association

Prevent Blindness Ohio Executive Committee

ProgressOhio

The Ohio Manufacturers' Association

University Clean Energy Alliance of Ohio

Ohio Newspapers

Akron Beacon Journal

The Blade

The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Columbus Dispatch

Crain's Cleveland Business

The Morning Journal

The Plain Dealer

The Vindicator

Other Supporters throughout Ohio

Akron Chamber of Commerce

Arteriocyte

Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce

Athens County Economic Development Council

Axiomed Spine

Beachwood City Council

Beavercreek Area Chamber of Commerce

BioEnterprise

BioInnovation Institute of Akron

BioOhio

BioStart

Bowling Green State University

Bridge Investment Fund

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

Case Western Reserve University

Central State University

Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber

Cincinnatians for Progress

Cincinnatus

CincyPac

CincyTech

Cleveland City Council

Cleveland State University

Columbus Chamber of Commerce

Columbus City Council

Columbus Partnership

Columbus State University

Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce

Cuyahoga Community College

Cuyahoga County Mayors & Managers Association

Darke County Chamber of Commerce

Dayton City Commission

Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce

Dayton Development Coalition

The Dayton Entrepreneur Center

The Delaware Area Chamber of Commerce

E3 Technologies, Inc.

Early Stage Partners

Eaton-Preble County Chamber of Commerce

EZ Asphalt Technology, LLC

Fairborn Area Chamber of Commerce

Fairfield Chamber of Commerce

Fayette County Chamber of Commerce

Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce

Fund For Our Economic Future of Northeast Ohio

Got Game Media, Inc.

Greater Cleveland Partnership

Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce

Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce

Hamilton County Democratic Party

Hamilton County Development Corporation

Hilliard Area Chamber of Commerce

John Carroll University Entrepreneurs Association

JumpStart

GhostBlind Industries, Inc.

Kent State University

Lake County Mayors & Managers Association

Lakeland Community College

Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce

Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce

Licking County Chamber of Commerce

Lighthouse Technologies, Inc.

Lorain County Community College

Lucas County Board of Commissioners

Madison/Perry Area Chamber of Commerce

Mahoning County Democratic Party

Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce

Miami University

Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

Midtown Cleveland, Inc.

Montgomery County Democratic Party

Mount Vernon/Knox County Chamber of Commerce

National Fingerprint, LLC

NDI Medical

NEOUCOM

NET Incubator

Neuros Medical

NorTech

North Canton Chamber of Commerce

North Ridgeville Mayor and City Council

Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education

Northeast Ohio Mayors & Managers Association

Northwest State College

The Ohio State University

Ohio University Innovation Center

Owens Community College

Painesville Area Chamber of Commerce

Pediaworks

Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce

Progress Alliance of Jefferson County

Resource Systems

Rocket Ventures

Shawnee State University

Sinclair Community College

Springboro Chamber of Commerce

Standard Register

Stark State College Board of Trustees

Successful Ventures, LLC

Summit County Council

Summit County Democratic Party

TDC Group, Inc.

TDH Marketing

TechColumbus

TiE Ohio

Tipp City Chamber of Commerce

Toledo Homebuilders Association

Toledo Regional Growth Partnership

Trotwood Chamber of Commerce

Troy Area Chamber of Commerce

Union County Chamber of Commerce

The University of Akron

University of Cincinnati

University of Dayton

The University of Toledo

Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce

Willoughby Area Chamber of Commerce

Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce

Wright State University

Youngstown Business Incubator

Youngstown State University

XDP Media Group

Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce

Ohioans Speak Up on Why They Support Issue 1

Following are selected endorsements for Issue 1, the statewide ballot measure on the May 4 primary ballot that will renew and continue Ohio's most successful economic development and jobs creation program, the Ohio Third Frontier initiative.

• "Ohio's Third Frontier Program has been essential to the Dayton region's economic growth and the future of our regional business community. The Third Frontier Program has directly supported and advanced the Dayton region's  high growth industry areas of information technology, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and alternative energy."  Phillip L. Parker, president & CEO, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce

• "Statewide, renewal of the Third Frontier program by approving Issue 1 will help move Ohio's economy forward." Rita Rice Morris, president, Shawnee State University

• "The Third Frontier has helped our local entrepreneurs commercialize their innovative technology products, which creates new companies and job growth in our region of Ohio." Nancy Bridgman, executive director, Net Incubator, Springfield

• "The Ohio Third Frontier is helping to grow new firms in emerging industries, and those are the companies creating jobs right now. I'm proud of how CincyTech has used Third Frontier money to seed the start up of new companies in Southwest Ohio. Since May 2007, we have reviewed more than 850 opportunities, assisted 157 companies, conducted extensive due diligence on 85 companies and invested almost $4 million in 13 companies." Bob Coy, president, CincyTech

• "I had tapped out my credit cards and borrowed from my family, and there was nowhere for me to take my idea. Without Third Frontier, and without CincyTech's investment, we wouldn't be here today. Just as important as the money was the guidance we received from everyone around the table at CincyTech." Chris Ostoich, founder, Blackbook EMG, Cincinnati

• "We need the Ohio Third Frontier if new high-tech companies are to have the opportunity to stay in Ohio. The alternative is seeking funds on the West or East Coast and then locating there as my past five companies have needed to do." Phil Eggers, founder and chief technology officer, Cardiox Corp., Dublin

• "The Ohio Third Frontier has accelerated Ohio's economic resurgence by enabling thousands of Ohioans to fulfill their dream of starting a company and creating the permanent high wage jobs of the future. Passage of Issue 1 will ensure that these young companies will have the assistance they need to grow and will make it possible for the next generation of entrepreneurs to follow in their footsteps."  Ted Ford, president and CEO, TechColumbus

• "The Ohio Chamber of Commerce and more than 30 chambers representing large cities, small rural communities and all regions of the state have formally endorsed Issue 1. As the voice of business, chambers recognize the tangible advantage the Third Frontier gives Ohio in order to secure investments needed to create jobs." Linda Woggin, vice president of governmental affairs, Ohio Chamber of Commerce

• "Ohio Third Frontier programs have helped transform Youngstown's economy from 'rust belt' to 'tech belt.' The Third Frontier has energized collaborations between industry and universities, creating new businesses and quality jobs and supporting entrepreneurs in our community, which is now recognized as one of the top ten cities in the country for starting a new business." Jim Cossler, CEO, Youngstown Business Incubator

• The support ECHOGEN Power Systems has received from organizations that are funded in part by Ohio Third Frontier – such as the Akron Global Business Accelerator, which offered us low rent and a support system, to JumpStart, which provided our company both seed money and tremendous counsel, to direct funds awarded through the Research Commercialization Program, which allowed us to accelerate the development of our first commercial product by at least 18 months – has had an incredible impact. Any one of these forms of support can make the difference between success and failure for a new enterprise, but the multiplicative layering effect of program is what sets the Ohio Third Frontier apart from copycat programs in other states." Philip Brennan, CEO, ECHOGEN Power Systems, Akron

• "The Ohio Third Frontier Program has been one of the primary reasons for significant growth in healthcare and technology jobs in Northeast Ohio. In addition, it has helped develop new healthcare technologies that extend and improve the quality of our lives. Renewal of the program is essential to continue high-tech job growth in Northeast Ohio." Baiju Shah, president & CEO, BioEnterprise, Cleveland

For a complete, up-to-date list of Issue 1 supporters, go to www.unitedforjobsohio.com

SOURCE United for Jobs and Ohio’s Future