Fuel Cell Leaders Highlight Innovations and Opportunities for Growth in Ohio's Internationally Recognized Fuel Cell Industry

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Ohio has the unique combination of knowledge, resources and infrastructure to support the development of innovative technologies in the fuel cell industry, according to the global leaders who participated in the "Fuel Cells – Opportunity for Growth" event held April 9, 2010.

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The event, held at the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) in Dublin, Ohio, brought together some of the world's largest fuel cell industry businesses, organizations, civic and community leaders to discuss the impact of Ohio's fuel cell industry and the opportunities for growth found in the State of Ohio.

"Ohio is one of the few places in the world where all phases of fuel cell development take place," said Pat Valente, executive director of the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition. "Ohio not only hosts all phases of fuel cell development - from research and development to components, and from development in all aspects of the supply to final product manufacturing - but also has the added advantage of cross-sector support from business, government and educational institutions to further innovation and commercialization opportunities."

The Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition, the largest state fuel cell association in the nation with more than 80 members including industry, academic, and non-profit organizations, organized the event. In Central Ohio alone the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition has 15 members including:  Battelle, AEP, Edison Welding Institute, NexTech Materials, Honda, The Ohio State University and the City of Dublin, many of which participated in the event.

The state has further committed to supporting the industry with the Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative, a multi- million-dollar program that aims to spur job creation in Ohio while positioning the state as a national leader in the growing fuel cell industry. The initiative is an integral part of the Third Frontier Program, a $1.4 billion high-tech jobs development program designed to help catalyze connections between companies and academia to support job growth and wealth creation. The Ohio Third Frontier Program has invested more than $80 million in Ohio's fuel initiative and in turn, the industry has leveraged an additional $250 million in federal investments.

According to the Ohio Business Development Coalition, the nonprofit organization that markets the state for capital investment, Ohio's fuel cell industry is further proof that the state is transforming its economy and adding new programs to educate and train a new generation of green collar workers to meet the advanced energy needs of the 21st century.

"Ohio is home to some of the best and brightest talent in the fuel cell industry, and continues to provide the necessary tools to allow both businesses and individuals the opportunity to pursue both their professional and personal aspirations," said Ed Burghard, executive director of the Ohio Business Development Coalition. "Ohio truly is the state of Perfect Balance."

About the Ohio Business Development Coalition

The Ohio Business Development Coalition is a nonprofit organization that provides marketing strategy and implementation to support Ohio's economic development efforts. For more information, visit www.ohiomeansbusiness.com.

SOURCE Ohio Business Development Coalition

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