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Consisting of seven centers representing
core growth technologies, Ohio's Edison
Technology Centers are laying the
groundwork for the integration
of
industry and innovation.
Learn more
|
 Looking back,
moving forward
As you may be aware, each year the leadership of the Edison
Center Directors Council rotates among the seven Centers.
Gary Conley, the President and CEO of TechSolve, will soon
assume responsibility as Chair of the organization for the
2011 fiscal year. Before he takes the reins, though, please
consider a couple of recent key Council accomplishments
and a brief look ahead.
How’s this for a measurable accomplishment? Ohio companies now sell over
$4 Billion worth of products and services to a single international company.
Even more impressive, those sales numbers are poised to move even higher. The
$4 Billion customer is Airbus, the European aircraft manufacturer. We’re proud that
our two “Airbus Supplier Conferences,” produced in collaboration with the Ohio
Aerospace Institute, were instrumental in helping Ohio suppliers earn this remarkable
achievement. These very successful events deserve an encore – we are planning a
third Supplier Conference for late summer. Our goal? More sales and more jobs at a
wider variety of Ohio suppliers.
Another new program employs an innovative grant approach to promote small
company growth. The Edison Technology Assistance Grants (E-TAG) program enables
small companies to utilize Edison Center services to overcome the technological
hurdles that often limit commercial success of a technology-based product.
Potential acceleration activities include: product testing and certification; process
technology testing and improvements; supply chain partner certification; and product
demonstrations. An independent investment board will guide this innovative process.
And what’s just as exciting is our future. We will extend the successes and “lessons
learned” of our Airbus, E-TAG, and scores of other programs to other industries,
programs and challenges facing Ohio companies and workers.
Speaking of challenges: yes, the past year has been challenging. And the next twelve
months will certainly bring similar as well as new challenges. But Ohio’s seven Edison
Centers are committed to the intelligent, collaborative efforts that will bring Ohioans
new technologies, new partnerships, new entrepreneurship, and fresh economic
growth that might not otherwise take place.
It’s been my pleasure to Chair the ECDC, and speaking on behalf all of the Edison
Centers, I look forward to ensuring that Ohio is “Where Industry Meets Innovation.”
Dr. Henry Cialone
Chair, Edison Centers Directors Council
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