According to John Minor, president and chief investment officer of JobsOhio, Ohio University’s integrated efforts toward economic development align well with the approach of JobsOhio.
On March 20, Minor and John Molinaro, president of the Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth, visited Ohio University’s Athens campus, meeting with President Roderick J. McDavis, Steven Golding, vice president for finance and administration, and leadership from the College of Business, Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, Innovation Center, TechGROWTH Ohio, Edison Biotechnology Institute, Technology Transfer Office, Ohio Small Business Development Center, and Procurement Technical Assistance Center.
Minor pointed to the cooperation of Ohio University’s College of Business, Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, university funded programs, and community outreach that combine to create an ecosystem of entrepreneurship and job creation in Southeast Ohio.
“At our core, JobsOhio was created to keep businesses we have, help them expand, and bring new business here,” said Minor. “As we’re putting our strategy together, integration will be key. We want to take (the model) state-wide.”
McDavis referenced the economic impact Ohio University, with six campuses, has on the state.
“Ohio University deeply values the role we play in supporting regional economic growth. Our impact is documented in our recent Economic Impact Report, which credits Ohio University for $1.5 billion in economic impact on the state of Ohio in 2012,” he said. “Bringing John to our campus was an opportunity to share what we’re doing and learn how we can continue to increase our positive impact on the state.”
Going forward, Ohio University will work closely with JobsOhio and the Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth to coordinate strategy with other regional entities ensuring the most efficient use of resources.
“No matter what stage of development a business is in, we provide services and capital for growth,” said Lynn Gellermann, executive director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, a partnership between the College of Business and the Voinovich School. “We support everything from students with great ideas to inventors looking to commercialize technology to large corporations. Our goal is to create business and economic growth here in Southeast Ohio.”
For more information on Ohio University’s economic impact, visit http://www.ohio.edu/ucm/upload/Economic-Impact_full_report-2.pdf.
Posted: Monday, April 7, 2014 3:08 pm
