Give us the 30-second rundown on what CIFT does.
We’re the Edison Technology Center that’s responsible for technology-based economic development within food processing and agriculture and agribusiness, and we tend to define that rather loosely. (more…)
Drew Carey is from Cleveland, Ohio and has always been proud of his heritage. In fact, his sitcom, aptly titled, “The Drew Carey Show,” was set in Cleveland. Because this show was a favorite of my husband’s, I can still remember how the theme song ended…it was a Drew saying a the word Ohio very loudly.
The Internet age has made many of us see the supposed greener grass of other parts of the country, while the sexy allure of the bigger cities and states has always made being from Ohio or a Midwestern state seem negative in some way. In a culture of “mine is better than yours,” how do we clearly identify our home cities and state and get back to the Drew Carey’s mindset of “Heck yeah I’m from Ohio and really proud of it?”
For the past few months, it has been my privilege to be on an editorial team for a new ezine called hiVelocity. This new publication’s only focus is the important changes that are happening in Ohio. The new Ohio economy, the creation of technology and the innovative “thinkers” located all across the state are detailed in this bi-monthly publication.
I’ll admit I’m biased because I’ve always loved my home state and my home city of Toledo. However, after listening to the story pitches being tossed out by my counterparts across the state, my enthusiasm for Ohio has become even greater. When the ezine was launched on September 24, I read it with awe. Even though I had seen some of the stories before, part of me read it with new eyes and I couldn’t help thinking, “All of this is really happening in Ohio?” It makes me excited for the future and the Ohio economy and glad I chose to stay here and raise my family.
I encourage all of you to read hiVelocity every two weeks. There is so much to learn about our great state…and maybe you’ll end up hearing the end of the Drew Carey theme song in your head too…”OHIO!”
Julie Myers
Marketing Manager
Speculating when the economy might rebound does little to change the existing conditions of this global financial crisis. More valuable is recognizing and capitalizing on opportunities which arise. As severe and stressful as these economic times are to individuals, businesses and communities, we have discovered a silver lining.
Over the past year, more and more people have expressed a desire and taken direct action in starting entrepreneurial ventures, both locally and nationwide. Since 2008, Rocket Ventures has already helped start and commercialize more than 50 technology-based companies in Northwest Ohio.
This is not surprising, as more people are forced to seek out new avenues for money due to corporate layoffs and cutbacks. We encourage anyone considering a new technology-oriented business to call Rocket Ventures or Launch to get answers and information on the viability of their idea. Now is the time!
The Regional Growth Partnership’s Launch and Rocket Ventures programs, supported in large part by the State of Ohio’s Third Frontier program, provide the resources, support and opportunities to startups, particularly those forced to look for nontraditional sources of funding.
The development of such a knowledge-based economy will ultimately accelerate the growth and creation of new business, helping carry our region to new heights.
Steve Weathers,
President and CEO, Regional Growth Partnership and Rocket Ventures
weathers@rgp.org