Recognizing the global strengths of Toledo and Northwest Ohio in the glass and solar sectors, the State of Ohio has awarded this region more than $31 million to accelerate innovation and job growth within those industries.
The award was made to the Northwest Ohio Innovation Consortium (NOIC) to create the Glass Innovation Hub. Funding comes through the Ohio Innovation Hubs Program, with the Toledo region being the first such statewide recipient of the grant which is also supported with more than $10 million in local investment.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine visited O-I Glass in Perrysburg to announce the grant, joined by Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik.
“Innovation rarely happens without daring ideas and bold risks, and Ohio’s new Glass Innovation Hub will be a groundbreaking example of what we can achieve when we build partnerships and promote collaboration. This new venture will enhance the Toledo region’s competitiveness on a global scale, propelling northwest Ohio to the forefront of solar and glass innovation.”
– Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine
Private sector businesses, including O-I, Owens Corning, First Solar, NSG Pilkington and Libbey, will be conducting research and working to develop new technologies to solve challenges within the solar and glass industries. The Center’s physical space will be located at O-I.
Regional Growth Partnership President and CEO Dean Monske highlighted the unparalleled collaboration throughout the region in making this grant possible, including the public, private and academic sectors. The award from the Ohio Innovation Hubs Program represents one of the largest state grants ever bestowed to the Toledo region.
Ultimately, Monske said, the Glass Innovation Hub will serve as a catalyst for the region’s continuous efforts in attracting technology-based businesses and high-paying jobs.
“For the RGP, this Hub will provide another tool for us in selling Northwest Ohio to businesses across the country. In addition locally, as the NOIC reaches its goals, the entire community will benefit as we build a sustainable, competitive business climate.”
– Dean Monske, president and CEO of the RGP
Planned initiatives for the NOIC will focus on driving innovation and sustainability in the glass and solar sectors, fostering collaboration, enhancing workforce training, and exploring eco-friendly glass manufacturing alternatives.
The Glass Innovation Hub will also place significant focus on creating a high-quality glass and solar workforce, from skilled trades to graduate-trained scientists and engineers through collaboration with the University of Toledo, Owens Community College, Bowling Green State University, Toledo Public Schools, and other local community colleges and high schools. The NOIC expects an additional 230 local STEM graduates as a result.
Officials from the State and NOIC say that the work of the Glass Innovation Hub is expected to generate a $284 million economic impact on the Northwest Ohio region, leading to the creation of 1,600 new jobs and $25 million in added tax revenue.
The Regional Growth Partnership is the lead economic development organization serving 17 counties in Northwest Ohio. As a private nonprofit development corporation, the RGP is dedicated to fostering regional, national and international business investment opportunities across the region. The RGP serves as Northwest Ohio’s network partner for JobsOhio. Visit www.rgp.org for more information.
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