Press Room >> 2010 Press Releases

For Immediate Release
October 15, 2010

Ohio Third Frontier Approves $2.1 Million for Creation of
Wind Energy Research and Development Center at
Stark State College of Technology

Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Third Frontier Commission and Advisory Board today announced $2.1 million in funding is being made available for the creation of the Wind Energy Research and Development Center, which will be located at Stark State College of Technology. The project brings together the College, The Timken Company, the Stark Development Board, Inc., and the Stark County Port Authority. The awards are contingent upon funding from the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority.

"This new advanced energy research and development center will attract industry collaborators looking to grow and suppliers considering expanding in Ohio," said Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "As Ohio's advanced energy manufacturing sector continues to prosper, these targeted state investments further support our commitment to growing jobs and opportunities for the wind industry."

The Wind Energy Research and Development Center will be a test center for wind turbines and will be operated by the Timken Company. The 12,000-square-foot facility will have the unique capability to assemble and test full-scale bearing systems under real world application weight loads and environmental conditions. Through the assistance of Ohio Third Frontier, Timken and Stark State College of Technology will invest more than $8 million for the project, which is expected to create 57 part-time construction jobs and eight full-time jobs with potential additional phases that involve prototyping and manufacturing.

The assistance from the State of Ohio for this project also includes a $1.5 million loan from the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority's Advanced Energy Jobs Stimulus Program

"The research conducted at Ohio's colleges, universities, and research institutions is vital to producing innovative products for the marketplace and developing new technologies in the state," said Eric Fingerhut, Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents and Chairman of the Ohio Third Frontier Commission. "Ohioans are leading the way in creating new products and ideas to assist this growing technology and the construction of the Wind Energy Research and Development Center positions our state for continued excellence in this field."

The following commitments were approved by the Ohio Third Frontier Commission, contingent upon funding from the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority:

The Stark State College of Technology will receive a $1,228,417 Ohio Third Frontier Research and Development Attraction Program grant for equipment and the construction of the Wind Energy Research and Development Center.

The Timken Company (Stark County) will receive a $900,000 Targeted Industry Attraction Program grant for the development of the Wind Energy Research Development Center. Timken is one of the world's leading producers of highly engineered anti-friction bearings, with related products and services, alloy steel, and components. The company's products help to create, transfer, and control power for a variety of industries including aerospace, automotive, construction, consumer, defense, power generation, and more.

"On behalf of Stark State College of Technology, The Timken Company, and the Stark County Port Authority, I want to express my appreciation to the Ohio Third Frontier Commission for its support of the Wind Energy Research and Development Center," said Dr. John O'Donnell, President of Stark State College of Technology. "Stark State looks forward to serving as the home to this important center which will play a significant role in advancing Ohio's wind energy industry in the coming years. The Wind Energy R&D Center will enable our college, students, and corporate partners to conduct critical research, development, and testing of large wind turbine bearing systems. Once fully approved and completed, the Wind Energy R&D Center at Stark State will serve as an important magnet for wind energy industrial collaborators throughout the world."

For more information on the Ohio Third Frontier, please visit www.OhioThirdFrontier.com.

Ohio Third Frontier, an unprecedented and bipartisan commitment to create new technology-based products, companies, industries, and jobs, has attracted more than $5.2 billion in other investments to Ohio, and has a nearly 9:1 return on investment since its inception. The Ohio Third Frontier has also assisted in the creation and retention of more than 60,000 direct and indirect jobs for Ohioans.

Working with partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the nonprofit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio's future.

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