Urban Development | Ohio Hubs

What is a Hub?
Ohio is committed to being a leading global center for innovation in the 21st century. This commitment draws from the vibrancy of our leading research institutions, which fuel regional innovation; our ability to empower entrepreneurship and create new industries; and our dedication to building upon the strengths of Ohio’s regions and urban centers.
While innovation and technological advancement are fueling Ohio’s industries across the state, our commitment to catalyze these opportunities within our regions is focused within the Ohio Hubs of Innovation and Opportunity (Ohio Hubs). The Ohio Hubs are envisioned as regional economic development initiatives that build upon leading assets in our urban centers to accomplish three major goals:

  1. Propel innovation through cutting-edge, market-driven applied technology and knowledge spillover;
  2. Foster the opportunity for job creation and retention; and
  3. Catalyze the formation of new companies in the region, while at the same time helping to ensure that Ohio’s existing industries retain their competitive advantage in the global marketplace.
Where are the Hubs?
There are seven Ohio Hubs that are located throughout the state. The locations of the Hubs can be seen here. More detailed information on each of the Hubs is listed below.

Dayton

The Ohio Department of Development identified Ohio’s first Hub in Dayton, building upon investments and research related to the Aerospace and Aviation cluster, with an application and technology emphasis on sensors and advanced materials. It is a collaboration between of the City of Dayton, University of Dayton, Montgomery County, and the Dayton Development Corporation, with the active support of the Ohio Department of Development. An urban center was identified stretching from the University of Dayton to the Tech Town complex, encompassing the Oregon District and Miami Valley Hospital. The area has seen substantial investment by the state through the Ohio Third Frontier and Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund, as well as city, university, and federal support.

Within this center are strong regional assets including an Ohio Third Frontier Wright Center of Excellence, an Edison Center, and access to risk capital through the Ohio Third Frontier Entrepreneurial Signature Program. Another regional knowledge asset is the research capacity of the University of Dayton Research Institute, along with the other key research and development leaders such as Wright-Patterson Air Force Research Laboratories, the National Composite Center, and Wright State University.

Click here for a map of the Dayton Hub.

Cleveland

The Cleveland Hub, an urban revitalization partnership, will catalyze the city and region’s world-class health care and biomedical device technology assets to drive sustainable growth for the community.

A $250,000 state grant, administered by the Ohio Department of Development, will support the Corridor and bring together the Cleveland Health and Technology Corridor partners, including the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority, the Cleveland Foundation, the Cuyahoga County Department of Development, the City of Cleveland, MidTown Cleveland, Inc., and BioEnterprise.

The Cleveland Health and Technology Corridor will focus on promoting entrepreneurship, economic development, and commercialization in the bioscience field, focusing on the development of medical devices for cardiovascular, imaging, and neurostimulation applications. The Cleveland Hub currently includes 75 biomedical companies, 45 high-tech companies, and 50,000 health care and biomedical employees.

Click here for a map of the Cleveland Hub.

Toledo

The Northwest Ohio Solar Energy Hub of Innovation and Opportunity was announced on June 30, 2010 in Toledo. The Northwest Ohio Solar Energy Hub will focus on promoting entrepreneurship, economic development and commercialization in the solar industry by bringing together top solar researchers, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, education institutions, trade associations and training providers.

Partners include The University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, Owens Community College, Penta Career Center, Terra Community College and Northwest State Community College.

Click here for a map of the Toledo Hub.

Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Consumer Marketing Hub of Innovation and Opportunity was announced on July 9, 2010. The Consumer Marketing Hub of Innovation and Opportunity will focus on promoting entrepreneurship, economic development and commercialization in the consumer marketing industry, providing the intelligence, insight, innovation, and infrastructure to sell Ohio's products and services. The Hub will bring together the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Procter & Gamble, Kroger Company, the University of Cincinnati and Macy's to strengthen and create job opportunities in Ohio's consumer marketing industry. Hub partners will be supported by global brand-building organizations such as Landor, Bridge Worldwide, LPK and consumer marketing service companies such as Dunnhumby USA and AC Nielsen/Buzzmetrics.

Click here for a map of the Cincinnati Hub.

Akron

The Akron Biomaterials Commercialization Hub of Innovation and Opportunity was announced on July 19, 2010. The Akron Biomaterials Commercialization Hub will focus on orthopedics and wound-healing applications, and will be established in the existing Akron Biomedical Corridor. The Hub will assist the city with becoming a globally-recognized leader in the commercialization of innovative biomaterials technologies, products and services. The Hub will also attract and provide assistance to international biomaterials companies as they enter the U.S. market. Partners include the Austen BioInnovation Institute of Akron, the University of Akron, Summa Health System, Akron General Medical Center, Akron Children's Hospital, the Akron Global Business Accelerator, Summit County and the City of Akron.

Click here for a map of the Akron Hub.

Youngstown

The Youngstown Entrepreneurial Hub of Advanced Materials Commercialization and Software Development was announced on September 1, 2010. The Youngstown Hub aims to develop, manufacture, market and apply next-generation materials, with emphasis on technology surrounding hard materials that are linked with the Youngstown area such as steel, titanium, magnesium, industrial ceramics and aluminum. The Hub will assist Youngstown’s already robust entrepreneurial environment and build upon the region’s emerging strengths in advanced materials commercialization. Partners include: Youngstown State University; The City of Youngstown; The City of Warren; Youngstown Business Incubator; Eastgate Regional Council of Governments; Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce; Kent State University’s Trumbull Campus; and the Raymond John Wean Foundation.

Click here for a map of the Youngstown Hub.

Columbus

The Columbus Hub of Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Storage was announced on September 10, 2010. The Columbus Hub aims to aims to position Columbus and Central Ohio as a global leader in advanced energy storage research, commercialization and manufacturing. The Hub will build Central Ohio's existing institutional, commercial and industrial resources to further develop expertise and competencies, build companies and create high-wage job opportunities for the state. Partners include: TechColumbus, The Ohio State University, Battelle Memorial Institute, Edison Welding Institute, The Columbus Partnership and the City of Columbus.

Click here for a map of the Columbus Hub.