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Dayton
Development Coalition...
DDC
to lead Ohio’s Aerospace &
Defense Initiative
November 15, 2011
DAYTON,
Ohio -- The Ohio Department of
Development (ODOD) has selected the Dayton Development Coalition (DDC)
to
execute key elements of the State’s strategy to promote aerospace and
defense
industry growth and development in the Dayton Region and throughout the
State. The
$7,000,000 grant, approved
today by the State Controlling Board, commissions the DDC to facilitate
development of a state-wide unmanned air vehicle industry, develop a
strategy
to shield Ohio defense establishments from downsizing or relocation,
and
establish Ohio as the premier location in the country for aerospace and
defense
firms to locate or expand.
“Every
one of the Coalition’s 300
members should be extraordinarily proud of this selection,” said Bruce
Langos,
Chair, Dayton Development Coalition Board of Trustees.
“It is their past, present and future funding
of the DDC’s work with Wright-Patt that provides the foundation for
these new
and important activities. Our
members
deserve all the credit for this success.”
Ohio
State Senator Chris Widener
(R-Springfield), Chairman of the Senate’s Finance Committee, focused on
the
importance of the defense industry facilities and jobs in Ohio,
stating,
“Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is the largest employer in the state. This grant recognizes the
need to capitalize
on the Air Force consolidations and securing current and future jobs
for
Ohioans.”
The
selection comes less than two
weeks after a major Air Force endorsement of Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base
and its national acquisition, life cycle, research and development
mission. On
November 2nd, the Secretary of the Air Force announced that the Air
Force
Materiel Command would downsize from twelve centers to five, with two
staying
at Wright-Patterson.
State
Senator Bill Beagle (R-Tipp
City), who worked with Widener to create the Department of Development
program,
stated “The Dayton Region continues to be recognized for its role in
innovation. This state funding will assist Ohio to grow jobs in these
developing industries.”
Under
the new ODOD program, called the
Ohio Aerospace and Defense Economic Development Pilot Program, the DDC
will
work to further support state-wide aerospace research and development,
unmanned
aeronautical vehicle (UAV) industry development, attraction of
aerospace
companies, stimulation of aerospace supply chain and workforce training
and
education, and retention and attraction of jobs at Ohio federal
installations.
This
grant is an example of the
confidence the State of Ohio has in the Dayton Region’s ability to
support
growth in the aerospace industry,” said Jeff Hoagland, DDC President
and
CEO. “The funding
will help provide the
resources to leverage and support mission growth at Wright-Patterson
Air Force
Base and Springfield Air National Guard Base and build a vibrant
aeronautical
industrial base right here in Ohio.”
ODOD
will add an additional $3,000,000
which will go to the Wright State Research Institute for its cutting
edge Human
Performance Initiative. Following
the
region’s 2005 Base Realignment and Closure wins, the Air Force Research
Laboratory established the 711th Human Performance Wing at
Wright-Patterson,
investing more than $250 million in facilities and capabilities that
make the
region a flagship for human-centered research.
The
portion of the grant dedicated to
Wright State University will fund research and training initiatives as
well as
technology commercialization in areas that align with WPAFB human
performance
priorities. “The
opportunity to
capitalize on our 2005 BRAC win is just the foundation of our efforts,”
said
Dr. David R. Hopkins, President of Wright State University. “The
implications
of this unique partnership are incredible in the pursuit of new and
innovative
technologies to enhance human performance to new levels of capabilities
we may
not have even dreamed of yet.”
For
more information, contact: Sharon
D. Howard, Director-Marketing &
Communications at (937) 229-9076 or showard@daytonregion.com
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