Ohio's now a leader in fuel cells

[jpak]

http://www.fuelcellsworks.com/Supppage6416.html

As its old-line industries have failed, Ohio has tried to create a climate for high-tech manufacturing.

Now, after plowing about $52 million into research and other subsidies, the state is emerging as a leader in the fuel cell industry.

In the last six weeks, two fuel cell companies have announced plans to locate facilities here, potentially creating thousands of jobs as suppliers cluster around them. A third company has received a major federal research grant, and two more have announced other significant developments.

And on Monday, when the U.S. Fuel Cell Council convenes its annual conference in Honolulu, the Ohio Department of Development will co-sponsor the opening reception for the 2,500 participants. Ohio fuel cell makers, component suppliers and academic R&D heavy-hitters will once again create the "Ohio fuel cell corridor" on the floor of the trade show. Council spokesman Bud DeFlaviis said Ohio's aggressiveness has become the model for other states.

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