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Technology-based economy key to job
growth here.
The issue: As manufacturing jobs decrease, North Central Ohio must
adjust
Our opinion: The recent high-tech jobs summit is a step in the right
direction
The manufacturing sector, which for decades has driven the north central
Ohio economy, is not what it once was. We must never forget our rich
manufacturing tradition, but it's time to shift our focus a little bit
to try to capture a piece of a different segment of the global
marketplace.
The days of Westinghouse, Ohio Brass, Merrillot and others are long
gone. Those companies have been replaced by dozens of smaller -- yet
successful --companies.
Many of the new companies are technology-based.
Their owners have seen the future and are trying to get others onboard
the technology-based economic development train.
A recent IMPACT Summit at The Ohio State University-Mansfield focused on
technology and jobs. About 150 business, banking, education and
political leaders from Richland and 10 other counties met and discussed
ways to create technology-based economic development in north central
Ohio.
"Seventy percent of the manufacturing jobs lost in Ohio are the result
of improving technology," said state Sen. Bill Harris, R-Ashland. "By
developing a technology-based economy here, we can get those jobs back."
The IMPACT Summit was organized by the North Central IT Alliance, a new
organization with an eye on expanding high-tech businesses opportunities
in north central Ohio. Participants at the summit discussed what is
needed, what is already in place and what must happen in the future in
order for technology-based economic development to continue here. It's
an idea that has been hard to latch onto. It appears however that
momentum is growing.
"One of the goals has already been met," said Dave Baldwin of Aquarian
Technology Systems in Lexington, one of the leaders of the IT Alliance.
"There's already a buzz ... about what we're trying to accomplish."
North central Ohio has a lot to offer, a stable workforce, its proximity
to Cleveland, Columbus, Chicago and the east coast and an
already-developed sense of cooperation between business and education.
Technology-based entrepreneurs must continue to spread the word about
their successes and their needs so others may jump on board the train.
"We need to create something that is contagious, that will grow in north
central Ohio," Harris said.
We agree. The IMPACT Summit was a wonderful first step.
Originally published September 26, 2005 |
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