Tire maker hears proposal, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, March 27, 2008
Akron—State of Ohio, Akron and Summit County officials made an estimated $68 million pitch Wednesday to persuade Bridgestone Firestone Inc. to keep its technical center and 600-plus high-paying jobs in the city.

Lubrizol Corp. to build China plant, upgrade in Painesville, by Shaheen Samavati, Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 26, 2008
Wickliffe, Ohio—Specialty chemicals manufacturer Lubrizol Corp. plans to spend $200 million on its lubricant and fuel additives business over the next 10 years by building a new factory in China and upgrading some existing factories, including one in Painesville.

Lubrizol researcher accused of selling secrets to South Korea, by Damian G. Guevara, Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 26, 2008
Wickliffe, Ohio—A former research and development associate with Lubrizol Corp. is accused of selling company trade secrets to a South Korean competitor—meeting officials 17 times over a seven-year period. Kyung Kim, 62, allegedly exchanged company trade secrets for $170,000 between 2001 and 2007 when he was a senior research and development associate at Lubrizol's Brecksville research facility.

Parker awarded Ohio grant to advance wind energy technology, Parker Hannifin press release, March 26, 2008
Cleveland—The Ohio Third Frontier Advanced Energy Program awarded Parker Hannifin a $1 million grant for the commercialization of a hydraulic system developed by Parker for use in wind turbines. MAGNET is part of the Parker project team for this initiative.

Related stories:

Third Frontier awards $20 million for fuel cells, advanced energy, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 25, 2008
Columbus—The latest round of Third Frontier funding included 12 grants totaling $8.9 million for fuel cell development and 17 grants totaling more than $12 million for advanced energy technologies. Northern Ohio companies winning grants included: EBO Group, Arisdyne Systems, the Garland Co., Xunlight Corp., HydroGen Corp., Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems and GrafTech International.

Program awards $20 million, by Paula Schleis, Akron Beacon Journal, March 25, 2008
Columbus—Akron-area companies receiving Third Frontier grants include: Akron Polymer Systems, University of Akron Research Foundation, Kent State University and Catacel Corp.

Group accuses GE of bad labor practices, AP via Wall Street Journal, March 26, 2008 (Subscription)
Hartford, Conn.—"Good Jobs, Bad Bulbs," a new report from Cleveland-based Policy Matters Ohio says a Chinese factory that makes light bulbs for General Electric Co. subjects many of its employees to 64-hour work weeks and toxic mercury used in the production process. Xiamen Topstar Lighting Co. Ltd., a joint venture of Topstar in China and GE, stands accused of violating China's labor laws and GE's corporate policies. Visit the Web site to download the Executive Summary or the 20-page Full Report (both PDFs,) or to view a photogallery from Topstar Lighting.

Honda's Ohio plants form safety alliance with U.S. DoL, by Paul Arnold, ReliablePlant, March 25, 2008
Washington—The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Honda of America Manufacturing Inc. have formed a safety and health alliance, committing to work together to provide a safe working environment for employees, and reduce injuries and illnesses at the company's manufacturing plants in Ohio. Read the OSHA press release. Read the text of the alliance agreement.

Fisher announced $12 million for advanced energy grants, Ohio Department of Development press release, March 25, 2008

Think-tank calls for United States of Great Lakes, by Jack Spearmean, Canwest News Service via National Post, March 24, 2008
Washington—The non-profit Brookings Institution released a report proposing Canada and the U.S. should work together with the aim of creating a common market for commerce and labour by 2030 for the states and provinces in the Great Lakes basin. The report, entitled the "Vital Connection, Reclaiming Great Lakes Economic Leadership in the Bi-National U.S. Canadian Region," notes that even though the manufacturing base of the region has eroded in recent years, it is still a heavyweight.

Canton Local is set to introduce engineering classes in elementaries, by Malcolm Hall, Canton Repository, March 20, 2008
In about two weeks, Canton Local School District will introduce engineering instruction to its elementary school students. Engineering concepts already are being taught at Canton South High and Faircrest Middle schools.The Canton Local faculty have attended training sessions and learned how to illustrate engineering to young minds. Grants from the Ohio Department of Education plus donations from four regional businesses helped Canton Local set up the engineering education program at the high school and middle school.

Ohio economic grants rising, by Rick Armon, Akron Beacon Journal, March 23, 2008
Cleveland—The Foundation Center published a report, Foundation Giving Trends, showing the number of economic grants more than doubled between 1995 and 2005. The report also showed the total amount handed out nearly tripled to $24.6 million The number of grants targeted for economic development initiatives in Ohio jumped from 146 to 329.

Port Authority's big move gives hope for a new wave, by John Kuntz, Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 23, 2008
Cleveland—If all goes according to the Cleveland Port Authority's plan, construction could begin in 2011 to create a new, 200-acre landfill at East 55th Street. Within several decades, the new land could accommodate all current and future shipping activities, including a possible container port. The port's initial estimate is that the new facility could spur $2 billion in investment and create 50,000 jobs. Make no mistake. This is the kind of big, farsighted planning initiative that could dramatically change the city's future for the better.

Editorial: Ohio House's renewable-energy bill has its warts, Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 23, 2008
Cleveland—House Speaker Jon Husted and his GOP caucus drafted a solid Ohio renewable- energy bill, but as the General Assembly's research arm points out, it's not without its potential pitfalls. ... Another pitfall: The bill creates an Ohio Renewable Energy Authority, guaranteed $102.5 million in public money through mid-2018, possibly much more, through a complicated formula. The agency could spend up to 6 percent of its cash for "administrative purposes." That's a lot of paper clips.