Ohio sees exports to China growing, by Paula Schleis, Akron Beacon Journal, May 2, 2008
Washington—Ohio companies saw their combined exports to China grow 413 percent between 2000—the year before China joined the World Trade Organization—and 2007. With $1.5 billion in exports last year, Ohio is the country's ninth largest exporter to one of the world's fastest growing economies. The U.S.-China Business Council published its latest report, "U.S. Congressional District Exports to China, 2000-07," based on data collected at the county level. The online version of the report includes an interactive map, allowing the user to drill down to results for specific congressional districts.

Upcoming Event: Collaboration: The Great Lakes Manufacturing Advantage, July 9-11, 2008 at the Cleveland Marriott Key Center
The Great Lakes Manufacturing Council's conference will promote the message that manufacturing is high-tech and is a mainstay of the knowledge economy. Presenters will include Gov. Ted Strickland, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, James Ziemer of Harley Davidson, Scott Davis of UPS, the Brookings Institution, the Federal Reserve Bank and others. Online registration now available.

Renewable power sources: Strickland signs 'hybrid' energy bill, by Jim Provance, Toledo Blade, May 2, 2008
Columbus—Gov. Ted Strickland signed an energy bill yesterday mapping Ohio's energy course for the foreseeable future, with the governor and state lawmakers keeping their fingers crossed that they've managed to keep a lid on electricity prices.The law, which will take effect in three months, also seeks to make Ohio a major player in wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources.

American Axle, union close to deal, AP via Youngstown Vindicator, May 2, 2008
Detroit—Striking workers at American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. said Thursday they have been told the union and the auto parts supplier are close to a deal that could end a two-month strike.

Delphi officially becomes Kyklos Bearing after sale, by Richard Payerchin, Sandusky Bureau, Lorain Morning Journal, May 2, 2008
Perkins Township, Ohio—Delphi Automotive Systems, 2509 Hayes Ave., officially became Kyklos Bearing International Inc. yesterday—its first full day of operations under new ownership. The new owner is a subsidiary wholly owned by Hephaestus Holdings Inc., which in turn is a portfolio company of KPS Capital Partners LP.

Trash-to-power plant proposed in Erie Twp., Toledo Blade, May 1, 2008
Erie Township, Ohio—SunCrest Energy LLC, a Michigan company, signed a host-community agreement with the township to operate a proposed 100-megawatt "plasma arc gasified" power plant that would replace the city's landfill. The $500 million facility would open in two years and create 140 jobs.

Compco Industries sells local facility, by Don Shilling, Youngstown Vindicator, May 1, 2008
Columbiana, Ohio—Compco Industries, a manufacturer of stamped products, has sold its Youngstown plant as it accelerates its relocation to Columbiana. The buyer, Greco Holdings, operates a steel distribution company, will use most of the building. Compco will maintain a small production area.

Governor names Albert Ratner to Third Frontier Advisory Board, press release, Office of the Governor, April 25, 2008
Columbus—Governor Ted Strickland appointed Albert Ratner, co-chairman of the board of Forest City Enterprises, Inc., to the Third Frontier Advisory Board. The board advises the Third Frontier Commission on strategic planning, general management and coordination of programs.

Cleveland eyes programs, promotions to attract, grow business, by Grant Segall, April 29, 2008
Cleveland— Tracey Nichols, Cleveland's new economic development director, said she hopes to boost city spending on business development from $20 million per year to at least $25 million, mostly by reallocating current funds.

Excello Engineered Systems closing Macedonia site, ending 127 jobs, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2008
Macedonia, Ohio—Excello Engineered Systems filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Summit County on Friday. On Tuesday, the company, which makes plastic film and foam water-seal products used in car doors, announced it will close its Macedonia headquarters and auto-parts factory by May 30, ending jobs for 127 workers.

Big Gust: China boosts wind-power goal, by Keith Johnson, Wall Street Journal, April 28, 2008
Shanghai—China's national energy agency announced the country has upped its target for wind-generated power from 30 gigawatts to 100 gigawatts and possible 120 gigawatts by 2020. The entire world had installed 94 gigawatts of wind power at the end of last year.

State coalition's efforts to establish sensor tech hub starts with CSU, by Chuck Soder, Crains' Cleveland Business, April 28, 2008 (Subscription)
Cleveland—A state-financed coalition aiming to turn Ohio into a hub for sensor technology announced plans to build its $11 million headquarters on the site of a former restaurant at Cleveland State University. The deal to create the headquarters on the Euclid Avenue site has yet to be finalized, but members of the Wright Center for Sensor Systems Engineering are working under the assumption that they will build on the location.

Shearer’s to receive $10.4 million in loans to help build complex, GateHouse News Service via The Times-Reporter (Dover, New Philadelphia), April 28, 2008
Columbus—The state will provide Shearer’s Foods with $10.4 million in loans to build a new complex with manufacturing, warehouse and corporate office operations at Massillon.

Aurora seeks to keep Rotek, 215 jobs from Ky., by Stan Bullard, Crains' Cleveland Business, April 28, 2008 (Subscription)
Aurora, Ohio—Answering the threat that Rotek Inc. might move its Aurora headquarters and 215 jobs to Kentucky if it opts against spending $93 million to expand here, local and state officials are forging a financial package to retain the supplier of large- diameter bearings and steel rings to wind turbine makers and machinery producers.

Goodyear puts its art on display, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, April 27, 2008
Akron—Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. ''one-offs,'' prototypes and related eye candy are displayed at the tire maker's technical center off Martha Avenue to celebrate 25 years of the company making concept tires.

Editorial: Lake Erie, we must keep it and clean it by approving the Great Lakes Compact, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 27, 2008
Cleveland—"The evidence keeps mounting - all of it pointing in the same direction: Nothing is more important to Northeast Ohio's economic future than its bountiful supply of fresh water. ... Even if the public and private sectors invest in our water, it will go for naught if we fail to protect it. Failure of the Great Lakes states to guard against arid regions siphon ing off our water would in sure that the great promise Lake Erie holds for this re gion's future economy never materializes."

Related story:

Ohio's Fisher urges OK of Great Lakes compact, by Jim Provance, Toledo Blade, April 30, 2008

Startup on the move to Akron; New technology can track underground miners, by Paula Schleis, Akron Beacon Journal, April 26, 2008
Akron—InSeT Systems, which is relocating from Strasburg to the Akron Global Business Accelerator, is also getting a $400,000 boost from JumpStart, Northeast Ohio's venture development organization.