Findlay Industries, Inc.may close without buyer, Toledo Blade, May 21, 2009
Findlay, Ohio—The chief executive officer of automotive supplier Findlay Industries told his employees this week their jobs may be gone by midsummer if a buyer for the company cannot be found.

New Fed projections show slower recovery, by Scott Lanman, Bloomberg News via Akron Beacon Journal, May 21, 2009
Washington—Federal Reserve officials projected a deeper U.S. contraction when they met last month than they foresaw in January, with a 9 percent unemployment rate lasting through the end of 2010.

Wind turbines turning into growth industry in Ohio, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 21, 2009
Cleveland—The Ohio Department of Development is offering grants paying up 40 percent of the installation costs of wind turbines. More than 20 commercial wind applications are either pending or have been awarded, according to state records.

• Wind turbine being installed at Pearl Road Auto Parts and Wrecking, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 15, 2009

2009 Global Forum at Case Western Reserve University to address sustainable business practices, education, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 21, 2009
Cleveland—More than 600 leaders from business, education and government are expected to attend CWRU's 2009 Global forum June 2-5. The conference theme is: "Manage by Designing in an Era of Massive Innovation." Breakout sessions will cover topics such as designing networks for sustainability; innovation in organizations; urban mobility in the future; innovations in health care; design thinking in business education; values-based leadership; and business as a force for peace.

Conneaut, Ashtabula ports get $2.75M in fed budget, Ashtabula Star Beacon, May 20, 2009
Ashtabula, Ohio—Lake Erie ports in Conneaut and Ashtabula could benefit from funding earmarked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in President Obama’s budget, said U.S. Rep. Steven LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township.

Opinion: Obama's auto plan is capitalism at work, by Scott Sperling, Wall Street Journal, May 20, 2009 (Subscription)
New York—Sperling, co-president of private equity firm THL Partners, says the Obama administration's approach to the auto industry is not anticapitalist and without a drastic restructuring neither Chrysler nor GM would have a chance for long-term success.

Alcoa press in Cleveland, Flats cleanup get Ohio Development financing, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 19, 2009
Cleveland—Alcoa's disabled 50,000-ton hydraulic press, key to the survival of 1,000 jobs in Cuyahoga Heights, got a boost Monday from a state council that voted to support a $3 million, low-interest loan to help repair the machine.

Ford's Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 in Brook Park reopening after 2-year shutdown, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 19, 2009
Brook Park, Ohio—Today, Ford plans to celebrate the reopening of Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 in Brook Park. Union officials say they expect to hit 250 workers at the plant by September.

• Ford boosts Cleveland-area plant, by Keith Naughton, Bloomberg News via Akron Beacon Journal, May 21, 2009
  Cleveland—Ford Motor Co., distancing itself from distressed U.S. automakers, is investing $55 million to convert a closed V-8 factory in Brook Park to build engines that improve fuel economy by 20 percent.
• Ford Motor begins EcoBoost engine production at Cleveland plant, Crain's Cleveland Business, May 19, 2009
  Cleveland—Ford said its EcoBoost technology combines turbocharging and direct gasoline injection to deliver up to 20% improved fuel economy and 15% fewer CO2 emissions compared with larger displacement engines.

Toyota revamps Prius, by Yuri Kageyama, Associated Press via Akron Beacon Journal, May 19, 2009
Tokyo—Toyota rolled out the revamped Prius on Monday, and said it already had 80,000 advance orders in Japan for the remodeled hybrid amid intensifying competition with Honda's rival offering, the Insight.

Gauging the economy's engine as it sputters along, by Justin Lahart, Wall Street Journal, May 19, 2009 (Subscription)
New York—It's hard to tell the moment when a recession ends. Adding to optimism is the improving mood of manufacturing purchasing managers, surveyed monthly by the Institute for Supply Management. The April survey found signs that the slowdown in manufacturing has eased.

U.S. orders stricter fuel goals for autos, by Stephen Power and Christopher Conkey, Wall Street Journal, May 19, 2009 (Subscription)
Washington—he Obama administration plans to order auto makers to increase the fuel economy of automobiles sold in the U.S. to 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, four years faster than current federal law requires.

• Climate bill would expand loans to auto makers, by Josh Mitchell, Wall Street Journal, May 19, 2009 (Subscription)
  Washington—The House Democratic leadership's climate bill would double to $50 billion a previously authorized loan program designed to help auto makers comply with strict new fuel-economy standards.

Akron companies [Bridgestone, Rexorce] receive state funds, Akron Beacon Journal, May 18, 2009
Akron—The Bridgestone Firestone Tech Center project has received a $1 million grant while an Akron company has been approved for a large low-interest loan to expand, according to the state of Ohio.

New NE Ohio company launches product to make toilet flappers obsolete, by Mhari Saito, WCPN, May 18, 2009
Cleveland—Wally Berry and Dave Pierson, an engineer from the nonprofit manufacturing advocacy group, MAGNET have completely reinvented the toilet flapper with the new Siphon Flush.

Obama administration unveils new set of smart-grid standards, by Henry J. Pulizzi, Wall Street Journal, May 18, 2009 (Subscription)
Washington—Calling the development of a "smart" electric power grid an "urgent national priority," the Obama administration unveiled a set of 16 standards to help ensure that new devices can send vital information to power suppliers.

Drop in industrial output slows to 0.5%, by Martin Crutsinger and Christopher S. Rugaber, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 16, 2009
Washington—More evidence emerged Friday that the recession is easing, with output by the nation's factories, mines and utilities falling at the slowest pace in six months.