We’re only one day away from securing Ohio’s high-tech future. Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 4th is Election Day. If you haven’t already sent in your Absentee Ballot voting YES on Issue 1, then I want to take this one last chance to urge you to vote tomorrow in support of the Ohio Third Frontier (OTF). A YES vote on State Issue 1 will extend the life of the OTF, the most successful economic development and jobs creation program in the state’s history.
Ohio Third Frontier is credited with creating 55,000 jobs, funding more than 600 companies, and generating $6.6 billion in economic activity since its launch in 2002. Of investments to date, 50 percent have been repaid through tax receipts and the full investment made to date is forecast to be repaid in full by 2014. ISSUE 1 WILL NOT INCREASE TAXES. Rather by expanding Ohio’s job base, it will generate new revenues for state and local governments that will more than compensate for any debt incurred. For every one dollar invested by the state, more than $9 has been generated through co-investments and federal grants. Total return on investment has averaged 22 percent per year over the life of the initiative.
There literally is no formal opposition to State Issue 1; it has been endorsed by both political parties, both gubernatorial candidates, all major media, and more than 150 organizations around the state. The only thing that could hurt this Issue’s chances of passing is apathy and low voter turnout.
For more information on Issue 1, you can visit www.UnitedForJobsOhio.com or www.OhioProsperity.com
What others are saying about Issue 1::
OSU President E. Gordon Gee Expresses Support of Issue 1
E. Gordon Gee, president of The Ohio State University, added his voice in support of Issue 1 during a recent rally held at TechColumbus. He says it’s initiatives such as the Ohio Third Frontier that prompted his return to Ohio. He says now is the defining moment for determining Ohio’s future prosperity. See his videotaped speech.
Ohio Third Frontier Helps Researchers at Nationwide Children’s Educate and Ease Concerns Over Surgical Treatment Options
by Kelly Kelleher, MD, MPH; Founder, Surgery Navigator
I am writing to encourage you and your readers to support State Issue 1 which extends the Ohio Third Frontier Program (OTF) for four more years. OTF, through TechColumbus locally, plays a critical role in moving ideas to companies and jobs. As a physician inventor at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, I have benefited firsthand from both the funding streams for new inventors and, more importantly, the extensive expertise from professionals at OTF and TechColumbus. [Read More]
Advanced Vision Diagnostics System to Improve Public Safety with Support from OTF
by Alice Epitropoulos M.D.; Founder & CEO, Epico
The Ohio Third Frontier Program has been instrumental in helping me navigate the process of taking a patented medical device (EpiGlare Tester) and moving it forward towards commercialization. My product measures the disabling effects of headlight glare and sunlight in patients with cataracts. By more accurately evaluating these patients, our goal is to reduce vision-impaired traffic accidents and improve public safety. [Read More]
Issue 1 Supports Growth of Existing Central Ohio Companies – Not Just Startups
by Ray Shealy, Former CEO of HTP; Former General Manager of Financial Clearance Services with RelayHealth, a McKesson company.
Issue 1, the statewide ballot measure that will, if passed, extend the Ohio Third Frontier program, goes before voters on May 4 during the primary election. At stake is the renewal of one of the most highly successful economic development initiatives the state has ever adopted with bipartisan support. One that has not only had a tremendous impact on Ohio and Ohioans, but one which other governments have modeled programs after for transforming their states into globally competitive, 21st Century economies. [Read More]
I urge you to vote in tomorrow’s primaries. Issue 1 is vital to growing Ohio’s economy and providing jobs statewide in our high-tech future.
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