Brown Applauds Opening Of Ohio University Chillicothe Entrepreneurship And Technology Center
Brown Office Representative Attends Grand Opening Ceremony for 8,200 Square-Foot Facility
CHILLICOTHE, OHIO – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) applauded today’s opening of the Ohio University-Chillicothe’s Entrepreneurship and Technology Center. A representative from Brown’s office attended today’s grand opening ceremony for the newly-renovated building.
“This new building represents Ohio University’s commitment to providing high-tech, quality facilities and equipment to students at OU’s regional campuses,” Brown said. “The Entrepreneurship and Technology Center offers Ohio’s future business leaders opportunities and support to develop critical skills and launch businesses that will create jobs in Ross County.”
The 8,200 square-foot addition of the Entrepreneurship and Technology Center increases the Technical Studies Building to 13,900 square feet and will house classes in Law Enforcement Technology, Business Management Technology, and Applied Management degree programs. The expansion project began in June 2010 and students began taking classes in the facility at the beginning of January 2012.
Later this month, Brown plans to reintroduce the Business Incubator Promotion Act, which would make more communities in Ohio eligible to receive funds that support business incubators through the Economic Development Administration. This bill would encourage the formation of business incubators in distressed communities to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, helping regions to create high-skill, high-wage jobs. It would also give EDA authority, in cases of severe economic distress, to reduce the non-federal share (match) to 20 percent of the cost of a project or to waive the local share if the unemployment rate of the area exceeds 12 percent. These incubators are places where entrepreneurs can get the support they need during the most difficult start up phase of a new business.
Brown is also the author of the Strengthening Employment Clusters to Organize Regional Success (SECTORS) Act, which would address the disparity between the high unemployment and unfilled vacancies for jobs by tailoring workforce development efforts to meet the needs of high-growth, regional industries. The SECTORS Act addresses the disparity between high unemployment rates and a shortage of skilled workers for many emerging industries by providing grants for sector partnerships among institutions of higher education, industry, organized labor, and workforce boards. These partnerships would create customized solutions for specific industries at the regional level. A sector approach can focus on the dual goals of promoting the long-term competitiveness of industries and advancing employment opportunities for workers.
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