In his State of the State address yesterday, Ohio's governor said he plans to expand an already highly ranked energy policy, which could help create jobs and lower energy costs in Athens.
Governor Ted Strickland (D) announced that Ohio is creating the Energy Gateway Fund, which will use $30 million in federal job stimulus funds and $10 million from Ohio's state job stimulus program to invest in renewable energy.
The fund will aid new and expanding renewable energy companies but will require the companies using state funds to match the state's investment with private funds, Strickland said.
The Energy Gateway Fund could be used for Athens' energy projects, said city Councilman Elahu Gosney (D-at large). The money could be used to fund a proposed $1.5-million project to install solar panels at the Athens Community Center, he added.
Strickland said an investment in advanced energy will not only cut back on Ohioans' electric bills but also will create more jobs.
According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Ohio's unemployment rate was 10.9 percent in December 2009.
I want to say something to every person in Ohio who is unemployed or under-employed
Strickland said. I am fighting for you.
He cited a study by the Council of State Governments that ranked Ohio first in creating green jobs.
Rep. Debbie Phillips (D-92nd) says she thinks the fund will benefit Athens and the rest of Ohio economically.
In several areas of advanced energy (Ohio has) a real cluster of successful businesses and great research that's going on Phillips said. I think it's an important part of our state's economic recovery.
Strickland also announced the Ohio Neighborhood Harvest, which aims to improve access to Ohio-grown products and to healthy food.
Ohioans spend about $43 billion every year on food
but only 3 percent of that spending goes to products from Ohio farms
Strickland said.
Sen. Jimmy Stewart (R-20th) said he agrees it's a good idea for Ohioans to buy local products and to eat healthily, but that he doesn't know why the state needs to spend resources on it with an already-tight budget.
What little he said today about (the Ohio Neighborhood Harvest) did not convince me that (it) is going to have any meaningful impact on what is a worthy goal: getting Ohioans to eat better and more locally and regionally produce food.
But Phillips said she thinks the project could benefit Athens residents.
I think an effort like this can strengthen our economy because agriculture is a very important part of our economy
and it can help us be healthier
too
Phillips said.
Strickland also reaffirmed a commitment to higher education.
Ohio, which had a 3.5 percent cap on tuition increases last year, has held tuition to the lowest increase in the nation over the last three years, Strickland said.
Ohio University's tuition increased by 3.5 percent this quarter, 3 percent less than the national average increase for 2009.
1
News
