OCGA endorses Gov. Strickland’s
jobs package
MARION, OH – The Ohio Corn Growers Association (OCGA), which
represents Ohio’s largest crop industry, has endorsed Ohio Gov. Ted
Strickland’s $1.57 billion
economic stimulus package.
Building Ohio Jobs is a partial bond package that will create
80,000 jobs in Ohio. It will also lay the foundation for long-term
prosperity in our state.
With the exception of the Clean Ohio program, this bipartisan
package will not need to go to the ballot in November, allowing the
positive benefits to the state’s economy to start almost
immediately.
“So much is happening in terms of renewable fuels, biofuels and
advanced energy,” Gov. Strickland said.
The roads, bridges, rails, biomedicine, byproducts and advanced
energy investments in this package will create jobs for Ohioans in
the near term and will position our state as an economic leader in
key industries.
OCGA shares in the governor’s vision for Ohio.
“As an industry we’ve been through struggles with $2.00 corn, which
was below the cost of what it took to produce our crop,” said OCGA
President Mark Drewes. “We appreciate what the governor is doing to
ensure a better tomorrow for all Ohioans. The ability of the Ohio
corn producer to supply the world will continue to be the backbone
of this state and country. We look forward to the opportunity to
lead agriculture to the next level.”
The details of the
bipartisan economic package are:
New and Emerging Industries:
Bio-based Products, $50 million -- will help support and grow an
industry that aims to produce polymers, plastics and other crucial
modern materials out of Ohio-grown crops.
Biomedical, $100 million -- will help create jobs through spurring a
part of Ohio's economy that saves lives and leads to medical
advances.
Advanced and Renewable Energy, $150 million -- will create new jobs
by making Ohio a powerhouse of renewable and advanced energy
production such as wind, solar and clean coal.
Infrastructure:
Logistics and Distribution, $100 million -- will help spur job
creation through investing in infrastructure that can be used to
expand and support businesses that move and distribute products.
Ohio's central location in the nation makes it a perfect location
for a growing logistics and distribution industry.
Local Infrastructure, $400 million -- will be used to help build
important local infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges,
sewers and water systems.
Clean Ohio Conservation, $200 million -- will fund the preservation
of farmland and greenspace.
Clean Ohio Revitalization, $200 million --will help revitalize our
cities and industrial areas by brownfield clean up and
transformation into new residential and business development.
Historic Preservation Tax Credit, $120 million -- will revitalize
historically significant buildings that expand the tax base of the
local community.
Workforce:
Higher Education Workforce Initiative, $250 million -- aims to keep
more college-educated Ohioans in the state by linking them with good
internships, cooperative education programs and jobs while they earn
their degrees. Matched with private sector investments, this will
make Ohio a leader in higher education and job creation efforts.
“This bipartisan jobs stimulus plan will create jobs, make us a
leader in emerging industries and establish the foundation for
long-term growth and prosperity in Ohio,” Strickland said.
Contact information:
Natalie Lehner
614-499-7111
nlehner@ohiocorn.org |
