Ohio economic grants rising

The number of grants targeted for economic development initiatives in Ohio more than doubled and the total amount handed out nearly tripled to $24.6 million between 1995 and 2005, the Foundation Center said in a recent study, Spotlight on Economic Development Grantmaking in Ohio.

Northeast Ohio snags $7.9M for advanced energy research
The Ohio Third Frontier Project is sending another $7.9 million to Northeast Ohio for advanced energy research. Ten companies in the region, as well as Kent State University and the University of Akron Research Foundation, received grants from the program, a $1.6 billion, 10-year initiative aimed at building the state's economy through technology. The program announced a total of 29 grants worth a combined $20.9 million.

Board of Regents releases 10-year plan
The Ohio Board of Regents recently released its long-awaited 10-year plan to create a University System of Ohio. The report calls for achieving three main goals: to graduate more students from college, keep more college graduates in Ohio and attract more degree holders from out of state.

Ohio wineries are thriving

According to a recent study, the wine industry along Northeast Ohio's Lake Erie shore pumps $30 million annually into the economy of the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake.

Job growth projected for the Cleveland Plus region
A report primarily based on data gathered by Moody's Economy.com, a well-known source of economic data and forecasting, states that Northeast Ohio's information industry is projected to grow 34 percent over the next decade. Additionally, manufacturing is projected to grow by 22 percent.

Drew Carey teams up with Cleveland Orchestra

Cleveland native Drew Carey will make his Cleveland Orchestra debut on Saturday, July 26, at Blossom Music Center. He's scheduled to narrate a performance of Felix Mendelssohn's incidental music for Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

YSTARK! program targets young professionals in Stark County

The Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce has set out to attract and retain diverse young professionals in Stark County through YSTARK!, a new program to promote the county as a great place to live, work and play.

Black Enterprise magazine features Cleveland-based firm

A recent issue of Black Enterprise magazine featured Cleveland-based The Coniglio Co.,owned by Tom and Gwenay Coniglio. The firm grossed $2 million in 2007 by specializing in general contracting and the installation of custom cabinetry for public- and private-sector clients. For 2008, with contracts currently in the pipeline and by offering services outside of Cleveland, the couple projects reaching gross revenues between $6 million and $10 million.

OneCommunity's Scot Rourke named Intelligent Community Visionary of the Year
Scot Rourke, president and CEO of OneCommunity, has been named the Intelligent Community Visionary of the Year for 2008 by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF.) ICF is the New York-based think tank dedicated to studying economic growth in the Broadband Economy that named Northeast Ohio one of 2008's Top Seven Intelligent Communities of the Year.

Stark State College receives nearly $1 million for STEM education scholarships

Stark State College will receive nearly $1 million awarded in the first round of the Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program to provide scholarships in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical fields (STEM). Stark State College will partner with The University of Akron, Baldwin-Wallace College and Lorain County Community College to attract and graduate about 800 students in STEM fields in five years.

OARDC constructs state-of-the-art Feedstock Processing Research Facility
The Wayne County Growth Report recently reported that the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) has begun construction of a state-of-the-art Feedstock Processing Research Facility, which is expected to increase the quality of feeds for vital livestock and poultry research and aid in the development of renewable industrial products.

University Hospitals joins Radiation Injury Treatment Network

The federal government recently selected the Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospitals Case Medical Center (UHCMC) to join an elite group of hospitals to rapidly evaluate and treat potential victims of radiological and chemical attacks. The Ireland Cancer Center is the only adult site in Ohio to be part of the Radiation Injury Treatment Network (RITN), created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

Travel conference visits the region
About 350 travel planners are attending the African American Travel Conference this week, which is being hosted in Northeast Ohio for the first time. Tourism officials bid on and secured the event in 2006.

MRI technology products company relocates to the region

m2m Imaging, a leading-edge MRI technology products company, recently announced it headquarters' relocation to Cleveland from New Jersey. 

Plus... read what publications across the country are saying about Cleveland Plus.   

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Cleveland Plus Minutes on News Channel 5 WEWS

CLEVELAND PLUS HAPPENINGS

Minority Health Month: April

Minority Health Month activities in Youngstown, funded by the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, are free and open to the public.

Enchanted April: April 16 – May 4

A romantic comedy by Matthew Barber, Enchanted April boldly asserts the rejuvenating power of friendship and love during its run at the Weathervane Playhouse in Akron.

Providence House presents a 5K Run and 2K Family Fun Walk from Tower City Center through Ohio City to bring awareness to Child Abuse Prevention Month.

FusionFest: April 23 – May 11

For the third consecutive year, The Cleveland Play House presents FusionFest, the only multidisciplinary performing arts festival at a regional theatre in the country. The festival will offer a sampling of new and innovative works that have never before been seen in Cleveland, including performances by Judy Gold, Kim Wayans, former NFL star Bo Eason, and an historic collaboration with the Humana Festival of New American Plays.

Party for the Planet: April 26

The Akron's Zoo's Party for the Planet teaches attendees how simple conservation efforts can make a remarkable difference to wildlife in backyards and beyond.

Cleveland International Wine Show: May 2-3

The I-X Center, in conjunction with the Cleveland Wine School, presents the Cleveland International Wine Show, which includes 500 quality wines from 24 countries, educational seminars and food/wine pairing demonstration by top chefs.

Ohio Independent Film Festival: May 4 – 11

The annual Ohio Independent Film Festival is among the leading showcases in Ohio for independent feature-length and short films. The festival, held at Cleveland Public Theatre, is programmed from submissions only and focuses on quality films that do not yet have distribution.

Woman's Heart Day: May 8

HMHP Heart & Vascular Services and Laboratory Services, present Woman's Heart Day on Thursday, May 8 from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chevrolet Centre in Youngstown. The women's event includes free health screenings, refreshments, informational programs, giveaways and more.

National First Ladies' Library Symposium: May 16-17

The National First Ladies' Library Symposium "From Front Porch to Webcast: The History and Impact of Spouses in Presidential Campaigns" in Canton will feature panelists Helen Thomas, former United Press International White House bureau chief; Evan Cornog, the publisher of the Columbia Journalism Review; Karen Tumulty, national political correspondent with Time Magazine; as well as the Plain Dealer's Connie Schultz.

Walking with Dinosaurs – The Live Experience: June 25-29

Dinosaurs return to the earth in a live theatrical arena show, Walking with Dinosaurs– The Live Experience, based on the award-winning BBC Television Series. This 90-minute show is now on a two-year North American arena tour and will perform eight performances at Quicken Loans Arena.

New Volunteer Orientations – Hands on Northeast Ohio: Various dates and times

Become a part of the Hands On community – an organization that allows volunteers to  choose from a variety of projects that connect community needs with their time and interests. Sign up online and then attend one of the New Volunteer Orientation sessions. Volunteering with Hands On Northeast Ohio is free.

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