Taft's decision to stay put important for tech project

With state government bracing for a $4 billion general fund shortfall if the Ohio General Assembly fails to renew the penny sales tax that expires in June, having the governor's seal of approval on a technology-related project is certainly a plus. That's because the competition to secure funding from capital-appropriations budget will be intense and Gov. Bob Taft, along with the president of the Senate and speaker of the House, will have final say on the spending priorities.
Taft's public support for a market-ready technology incubator in downtown Youngstown to be located next to the existing Youngstown Business Incubator is significant, not only because it parallels his Third Frontier high technology initiative, but because it recognizes the need for the Mahoning Valley to become a player in the technology-based global economy. By previously securing $2 for the project, the governor has shown a willingness to commit state dollars to this important endeavor.
Last week, Taft put to rest rumors that he would leave to take a job with the Bush administration, if one were offered, saying that he is committed to serving out his term, which ends in December 2006. He pointed out that the state faced numerous challenges, including the impending budget crisis, which he is determined to tackle.
We applaud the governor for his decision to complete the job he started six years ago.
That said, we also urge him to remember the commitment he made to help make the second incubator project a reality.
The Youngstown Business Incubator is seeking another $2 million from the next biennium capital budget and we have every reason to believe, based on Taft's recent comments about the importance of the existing incubator and the planned technology center, that due consideration will be given to the request.
As we have noted in the past, there is a need to have a market-ready, fully wired office building to not only attract high-tech companies downtown, but to induce companies now being incubated by YBI to remain in Youngstown once they have graduated.
National attention
The cutting edge work being done by these companies is attracting national attention. For instance, Turning Technologies' marketing efforts recently got a big boost from a very positive product review of the company's class-room/audience response software and hardware system in Sales & amp; Marketing Management magazine. The magazine is distributed to over 70,000 business decision makers nationally.
The review highlighted Turning's latest technological innovation -- a new credit card sized infrared keypad. Demand for the keypad has been very impressive. Since its introduction during the first week of June, Turning has already sold over 75,000 units.
It is noteworthy that universities in Ohio, including Youngstown State, are using the classroom/audience response software and hardware system.
The Taft administration is aware of the intense lobbying by other states to lure companies like Turning Technologies from Ohio, which is why every effort must be made to keep them from leaving.
The market-ready technology incubator is designed to meet the needs of companies that are ready to be on their own, but cannot afford high operating costs that come with being in major metropolitan centers.
The Mahoning Valley's cost of living is an important selling point.
Like Gov. Taft, Congressman Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, is also an advocate of a technology-based economy for the Mahoning Valley, and recognizes the need for a market-ready office building in Youngstown. A $250,000 federal grant he secured for the project is proof of his commitment.