Strickland named chairman of Midwest Governors Association

Topping his agenda will be capital investment in businesses and work force training.

STAFF REPORT

Gov. Ted Strickland has been named chairman of the Midwestern Governors Association and co-chairman of the Council of Great Lakes Governors.

Strickland, a Democrat, will serve in the position until Feb. 2011, it was announced today at the association’s conference in Washington, D.C.

Strickland’s agenda will focus on “training workers and investing in businesses for the new economy.”

“As a region, the Midwest must determine how to best open up credit markets for mid-sized and smaller advanced energy companies,” Strickland said. “As we cast off our reputation as the ‘Rust Belt,’ we must capitalize on the entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic of Midwesterners to expand our energy economy. Our region has the resources and potential to move this nation forward.”

Strickland has two objectives. The first will be increasing investment capital opportunities for Midwestern businesses. The second is to ensure the region’s workers have the necessary skills for advanced energy jobs.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.