Strickland to serve on governors’ panels

STAFF REPORT

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Ohio Governor Ted Strickland (D-Lisbon)

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland was 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 Sunday 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 midsized 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.

The Midwestern Governors Association is an organization that brings together the governors of Midwestern states to work cooperatively on public policy issues of significance to the region. There are 10 members.

Strickland also was elected Sunday as co-chairman of the Council of Great Lakes Governors, joining Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle. His role will be spearheading the council’s efforts to protect the Great Lakes and invigorate the region’s economy.

Strickland has made preventing the spread of Asian carp and the introduction of new invasive species a top priority.

The council consists of governors from each of the eight Great Lakes states — Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.