Governor Announces Third Frontier Internship Awards in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, OHIO (October 22, 2003) - Governor Bob Taft today presented more than $916,000 in Third Frontier Internship Program grants to three organizations while at Goodrich Landing Gear in Cleveland. Combined with matching funds, the grants are expected to provide at least $1.8 million to sponsor 291 student internship opportunities in high-tech companies throughout the state.
"We want our children and grandchildren to be able to stay close to home, because the good jobs are here in Ohio, close to home," Taft said. "The Third Frontier Internship Program is one way to do that while benefiting Ohio businesses. I commend all the businesses and universities serving as participating organizations for taking part in this important and promising initiative."
Taft presented a grant of $519,750 to The Greater Cleveland Growth Association to provide 165 college internships in the Cleveland area. The award money will be matched by participating organizations, ensuring at least $1 million will be available to sponsor internships. There are currently more than 60 businesses and nine educational institutions serving as participating organizations.
Taft presented a $220,500 grant to INROADS, Inc. to sponsor 70 internships statewide. Combined with matching funds, at least $440,000 will be available to provide internships. Thirty-one companies and 29 educational institutions are currently participating organizations.
Finally, Taft presented an award of $176,064 to the Ohio Aerospace Institute. Combined with matching funds, this will ensure at least $350,000 is available to sponsor 56 internships statewide. There are currently 8 companies and 18 educational institutions serving as participating organizations.
The Third Frontier Internship Program aims to develop a pool of talented workers for Ohio businesses; create student work experiences for Ohio residents; enrich the educational experience of college students; and expose educators to the strategies and processes of today's business environment. The three-year, $15 million initiative, utilizing federal funds from the Governor's allocation of Workforce Investment Act funds, is expected to create approximately 1,300 internships in 2004 and a total of 4,500 over the next three years for Ohio students and will be administered by the Ohio Department of Development.
The Third Frontier Project is Taft's $1.6 billion job creation program to expand Ohio's high-tech research capabilities and promote start-up companies to create high-paying jobs. It is the state's largest-ever economic development investment and has received bi-partisan support from the Ohio Legislature. The final part of the Third Frontier Project, a $500 million bond program up for voter approval in November, would allow the state to allocate $50 million annually over the next 10 years to attract top research talent to Ohio institutions, help with the development and commercialization of new products and create new, good jobs for Ohioans.
