Issue Position: Community Development

Issue Position

Issue Position: Community Development

As Ohio and the nation move into the 21st century, we must rebuild the infrastructure of the urban centers of our great cities, reinvigorate struggling midsize communities, empower rural areas to secure needed services and infrastructure, and protect the quality of life in all of our towns and suburbs across the state. The keys to shared prosperity are joint efforts between our exceptional colleges and universities, hospitals and non-profit groups, small businesses and large industry, and elected officials and citizens. Working together we can continue to drive our nation's economy forward.

To do this, I am encouraging cooperation and collaboration between numerous private and public sector groups to create more opportunities for Ohioans and stronger communities across the state. For example, I am working to increase awareness and access to existing federal programs that will strengthen the state's economy.

The federal government is already actively invested in contracts of products and services that support thousands of Ohio businesses and millions of Ohioans. Our great state is a world class leader at our Wright Patterson and NASA-Glenn facilities. Increasing access to the resources that support these economic opportunities is key to redeveloping our communities. Whether it is through grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration or federal research and development funds that allow us to create products and strategies to gain America's energy independence, we must continue to facilitate opportunities for the good of Ohio.

From Ashtabula to Galion, from Lima to Jackson, from Hamilton to Lorain, our state has so much to offer. I'm committed to bringing good-paying jobs to our state and keeping those that already call Ohio home. We must not forget our role as a leader in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors as well as in the critical fields of health care and higher education, while embracing emerging industries such as alternative energy production and biotechnology. It is this spirit of innovation and hard-work that has and will continue to make Ohio a great place to live and do business in the years ahead.

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