Ohio Fuel Cell Industry Celebrates 10 Years of Success, Recognizes Ohio's Global Leadership Position

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Ohio will celebrate 10 years of success and global leadership in the fuel cell industry at the Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium scheduled for May 6-7, 2010 at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, Ohio. According to the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition (www.FuelCellCorridor.com), the statewide fuel cell industry organization hosting the event, the Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium will recognize Ohio's unique combination of knowledge, resources and infrastructure that has supported the development of the state's fuel cell industry. The result is a hotbed of fuel cell businesses that have successfully developed and commercialized products for a global audience.

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"Ohio is one of the few places in the world where all phases of fuel cell development take place," said Pat Valente, Executive Director of the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition. "In Ohio, business owners gain world-class access to research and development, a robust supply chain, and final product manufacturing.  What's more, they also have the added advantage of cross-sector support from business, government and educational institutions to further innovation and commercialization opportunities."

Ohio is proving its capabilities in the fuel cell industry at a global level, most recently being ranked among the top five fuel cell states in the nation, according to a new report published by Fuel Cells 2000 titled, "State of the States: Fuel Cells in America."

The Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition is a major driver of Ohio's fuel cell economy. The Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition, the largest state fuel cell association in the nation with more than 80 members including industry, academic, and non-profit organizations that include: Battelle, Edison Welding Institute, NexTech Materials, Honda, Rolls Royce, Crown Equipment, GrafTech, Case Western Reserve University, and The Ohio State University, many of which will participate in the Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium event.

The event will celebrate the 10th anniversary by recognizing the pioneers if Ohio's fuel cell industry who have been instrumental in developing the state's state of the art advanced energy technologies.  

"In just 10 years, Ohio has taken its fuel cell industry from its infancy to become a world-leader in development and manufacturing in this energy efficient technology," said Bill Dawson, CEO of NexTech Materials, Ltd., and one of the panelists recognizing Ohio's 10 years of achievement in the fuel cell industry.

According to the Ohio Business Development Coalition, the nonprofit organization that markets the state for capital investment, Ohio's fuel cell industry is further proof that the state is transforming its economy and adding new programs to educate and train a new generation of green collar workers to meet the advanced energy needs of the 21st century.

"Ohio is home to some of the best and brightest talent in the fuel cell industry, and continues to provide the necessary tools to allow both businesses and individuals the opportunity to pursue both their professional and personal aspirations," said Ed Burghard, executive director of the Ohio Business Development Coalition. "Ohio truly is the state of Perfect Balance."

About the Ohio Business Development Coalition

The Ohio Business Development Coalition is a nonprofit organization that provides marketing strategy and implementation to support Ohio's economic development efforts. For more information, visit www.ohiomeansbusiness.com.

For more information about the Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium, or to register for the event, visit, www.FuelCellCorridor.com.

SOURCE Ohio Business Development Coalition