Ohio Hosts 2010 International Economic Development Council Conference Sept. 26 - 29

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's largest gathering of economic development professionals will convene at the International Economic Development Council's Annual Conference Sept. 26 - 29 at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus, Ohio to discuss new paradigms of economic development, including new tools, new uses, new ventures and new directions.

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The conference features five prominent keynote speakers from Ohio: Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee, J.D., Ed.D., American Electric Power Co., Inc. Chairman, President and CEO Michael G. Morris, Scotts Miracle-Gro CEO and Chairman of the Board James Hagedorn and Crane Group President and CEO Tanny Crane.

"As co-sponsor of this year's IEDC conference, we are proud to share some of Ohio's new economic development paradigms with economic developers from around the globe," Ohio Department of Development Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel said. "By using new models of business development such as our Ohio Hubs of Innovation and Opportunity and Ohio Third Frontier, we are spurring research discoveries and creating the companies and jobs that will drive Ohio's economy for generations to come." Other co-sponsors include American Electric Power Co., Inc. and the Columbus 2020! Partnership.

"As the United States attempts to sustain its economic recovery, many of the old ways of doing business and making deals are being replaced by more innovative approaches," IEDC President and CEO Jeff Finkle said. "We are excited to host this year's conference in Columbus, Ohio, which allows our members to get a first-hand look at projects that have succeeded using these new paradigms." The conference includes six "mobile workshops" incorporating tours of central Ohio projects.  

"These are only a few of the projects that demonstrate how Ohio is proactively redesigning the state's business climate to be the ideal location for the 21st century," Ed Burghard, executive director of the Ohio Business Development Coalition, said. "In fact, Site Selection magazine has awarded four consecutive Governor's Cups to Ohio for leading the nation in new and expanded capital development projects. Business executives continue investing in Ohio because the state offers a work-life balance unlike anywhere else."

The six mobile workshops include:

"Living on top of the Old Margarine Factory and other Dirty Redevelopment Stories," which covers:

• Grandview Yard, a mixed-use development on the site of a former grocery chain headquarters.
• Harrison Park, a former margarine factory converted to single-family homes, lofts and flats.
• The former site of Columbus Coated Fabrics, which is being redeveloped into apartments and condos.
• The Creekside development in Gahanna, home to recreational facilities, public spaces and a mixed-use development.

"Rural Focus - Union County," which showcases how agriculture is creating jobs and investment in rural America through tours of:

• Univenture, an Algae research and technology center.
• Springdale Perch Farm.
• Select Sires, an international superior bovine genetics production facility.

"Technology and Higher Education," which examines some of the reasons Forbes named Columbus the no.1 Up and Coming Tech City in 2008 through tours of:

• The Ohio Supercomputer Center, established in 1987 to provide supercomputing, research and education resources.
• TechColumbus, which has nurtured 111 emerging technology businesses that have created 665 jobs with an average salary of $65,000.
• Dublin Entrepreneurial Center (DEC) in Dublin's 1,300-acre Innovation Park.

The "Rickenbacker," which explores the international cargo airport, multi-modal logistics hub, charter passenger terminal and U.S. Foreign Trade zone on the site of the former Rickenbacker Air Force Base.

The "Honda of America," which includes a visit to the facility 25 minutes northwest of Columbus that has evolved from a motorcycle plant employing 64 associates in 1979 to become Ohio's top vehicle manufacturer, producing almost $20 billion in products annually.

"Bringing Life Back to Downtown Columbus," which explores Columbus Downtown Development Corporation projects, including:

• The Arena District – a 75-acre mixed-use site on the former location of the Ohio Penitentiary.
• The $44 million Scioto Mile riverfront renovation project.
• The 23-acre River South District project, which is creating an urban neighborhood of lofts, condos and apartments.
• The $2 million urban street revitalization project on historic Gay Street.

About the International Economic Development Coalition

Serving more than 4,600 members, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to helping economic developers do their job more effectively and raising the profile of the profession. For more information about IEDC visit www.iedconline.org.

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.

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SOURCE Ohio Business Development Coalition