State Representative

Debbie Phillips

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 19, 2010

Contact: Meredith Tucker, Legislative Aide (614) 466-2158

Rep. Phillips Announces State Support for Services to Help Local Businesses
Grow and Thrive
State funds will help expand area businesses, build on region’s robust technological strengths

COLUMBUS – State Representative Debbie Phillips (D-Athens) today announced the release of state funds to support
local programs designed to create and retain jobs in Southeast Ohio. She also celebrated the approval of a $500,000 grant
to Ohio University from the Ohio Third Frontier Commission.

“Approval of these funds is critically important for the economic recovery and growth of our region. Renewable energy
and technology-based startups hold great promise for job growth in the area,” Representative Phillips said. “The success
of Ohio University in technology transfer is recognized nationally, and helps to leverage state resources for smart
economic development. Cutting edge research in energy technology at Ohio University is creating new possibilities, and
making sure that translates into jobs here at home is what we need to strengthen our local economy.”

The Ohio Controlling Board released $225,000 in Thomas Edison Program grants to Ohio University in Athens, OH.
These funds will support local Edison Technology Incubators (ETI) that work to create and retain jobs in Ohio through the
support of technological innovation.

The funds given to Edison Technology Incubators (ETI) will allow them to provide technological services to technology-
based start-up businesses in Southeast Ohio. The services they offer to other companies help to create and retain jobs in
the region, increase the survival rate of young technology-based companies and utilize the resources of Ohio’s academic
institutions and businesses to meet the unique needs of a growing business. Edison Centers focus primarily on mid-cap
companies with revenues ranging from $5 million to $250 million.

Additionally, Ohio University will receive a $500,000 grant from The Ohio Third Frontier Research and Development
Fund to support the Wright Projects Program, Center for Algal Engineering Research and Commercialization project.
The Wright Projects Program (WP) offers grants to support businesses as well as workforce training and education. The
WP Program also supports collaboration between Ohio-based colleges and universities with non-profit research
institutions and for profit companies to get innovative products to market.

The purpose of the Wright Program project is to support further commercialization efforts by developing an advanced
facility to test algal production and processing technologies with system integration for upstream carbon dioxide and
waste nutrient sources, as well as downstream algal applications. The new facility will also test algal systems and
products. The goal of the WP program is to advance Ohio’s role as a leader in the renewable energy field, while also
creating jobs for Ohio citizens.
The Ohio Third Frontier (OTF) Program has invested more than $180,000,000 into activities supporting the advanced
materials sector in the state. Through these investments, the OTF Program has stimulated the growth of an industrial
cluster that symbolizes ways in which traditional Ohio strengths can be converted into new, innovative, and successful
opportunities for economic growth.

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State Representative
Debbie Phillips

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 19, 2010

Contact: Meredith Tucker, Legislative Aide, (614) 466-2158

Rep. Phillips Hosts State Meeting on SE Ohio Green Economy

Experts meet in Logan to discuss the future of alternative energy in Southeast Ohio

COLUMBUS- State Rep. Debbie Phillips (D-Athens) today brought members of the Ohio House Alternative Energy
Committee to southeastern Ohio for a hearing on how the green economy is helping create jobs in this part of the state.
Rep. Phillips and the committee members heard from area business leaders and local educators about the growth and
successes of the alternative energy field in Appalachia.

“Today was a chance to showcase southeast Ohio,” Rep. Phillips said. “I am pleased that we could gather legislative and
industry leaders to demonstrate the enormous influence and innovation of the alternative energy sector in our area of the
state. Southeastern Ohio has established herself as a hub of advanced energy technology with the potential to propel Ohio
to a leadership position in the economy of tomorrow.”

The House committee hearing was held at the Hocking College Energy Institute in Logan.

Before the hearing, members of the Alternative Energy committee had the opportunity to hear from several innovative
alternative energy companies based in Southeast Ohio regarding industry innovations and the growth their companies
have experienced. The industry showcase contained presentations of innovations in the geothermal energy industry,
electrochemical technologies, biomass and bio-agriculture fields.

The field hearing itself consisted of testimony from four experts in the alternative energy field. The panelists gave
presentations to the committee outlining business opportunities afforded by the high-growth industry, such as turning a
niche in the field into a profitable business. Panelists also educated legislators on the ways in which state incentives, such
as Ohio Third Frontier grants, helped them grow their businesses and provided suggestions for ways the state could
support other alternative energy industry entrepreneurs. One panelist spoke of the importance of educating the next
generation of workers in the skills needed to promote the high-tech alternative energy industry.
Following the hearing, House committee members were given a tour of the Hocking College Energy Institute by Dr. Jerry
Hutton. The tour highlighted the numerous innovations spurred by the Institute and their impact on Southeast Ohio.

“The industry showcase, testimony and subsequent facility tour were great catalysts for future conversations regarding
ways we can support the ever-growing alternative energy industry in Ohio,’” Rep. Phillips said. “It’s this type of
information and education that helps us as policy makers to provide support needed for this industry to grow and flourish
in Ohio.”

*Editors note: For more information regarding testimony given by field expert panelists and local businesses featured in
the industry showcase, contact Meredith Tucker, Legislative Aide to Rep. Phillips.

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