TAFT ANNOUNCES SECOND SOLICITATION FOR WRIGHT FUND
COLUMBUS (December 6, 2002) - Governor Bob Taft today announced that the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) is accepting proposals from organizations interested in competing for $10 million in support from the Wright Capital Project Fund (WCPF). The $10 million will be allocated to support smaller capital projects involving research and commercialization activities in the non-bioscience core competencies.
"The Third Frontier Project was created to support the expansion of high
growth industries,"
Taft said. "The Wright Capital Project Fund promotes that growth by encouraging
partnerships among private companies and Ohio's leading research institutions.
I encourage all qualified applicants to submit proposals in response to this
competitive award process."
Organizations may compete for WCPF funds to support commercialization collaborations involving universities, other nonprofit institutions and Ohio-based private companies. Projects are expected to be funded at levels of $1 million to $2 million. Collaborations formed must further the commercialization of near-term specific or platform technology or capability with significant, defined market opportunities in the areas that include information technology, power and propulsion, advanced materials and instruments, controls and electronics.
Last month, a Request For Proposals (RFPs) was issued for organizations interested in competing for $40 million in capital funding to establish Ohio's first Wright Centers of Innovation. Twenty million dollars will be allocated to create Wright Centers of Innovation to be focused on biomedical technology. Twenty million dollars will be allocated to establish Wright Centers of Innovation within other core competencies including information technology; advanced materials; power and propulsion; and instruments, controls and electronics.
Together, these solicitations represent the first $50 million appropriation from the Ohio Legislature toward the Governor's proposed $500 million Wright Brothers Capital Fund. The Governor will seek the second $50 million installment as part of the next capital budget. The Wright Bothers Capital Fund is an integral component of the Third Frontier Project, a $1.6 billion, 10-year plan to expand Ohio's high-tech research capabilities and promote high growth companies to create high-paying jobs for Ohioans. Other Third Frontier Project and related initiatives introduced by Governor Taft include the Innovation Ohio Revolving Loan Fund, the Broadband Initiative, Access Appalachia and the Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative.
Information and materials for the Wright Capital Project Fund RFP are available
at www.ohio3rdfrontier.org. Letters of Intent to apply are required and must
be received by January 8, 2003. The requirements for the Letters of Intent are
described in the RFP. Questions regarding the announcement can be directed to
the ODOD's Technology Division at (614) 466-3887. The RFP closes on February
21, 2003.
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Contact: Julia Hinten or Gail Crawley, ODOD, at (614) 466-2609; or
Joe Andrews, Governor's Office, at (614) 644-0957.