Ohio's Third Frontier to Make Second Pass on Quasi-Transportation/Economic Development Ballot Initiative

A ballot initiative designed to bolster the Ohio economy and create jobs by continuing the state’s public works infrastructure program and supporting the commercialization of science and technology-based research was announced last week by Gov. Bob Taft and other legislative leaders. The initiative, to appear on the Nov. 8 ballot, is a second attempt to pass funding for part of the state’s Third Frontier Project, which failed in its first go-round in 2003 (see the Nov. 7, 2003 issue of the Digest).

If approved, the ballot initiative would provide operating dollars to bolster the Third Frontier Project, prepare job-ready sites for industrial development, and renew the public works bond fund, including:

• $500 million over the next seven years for research, development and commercialization projects competitively selected by Ohio’s Third Frontier Commission;
• $150 million over seven years for “Job-Ready Sites” which will prepare sites for industrial and business expansion to meet environmental and other requirements; and,
• $1.35 billion over the next 10 years for the public works bond renewal to assist local governments with roads, bridges and water projects.

Gov. Taft, Senate President Bill Harris and House Speaker Jon Husted introduced the major components as separate resolutions at the start of Ohio's current legislative session. After discussions with local government officials and other stakeholders, the three leaders decided that a combined ballot issue gives voters the most effective opportunity to help create jobs.

The Third Frontier Project includes a portfolio of programs such as the Biomedical Research and Technology Transfer Trust Fund, the Wright Centers of Innovation, Wright Projects, and the Third Frontier Action Fund (see the June 14, 2004 issue of the Digest). In his biennial budget request earlier this year, Gov. Taft called for $134 million in investments in Third Frontier to help make Ohio a leader in fuel cell development (see the March 7, 2005 issue of the Digest).

More information on the Third Frontier Project is available at http://www.thirdfrontier.com/.