The needs of Ohio’s economy change from region to region—for some, like ours, supporting smaller employers might end up playing a bigger role than waiting for that one homegrown giant employer to materialize. Luckily, folks at Ohio University seem to understand that, and the school’s Innovation Center is recognized by the International Business Innovation Association as the 2022 Entrepreneurial Support Organization of the Year in the rural category.
“Ohio University takes seriously our mission to foster economic growth in the region in which we operate. We are grateful to be recognized for our services to Athens County and the region, and we are proud of all that Stacy Strauss and her staff continue to achieve.” said OU President Hugh Sherman.
Strauss describes the task of the innovation center as providing “First-class business development services, resource connections and newly renovated facilities for technology and technology startups, all together driving tangible economic development through entrepreneurial support in our region.”
According to the center, in 2021 it supported 249 jobs that generated about $18 million in employee compensation and $49.7 million in economic output in the Athens district. They do this in partnership with company founders and their employees who are determined to make it work – in Athens County, Ohio; not Silicon Valley or Seattle.
It’s a solid partnership that’s doing good now and could mean great things in the future. Congratulations to OU’s Innovation Center and we’re encouraged to know there’s more to come.
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