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Rep. Ashford Announces Funding for Local Business Incubator
$450,000 to improve technology and create new jobs in Toledo
region
Special to The Truth
This week, State Rep.
Michael Ashford (D-Toledo) and State Senator Edna Brown
(D-Toledo) both announced the approval of state funding in
the amount of $450,000 to further develop the University of
Toledo’s Launch Pad program. Launch Pad, a business
incubation program, provides guidance and resources to
technology-focused businesses and start-ups throughout the
Toledo region.
“Supporting programs like
Launch Pad allows technology-based businesses in Toledo to
thrive,” Ashford said. “This success fosters an atmosphere
of economic development and encourages other types of
businesses to locate here.”
“I am pleased to see this investment in the Launch Pad
program as they continue their important work assisting
entrepreneurs in Northwest Ohio,” said Brown. “In addition
to creating innovative events like the Pitch & Pour business
competition, the program benefits the entire region by
providing resources to increase the number of successful
business startups which leads to accelerated local economic
activity and job opportunities.”
The funding will help spur
further progress towards the program’s goal of improving
technology and creating jobs. The University of Toledo will
also contribute $250,000 towards advancement of the Launch
Pad program.
The Launch Pad program
will be hosting its second annual "Pitch & Pour" business
pitch competition on Thursday, January 30, 2014 from 5:30
p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Tom and Elizabeth Brady Innovation
Center, located inside the Nitschke Technology
Commercialization Complex at the University of Toledo. The
competition is an open application event that helps
participants network with students, business leaders,
potential investors, and world-class judges. |
