"Ohio's Economic Equation"

This was an unpublished letter to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Or if they did publish it, I certainly missed it.

It is curious that Les Vinney and Dorothy Baunach took this week to tout the achievements of NorTech (“Ohio’s economic equation”, PD 2/22/2005) while ignoring the injuries to be suffered at Glenn Research Center in the next federal budget. What does Julian Earls, Glenn’s Director and Northeast Ohio Technology Coalition member, have to say about the role NorTech will play in sustaining the research center’s programs and pre-eminence?

“Ohio ranks 22nd overall in federal R&D funding, receiving only $164 on a per capita basis versus the national average of $269. At only 61% of the national average, we have lots of room for improvement. Increasingly, opportunities for new federal funding require cooperation among multiple organizations which NorTech, as an independent and trusted third party, can help broker or facilitate. NorTech engages outside experts as needed, and works closely with the region’s universities, councils, and corporations to determine those areas and activities where that will bring more federal dollars into the region. (http://www.nortech.org/#agenda_nort)”. This quote comes from the NorTech website. But exactly what they expect to do is absent.

NorTech could be organizing a consortium to bring the construction of the International Linear Collider to Northern Ohio rather than Northern Illinois. It may not be too late. I am writing about what will be the world’s largest machine. A multi-billion dollar package of electronics, metals, ceramics, and polymers placed in a tunnel 39 kilometers long. Local manufacturers could be supplying a number of components, materials, and infrastructure. But will they? Not if business leadership ignores a potential goldmine. Or should I say salt mine? Because one place to consider placing this construction is in the geologically stable salt bed under Lake Erie.

Scientists and engineers could be working here, rather than in Chicago, engaged in research about the nature of the universe. That is an endeavor as sublime as a Cleveland Orchestra performance and more demanding than Cleveland Browns football. More office space downtown could be inhabited instead of vacant, although I’m hardly aware how many researchers and administrative staff a supercollider requires. The power requirements might expand and rehabilitate the Municipal Power Plant. Steel mills may reawaken or be kept busy for several years.

It is too much to dream for and apparently NorTech leadership does not dare to dream.