SUTTON JOINED BY STATE AND NATIONAL LEADERS TO OPEN LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S ENTREPRENEURSHIP INNOVATION CENTER

DATELINE: WASHINGTON

The following information was released by the office of Ohio Rep. Betty Sutton:

Yesterday, Congresswoman Betty Sutton was joined by state and federal officials at Lorain County Community College (LCCC) for the grand opening of the College's Entrepreneurship Innovation Center.

"As the Congresswoman for the 13th District, I am always looking for ways to spur innovation in our area, create new jobs to complement those we already have, and bring new economic growth," Sutton said. "I am proud to support LCCC's Entrepreneurship Innovation Center because it will help us achieve these goals. This important partnership between local government, businesses, and civic organizations will be a critical resource for the new generation of innovators and small businesses that will help revitalize our region."

LCCC's Entrepreneurship Innovation Center is dedicated to successfully moving people and businesses through the innovation continuum by fusing and mobilizing the collective resources of the community, the College and its partners. The Center will aim to stimulate and nurture ideas, help them grow into viable businesses and then sustain them to provide good jobs and increase the quality of life in Northeast Ohio.

"LCCC continues to be an important partner in forging a vibrant future for our community. It is so embedded in the life and success of Lorain County and Northeast Ohio, that its major initiatives are custom-fit to address the needs of our area. There is no greater testament to this dedication than today's event," Sutton said. "The presence of our state and national leaders today is proof that LCCC has gotten it right, is engaging in the work Lorain County and all of Northeast Ohio needs, and is truly making a difference."

"Last month, I was proud to help LCCC and the University of Akron launch the Innovation Alliance, an initiative that will help us create a brighter future for our community. LCCC's Entrepreneurship Innovation Center will help advance the goals of the Innovation Agenda by creating new jobs and new business ventures, and promoting private-sector partnerships to develop a workforce ready for global competition. This will create a new generation of innovators and provide our local businesses with the tools to encourage development."

Also in attendance at the opening were Governor Ted Strickland, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, Lt. Governor Lee Fisher, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor Mason Bishop, Lorain County Commissioner Ted Kalo, Lorain County Administrator Jim Cordes, and University of Akron President Luis Proenza.

Among its features, the Center will include an Entrepreneur's Corner, which will provide home-based business owners and traveling entrepreneurs a location to work. Business owners will have access to technologically-equipped conference rooms and a wealth of resources. The Center will also feature a Women's Development Center and customizable space for businesses and entrepreneurs to grow their enterprises, network with local partners and develop new ideas.

The Entrepreneurship Innovation Center will be housed in a 45,000 square foot, three-story, state-of-the-art building on the LCCC campus in Elyria, Ohio. The facility will offer the latest technology in communications and systems, including video conferencing, multimedia presentation equipment, flexible meeting and training space and computer labs.

The Entrepreneurship Innovation Center complements the work Sutton has been doing at the federal level advancing the Democrats' Innovation Agenda in Congress. In April, Sutton helped pass legislation to increase the number of highly qualified math and science K-12 teachers, support young researchers to foster the most innovative scientific research, and make resources more accessible for small businesses. She also pushed for funding increases to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). As a member of the House Budget Committee, she also was instrumental in crafting the Democratic Budget, which increases our national investment in education, science and research and development.

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