Pickaway County secures $2 million for Pickaway East-West Connector (Chillicothe Gazette, August 4, 2009) The Connector provides an essential link to the expected growth in the logistics sector in Central Ohio over the next 20-30 years. It has been estimated that 15,000-20,000 new jobs can be created in the Rickenbacker area over that time frame. The catalyst for this growth is the Intermodal.

Editorial: Great Lakes effect (Akron Beacon Journal, August 6, 2009) A promising way to boost the economy of Northeast Ohio? Invest in the region's most valuable natural resource. Andy Buschbaum serves as the co-chairman of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, a Michigan-based collaboration of 100 organizations. He emphasized in an article over the weekend by Bob Downing, a Beacon Journal staff writer, that a proposed $400 million devoted to restoring the Great Lakes won't be a ''one-shot deal.''

Akron does second round of layoffs (Akron Beacon Journal, August 7, 2009)  Akron gave its second round of layoff notices this morning to 14 temporary or seasonal employees. The city gave layoff notices to 21 employees last week who were temporary, seasonal or part-time. These are the first layoffs in Akron in 27 years.

Editorial: Cincinnati Rail Proposal (Cincinnati Enquirer, August 8, 2009) A proposed city charter amendment on this November's ballot has not only altered the debate over the city's plan for a $185 million, riverfront-to-Uptown fixed-rail streetcar route, it has all but obliterated it. It has sucked the air out of any substantive discussion about such a system's actual merits.

OU elliptical users generate energy for the grid (Columbus Dispatch, August 8, 2009)  Ohio University students who use the 20 elliptical machines at the recreational center are boosting more than their heart health. The Charles J. Ping Recreational Center at the Athens school is the 10th facility in the nation and the first in Ohio to purchase equipment that allows users to generate energy by exercising on the popular machines.

Spending the stimulus (LimaOhio.com, August 8, 2009) The numbers are daunting: More than 27,000 applications were filed in Ohio. Most weren't approved, but those that were account for more than $7 billion. Some funding is distributed directly from the federal government to local agencies. Some goes to the state, which then passes it along. Other money is funneled through the state to smaller districts that ultimately distribute the funds.

Scholarship cash lures Ohio grads to Toledo (Columbus Dispatch, August 8, 2009) The University of Toledo will have three times as many freshmen from Columbus this coming school year as it did a year ago, and nearly half of them will receive a full academic scholarship.

Federal payrolls are good for region (Dayton Daily News, August 8, 2009)  What's the biggest bright spot in the Dayton region? Arguably, it's the federal government. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base reported its regional economic impact at $4.4 billion in fiscal year 2008.

Youngstown, other Ohio cities aim to dispel Forbes's grim view (Youngstown Vindicator, August 8, 2009)  Mayor Jay Williams and a local community activist will attend a symposium in Dayton of leaders from eight of the 10 communities listed by Forbes as the nation's fastest-dying cities. The Forbes 10 Fastest Dying Cities Symposium will bring together government officials, grass-roots activists, concerned citizens, artists and entertainers Saturday from cities on the list, said Peter Benkendorf, an organizer of the event.

Business climate healthier in Ohio, entrepreneurs say (Detroit Free Press, August 9, 2009) Ohio's 11.1% unemployment rate in June was more than four percentage points lower than Michigan's 15.2% rate. And although both states badly lag overall U.S. growth, Ohio's economy has grown 40% since 1999, compared with just 28% for Michigan's.

Symposium explores ways to revive Dayton (WHIOtv.com, August 9, 2009) Hundreds of people gathered on Saturday at the Dayton Convention Center to explore ways to reverse the city's decline over the last few years. The decline has been measured in job loss and other economic setbacks. It follows a Forbes magazine article a year ago that named Dayton as one of America's fastest dying cities. The 2008 Forbes article told the nation that Dayton was dying and was among the fastest-dying cities in America. The article served as a wake-up call of sorts to Mike Elsass, who runs the Color of Energy Gallery in the Oregon District.

Stimulus forces Ohio city to rethink future (Newsday, August 9, 2009) A small city that created a niche for itself as a hub for Appalachian artists is coming to grips with its stake in President Obama's stimulus package.

Rolls-Royce role grows in NE Ohio fuel cell sector (Crain's Cleveland Business, August 10, 2009) Even without the expansions, Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems already is one of Ohio's biggest fuel cell companies with 45 employees, 35 of whom are full time. On top of that, a few other companies have started small fuel cell operations nearby, to make North Canton a focal point within Ohio's emerging fuel cell industry.

Will Cuyahoga County corruption probe threaten renewal of Health and Human Services levy next year?(The Plain Dealer, August 10, 2009) Elected officials have a little more than a year to convince Cuyahoga County voters that if they renew a health and human-services levy, their tax money won't be squandered on luxury living by people holding the public's purse strings.