As a lifelong resident of Appalachian Ohio, Ive seen firsthand the impact of a severe economic downturn that has devastated our region, Ohios industries, and Ohio families already struggling to put food on the table. The reality is that this economic downturn has hit Appalachian Ohio earlier and harder than it has other parts of the country.
We live in a changing world and a changing economy, and we must now make a choice. We can either adapt to these changes and create the jobs of tomorrow, or do nothing and be left behind. And for me, continuing to be left behind is simply not an option.
However, there is hope. In our region, we have – without question – the hardest workers and some of the most innovative minds in the world. This resource is one that we must capitalize upon to secure an economic future for generations of Ohioans to come.
In 2008, I convened the RENEW Ohio-18 summit, where I called upon the brightest minds in Appalachian Ohio to pool their collective ideas and develop a blueprint for the economic future of our region. That blueprint highlights four areas – Broadband, Health Care, Agriculture, and Advanced Energy – that can play a major role in a revitalized economy here in Ohios 18th Congressional District.
Weve shown that our region has potential. Now its time to capitalize on the opportunities before us. Thats why Im launching Fighting to Renew Ohio.
Its reassuring that in the past two years, weve seen manifestations of RENEW throughout our region and our district. These manifestations show us that even in the midst of a crippling recession, the determination of our friends and neighbors to create jobs and take charge of their economic future is quite simply unrivaled.
And now that we are seeing the RENEW report being put into practice, we must build on the work thats already being done. We must work together and learn from our friends and neighbors who are using innovative practices to create jobs and capitalize on new industries and ideas. We must work to ensure that our region is a place that will attract leading industries from around the country and the world and to provide a place where our children will have the economic opportunities necessary to raise their families.
In Fighting to Renew Ohio, Ill take the initial RENEW plan on tour across the district, highlighting local places where the four key areas developed in RENEW are being successfully put into action, innovatively creating jobs and helping to lead the way for others in the region.
With Fighting to Renew Ohio, well highlight the RENEW success stories at places like Adenas PACCAR facility, which is training the displaced workers of yesterday and today to become the highly skilled medical workforce needed to address the challenges of tomorrow.
Fighting to Renew Ohio is an important commitment to advancing Appalachia and creating economic opportunities for Ohio families. The RENEW Ohio-18 report gave us the blueprint, but these successes are providing the foundation to a revitalized economy. Only by learning from them, expanding them, and building upon them can we realize a new economic way for the region we love and call home.
For more information on my RENEW Ohio-18 plan, I encourage you to visit http://space.house.gov/RENEW or contact my office at 330-364-4300.
