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Ohio economy gets $1.7 billion

Strickland plans to create 80,000 new jobs

By Anthony Skeens

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Published: Sunday, March 9, 2008

Updated: Sunday, October 5, 2008

University of Cincinnati graduates might find it easier to land a job under a proposal by Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland that calls for a $1.7 billion investment to stimulate the state's economy and create 80,000 new jobs over the next four years.

The governor's Building Ohio Jobs plan will use bond money as an incentive for corporations to expand and create more employment opportunities for Ohioans.

Keith Dailey, the governor's press secretary, said $1.7 billion would be raised from the sale of bonds - not a tax increase - and those revenues would be invested in environmentally-friendly growth industries to improve infrastructure and to redevelop city neighborhoods.

"The plan will provide a greater opportunity for those students who have interest in these industries," Dailey said. "Our economic future lies in the efforts of our college students."

Investing in Ohio's infrastructure, especially the state's network of roads and highways, gives distribution and logistic companies a reason to stay in Ohio, according to Dailey.

"Economists agree that investments in infrastructure lead to long-term economic success," Dailey said.

Revenue from the sale of bonds to finance the governor's economic stimulus package will go directly into specified industries, and the investment of the bond money will be closely watch by a third-party auditor, according to Strickland.

In his Feb. 6 State of the State address, Strickland said the 80,000 jobs he expects his plan to create will be good paying. However, Dailey said he was uncertain of the salary range and wages graduates can expect to earn from the new jobs.

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